The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-01-07
of Hostile Reds Were Held Prisoners
of War at Keogh During Lust Indion Roundup

zero, the .Ilges' command arrived at
Camp Poplar River Dec. oath.
During January and early February,
Major IlgeS, in cooperation with the
forces stationed at Camp Poplar River,
succeeded in reducing the threat"
Took 161 Prisoners
With his command practically intact
Major Ilges departed from Camp Poplar
River on Feb. IL, 1881, enroute to Fort
Keogh by way of Fort Buford, located
near the mouth of the Yellowstone
river, with 161 Sioux prisoners of war,
43 of whom were arrested in the Yank-
tonnaiS camp.
These incidents marked the begin
ming of the end of opposition offered
by wandering bands of hostile In
dams. Campaigns conducted by Miles
out of Fort Keogh during the period
from October, 1876. to the fall of 1877,
taught the redskins it would be futile
to remain afield.
Had Faith in Chiefs
But hope was aroused in the minds
of the nomad Indians that perhaps, by
some means or other, Sitting Bull, Gall
and other of the lesser-light leaders of
roaming bands, another fusion would
come when the story of the Battle of
the Big Horn would be repeated. One
by one these discouraged bands fig
uratively knocked at the portals of
Fort Keogh begging to be admitted.
Five hostile Sioux Indians. on March
81, surrendered to the commanding Of
ficer at Fort Keogh. The price of their
surrender included the abandonnaent of
their ponies and the laying down of
whatever arms they had been carrying.
A total of 1856 Uncapapa Sioux sur
rendered at Fort keogh on April 10.
This group gave up 81 ponies, l6 guns
and three revolvers, the latter in all
probability having been picked up after
! tho C,1ctar hattie
Sitting Bull Surrendered
1t was not until July 10 that Sitting
Bull and his immediate followers sur
rendered to the commanding officer at
Fort Buford. This group numbered 1877
men, women and children.
Having gathered together as prison
ers of war more than 1900 hostlleS,
Miles undertook their distribution, or
return to their respective reservations.
Second Lieut.. J. w. Miller OF the
Fifth infantry, in command of a de-
tachment, departed from Fort Kecgh
Afraid-of-His-Horse to the Pine Ridge
agency.
Captain Clifford of the Seventh in
fantry. on July %. with a guard of 20
men, left Fort Buford on the Steamer
. Sherman to conduct Indian prisoners
of war to Fort Yates. 1t is recorded that
he arrived at his destination on Aug.
1. with As men, 81 woman II 10
children.
In the early summer of 1880. Miles.
after having endeavOred to carry out
a plan for the establishment Of a group
of Cheyenne Indians on land i'll the
Rosebud valley in order that they
might become independent economic
units in the general scheme Of western
civilization, was confronted with the
task of disposing of the many Sioux
prisoners of war.
A small party was sent overland to
Fort Yates with a suitable escort in
charge of the horses which they and
other members of their band had been
permitted to retain. A considerable
number of cattle which had been pur-
chased for them were also taken along.
It was the larger party of Indians to
whom Miles was ordered to give his
attention. He caused them to be held
Walton when rationS were distributed
as purchased under contracts.
The scene was a memorable one when
finally the Sioux were gathered to-
gether on the bank of the Yellowstone
river where several boats were an
chored. Many of the Indians were fear
full, especially squaws, that if they
boarded the boats they would never
come back: The full Significance of the
fact that they were to be returned to
their reservation did not seem to be
understood by them.
In d to prevent any disturbance,
q lane was formed by the soldiers lead
ing to the place Of embankment. Muz-
zles OF cannon faced the inside of the
gamut which the Indians were to I'll
The warriors seemed to understand
the move. Many of the squaws around