Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-01-08
BIG FOOT,S RiND.

There are some most extraordin-
AIRY matters connected with the late
battle between the Indians and our
troops in the Bad Lands Of South
DIkota which seem quite at vari-
ance with the claim that the Indi-
ans suddenly and without provoca-
ton, after surrender, commenced
firing upon the troops. 1t is very
clear, however, that there was an
unnecessary anu inhuman slaughter
Of Indian women anu children by
the troops, which attaches to that
feature of the fight the stain Of a
massacre.
From the official and other ac-
counts Of the affair it appears that
Big Foot aud his band, with their
squaws and papooses, had retreated
to the Bad Lands. They numbered
40 warriors, 80 squaws and many
plpooses. The warriors were well
armed, but had an insufficient num-
Der Of ponies. They were encaspped
on the Wounded Knee or Porcu-
pine creek, and before the conflict
made no effort either to ambush the
troops, TO escape or TO attack them at
any disadvantage.
BY O'Clock in the morning the
troops had planted their Hotchkiss
guns overlooking the Indian camp
not fifty yards away. There were
at least 500 mounted troops on the
ground; these were massei about
the village. Colonel Forsythe
ordered all the Indians to come for
ward away from the tents. This
order they obeyei. They formed
In half circle and were counted.
They numbered about 100. This
was the situation when the first
account of the affair was sent to the
agency; that account stated: 1.-THE
general opinion is that the surrender
Of Big Foot is not in good faith.
The Indians still retain their arms.
The party is, however, being
watched and The frsk false more tCiH
preciI1stdte a fgit."
The next news that arrives Is that
the fight has occurred. 1t Is harlto
gather what "the false move" was
that precipitsted it. The accounts
say that without provocation, while
the Indians were surrounded and
being searched for arms, sail of a
Sudden they threw their hands to the
ground anu began firing rapidly at
the troops, not twenty feet away"
The account continues: .sTLe In
dians-men, women and children
then ran to the south Of the battery,
firing rapidly as they ran. Soonthe
troops were after them, shooting
them down on every SHE. The en-
gagement lasted fully an hour and
a half. The troops are
still firing from the camp and pur-
suing the enemy in every diiec-
ton" The account concludes with
these significant aud pathstic- state
"To say that this was a most
daring feat-l20 Indians attacking
500 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the sit.
uation but family. Ii could have |
been but insanity which prompted |
such deed. 1t is doubted whether |
before night either buck or squaw
out of Big Foot's band will be left
to tell the tale Of this days
treachery."
Unless the Indian has wholly
changed his nature, their behavior |
in this affair cannot be explained |
upon any reasonable hypothesis.
Indians never attack with their |
squaws and papooses in the vicinity;
they seek an ambushwhen they can;
they never assault n superior num-
Ter Of well-armed troops in the open
particularly, they never
before as n matter Of strategy per-
mitted themselves to be closely sur
with nearly five times
their number Of pursuing troops on
while they were on foot,
that they might at given signal
an assault as hopeless as
it must have been known to be fatal
to themselves.
II between 800 and 500 Indian
women and children have been
killed this country cannot justify
the crime. There IL some excuse
for mere volunteers taken from a
ravaged section of the country spar-
ing neither sex nor age, but for the
United States troops led by its train
ed officers to give way to british
passion because some Of their OFF,
GERS and soldiers have been killed,
even under the circumstances at
tending the fight in question. is a
blot upon the country's honor. and
should he wiped away rs speedily as
Justice can accomplish it.
The News awaits the fullest de-
tails with the keenest interest
ready to do the fullest justice to cur
brave army, but equally ready to
their wrong doings II they
have committed them.-Dezrer
ROCKY Mountain Neus.