The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-10-14
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the people Of the plains will at the ~.
accounting Red Cloud it is said. is ~
stll living.
Sitting Bull had 5000 fighting men
with him when he met the Seventh cavalry under the
"Yellowhned Chief" who rode the valley of death
with less than three hundred following troopers 1t is
the custom of the whites to speak of every battle with
the reds in which the pale loss was severe as
massacre The Custer AFFAIR was massacre. but It
was one of the few fights in which the whites were
defeated which rightly could be called.
Red Clouds name is suggestive of the warrior. and
In the years that he made its significance
rible. With his braves he swept the settlements and
battle to the soldiery, rarely giving heed to the
odds that might be against him.
Red Cloud was Sioux of the pure blood There
were always of the tribe who said that Sitting Bull
had n Of white IN him. full.blood this
the equivalent Of dscrediting him with "sreak OF
yellow" But this only the Indian way of looking
at 1t and Sitting Bull probably showed towards
face to any foe matter what may be the opinion of
him as plainsman general.
In his old age Red Cloud is said to be object OF
pity. but II different story In the earlier days
when his strong and his heart was vengefu
Almost Immediately after the civil Red Cloud met
in battle the feldtred heroes of that conflict they
found in him foe worthy OF their skill and steel
Mineral wealth had been discovered in Montana and
the rush of prospectors and settlers made II necessary
for the government begin the erection military
posts along the trail leading the prairies to
mines On the trail to the Powder river built Fort
Phil Koarney. While the troops ordered 10 the
post the march overland, a came riding
in to the column as if he had death at his heels. Col
Fetterman was in command and after hurried talk
with the scout the two rode forward leaving the column
at n halt Officer and scout sbrted Il patch of timber
and to the banks of small prairie stream from
which the view unbroken for miles, To the front
and about 600 yards distant they solitary Sioux
warrior standing the plain with his spear thrust
The ground his side while from the end OF the weap
ons handle futtcred hit of colored cloth 1t needed
but little frontier knowledge make Interpretation Of
that signal easy. II the Sioux sign Of warning that
there must be no trespassng the lands over which
they held dominion.
Warning Is spurned
Red Cloud, the chief had ordered the warrior to
display what at once q notice and menace, and
later he took terrible because his warning
had been spurned
Col. Fetterman rode back to his command, knowing
well what the signal Of the planted spear meant but
soldier like fully determined to disregard its conveyed
threat He pushed ahead with his men, throwing out
scouts TO feel the way The Indian sentinel had van
ished but he had left his spear with its pennant of cloth
to stand forDddng sign. Not another Sioux
the march to the post but the scouts knew
that Red Cloud not far of and biding his time
A few hours after the occupation OF the fort detail
of soldiers sent out with small train to cut
and TO bring in needed timber. Two hours later
courier rode in and had barely time to tell his story
before he sank unconscousness from the pain Of
his wounds The timber detail surrounded by Sioux
and IN imminent danger of death.
In the fort many women and children, the
wives and and daughters Of the officers and
listed men Col Fetterman knew that he must leave
strong guard for the protection of the post for the
attack the timber party might be but diversion to
draw away the troops, ana out % men WIN
him. the commanding officer rode out TO the Of
the surrounded soldiers Not Of the gallant
band rode back
That Fetterman and his men exacted heavy price
for their lives goes without saying but how many Of
the savage followers of Red Cloud fell that day
man knew will man ever know unless the chief
In the hour of his dotage may day habbe the tale
To the memory Of Fetterman fort bearing his name
rose I'm the Wilderness but the remembrance OF the
memorial is now passing away. News of tho killing Of
the troops that had gone to the aid Of their fellows only
to die to the nearest garrison by courier who
made his way through the hostile country with peril
beseting every hoof stroke the path He euded Red
Cloud only by matching cunning against cunning. and
the white craft the red.
Relief reached the post but by this time the whole
Sioux nation had declared for and the northwest
was aGame nor did the fires OF conflict kindled by Red
Cloud die for than score of years, the last
flicker OF the flame lighting the battle field Of THE
Mission" near Pine Ridge. 8 d., Inst the year 1891.
Red Cloud at the agency the scene OF the last
fight saw the wounded brought In from the field. He
had the beginning of the great war and he was the
witness Of Its end.