The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-01-01
IREACHEROUS REDS. /
Indian Treachery Results in
a Terrible Fight With
the Soldiers.
Troops Suddenly Attacked by
Big Foot's Band While Be-
ing Disarmed.

WOUNDED KNEE CREEK, s. D., Dec. 81
INDIAN treachery resulted in an awful
slaughter of soldiers and redskins here to-
day.
Big Foot, the renegade Sioux chief
showed the true Indian spirit. and tonight
the greater part of his band is dead, while
the rest are scattered and pursued by SOL
diers, who are giving no quarter.
Sunday morning dawned bright and
warm as summers day. Every one of
the soldiers had their cvercoats off and
were talking weather. The fifteen Indian
scouts had been gone two days and no word
from them. Little Battle started out at
daybreak, and at 1890 was seen dashing
over the ridge for camp, waving his hat. In
few minutes he was at the genial Maj.
Whiteside's quarters with the good news
that Big Foot was only eight miles away.
Boots and saddles were sounded, and il
ever lot of men got out of camp in a
hurry it was the veterans of the Seventh. In
a few moments they were hurrying over the
ridge eastward toward Porcupine butte.
L
descending the slope to the Porcupine val
ley, where they soon found Big Foots band
drawn up in line like soldiers and appar-
emily ready for battle.
Three were over $50 war-l1ke bucks, heav-
lily armed, facing the cavalry that they met
last in 1876 on the Little Big Horn. Big
Foot advanced from his side and Maj
Whiteside from the boys in blue.
Big Foot started in for long talk on
how weary he was of running around, and
said he wanted to open his heart to the
chief of the soldiers. Whiteside was there,
however. for business, not talk aud said that
he must surrender or fight. Like magic
mp went a flag Of truce and Big Foot sur
rendered his band of over one hundred and
fifty warriors and $50 women and children.
The prisoners were marched over to the
old camp OH Wounded Knee. The bat.
talon surrounded the Indian camp and
kept vigilant guard over them during the
night.
Col. Forsythe ordered all the Indians to
come forward away from the tents. They
came and sat in halccircle until counted
The dismounted troops were then thrown
around them, Company K, Capt. Wallace,
| and Company B, Capt. Varnum. The or.
| der was then given to twenty Indians to &C
and get their guns. Upon returning it was
seen that only two guns were had, and 6
detachment at once began to search the vii
lage, resulting in thirty-eight guns being
| found.
| AS this task was about completed, the
Indians, surrounded by Companies K anc
B, began to move. All of sndden they
threw their hands to the ground and bega1
firing rapidly at the troops not twenty fee
away. The troops were at great disad
vantage, fearing shooting of their OWL
comrades. The Indian men, women ant
children then ran to the south, the battery
firing rapidly as they ran.
Soon the mounted troops were after them
shooting them down on every side. TIL
engagement lasted fully an hour and
half. TO the south many took refuge in
ravine, from which it was difficult to dis
| lodge them.
1t is estimated that the soldiers killed an
wounded number about fifty. Just now
is impossible to state the exact number G
dead Indians. Many more than fifty how
ever, killed outright. The soldiers ar
shooting the Indians down wherever found
no quarter being given by any one.
Capt. Wallace, X troop, with cavalry, Wa
killed, and Lieut.. Darlington, of Arcti
tame, was shot through the arm at tn
elbow. The troops are still firing from tn
camp and pursuing the enemy in every d
rection.
Il AN~1u>yry,,, r3v~yyr