The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-05
HARD FIGHTING UNAVOIDABLE.
Warriors in Frenzy, Eager to Meet
Glorious Death in Battle.
Miles-Red Men Fire on Soldiers
Who Are Burying the Corpses on
the wounded Knee Battlefield.

1
twenty-nine wounded soldiers. They will
be distributed at three places, Fort
Omaha, Fort Robinson and Fort
Riley. Extensive ride pits are
reported being dug twelve miles west Of
here by the hostiles, and the report is of
such nature that the authorities rely
upon its truthfnlness. Last night the
hostiles burned many houses belonging to
settlers along White river, and fin
ished killing the last remnant of
the great herd of government cattle
that they raided SO heavily month ago
and have been drawing on ever since.
There is rumor current in official circles
here that a general call for volunteers TO
protect adjacent territory will be made
| The medical staff has been largely in
creased by today's arrivals. Among those
here include Drs. n. IL. Gardner
and Angelist, of San Francisco. Nearly
all say they were summoned by telegraph
day or two after the battle at Wounded
Knee. The gathering of this large corps
ofphysicians indicate that decisive bat
tie is likely to be fought in few days.
CHICAGO, Jan. 4.-TSpecial.l An Inter
OCEANS Pine Ridge special says: Last
night was one of feverish excitement at
men and half-breeds were alarmed and re-
mained up all night fearing an attack be-
fore morning. The agency, however, is
too well guarded TO permit any large force
| to approach very close without discovery
Friendly spies say there are a number
of warriors in the enemy's camp who have
worked themselves up to a condition of
frenzy similar to those who committed sui
~ 10 at InA L IL
want to die and are going to die while kill
ing white men. General Miles has his
troops all around the enemy and could
throw all in any day and have tre-
mendous battle, but could not pre-
vent small bands escaping which
would have to be followed up by
soldiers and which would place the lives
of many settlers in dangers. By holding
the troops until much larger force can
be thrown around the Indians the trouble
can be connned to the reserve. 1t
is expected that this cannot be
reached without one or more battles.
General Miles sent letter to the hostiles
asking for hearing. The Indians tore
the letter 70 fragments and said: s'Wc
want no treaty; We are here to night" The
Indians in the hostile camp number over
1900 men, women and children, and repre-
sent every agency in the two Dakotas.
There was a rumor in this city late to-
night to the effect that General Miles had
been killed in an engagement with Indians,
but it was impossible either to confirm the
rumor or learn any particulars. Captain
Higgins, who is now in charge of
army headquarters at Chicago, discredits
the rumor of General Miles death, although
he was free to acknowledge that such an
event was possibility. What makes me
think he said, that the rumor is untrue,
is a telegram which was received this
morning from General Miles aid-de-camp,
Lieutenant Maus, which concluded with
the statement that everything was
quiet at that time. In all modes of war
fare, Indian especially, prearranged at
tack is generally made in the early dawn.
| OF course that was not done today, as it
would have antedated Maus' tele-
grain. If there was a hight it
must have been an impromptu
one General Miles would hardly
order an advance an Sunday unless it was
| one of great Importance, and from the
| latest advices have received the plan of
closing in on the Indians in Bad Lands
was not to be put into execution at pres
ent, or at all, if not nnaliy resorted to out
of sheer necessity.
Assistant Adjutant- General Corbln, upon
telegraphic order from General Miles,
| left for the Indian country at O'Clock to-
| night. Just before Colonel Corbin left to-
night he was asked if the order transfer
ring him to the seat of war meant that the
| situation was more serious than supposed.
| He replied:
| think not 1t is not at all strange that am
| sent for, and probably ought 70 have been there
| before By virtue of my rank am chief of staff,
| and when the general in command is on the field
his chief OF staff should be there also. Further
| than this / cannot say anything about the
matter.
The only news received at headquarters
| this afternoon was short message from
| Lieutenant Maus, aide TO General Miles.
| 1t was to the effect that the Sixth cavalry,
under command of Captain Kerr, had met
| band of Indians at Clay creek, and a
| short engagement followed. One Indian
| is reported killed and one wounded. There
| were no casualties to the troops.
| OMAHA, Jan. A Bee special from Cor
/ don, Neb., says: Two scouts just arrived
confirm the report made last night of a
/ battle north of this place. The light was
| out by General Miles from Rosebud
| agency 10 bury the dead Indians killed
/ at the Wounded Knee battle, The hostile
| Sioux, objecting to the burial of their dead
! by their pale-faced foes, opened ire, and
| after desperate and sharp firing of Hotch-
kiss guns, were forced to retreat to the
protection of friendly ravines. No deaths
] are reported.
/ DENVER, Jan. A Ners Pine Ridge
/ special says: The army of Indians now
/ surrounded by General Miles soldiers
on White Clay creek numbers over 4.ooG
men, women and children, most of them
/ from the upper Dakota reservations.
| Hundreds of the crowd are crazed with
ghost dancing and will ight as Big Foot s
| men fought.
Shots were fired by pickets nearly every
/ hour last night, banishing sleep from all
/ eyes. Fire arrows were thrown into the
agency about midnight from a ravine near
| by, but fortunately fell harmlessEy.
Half-breeds and squaw men are leaving
for the railroad, saying they know what is
coming and don't propose 10 remain. This
! war will not be ended except by one Of the
| hloodiest battles In the history Of Indian
| warfare
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. I.-The commits.
sioner OF Indian affairs has. IN response to
a telegram sent Agent Roger at Pine
Ridge, inquiring as to whether any OF the