The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-10
The Hostiles Must Soon Either Sur
render or Fight for Their
Lives.
Great Uneasiness Over the Faoil-
tiles Afforded for Sacking
the Agency.
Old Red Clouds Attitude is not Trusted
AttempttO Break Through Gen.
Dr0Oke's Lines.


afternoon all commands In the field were
ordered TO march from three 10 i've miles
nearer the hostilcs. Late last night the
order was put into effect. At intervals Of
two or three days the Gordon will be drawn
more tightly nronnd the hostiles until they
agree to either come in pcaceably or be
whipped into submit sion. The disposition
they display to accept the overtures Of Gen.
Miles is susceptible to but one interpreta-
tion, and that is that they propose to sur
render and retain their arms or die in their
defense. This is backed up by the fact that
q majority OF those who have come in from
the hostiles are squaws and children who
desired to get out OF the way. The coming
in of Red Cloud is variously interpreted.
His good faith is doubted, however.
No one can tell what, under cover Of
darkness, the Indians may undertake.
That they have contemplated and do still
contemplate an attack upon the agency is
believed by all we'll informed 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 al
legged friendlies. At signal from the hos
tiles it is believed he will communicate
the samev to the friendlies. The agency
conld then be attacked from all sides.
There are less than Thousand soldiers
within mile of headquarters. Before
those stationed in the field could reach
here great damage could be done. Gen.
Miles to-day, as II impressed with this fact,
is extending tho breastworks around the
school, which will command larger extent
OF the friendlies' camp. He also received
word from Gen. Brooke that u number Of
hostiles last night tried to break through
his lines and escape to Rosebud. They
found tho lines too strong, however, and
retired.
Col. Kent and Capt Baldwin, who are
collecting facts in the Wounded Knee fight,
have ready examined a number of eye
witnesses. Information is being gathered
in IN informal manner. Troop A, Seventh
cavalry, Capt. Mayhan, left as escort to-
day with Paymasters Baker and Comegys,
who will visit all troops in the field. Red
Cloud says there are one hundred wounded
Indians among tho hostles whom Little
Wound wants to send to the agency. Gen.
Miles has placed Col. Shafter, First infantry
in command Of the troops at the agency.
Sitting Bear and Long Bull have written
Gen. Miles that they propose to come in
with their followers and be good Indians.
1t is learned that Gen. Miles reason for
ordering an extension of the breastworks
about the school grounds is due to the dis
covery of the fact that one of the plans of
the hostiles. with the assistance of alleged
friendlies. was to attack the school. The
attack would not be made until after the
children had left the building. This eyacu-
alton was to be accomplished at given
signal and Immediately preceding it the
scholars We're to set upon and overpower
the teachers. Then the work of destruc-
ton WAS to begin. The story is we'll au-
thenticated and was brought to Gen. Miles
attention. He has taken due precaution.
'nt f4Ar k.nn
GERS in command of the several detach-
ments to take every precaution to repel
night attack. In the event Of such a sur
prise several troops and companies are to
repair Immediately toa desgnnted position,
which they are to hold to the last.
While the post could be satisfactorily de-
Tended during the day by the breastworls,
Hotchkiss and Gatling guns, and the four
pieces of artillery, it could not be SO we'll
protected in event of a surprise at night.
This order has doubtless been suggested for
the purpose of allayin0 the fear of night
attack which exists among the whites.
Late this afternoon the Seventh cavalry
has been stationed to hill Immediately
cast, which commanded view of the agen-
cy. From this position they could more
easily respond TO a call from any part of
The agency at any time of day or night
Shortly after the change, three fires
were nOLIceu from Lu6 SCHOOL LOuSe. 1t
ia thought the houses of 1.-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.
Sti more have promised, but have failed
to keep their word.
Gen. Miles says: "At last accounts the
Indians were fighting among themselves.
heir camp is pandenioniunl. There is no
head to the bostilea. Desperadoes are
destroying their own people" X those
Indians who belong to this agency come in,
the others. the general thinks will en-
ieavor to get back to their own reservation.
The hostile element, he Gays. is composed
of Ogallalas from the Standing Rock,
Cheyenne river and Rosebud reservations.
Troops on the Other side are frequently
skirmishing with them and will follow them
if they come. Should such be the case the
general thinks tho military problem will be
solved. The control OF tho Indian in
peace, he holds. will still be matter for
serious confederation, because he will have
to be so cared for as not to be n terror to
the people of these states and go to war in
the spring. even if he should desire to.
Young Man Afraid of His Horses report
ed to Gen. Miles this afternoon. He had
visited the Ogailalas and they would start
for the agency this afternoon, camping to-
night near the school house at Wounded
Knee.