Henry Morton Stanley: Cheyenne Camp, Fifty Miles from Fort Larned.
Henry Morton Stanley:
Cheyenne Camp,
Fifty Miles from Fort Larned.

Henry Morton Stanley.

Henry Morton Stanley.

MY EARLY TRAVELS

AND

ADVENTURES

IN

AMERICA AND ASIA

BY

HENRY M. STANLEY, D.C.L.

AUTHOR OF "IN DARKEST AFRICA," ETC., ETC.

VOLUME I.

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

1905

Copyright, 1895, by
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

THE CAXTON PRESS
NEW YORK

                   Hancock Makes a Demonstration               37

CHEYENNE CAMP, FIFTY MILES FROM FORT LARNED,

April 14th, 1867.

    P. S.--We have a chance to send you a hasty account of what happened yesterday. General Hancock, perceiving that the principal chief of the Cheyennes, did not intend to present himself, determined, as he informed the chiefs at the pow-wow, to move to the Cheyenne camp. When half-way to it he was met by three hundred and twenty-nine chiefs and braves of the Cheyenne and Sioux nations. The troops advanced and formed line quietly, and halted within one hundred and fifty yards of the Indians. The Indians also stopped to await Major Wynkoop, their agent, who was coming towards them. Each chief and brave had his arrows in his hand, and his bow drawn. "Roman Nose," the chief of a band of Cheyennes, bore a white flag, but, although there were no signs of hostility on our part, when they saw the formidable appearance of our troops, they became immediately disturbed, and many of them were seen to edge gradually off, and presently to set off for their camp at a run. "Roman Nose" himself drew up near the General's staff with a small company of chiefs and warriors. He had a fine pair of gold epaulettes, and was otherwise dressed magnificently. General Hancock sharply demanded of him whether the Indians wanted peace or war, to

38                      During Two Indian Campaigns

which "Roman Nose" replied, "We don't want war; if we did, we would not come so close to your big guns."
    General Hancock introduced General Smith as his big chief, who would remain with his troops in the country, and he wished him respected as such when he returned home. Hancock then asked "Roman Nose" why he did not visit him at the fort as requested; to which he replied: "My horses are poor, and every man that comes to me tells me a different tale about your intentions."
    The General told him then that he was going to visit their camp, and as he had a great deal to say to their chiefs, he wished them all to come and see him at his tent when in camp. The troops then moved on, and arrived near the Indian village about two o'clock p. m. We afterwards camped near it. A few Indians stood outside the village, evidently observing our motions.
    Towards night, three or four chiefs came to the General's quarters, and informed him that all the women and children had left, and had scattered over the prairie, because they were afraid of the troops. About eight o'clock that evening it was ascertained that mostly all the Indians had left with every article of value they could lay their hands on, leaving their hide wigwams standing. The troops were immediately mustered, and General Custer, with the 7th Cavalry, was sent to scout the neighbourhood. The battery was also planted, so as to command each side

                   The Indian Village                          39

of the camp. The soldiers remained under arms during the whole night. General Custer has not yet returned from the pursuit.
    There seems to be a confederation between the Cheyennes and Sioux, for evil purposes. The Indian village consists of about three hundred hide lodges. They show unmistakable traces of the haste of their owners to get away,--dogs half eaten up, untanned buffalo robes, axes, pots, kettles, and pans, beads and gaudy finery, lately killed buffalo, and stews already cooked in the kettles, are scattered about promiscuously, strewing the ground. Detachments of infantry guard the camps to prevent spoliation by the troops. But in spite of the strict guard kept, the "boys in blue" are continually carrying away momentoes of their bloodless victory, such as stiff buffalo robes, dog skins, calumets, tomahawks, war clubs, beadwork, moccasins, and we saw one officer of the artillery carrying off a piccaninny Indian pup which looked very forlorn. Arrows and knives are picked up by the dozen, and also little dolls, which had been the gratification of the papooses. The soldiers rummage and pick up things in the most senseless manner, and after carrying them a few yards throw them away, when they are soon picked up by somebody else, and thrown away again. We saw plenty of dog hash and dog heads cooked. The chiefs' wigwams were painted in a gaudy manner. A young white girl has been found who, according to the surgeon, has been outraged by no less than six

40                      During Two Indian Campaigns

Indians. She is now in our camp, and is a most pitiable object to look at.
    General Hancock is so angry that he intends to burn the camp to-day. But the mail is closing, and I must close.


Source:

Stanley, Henry M., D.C.L., My Early Travels and Adventures in America and Asia, Vol. 1, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1905, pp. 37-40.

Created January 16, 2004; Revised January 16, 2004
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