Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-02-07
c. n Dickinson Has Been Resident of Great Falls 81
Years; Considerably Longer Than Anyone Now Living

thought his own judgment was better
/ than that of a mere interpreter, anc
paid heavily for his mistake.
After his defeat, Ashley retreatec
down the river some distance, and
having fortified himself against fur.
/ ther attacks, he sent word of wha'
had happened to Henry, who was ther
on the Yellowstone, and to OFallon
sub-Indian agent near Council Bluffs
which brought prompt responses
| Colonel Leavenworth started up the
river with 200 men, belonging to the
, United States infantry, part Of the
troops going by water, and the re-
mainder by land. Ashley, who was or
his way down the river, hearing thai
a punitive expedition was headed In
the direction of the Aricara villages
returned to his fortified camp, where
he was joined by Henry, the two
forces numbering about 80 men. Joshua
Pitcher, president of the Missouri Fun
Co., who had overtaken Colonel Leav-
enworth and brought with him two
boats and a howitzer, hurried ahead to
collect his own company numbering
40. under the command of Henry Van
derburgh. He also persuaded 400 or
500 Sioux to fight the Aricaras. These
entered upon the campaign, with the
expectation Of plundering the villages.
Indians were always uncertain allies,
and this instance was no exception
to the rule. They fought well at first,
but discouraged by the bravery Of the
Aricaras, decided it was safer to in
wade the cornfields of the enemy. At
one time it was feared they might
transfer their allegiance to the be-
sieged.
Had Rank of Ensign
Rose, during this campaign, was a
member of Ashley's company, with the
rank of ensign. After it became evident
that the Aricaras were pretty well
subdued, he was sent into the villages
to learn whether they were sincere in
the desire for peace they had ex-
pressed. Rose reported that they were
anxious to come to terms with the
whites, and acting on this informa-
ton, Colonel Leavenworth prepared a
treaty, which the Indians were willing
to sign, but which did not meet with
the approval of Pitcher or Wander
burgh, who held that this leniency on
the part of the whites, would be looked
upon by the Indians, allies and van
ouished alike, as an evidence Of weak
ness.
By the terms of the treaty the In
dams were required to return to Cen
eral Ashley, what they had taken from
him. This they did not do, and 1t be-
came necessary to force their COM
pliance. Colonel Leavenworth was re-
luctant to do this, and postponed his
attack until the following day. Rose
told him the Indians were planning
to leave their villages, and If the at
tack was postponed there would be no
attack, as the villages would be empty.
Colonel Leavenworth, like Ashley,
thought he understood the situation,
and was uninfluenced by the tnforma-
ton Rose gave him. The next morning
It. was discovered that the Indians had
escaped during the night, and again
proof was given Of the trustWortnlness
of the interpreter.
That Colonel Leavenworth valued
Roses services highly is evinced by
his report to General Atkinson. He
saws that Rose was the only one who
could be persuaded to go into the Arr
cara villages and that he went into
them several times. Further, Colonel
I,eavenworth states, II have since
heard he is not man Of good char
acter. Everything he told us, however,
was fully corroborated."
The records Of the military expedi-
ton of 1925 show that Rose rendered
valuable assistance on many occasions.
The Indians liked him. When the Arr
caras were about to attack the Ashley
party, they first warned Rose, who
was with it, to save himself. In a
civilized community he was held to be
a criminal; among the Crows he was
regarded as a hero, or ne would not
have been made chief.
Instead of seeking to be revenged
on the act that had outlawed him,
he was uniformly willing to help the
white men who employed him, and
they all bear testimony in his favor.
The Crows, also, with whom he was
allied, we're indebted to him for aid.
Once. when the Blackfeet, or more
likely. the eros Ventres, invaded the
Crow country, there was fierce battle
waged, In which the Blackfeet were
victors, and the Crows about TO re-
treat, when Rose arrived on the scene.
Manner of Death Unknown
The Blackfeet had strongly en-
trenched themselves on a hin from
which the Crows we're unable TO dis
lodge them. Rose goaded the Crows to
action by accusing them Of being
towards. He then himself led the
charge that put the enemy to flight,
and. won the day for his followers.
one story makes Roses death as
spectacular as his life was eventful,
but whether it Is true or not has
never been proven. According to this
he and band of Crows we're attacked
by Aricaras. These they were able to
hold off for a time, and until in a
final effort to drive them into the
open, the Aricaras set fire to the grass.
Rapidly the flames neared the forth