Glacier County chief., 1939-01-06
BY "MON TANA LOU" GRILL

were Sill 6UOTlBuudls
Too often extraneous influences
whisky among them-interfered with
the orderly processes outlined by mill
tary authorities to whip the Indian
into mental and physical condition for
the arduous life and disciplined rou-
tine of army activities.
When the war department In the
late seventies authorized the formation
Of an Indian detachment at Fort
Keogh, Col. H. c. Thompson Of the
Fifth infantry was placed in command.
It was his testimony before his death
that he was unable to develop disci-
plined military consciousness in their
minds sufficient to enable them to fully
appreciate their environment. The ex-
pertinent, however, was continued for
decade or more.
An instance that Poor 10 did not
want to be soldier came from north
ern wyoming in March. 1894.
pearing in the Stockgrowers Journal,
then published in Miles City. He
wants to go back again to the breech
clout and the blanket and the idle
life of red-skinned government ward.
He has no use for the regular army
and is leaving it as fast as he can.
"a general order from Washington
gives 50-odd members of the Indian
company of the Eighth infantry three
months furlough and discharge at the
end of that time.
Among the distinguished warriors
whose valuable services will henceforth
be lost to the United States of Amer
lea, we may mention:
"Corporals Tight Pants, Dropping
Mud and Pounded Meat, and Privates
Big Head. Mule and Shovel Foot.
This order virtually obliterates the
Indian company of the Eighth infantry
at Fort Washable. which was formerly
cNt,,r,apial byr Cantain Paw who iS
now making things so lively for both
whites and reds on the ShoShone
reservation"
One Goes A. w. o. L.
In June, 1893, Capt Thomas Sharpe
of the 18th infantry, was appointed
by the president of the United States
to the position of Indian agent at
Tongue River Agency, Mont. Lieut.. F.
C. Marshall at that time was in COM
mand of Cheyenne Indians forming
troop of the Eighth cavalry. Early in
that month a Cheyenne Indian who
had enlisted in the troop was granted
permission to visit at the agency.
When his pass expired he failed to
return to duty" says an account of
the incident, 80 a detachment of the
Indian troop was sent after him. He
refused to be taken back and his In
dian friends intimated that Uncle
Sam did not have soldiers enough to
take him"
This was reported to Captain Sharpe.
1t was also reported to the command
ing officer at Fort Keogh who asked
the Indian agent to make the arrest
of the visiting Indian soldier with his
Indian police. 1t is matter of record
that the agent refused to interfere.
Upon receipt of that information
Lieutenant Marshall, commanding the
Indian troop, was ordered Immediately
% Norf of
cavalry troop to make the arrest, and
to call on the troop of cavalry at Lame
Deer for assistance, If necessary. Two
days later a courier came to Fort
Keogh bearing a dispatch from Lieu
tenant Marshall who reported things
were quiet at the, agency. but that
the Indians were Sullen and determined
and that trouble might be precipitated
at any time. That evening half Of the
cavalry troop from the post was sent
out to establish relay camp between
the fort and the agency. With this
relay a dispatch can be brought from
the agency In one day."
Lieutenant Marshall had occasion in
December, 1893, to further test the
stability of the Indian as a soldier.
In reporting this experience, the
Pioneer Press of st. Paul, in its Sum-
day edition Of Dec. 8, said that 1.-The
lives Of the officers Of the regular
many people profess to believe.
Practice March Dangerous
This is especially true of those who
are stationed at some of the frontier
posts. One of the most disagreeable
things that falls to the lot of an Of
ficer Is when he has to take detach-
ment of troops on a practice march.
And when the detachment is composed
Of Indians, who are notorious for their
~, in, caelyirp
venge when they have been imposed
upon, the duty may become absolutely
dangerous.
"Of all the Indians of the west, the
Apaches are deemed to be the most
unreliable, as was shown some years
ago by the experience of General
Crooks with his Apache scouts.
This winter, among other troops
who are out on practice marches, is
a troop of Cheyenne Indians under
the command of Lieut. F. c. Marshall
of the Eighth cavalry somewhat re-
cent graduate of West Point, who Is
pretty well known in this city.
Some time ago this young officer
left Fort Keogh, where he is stationed,
with a troop of Cheyennes on march
through the Musselshell country in
Montana Part Of the country has never
shall was also detailed to keep an
itinerary of the trip and to make maps
Of the country through which he
passed"
Lieutenant Marshall and his Indian
cavalrymen arrived at Junction, on the
Yellowstone river. Time was taken out
by the commanding officer in the field
to forward a report to Fort Keogh
Of a rather exciting experience.
Lieutenant Marshall said that men,
beers Of his troop had succeeded IN
getting hold Of some firewater.' He
Is the only white man with the troop.
and though the men are fond OF him,
there is quite an element of danger in
his position, as Indians are Indians.
"The report states that the march
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