The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-01-20

PINR RIDGE, S. D., Jan. 19.-In the mod
est form Of an official order issued last
night, General Miles gives to the world his
recital of the memorable Indian campaign
just brought to close. Here is the gen
erals statement in full:
Headquarters of the Division of the
Missouri, in the field, Pine Ridge, S. D.,
Jan. Is, 1891.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 2.
''The division commander takes pleasure
IN announcing the satisfactory termination
OF hostilities in this division. The disaffec-
ton among the Indians was widespread,
involving many different tribes. The pur-
pose of the conspiracy was to produce a
general uprising of all the Indians III the
coming spring. The hostile elements of the
Sioux nation precipitated the movement by
leaving their agencies, defying the author
lty of the government and destroy
ing their property that had been
given them for the purpose of civilization.
They assembled in large force on the al
most impenetrable ground known as the
mauvais terres of South Dakota, and from
that rendezvous marauding parties robbed
Dotn white citizens and friendly Indians ON
their reservation and through the adjacent
settlements. To check this insurrection. Or
ders were given to arrest the chief con-
spirator, Sitting Bull, who was on the eve
oil leaving his reservation to Join those
above mentioned. This was done on the
14th of December last. After peaceably
submitting to arrest by the officials of the
government, he created a revolt which
brought to his assistance large numbers of
his followers who assaulted the Indian 20
lice. This resulted in his death and the
final arrest of 300 of his people, and re-
moved the principal part of the disaffected
element from the Standing Rock agency.
The. second arrest was that of Big
Foot's party. December u, 1890. This
band was composed of outlaws from diff
ferent tribes and who had detied the gov
eminent officials, and which escaped De-
cember %, 1890. While these measures
were being carried into execution the
troops were quickly moved between the
hostile element IN their stronghold and the
settlements in such a way as to check their
depredations and give protection to life and
property OF the citizens.
NEARLY the entire force OF troops in
the department of Dakota under General
Kruger were judiciously placed where they
could give the most protection to the settle
ments and enabled them to intercept any
body of hostiles, should they escape. Brief
delays were necessary to put the troops in
proper position as well as to give time for
the work of disatfection to be carried on in
the hostile camp and strengthen the loyal
element Gradually the troops were moved
10 such positions as to render the resist
ance OF the hostiles useless and they were
forced back to the agency. The escape of
Big Foot made his recapture
necessary. This was successfully done
by battalion of the Seventh
cavalry and Lieutenant Hawthornes de-
tatchement OF artillery, under Major White
side, December2S, 1890, after which they
were marched seven miles to Wounded
Knee and at 9ocloCk a. M, the command
was joined by Colonel Forsyth with the
second battalion OF his regiment with two
Hotchkiss guns, under Captain Capron.
First artillery, and Lieutenant TayIor's
scouts. With this band OF outlaws under
the control of the troops; the entire hostile
camp keeping in before them to surrender,
and within a short distance of the agency,
it was hoped and expected that this serious
Indian diff Guilty would be brought TO a
close without the loss of the life of single
white man.
"While dlsarming Big F'oots band on the
morning OF December 29, after a portion of
their arms had been surrendered, they
were melted to hostility by the harangues
of one OF their false prophets, and in their
attack and attempt TO escape nearly all of
the men were killed or wounded and seri-
Gus loss of life occurred to large number
OF non-combatants. During the engage
ment some one hundred and fifty Of the
young warriors that were moving in to sur
render went to the assistance OF Big Foot's
band and were engaged with the troops.
and returning made vigorous attack upon
the agency, drawing the fire of the Indian
police and scouts. This caused a general
alarm, and upwards of three thousand In
dams fled from the agency to the cailons
and broken ground adjacent to White CLAW
creek, and assumed hostile attitude The
troops that were following, however.
checked their further movements. and the
attempt of some of the warriors to burn
the buildings near the agency the follow
ing day resulted in a skirmish with the
cavalry under Colonel Forsyth, promptly
supported by Major Henry, Ninth cavalry.
son January l, 1891, spirited engagement
on White river between body of warriors.
numbering upwards of one hun dred, and
Captainu Kerr's troops of the Sixth cavalry.
in which tho Indians were repulsed with
loss, Major Tupper's battalion of Colonel
Carr's command of the Sixth cavalry NOV
ing to his support. This was followed by
several skirmishos between the Indian
scouts under Lieutenant Casey While
making reconnaissance the service sus-
tanned serious loss in the death Of that gal
liant officer. The troops under the command
| of Brigadier-G General Brooke gradually
closed their lines Of retreat and forced the
hostiles by superior numbers back to the
agency, where they are now under the
command and the control of the military.
| "While the service has sustained the loss
of such gallant officers and patriots as Cap
tain Wallace, Lieutenants Casey and Mann
and the other brave non commissioned Off
! GERS and soldiers who have given their
lives in the cause Of good government, the
most gratifying. results have been obtained
| by the endurance, patience and fortitude OF
| both officers and men. The work of dis
arming the hostiles has in large measure
| been accomplished, but will be continued
| by portion of the command now in the
! field and by the agency officials As soor
as practicable the troops will return tt
| their stations and will take with them tbs
assurance that their services have beer
| of great value to the country in sup
pressing one of the most threatening Indar
outbreaks and that they have been enabled
| to keep between the hostile Indians aud The
unprotected settlements to the extent tina
not citizens life has been lost beyond the
boundaries of the Indian reservation
I'm announcing this fact the division
commander desires to express his thank.
and highest appreciation of the loyal anC
efficient service that has been rendered
The mention of individual names OF eitheI
officers or soldiers for meritorious conduc
will be deferred until sufficient time i
given to ascertain each heroic act, in orde
that it may be properly recognized and dul!
rewarded.
'.By command of Majors General Miles.
"HENRY Q. CoRBIN,
[Official. "Assistant Adjutant-Ge General
General Miles is of the opinion from hi
own observations and conversations h
has had with old scouts and Indians, that
general uprising in the spring was contem
plated by the 100,0 900 redskins in the north
west. With grievances going back tifteel