Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-01-22

From 'rhe Chicago Inter Ocean,
The report OF the burial party that re-
turned from tho battle ground Of Woun'
ded Knee win shock all sensitive people
and give them a better idea Of the tctrl-
bic and mcrciless character OF the pre-
sent Indian war than anything which
has occurred. Tho party buried lAl
bodies, eighty-four OF whom were men
and sixty-thiee women and children.
In addition, the report says that two or
three wagon loads OF bodies have been
removed by friends before the burial
partv had taken charge Whether those
removed were women or children or not
the dispatch does not say, but IL suitci-
emily TO know that almost half OF those
slain in that bloody battle We're women
amp children.
Ordinarily this would condemn our men
without anything further, but u Is only
right and proper that all the circumstan-
ces should be looked into before such
condemnation is meted out 10 them.
For full understanding OF this bat
tie and in partial explanation OF the re-
suit, it should be remembered under
lust what circumstances 1t took place.
The United States soldiers and officers
we're not in the least expecting battle.
1t had been made their duty to disarm
the Indians, and the progress OF disarin-
ment was going on quietly. One hum
dred and twenty Of the bucks had been
drawn up IN position and "a portion OF
the soldiers had examined the tepees for
arms. Comparatively few guns had
been discovered and the soldiers were
ordered to examine the Indians for con-
ceaied arms. They had scarcely begnn
the work when the Indians drew their
Winchester rifles, threw on their blan-
kets and began firing into the ranks OF
the soldiers without any warning what
ever.
The action was 50 unexpected and the
result SO disasterous, q large number per
ing killed and wounded, that 1t Is al
most a wonder that our little army did
not become stampeded. This was doubt
less what the Indians expected, or at
least hoped, would be the result; but In
stead Of that the soldiers stood their
ground and returned the fire as quickly
as possible. Those who were not Killed
or wounded of course were almost fren-
zied with madness over the treachery OF
the enemy and the loss of the comrades,
1t was not long before the Indians were
in complete rout. and one dispatch says
the soldiers did not stop shooting as
long as the Indians were in sight"
1t is said that through all this ordeal,
Colonel Foreyth was perfectly cool, and
gave his orders almost without excite
ment. The same dispatch, however,
goes onto say thar it was almost ''impos-
sible to restrain the soldiers This
was said when it was not thought OF as
an excuse for the commanding officer.
Evidently the correspondent did not
think he needed any excuse.
The United States cannot afford to
permit her soldiers to wreck their ven
rence on the women and children even
Of a savage race. 1t is fortunate that
the examination had been ordered
promptly. Had it not been done now
we doubt not that Colonel Foreyth in
his own defense would have asked for
such examination after the conclusion
Of hostilities. Neither he nor the army
can afford to rest under the suspitiop
that they deliberately turned their guns
on the women and children OF a savage
enemy. The world is prepared to hear
of brutalitios on the part of the Indians,
who never have practiced what Is called
civilized warfare, but our own army will
be held none the less responsible at the
bar of public opinion on that account.
There is one thing, however that is
spoken OF in the dispatches which Ger
tainly ought to be explained. We quote
the words of the dispatch: From the
little knoll back of Colonel Forsyth's
tent, the battery threw shells both into
the bucks and into the village
Naturally one would suppose that the
village Tor the tepees) was where the
women and children were, and why q
battery should be permitted to throw
shot and shell among them is something
that ought to be, if IL can be, fully ex-
planned for the reputation of oursoldiers
the world over.