, 1891-01-13
NEARING THE END.
The Hostiles are Only a Short
distance From Pine Ridge.
Gen. Miles Looks for a Peace
able Settlement.
Nebraska's Militia Given Per-
mission to Retire.
Almost Home.

PINE RIDGE, Jan. l2.-Up to noon to-
day the hostiles bad not. with the excep-
tion of a llt OF squaws, made a move to-
ward coming into the agency. Shortly
alter noon, however, the main camp of
the hostiles was broken and a rand ad-
vance made toward this point. This af-
ter ION about 600 of them had arrived
to within about a mile of the pickets out
side the agency. The announcement of
their arrival caused a great eommotIon in
the friendlics' camp. Within a short
time hundreds Of squaws and children
gathered in the vicinity of headquarters,
whence a view of the bluffs beyond which
the hostiles were stationed, could be OBJ
tanned. They waited until dusk for their
friends and relatives to come 10. but were
disappointed, as those outside remained
in camp there tonight. There is no GER
tainty as to what the Indians will do
Gen. Miles HIMSELF 10 doubt az to what
to expect of them, but confidently looks
now Tor a settlement Of the matter with
out further bloodshed. In fact. he sent a
letter tonight to Gems. Cody and Colby.
commanding the Nebraska state militia,
Informing them that he thinks the state
troops may now be withdrawn with safety.
let the Indians may get within gun
shot OF the agen;y aud then break away
again, thus precIpitating a conflict. Fear
OF all Kinds OF punishment for their mis-
deeds seems to have taken possession of
them aud 1t Is generally understood that
one inJudicious act on the part of the
soldlery, or the mad deed OF some
lrnplacable hostile would undo ali the
work 80 far accom- llshed.
Lieut.. Taylor Of the 9th cavalry has
gone. out with some of his scouts in order
TO lead the Indians, at the proper time. to
the places designated for their cam with
In the agency.
Where thu hostiles are now resting the
ground Is rolling md unbroken aud offers
advantages to the cavalry which they did
not have at Wounded Knee. The In
dams are virtually surrounded by troops
and a revolt now would prove disastrous
to them.
Their village comprises about three
hundred tepees, although many are douht
less concealed in the draws which lead
out of the valley in the direction of the
mission. The site is one from which
they might quickly retire were they not
followed 90 closely by Gen. Brooke's com
mand, The latter ARE now less than five
miles In the rear of the hostiles. To-
morrow Gen. Brooke will press upon
them more closely unless they mo ,e INTO
the AGENCY. Col. Wheaton is now about
eight miles west of the agency with the
md infantry and coming in this way. Col
Othey is following Gen. Brooke with the
18th infaury.
What is to be done with the Indians is
a question which cannot vet be answered.
The dlspos % seems to be to let them
rest III peace. IT. is understood that they
have promised to send a delegation OF
chiefs t. talk with Gen. Miles in the
morning. Gen. Miles has the settlement
Of the ca-o in his W hands. One ele-
ment which may cause trouble yet is the
faction fighting in the hostiles' camp.
1t is believed that Gen. Miles will de
mand of the chiefs the surrender of tie
leading aRitators and ship them south,
and then settle with the others.
The investigation regarding the
Wounded Knee battle is completed aud
the report will be forwarded to Washing,
ton. A well posted officer saws hat il
will dispel the idea that Col. Fors, the's
command deliberately shot down women
and children.