, 1891-02-12
BABES BUTCHERED.
Shocking Story of the Battle
FOf Wounded Rnee.
Women Shot Down Unnder a
Flag Of Truce.
The 18th Went in to Avenge
Clusters Death.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE Indian
conference closed TODAY and the Indians
will start home Friday. The feature of
today's talk was the story of the fight at
Wounded Knee. Turning Hawk said that
at a given time, when the men had de-
hyered up their guns. they were separated
from their families and taken to a certain
spot. A crazy man, a young man OF very
bad influence, fired his gun, killing an Of
fcer. The other Indians began drawing
their knives. although they we're expected
from all sides to desist, and firing began
Immediately on the part of the soldiers.
All the men who were in a bunch were
killed right there, and those who escaped
that first fire got into a %ravine. and as
they went along the ravine for n long dis
lance they were pursued on all sides by
soldiers and shot down. The women
had no firearms to fight with. They we're
Standing off at a different place, and when
the firing began those of the men who es-
capped the first volley went in one direc-
ton up the ravine and the women went
IN a different direction through an open
field. but met with the same fate as the
men.
American Horse said that when the
firing began the people who we're standing
Immediately around the young man who
fired the first shot were killed, and then
the soldiers turned their guns on the wo-
men who were in the lodges, standing
there under a flag of truce. OF course,
as soon as they we're fired upon, they fed.
There Was a woman with an infant III her
arms killed as she almost touched the flag
of truce. Right near the flag another
was shot down. der child, not knowing
the mother was dead. was still nursing,
and that was a very sad sight. The wo-
men, as they we're fleeing with their babes
on their backs, were killed together, and
women heavy with child were also killed.
Alter the most OF the Indians had been
killed the cry was made that all those not
killed or wounded should come forth and
they would be safe. Little boys who we're
not wounded came out of their places OF
refuge and as soon as they came IN sight
a number OF soldiers surrounded and
butchered them.
Commissioner Morgan said TO the inter
prefer: II wish you would say to him that
those are very serious charges to make
oEaluoN NhC army L uu ubA NduN huI
statements that are not absolutely true,
and | want anyone here that feels the
statements are too stroug to correct
them
American Horse replied: OF course it
would have been all right if only the men
were killed, but the fact Of the killing of
women, and more especially young boys
and girls. who are to make up the future
strength of the Indian people. we feel
very sorely.
The Commissioner-Does American
Horse know these things of his own per.
sonal knowledge, or has he been told
them2
American Horse-I was not there at
a time before the burial OF the bodies,
but | did 90 there with some Indian pc
lice and many people from the agency and
we went through the battlefield and saw
where bodies we're from the track Of
blood.
Rev. Mr.. Cook, a Sioux halfbreed, pas
tor of the Episcopalchurch at Pine Ridge,
among other things, said: Much has
been said about the good spirit with
which the members of the 18th cavalry
vent to that action. 1t has been said
thatthe desire to avenge Clusters death
vas entirely absent from their minds. In
COu1luR tOHhIus OulcagO, III COmpAuy Win
Gen. Miles, | ualked with one of his own
scouts, who was almost killed because he
was compelled to fly with the Indians,
being fired upon by the men whom he
tried to serve and help. He told me that
after he recovered from his wounds and
succeeded in getting amongst the soldiers
after they got IN from killing the
Ind ans. hat an officer of high rank.
he did not know who, came to him and
said: Now we have avenged Clusters
DEATH" and this scout said to him: Yes,
but you had every cause to fight for
your lives that day" These poor To-
dian people did not have that opportunity
to protect and fight for themselves. If
this is an indication of the spirit of a
number Of the men in that company, |
am sure the It'll cavalry did not go there
with the kindest of motives simply to
bring these poor people back.
After several others had spoken the
commissioner declared the conference at
an end.