The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-10
EXCITEMENT AT PINE RIDGE,
General Miles Holds Communication
With the Hostile Chiefs-He
Thinks They Will
Surrender.
H0STILES IN the FRIENDLY CAMP.
A PrecOncerted Plan to Massacre
Everybody at the
Agency.
A Battle Expected Every Day--The
Indians Surrounded by
Troops.
HosTILEs IN the FRIENDLY CAMP.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Gen. Schofield
received the following telegram from
Gen. Miles dated at Pine Ridge, s. D.,
January B: "In answer to communica-
ton that sent to the hostile camp yester
day, saying five men could come on and
learn what expected them to do, the
following named men came: Big Road,
He Dog, Little Hawk, Jack Red Cloud
and High Hawk. The first three sur
rendered to me on the Yellowstone, in
1877. The prospects are at present favor
able that the whole camp may surrender,
but do not wish to anticipate. There
are no changes il the condition of troops,
DENVER, Jan. GA special to the
Rocky Mountain News from Pine Ridge,
via Rushville, Neb., received at 6 O'Clock
this morning says: Sunday night will
never be forgotten by any one who spent
1t at Pine Ridge. The Sabbath had
opened bright. clear and warm. Church
bells rang and three pastors had crowded
houses. In the afternoon toward 8
o'clock it was noticed squaw men and
half breeds were excited and hurried
from one point to another with their guns
in their hands. Instantly every one was
on the alert and running down ravines.
1t was found that half dozen squaws
had been gwen the tip to skip, that a
party of war bucks had visited the camp
of the friendlies (so called) who are
camped within mile of the agency and
urged them to help massacre all at the
agency. The Indians gave up and skip
ped wnen they found the plan was
known. There are not near enough
troops here. A battle is expected every
day and it will be one of the hardest in
the annals of Indian warefare. Troops
have the Indians surrounded on the east
and west and north and an attack will
drive them into the agency where the
main battle must be fought. The enemy
number over 1000 men, women and
children, with half that many to attack us
in the rear.
OMAHA, Jan. Ga special from Pine
Ridge says: Everything now points to a
battle between the hostile and friendly
Indians, who desire to leave the hostile
camp and come to the agency. Red
Cloud has signified his desire to return to
the agency, but he is nearly blind and no
one will volunteer to lead him in, for the
Brules threaten death to the first person
that attempts to desert the hostile band.
Older Indians want to come in but
the young bucks insist on fighting. A
Gordon Of troops is drawing tighter
around the hostiles. The hostiles are on
guard night and day. Fires are being
burned at night to prevent any one from
creeping from their camps Gen. Miles
has sent peace commission to the hos
tiles. If they still refuse to come in,
their camp will be bombarded. The ma
chine and shell guns are being placed on
all sides of the camp for this purpose.
Gen. Miles Is fast becoming impatient
and if the Indians do not obey orders to
come in, he will attack them.
.i t@ HORRIBLY MuT1LATED.
OMAHA, Jan. Ga special from Pine
Ridge says that the search for the dead
was not conclusive was proved today
when an Indian scout brought into the
agency the body of private Francis
Chottee, of troop G, Seventh cavalry.
The body was found in a ravine six miles
from the battlefield to the north. The
unfortunate soldier had been mutilated
in horrible manner. Every bone in his
body was brc ken and the scalp removed.
Chotte was probably Killed in one of the
skirmishes and overlooked. He was bur
ried today with military honors.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Representative
Wheeler from the committee on military
affairs today reported to the house sub,
stitute for the senate bill to revive the
grade of Lieutenant General in the army
It authorizes the president to appoint
Lieutenant General, who is to be- Sc
lected from among those officers of the
army who distinguished themselves for
courage and ability. ...
The house military affairs committee
today ordered.a a favorable report to be
made on the McAdoo resolution calling
| for correspondence and papers with ref
erence to the killing of Sitting Bull.
The cabinet meeting today considered
the Indian question especially with ref.
erence to .;en. Miles proposition to re.
lieve Indian agents in charge of the
agencies near the scene of trouble, anC
| to replace them with officers of the army
Secretary Noble is known to be earnestl,
opposed to this plan, and it's accomplish
ment therefore Is matter of doubt.