The Washington times., 1936-01-04

From statements an interpreter
made later, 1t was inferred that
Dunn had told the Indians that
If they did not obey the soldiers
they would be attacked and
killed. The fear spread among
the Indians by this statement,
real or alleged, and the fact that
fresh troops under the command
Of Colonel Merrimam were or
dered to combine with Colonel
Summers forces and compel the
surrender Of the Sioux, caused
the panic and flight Of the In
dams.
It is a matter Of official record
that Big Foot's band passed sew
eral ranches in their retreat but
committed no depredations. They
passed corrals filled with horses
and cattle and did not drive off
any stock.
Fear Of the soldiers drove
friendly Indians, men who never
had participated in the Ghost
Dance or in any Of the rituals of
the belief that the Messiah had
come to earth to restore the In.
dian to his power, into this re-
treat.
Orders were issued to intercept
Big Foot's band in its flight from
the Cheyenne River toward the
Bad Lands, and this was accom-
plished on December %, 1890, just
As years ago. Big Foot asked for
q parley, which was refused. Major
WhiteSide, in command Of a de-
tachment of the Seventh Cavalry,
demanded unconditional Surren-
der.
The Indians complied and moved
on to Wounded Knee Greek, about
20 miles northeast of Pine Ridge
Agency. Here they pitched camp
in compliance with orders. 1t was
deemed wise to reinforce Major
Whiteside'S troops, and Colonel
Forsyth moved up with four troops
Of the Seventh Cavalry and a
company of scouts under COM
mand of Lieutenant Taylor. Four
pieces Of light artillery were with
the supporting force, and total
number Of troops was 470. There
were about ITO warriors. in Big
Foot'S band.
With Big Foot camped under
guard, with Kicking Bear and
Short Bull, leaders Of the Ghost
Dance, yielding to the friendly
persuasion of American Horse,
Little Wound and Standing Bear.
there was no appreciable force of
Indians in the Bad Lands. Crow
Dog and Two Strike. leaders of
the hostile warriors, had left the
Warpath.
On the morning of December 20,
1890, the combined forces of
Colonel Forsyth and Major White
side prepared to disarm the war
riorS of Big Foot'S band.
It is timely now to orientate
the Indian camp. Under orders
the Sioux pitched their tepeS on
an open plain. Behind them was
a dry ravine that ran into
Wounded Knee Greek. On a knoll
commanding the entire terrain
the Calling guns were posted.
Troops were stationed on all four
sides o., the Sioux camp.
Both Sides Tense
ReVeille found the men of both
sides tense. The excitement in
creased when. at 8 o'clock in the
morning the Indians were ordered
to bring out their rifles and sur
render them to the soldiers. This
the tribeSmen were reluctant to
do. The first detachment of In
dams who went into their tepees
came forth with few old and
useless guns. These they handed
over.
A search by the soldiers discov-
cred about 40 or so guns which
were mostly obsolete. While the
soldiers searched the tepees excite
ment grew among the indians.
Women and children were routed
out of their shelter and driven
into the snow.
The warriors, most Of whom
WeES PdluCeQ WIN the sacred req
paint of the Messiah cult, and
CARRIED in the white Ghost Shirts
which their leaders told them
would turn any bullet fired by
white hands, were in a frenzy of
excitement.
AS Yellow Bird exhorted the
band to strike, he reached down
and picked up a handful of dust.
At this signal, and signal it
probably was, Black Fox, a young
brave, fired at a'soldier and killed
him.
At once the guns of the soldiers
roared their answer. It is esti-
mated that at least half of the
fighting force Of the Indians was
cut down in that first volley. The
survivors leaped to their feet and
throwing off their blankets, en-
gagged the soldiers hand to hand.
For the most part the Sioux were
armed with revolvers, knives and
the savage war clubs Of their tribe.
They gave valiant battle, but II
10 a.