Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-17
Reds CLOSELY WATCHED.
Giving Up Their Small Arms at the
Pine Ridge Agency.
Other Weapons Probably Coneealed--
The Whole Band OF Hostiies Now
Close to the Agency.

Siose TO the Agency.
A despatch from Pine Ridge Agency s. D.,
| says: A number of bucks and squaws from the
hostile camp have arrived on horseback aud
in wagons in all stages of delspidation. The
had been expected, the main body of Indians
still remaining near the mission. As the
refugees or visitors reached the outposts they
were deprived Of their arms by the guards.
The willy hostiles, however, displayed only a
few weapons and these were later returned to
them, when the owners went back to the
hostile camp. 1t is not at all improbable that
many of the bucks had arms concealed about
their person.
The announcement that large number Of
the hostiles had at length arrived within gum
shot of the pickets spread with rapIdity
through the camp of the Indians. Immedi-
ately hundreds of squaws aud children
gathered in the vicinity of headquarters
whence view Of the bluffs beyond which
the hostiles were stationed. could be obta ned.
They waited patiently, however, for their
brothers, lovers and husbands to appear, but
as evening drew on and their devotion was not
rewarded, they gradually retired 10 their
tepees.
Colonel Henry, who was expected with his
four troops OF the Ninth Cavalry to reach the
agency In company With Colonel Wheaton
and his command, was ordered to White Cay
to follow the neighborhood of General Brooke,
whose headquarters are established with
Colonel Santord's command. The latter is
now within few miles of the Indians, and
will press them more closely, unless in the
| meantime they shall have gone into camp
within the agency.
Colonel Sauford's command compri, es one
troop OF each OF the First Second aud Ninth
| Cavalry, the Cheyenne scouts, formerly COM
msnded by the late Lieutenant Casey, and
/ now in command OF Lieutenant Getty. and
companies A, c. G and II of the Second In
fantry. Colonel Wheaton is now about eight
miles west Of the agency with companies II
d. Z and + of the Second. Colonel Ofley is
following General Brooke with six companits
ofthe Seventh Infantry.
At this writing there IL no certainty as TO
what the Indians viii do. General Miles him
self Is in doubt as to what to expect then.
They may, he says, get to within guushot OF
the agency and then break away to the camp
which they have just abandoned. Fear OF all
kinds OF punishment seems to have tax Ell
possession of them, and it is generally under
stood that one injudicious act ON the part Of
the soldiers, or the mad act of some impacable
hostile would precipitate fight the conse-
, queuces of which may be scarcely imagined,
Lieut. Taylor. of the Ninth Cavalry has
gone to get the Indians with couple OF his
scouts, with the intention of leading them, al
the proper time, TO the places designated for
their camp at the agency. Where they are
now resting the ground is rolling, and offers
advantages TO the cavalry which were denied
to them at Wounded Knee.
They are virtually surrounded by troops,
and Il disadvantageous position, and revolt
would most surely result disastrously to
them. Major Whteside, now in command Of
the Seventh Cavalry, has his men ready to
move at a moments notice, and says he can
reach any point of the agency within five
minutes. The sane is true OF Captain Capron
with his battery aud eating guns, as also Of
the First Infantry, under Col SnalneF. The
latter has about three hundred men, about
two hundred and sixty Of whom are to be
mounted, ponies for this purpose having been
secured.
All the testimony regarding the battle of
Wounded Knee has been collected, and will
be submitted to General Miles by whom IL
will be forwarded to Washington. The evil
deuee has been sworn to- and will be accom-.
panied by photographs aud diagrams OF the
battlefield, the latter showing the position of
both troops and Indians and where the great.
er part OF the squaws who were killed fell
People who ARE vel posted on the testimony
say will dispel the idea OF Colonel Forsythe's
command in that engagement deliberately
, shot down women and children.
Shortly after the announcement thai the
hosties had gone into camp short distance
beyond the picket lines, the Associated Press
representative was given permls ion to visit
the breastworks from which view of the
hostile camp could be obtained The works
are about three quarters OF q mile north of
the agency. They occupy several prominent
bluffs and command the valley, which is
nearly two miles wide and about as many
miles in length.
They are guarded by three and two tenth
inch Hotchkiss gun, which has - range of
four miles. This belongs to Captain Capron,
OF the First Artillery. There are also com
panies B and II OF the First Infantry. Both
batteries and infantries are under command
OF Captain Dougherty. AZ the northern ex.
trent OF the valley, beyond White Clay
Creek, and at the base Of semicircular pine
covered bluff the hosiiles have tented shelter.
I Their village comprises about three hundred
tepees, with about eight hundred indiana,
who seem to be well supplied with ponies.
All Of the village however, is not visible,
even under the glass, because number OF
teepees, it is suspected, are concealed in the
draws which led out Of the valley aud in the
direction Of the mission.
The Indians promise to sen delegation OF
chiefs TO talk with General Miles. Tue re-
suit Of this conference cannot be OWNED 1t
has been said that some OF them will insist
upon going to Washington to lay their griey.
anees before the Great Father and the opin.
ion prevails that the suggestion will be re-
speeted, notwithstanding that Gen. Miles has
the settlement of the case in his own hands.
At this time everything seems very favorable
10 II successful close of the war, unless the
factions vi thin the hosties should recon-.
menee their tribal quarrels.