Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-11-06
SCOUT UNDER GENERAL MILES RELATES EXPERIENCES ON THE
FRONTIER; LITTLE w0lF'S RETURN MARCH TO MONTANA FROM
THE SOUTH WAS MOST OUTSTANDING ONE 0M 0MD1AM HISTORY
(By JOHN X. STANDlSH)

OOON alter being mustered out U
y the Union army during the Civi
war, Gap" j. w. Johnson, now liv-
ing at the Soldiers Home at Columbia
Falls, became a plasterer in Ohio, ant
followed his trade for several years
In 1886 he joined an emigrant train
In Iowa and came to the frontier, To-
eating at Last Chance gulch, Helena
During the winter months he followed
his trade and when the weather per-
mitted, followed the mining industry,
with little success. Occasionally he
would go on extended hunting and
trapping trips in order to become ac-
quainted with the country.
Johnson became acquainted with the
friendly Indian nations and quickly
became proficient in the sign language.
This experience proved valuable in later
years while employed by General Mel
son A. Miles, as scout and interpreter.
In 1876 Johnson went to Fort Logan.
Trouble was brewing among the In
dams on the Yellowstone and orders
were received at the fort for the SOL
diers to leave Immediately and prepare
for trouble. The commander knew of
Johnson's ability as a sign language
expert and invited him to go along.
Johnson was unable to join the ex-
petition at that time, but when he
completed his work at the fort he
journeyed down the Yellowstone and
joined the expedition in June. Very
little Indian trouble occurred during
the several months the troops were
scouting along the breaks of the Vel
loWstone. johnson was active in COM
municating with the chiefs and urging
them to maintain peace.
Soon after Clusters last battle orders
were received at Fort Logan for sew
eral attachments of soldiers to be
transferred to Minnesota, the remain
ing contingents to remain in Montana
under the command Of General Nelson
A. Miles. General Crook was ordered
to accompany the troops to the east
ern state.
Johnson enlisted his services under
General Miles and acted as a scout
and interpreter.
Although there are many who con-
tend that Indians were seldom sur
prised by their white enemies, Chief
Joseph Of the Nez Perces was taken
unaware by General Miles at the time
of the Indians surrender in the vi
cinity of the Bear Paw mountains,
Johnson asserted. He was present
when the great Indian chieftain laid
down his arms of battle after a his
toric march through southern Mon
tana.
The old scout tells Of many inter-
esting incidents which occurred dur
ing the winter of 1876, while he was
with General Miles in southern Mon
tana.
"Often the Indians would attack us
while we were on scouting expeditions,
and hoop us up. BY this TERM"
Johnson said, Il mean the Indians
would attack us and we would take to
the timber and hide out, and endeavor
to make our escape during the night.
We usually could make a good getaway
when we were in thick timber. l re-
member one time when those redskins
started shooting at us, but their marks
manship IA none too good. They,
however, shot one of the boys through
the arm. I have several bullets in
my shoulder today, but was never seri-
ously wounded"
Under the command of General