Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-12-28

of which was to the southeast of thi
post. The distance from the post to tn
Indian camp is about two miles"
Ilges made 1t known that he wishes
to open negotiations with Chief Gal
It had been, and became, a matter O
form that the military in the north
west, in negotiating with the intelligent
hostile leaders, generally regarded then
as being worthy Of dignified notice
Information having come to the hostile
camp, Chief Gall indicated that hs
was willing ito talk things over" Or
the following day (Dec. IS, Christina
day. Chief Gall left his camp and ap-
peared before Major Ilges for an in
terview. The usual fOrmalities were OBJ
served. It was quite fitting and proper
that the setting be so arranged thai
Ilges, in measure, would recognize the
Importance of the position held by
Chief Gall among his own people, as
leader.
Il offer to surrender individually, y
said Chief Gall 1t was a splendid ges-
ture of self -abnegation, but Major
Ilges was not disarmed.
Crafty Indian Chief! Quickly ana
lying the announcement, Major uges
waited for the next statement. He
sensed there was something to follow
which Gail would consider as a JUS
tification Of his actual position on the
matter Of surrender.
my people are not ready to sur
render until spring. They viii then
elect whether or not they win remain
at this agency, or go 10 Fort Keogh or
to Fort Buford," Chief Gall announced
with a gesture of finality There was
no miStaking that the statement rep
the attitude Of Gall himself.
His offer Of individual surrender was
into and absorbed by his
effort to gain time.
Six days passed. On the last day of
the year 1880, ajor uges received or
ders to compel the surrender of Chief
Gall and his people by such means at
his disposal and which would and could
be adopted to bring about that situa-
ton. Thereupon, uges sent for Gail,
The Grow and their headmen, in all so
n number. They came, anxious to learn
# the representations which Gall had
made had borne fruit.
Il sent for Gall, The Grow and all
,he headmen Of the hostile camp" says
Major Ilges, in giving his account Of
.he meeting. They met me, about so
n number, fully armed, at the agency
and in the presence of my
officers and the United States Indian
AGENT, MI EOrbeIy SCOUT A1uSOn VIII
he two emisSarieS Of Sitting Bull on
heir return trip from Fort Buford
whom we invited to be present. and
lpon my request, Grow King, the head
Ioldier, gave the hoStiles a description
# his visit to Fort Buford, the good
words that had been spoken there, and
le advised them to go there at once
hat such was the wish of Sitting Bull
or whom he was acting and speaking I"
1t was apparent at once that the
words Of Grow King produced good
fleet. The hostileS listened to the
words with a Stolid, but rather in an
Ippraising attitude without exhibiting
NY outward signs that they we're STIR
ed within. To surrender or not to sur
ender was the main question in their
minds.
Call and The Crow did not decline,
avs Major IlgeS further in his report, |
but The Grow said It was too cold"
That first, short day Of the new year, |
881, wore on. 1t was bitter cold. Snow |
~ deep on the ground 1t was The
row now who had uttered the signal !
or delay in moving to the point Of
urrender.
1T was too cold" he had said.
During the evening of Jan. /, 1881, |