Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-10
The Crisis in the Indian War
at Hand.
A Night Attack Feared ut Pine
Ridge Agency.
The Savages Plot to Attack it From
Within and without.
General Miles Prepared for the Assault.
The Gordon Around tho Hostiles
Gradually Moving In.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
PINE RIDGE, S. D., Jan. YESTERDAY
afternoon all the commands in the fielc
were ordered to march from three to six
miles nearer the hostiles. Late las
night this order was put into effect. Al
intervals of two or three days the cordor
wilt be drawn more tightly around the
hostiles, until they agree either to come
in peaceably or be whipped into submis
sion. The disposition they display tc
accept the overtures Of General Miles is
susceptible of but one Interpretation
and that is that they propose to surren-
der and retain their arms, or die in their
defense. This is backed up by the fact
that majority of those who have come
in from the hostiles are squaws and
children, who desired to get out of the
way OF bullets. The coming in of Red
Cloud is variously interpreted. His good
faith is doubted.
WHAT DARKNESS MAY BRING FORTH.
No one can tell what the cover of
darkness may impel the Indians to un-
dertake. That they have contemplated, g.,
and do still contemplate an attack upon
the agency, is believed by all well-in-
formed people. That they are now
awaiting an opportunity, is almost an
established fact. Red Cloud is living in
his house in the midst of the friendlies.
At signal from the hostiles, it is be-
lleved he will communicate the same to
the frlendlies. The agency could then
De attacked from all sides. There are
less than one thousand soldiers within a
mile OF headquarters. Before those
stationed in the field could reach here,
great damage could be done.
General Miles today, as if impressed
with this fact.. is extending the breast
works around the school, which will
command the larger extent OF the friend
lies camp. He also received word from
Brooke that number of the hostiles
last might tried to break through his
!anes md anaapo-toa sRosabud. They
found the line too strong, however, and
retired.
Colonel Kent and Captain Baldwin,
who are collecting the facts in the
Wounded Knee fight, have already ex-
amined number OF witnesses. In
formation is being gathered in an in
formal manner.
Troop A, Seventh cavalry, Captain
Mayhan, left as an escort today with
Paymasters Baker and Comegys, who
will visit all the troops in the field.
Red Cloud says there are one hundred
wounded Indians among the hostiles
whom Little Wound wants to send to
the agency.
General Miles has placed Colonel
Shafter, of the First infantry, in COM
mand OF the troops at the agency.
Sitting Bear and Long Bull have writ
ten to General Miles that they propose
to come in with their followers and be
good Indians.
THE HosTrLEs' MuRDERoUs PLOT.
1t is learned that General Miles's
reason for ordering the extension Of the
breastworks about the school grounds.
was due to the discovery OF the fact that
one of the plans of the hostiles, with the
assistance of the alleged friendlies, was
to attack the school. The attack would
not be made until after the children had
left the building. This evacuation was
to be accomplished at given signal,
and Immediately preceding it, the
scholars were to set upon and overpower
the teachers. Then the work OF destruc-
tion was to begin. The story was we'll
authenticated and was brought to Gen.
eral Miles's attention. He. has taken
due precautions.
Colonel Shafter has issued an order to
the officers in command of the several
detachments, to take every precaution
to repel night attack. In the event of
such a surprise, several troops and COM
panies are to repair Immediately to the
designated position, which they will
hold to the last.
DANGER OF A NIGHT ATTACK. gu
While the post could be satisfactorily
defended during the day by breastworks
and Hotchkiss and Calling guns and
four pieces of artillery, it could not be
so we'll protected in the event of sur
prise at night. This order doubtless
has been suggested for the purpose of
allaying the fear of a night attack,
which exists among the whites.
Late this afternoon the Seventh cav
airy was moved from the bottom in
which it had been stationed, to the hill
Immediately east, which commands
view of the agency. From this position
they can more easily respond to call
from any part of the agency at any
time, day or night.
Shortly after the change, three fires
were noticed from the school house. 1t
is thought the houses of''The Mexican"
Young Man-Afraid- Of his Horses and
Standing Soldier, were fired by settlers.
He Dog and Jack Red Cloud and about
one hundred others have returned to
camp. Still more have promised, but
have failed to keep their word. Cen
eral Miles says at last accounts the In
dams were fighting among themselves.
Their camp was pandemonium; there
was no head to the hostiles. Despera-
does were destroying their own people.
If those Indians who belong to this
agency come in, the others, the general
thinks, will endeavor to get back to their
own reservation. The hostile element,
he says, is composed of Ogallalas from
Standing Rock, Cheyenne River and
Rosebud reservations. The troops on
the other side are frequently skirmishine
with them, and will follow them If they
come. Should such be the case the gen
eral thinks the military problem WI u bf
solved, The control Of the Indian II
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