The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-13
REDSKINS HAVE ARRIVED.
Within a Short Distance OF the
Agency, But Making Prog
ress Slowly.
Officers and Indians in Mutual
Distrust Of the Final
Result.
Miles Has Full Power to Make Settlement
Tho Chiefs Want to Go to
Washington.

PINE RIDGE AGENCY, Jan. 12.-Up to noon
to-day the hOstiles had not. with the excsp.
ton OF Il lot OF squaws, made move toward
coming into the agency. Shortly after
noon, however, the main camp Of hostiles
WAS broken and e rapid advance made to-
ward this point. This afternoon about one
thousand OF them had arrived to within
about mile Of the pickets outside the
agency. The announcement Of their ar
rival caused great coInm0tion in the friend
lies camp. Within short time hundreds
OF squaws and children had gathered in the
vicinity Of headquarters, whence view
Of the blufs. beyond which the hos
tiles were stationed, could be obtained.
They waited until dusk for their friends
and relatives to come in but were disap-
pointed, as those outside remained in camp
there. Tonight there ia no certainty az to
what the Indians will do Gen. Miles him.
self is in doubt as TO what to expect oi
them, but confidently looks now for a set.
tleinent OF the matter without further
bloodshed. In fact. he sent a letter tonight
to Gems. Cody and Colby, commanding the
Nebraska state militia. informing them
tn 1t all hostiles are within mile and a
half OF the agency and that nothing but
accident can prevent the establishment
Of peace. He states also that he thinks the
state troops may now be withdrawn with
safety and thanks them for the confidence
they have afforded people in frontier homes,
Yet, the Indians may get within gunshot
OF the agency and then break away again,
thus precipitatinR q conflict. Fear of all
kinds of punishment for their miedeeds
seems to have taken possession of them.
and it is generally understood that one in
judicious act OH the part of the soldiery, or
the mad deed OF come implacabIe hostile.
would undo all the work so far accom-
plished. Lieut.. Taylor of the Ninth cav
airy, has gone out with some of his scouts
in order to lead the Indians at the proper
time to the place designated for their camp
within the agency. The OgallaIss will be
placed near Red Clouds house, on the
west, while the Brules will be sent
to the eastern side. Where the hos
tiles are now resting, the ground
is rolling and unbroken and offers advant.
ages to the cavalry which they did not have
at Wounded Knee. The Indians are yir-
tually surrounded by troops and revolt
now would prove disastrous to them. Mai.
Whitesides, with the Seventh cavalry, can
reach any point of the agency in very
short space of time. The same is true of
Capt. Capron, with his battery and Calling
guns, and also Of the First infantry, nearly
300 men of which have been mount
ed on ponies. The hostile camp is
at the northern extremity of the
valley, beyond White Clay creek. and at
the base of a semi-circle OF pine-covered
bluffs. Their village comprises about 200
tepees, although many are doubtless con-
ceaied in the draws which lead out of the
valley in the direction of the mission. The
site is one from which they might quickly
retire were they not followed SO closely by
Gen. Brooke's command. The latter 10
now less than five miles in the rear of the
hostiles. Tomorrow Gen. Brooke will
press upon them closely unless they move
into the agency. Col. Wheaton is now about
eight miles west of the agency with the Sec
ond infantry and is coming in this way.
Col. Ofiley is following Gen. Brooke with
the Seventeenth infantry.
What Is to be done with the Indians is q
question which cannot yet be answered,
The disposition seems to be to let them
rest in peace. 1t is understood they have
promised to send q delegation of chiefs to
talk with Gen. Miles in the morning. It
has been said that some Of them will insist
upon going to Washington to lay their
grievances before the Great Father and
some hold that the suggestion will be re-
spected, notwithstanding that Gen. Miles
has the settlement of the case in his own
hands. One element which may cause
trouble yet is faction fighting in the hostile
camp. A scout told an Associated press
correspondent this evening that they. arc
still quarreling among themselves and the
scouts cannot imagine how the impiacables
and others will be able to arrive mt an
amicable understanding.
IL ia baliayal (ien Miles will 6ap, nj -
the chiefs the surrender of the leading agi-
tators and ship them south. as he had in
tended to do with Big Foot. and then settle
with the Others. The investigation regard
ing the Wounded Knee battle is complete,
and the report will be forwarded to Wash.
ington. Weli-posted officers say it will dis.
pei the idea that Col. Forsythe's command
shot down women and chill
dren.
Private Stone, cne of the wounded in
that engagement. and an Indian named
Hunts Alone, died to-day.