Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-05-16
RAYNOLDS DIDN'T
REGARD INDIANS
IN HIGH ESTEEM
GENERAL WHO EXPLORED YELL
LOWsTONE FOUND BUT TWO
HE COULD ADMIRE

HE COULD ADMIRE
In the spring Of 1859. Brig. Gen. W.
F. Raynolds was directed by the war
department to undertake the explora-
ton Of the Yellowstone river, its trib-
utaries, and the mountains where they.
and the Missouri had their source.
Minute directions we're given as 10
the routes to be followed and General
Reynolds was advised as to how he
should deal with the Sioux, who then,
as later, were held to be the Indians
most feared on an expedition Of this
kind that would be forced to cross
their territory.
To facilitate his diplomatic relations
with this tribe, their presents promised
them under the Harvey treaty were
to be turned over to him for distribu-
ton, thus giving them the impression
that If not the donor, the general was
high in the favor of the government.
The purpose Of the expedition was
TO establish friendly relations with the
various tribes, and to assure them Of
the good viii Of the government, and
its protection in all their rights; to
study the country and learn whether
rail or other roads could be built
through it, either to meet the wants
Of military operations or those Of emf
CATION through, or settlement In, the
country.
Civilized" Diplomacy
Regarding the assurances given the
Indians, they we're to be the usual
sample of yelled hypocritical dealing
which characterizes so-called civilized
diplomacy. The government yielded
Txr 4rf1ff1 cSxnN
a time as it was strong enough to
break its solemn treaties, and hold the
territories it now graciously permitted
the owners to retain. The mere fact
that General Reynolds was to learn
if the country was suitable for settle
ment, was a virtual admission that If
it were found to be so, it would be
settled, whether or not this conflicted
with the Indians rights"
In obedience to his orders, General
Reynolds left st. Louis on May %, for
Fort Pierre. The Chouteaus' boats,
Spread Eagle and Chippewa, which
carried them, also had as cargo, goods
for the American Fur Co.. annuities
for the Sioux and Blackfeet Indians;
the goods General Reynolds was tol
dispense under the Harvey treaty, and
supplies and camp equipment for the
Mullan expedition.
On arriving at Fort Pierre, the gen.
era1 found the Sioux there in full
force awaiting him-or rather the
promised awards. A council was called
when General Reynolds demanded
permission to cross their country un-
molested. To which one Of the chiefs |
replied that the land was theirs-the |
Siolr-and If they lost 1t they would |
lose all. General Harvey told US" he
said that no whites were going to |
travel through this country; but I see
wagons landed, and you wish to go
through. hope that you will
take pity on me. and that the white
people below win keep away"
He expressed the doubt whether he
could hold his young men in check.
But General Reynolds intimated IN
no uncertain manner what would be
the fate of his tribe In the event the
expedition was attacked, and finally
the council agreed to let the white
men go through with the express stip-
ulation that others would not follow.
Before leaving Fort Pierre, the gen.
eral attempted to buy needed horses
from the Indians, only to discover that
the traders controlled this avenue of
profit, and he was obliged to pay such
prices as they were pleased to de-
mand." It is quite likely the traders,
like the Indians, looked upon the ex-
petition as an undesirable invasion of
their territory. Settlement would mean
the ruin of the fur, as well as the
indian trade.
Jim Bridger Was Guide
At Fort Randall, 80 men, under the
Of Lieutenant Smith, were
detailed as the generals escort. Jim
Bridger was to act as guide and an
indian guide had been given by the
Sioux chiefs. Thus reinforcedR the
company left Fort Pierre on the morn
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