The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-01-03

of which was to the southeast of this
post. The distance from the post to the
Indian camp is about two miles,"
Ilges made it known that he wished
to open negotiations with Chief Gall.
It had been, and became, a matter of
form that the military in the north
west, in negotiating with the intelligent
as being worthy of dignified notice.
Information having come to the hostile
camp, Chief Gall indicated that he
was willing ito talk things over" On
the following day Oec. Is, Christmas
day. Chief Gall left his camp and ap-
peared before Major Ilges for an in
terview. The usual formalities were OBJ
that the setting be so arranged that
1lges, in a measure, would recognize the
Importance of the position held by
Chief Gall among his own people, as
a leader.
II offer to surrender individually"
said Chief Gall. It was a splendid ges-
ture of self abnegation, but Major
Llges was not disarmed.
Crafty Indian Chief! Quickly ana
Lying the pronouncement, Major Ilges
waited for the next statement. He
which Gall would consider as a JUS
LITIGATION of his actual position on the
matter Of surrender.
MY people are not ready to sur
render until spring. They will then
elect whether or not they will remain
at this agency, or go to Fort keogh or
to Fort Buford," Chief Gall announced
with a gesture of finality. There was
no installing that the statement rep
His offer of individual surrender was
interviewer into and absorbed by his
effort to gain time.
Six days passed. On the last day of
the year 1880, Major Ilges received or
ders to compel the surrender of Chief
Gall and his people by such means at
his disposal and which would and could
ton. Thereupon, I1ges sent for Gall,
The Grow and their headmen, in all 60
in number. They came, anxious to learn
if the representations which Gall had
previously made had borne fruit.
II sent for Gall, The Crow and all
the headmen Of the hostile camp" says
Major Ilges, IN giving his account Of
in number, fully armed, at the agency
building, and in the presence Of my
officers and the United States Indian
agent, Mr.. Porter, Scout Allison with
the two emissaries of Sitting Bull on
their return trip from Fort Buford
WAIO11l we A1t4GcO W NC RIcSCIlG. duu
upon my request, Crow King, the head
soldier, gave the hostiles a description
of his visit to Fort Buford, the good
words that had been spoken there, and
he advised them to go there at once;
that such was the wish of Sitting Bull
for whom he was acting and speaking"
It was apparent at once that the
words Of Crow King produced a good
effect. The hostiles listened to the
words with q stolid, but rather in an
%appraising attitude without exhibiting
any outward signs that they were STIR
red within. To surrender or not to sur-
render was the main question in their
minds.
Gall and The Crow did not decline
says Major ugeS further in his report,
but The Grow said 1t was too cold"
That first, short day. Of the new year,
1881, wore on. It was bitter cold. Snow
lay deep on the ground. It was The
Crow now who had uttered the signal
for delay in moving to the point of
surrender.
1T was too cold," he had said.
During the evening of Jan. l, 1881,