The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-04-27

officer in charge to disarm them at any cost.
The order was put into execution. Soldiers,
pressmen, and others, with guns unloaded and
hands in pockets, stood idly watching-repeat-
ing the history of the century-thrown off
their guard by the seeming compliance of the
Indians when suddenly the preconcerted sig
nal was given. The Indians, relying upon
their medicine men and the invulnerability of
their "ghost- shirts" opened the attack, men,
women, and children joining in. and the world
has the Battle of Wounded Knee"
l have most carefully gathered this informa-
ton from the survivors of Big Foots band
from the Sioux now living at Wounded Knee;
from knowledge of their beliefs and customs;
from soldiers, press correspondents, and other
sources and have been able to trace nearly
evory other version to those who have especial
motives for concealng the facts.
Unfortunately, the return of Little Wound
and the Brules was coincdent with the conflict
at Wounded Knee. Excited and designing
messengers brought back terrifying reports.
The planned attack was made upon the Agency,
beginning with the schoolhouse All was con-
sternaton and chaos. The Brules, accusing
Little Wound of alluring them to the same fate
that had befallen Big Foots band, again fed,
taking him prisoner as hostage for their safety.
At this juncture Gen. Miles arrived at the
Agency and Immediately took measures to pro-
tect it by sentry earthworks and camps sta
toned at exposed points
The valiant services of Little Wound seem
not to have been reported TO Gen. Miles by the
official to whom the Chief applied for protec-
ton. In the confusion the treacherous mes
sengers again offered their services, and were
again accepted. Reports were spread that
Little Wound and tho Brules were defiant hos
tiles. Soldiers were sent TO bring them in, and
orders were given setting the ultimatum of
limited time for voluntary return. Death
seemed inevitable to them in either alternative.
Big Foots band was represented as company
I of peaceabe travellers brutally shot down by
the soldiers in cold blood. The messengers
sent to them as have since learned, told them
that this was to be their fate. Big Road, Red
Clouds nephew, with a diligence equaed only
by his zeal in leading the ghost dance, brought
aud carried these reports. But few soldiers
were left at the Agency. Nearly all had been
ordered where a Gordon could be drawn around
the hostiles or a barrier placed between them
and the frontier towns. The press of the day
was filled with stirring reports of these details.
All clamored for immediate action against the
"hostles."
/ had reached Chadron, Neb., Dec q, ex.
pecting TO go to Pine Ridge on the 30th. The
battle of Wounded Knee occurred Dec.
80 All communication between Chadron and
Pine Ridge was cut Off Believing that the
plan of the campaign was the same as before,
except that the location was nged-Lttle
Wound and the Brules being at Cedar Butte
Creek instead of in their former positions-I
was determined to go again to the Agency and
keep my faith with those who had depended
upon my word. / could find no one willing to
drive me over to Pine Ridge. and after waiting
four or five days went to Nashville, the rail.