The National tribune., 1899-11-16

A HARD. DESPERATE, JIatt
and are camped near the mouth of yellow
Medicine Creek, a little ways below tie
fort. The camp is good, but grass is get
| ting poor. Our herd of disabled stock is
being grazed and herded on the river bottom.
Doolittle and went up Medicine Creek and
shot a mess of ducks and geese, securing
about all We could carry on our ponies.
We saw dams made by beavers, and will set
a trap here if We stay few days. We also
caught nice mess Of trout We are hay
ing a nice easy and rather lazy time and are
resting and recuperating our horses, while
waiting for the expected meeting with tie
| Indians.
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
The Commissioners sent ont from Wash
irgton to make treaty are expected here in
day or two. They are coming up on boat.
! Runners from the hostile Indian camps
came in to-day and reported to Gen. Sully
that the chiefs and delegations of braves
would not come in for the peace conference
/ as long as there We're 50 many soldiers here.
! The General sent word back that most Of
the soldiers would move farther down Il e
river tomorrow. All the battalion have
marching orders and viii leave tomorrow.
About 80 picked men and horses are to re-
main and await the arrival Of the Peace
| Commission and the result Of the confer
ence.
Sept. 23.-We are still in camp on Med-
cine Geek, having an easy time and resting.
We are doing good deal of picketing now,
and are watching the camp Of Indian chiefs,
who have come in and are on the opposite
! size Of the river, waiting for the meeting
with the Commissioners. We are not
allowed TO cross over and visit them.
caught a large beaver up the creek about
four miles from camp. The fur was not
very good, but our cook made an excellent
meal out ofthe animal, and we had beavers
tail soup; it was good, and tasted like
chicken broth.
Sept. 26.-The Peace Commissioners
arrived on the steamer Big Horn. Gen
Curtis, our first Colonel in 1861, is Chair
man. A big pow-wow has been arranged
for tomorrow. Gems. Curtis, Sully and
several Of the Commission rode down and
visited the Indian camp. / accompanied
the party, as did also the interpreters and a
good strong escort, all armed to the teeth.
The Indians, about 250, mostly leading
warriors and chiefs, are camped on the west
side Of the river about four miles from the
| fort. They are a gaunt, hungry, ragged
and dirty looking lot, sullen and surly, but
they want to make peace and quit fighti lg
and he once more stall fe by tine Govern
ment. / saw Sitting Bull, Little Six, a
| rother Of CutnoSe, a nephew of Old abriel,
a quite lot of others that knew years
ago, having often visited their camps
around Red Wood Falls and Yellow Medi-
cine, in Minnesota.
Our party had an informal meeting with
J the Indians and handshake all round. A
few Indians made talks, and it was agreed
to have a regular conference at 8 o'clock to
morrow morning. Some rations and three
oxen were given to the Indians to keep them
good-natured. Gen. Sully explained TO
Gen. Curtis that an Indian with a full belly
was easier handled at a conference, than if
he were hungry. and l believe Sully was
right.
| CONFER ENCE ENDS ABRUPTLY.
Sept. 30.-The conference came to an
abrupt end after three days haranguins
with the Indians through an Interpreter,
the Indians having made all kinds of un-
reasonable demands. Gen. Curtis and
Commissioners were very firm, but patient
and reasonable. They finally submitted
articles OF permanent treaty Of peace.
The Indians withdrew and held separate
council, at which there was some wild talk
and lots of threats made, and at last they
decided TO reject all propositions Then
they hastily saddled their horses, broke
camp and went in westerly direction.
c md Nntft al.
depa ire, and with Gen. Sully and staff
wert down the river on boat Big Horn.
Our DIT Ill of $50 men. commanded by
Cart, Goodrich, Quartermaster of this De
partment. stlrt tomorrow with the herd of
about $50 disabled horses, mules and oxen,
AMI will make all possible haste TO get out