The sun., 1900-11-09
WORK OF INDIAN SCOUTS.
Apachcs are tho Best in the Infantry
the Sioux Show Up Better
in the Cavalry.

The Apache gives MS the hest example
of infantry scouting. while in the use of
cavalry. for this important duty we must
look to his northern brother. the Sioux
says the Chicago Intcr-Occan.
The Sioux, unlike the Apache, uses his
horse for fighting as well as for transpor-
tation, and is probably the best type of
mounted Indian. He is always wide
awake and in fact, may be said to be all
eyes and ears. and yet he is so careful of
his own c0nCealmcnt that he is never
seen. One of the most remarkable cases
on record of great vigilance, accompanied
by utter concealment of themselves-in
fact, of ideal service of security and in
formation-is given by the Sioux CAM
paign of 1876. When General Crook left
Fort Fetterman it is positively known
that there We're from 1000 to 10000 hos
tiles in his front, and yet, during II
march of more than 200 miles, he did not
soc single Indian, while all Of his move
mcnts were known to the enemy.
Another incident of the same campaign
is related. whore Crooks command was
cncampcd on the Tongue river. and the
Indians crept up tu the opposite bank so
scalthily that although il was broad day
known to the troops until Il vollcy was
fired right into the camp Fortunately
thc river was fordabc and the Indian,
were quickly driven ont, buf il il had NOT
been the camp would soon have become
un.cnahlr,
The Sioux scouts resemble moro nearly
. cavalry screen than an advance guard.
fur they generally operate long dis
:. ~ 4 ~ Fl.
and even moro, ia front of the main body
With which communication is maintained
~ meanS ot signals, i'll which the sioux
are very expert.
an account of thcir faeniy M com
frculiug themselves tlc Sions -cuni is.
ually hover about the ilauks of the on
emy rather iltnn n his front Tor thcl
are thus rnuhlcd ta obscure ulu"c c"lrl
ana certainly his strength, position, i'm
pcdimrns aud other important details
III scouting the Sioux is never III 4 los
for Il mode of cunceamrnt OF himself
He always selects the highest grount
available from which to make his olscr
yntionS and pickctS Or lariatS his horS'
in his rear. below the crest of the emf
ncncr Oh which he stations himself, Il
! reaching his post Of observation Ii
=. THROWS HllllStll W llt SGOullu anu NIlB
= giles like Il snake to the summit, whcr
. he conccnls himself in the shadow Of
Il tree or rock or if nothing Of the kind i
+ available, he will cover his head an
shoulders with his blanket or a clotl
according to the color of the rock a
ground upon which he is lying kccpin
only his eyes uncovered.
Another cXpcdicnt for concealmcnt d
:. ten rcsurted to is for the scout To bin
IL bushes about the upper part of his bod!
m 50 that they project above his head, IN
then To seal himself in a wallow. whrl
u he can plainly see, but where he is hin
self completely concealed
\ Sioux scUut in leaving point Of d
s,rvation. always exercises the same pr
cuuliuns that he takes in arriving for (;
though hc may have observed uuthin
-. =. yct ii is quite possible thai the enemy
= scout ar watching this very point, aud
" Ii" should rise and walk u tho roar Ii
position would nj once be betrayed Til
-" is Il point the civilized mpthcr too Oft,
= ncglects to his peril