Movements of
General Hancock's Expedition.
THE INDIAN EXPEDITION.
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SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD. *
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Movements of General Hancock's Expedition--A Talk with the Indians--They Desert their Village and Retreat--A Child Brutally Ravished, found in the Village--Pursuit of the Indians, &c., &c.
Camp, General Hancock's Expeditionary Force,
Pawnee Fork, Kansas, April 16, 1867.
My last letter was closed as the troops marched out of their camp ground near Fort Larnard. The purpose of the movement may be stated in a few words, though it may be best to make the statement as clearly as possible, as there seems to be great reason to consider an Indian outbreak imminent.
In order to have a talk with all the principal chiefs General Hancock sent word to the different bands of the Cheyenne tribe that he would be at Larnard at a certain time, when he would be glad to see the chiefs and have a big talk. The Indians were exceedingly slow to come in, and when they did arrive were not the full representation of the tribes. The fact that they did not come in before may be accounted for partially--they were hunting and medicine making. They were averse to talking until they had been fed, enjoyed a smoke and arranged their toilette. This is Indian style, and it may be well to state, too, that the state of an Indian's stomach has very considerable to do with the talk. The talk was not entirely satisfactory, the point arrived at being simply that the Indian would keep his treaty, but keep it after his own fashion.
The writer of this has had Indian experience with these same untutored savages. It was after the following manner:--Cheyennes got him penned in a hole in the bank one bright November afternoon, and found that the white man would not come out, but was quite ready to fight any Indian that attempted to take him out. A half bred [sic] crawled up and asked if the treaty was signed, and received the information that it was. The Indians stated that they wanted peace and would shake hands; the white men came out, their fears were almost entirely removed by the apparent friendship of the party. Five of the party escaped with slight wounds, one was killed outright and two were taken prisoners. These had their tongues cut out and other portions of their bodies substituted instead. Their bowels were then burnt out by these peaceful beings, who selected the occasion as one to be celebrated by a dance. It is with these Indians that we are at present dealing. They are known as the dog soldiers of the Cheyenne tribe.
General Hancock, on leaving Fort Larnard, invited the chiefs that had called upon him to accompany him to a place convenient to their village, where he would talk with them, as soon as all the chiefs of the tribe were assembled. The first day's march of twenty-five miles brought him to a point ten miles distant from the village, which was located on the Pawnee Fork, about forty miles northwest of Fort Dodge. Just previous to going into camp a few chiefs came toward the head of the command. These were kindly treated and invited to come to camp and eat and sleep, which invitation was accepted.
The chiefs who held council at Larnard continued their journey toward their village, to tell what they had seen and heard.
General Hancock was led to believe that the village was but a short distance away, four or five miles at the most. With this idea he made arrangements to hold the council at the camp, at nine o'clock. The Indians did not make their appearance at ten, when the troops broke camp and marched on up the fork; when six miles were accomplished Indians were seen on the rolling ground in front. Colonel Wynkoop, the Indian agent, and Ed. Guerrier, the interpreter, advanced to meet them. The troops were marched into line of battle and halted a quarter of a mile from the Indians, who were also formed in an irregular line, near the left of which was a gaudily gotten up chief with a white handkerchief on a slender pole. The Indians numbered about two hundred. Generals Hancock, Smith, Custer and Davidson, with a few officers of their respective staffs; Colonel Wynkoop had by this time informed the Indians that General Hancock would like to speak to them. The parties met about midway between the lines, the officers dismounting but the Indians remained on the backs of their ponies. The principal chief was "Roman Nose," a rather fine specimen of the Indian, gotten up in a soldier's jacket with large epaulettes and a great plentitude of brass buttons. His head was covered with an otter skin cap, decorated with many colored ribbons, and a small mirror as front piece. One of the escort remarked that "he just was a putty boy," and Roman Nose seemed quite aware that such was his case. The talk was short. General Hancock told the Indians that they had burned all the grass near, and he could not go into camp to have the talk, but must go on until he could find a more desirable location. He assured the Indians that his visit was one of peace or war as they should determine; he was desirous of having a talk--a long talk--when he would show them that peace was the object, and peace could only be had by them when they should keep their treaties and stop killing white men. He wanted peace as much as they did, and the best way to have it would be for the Indians to understand what the white man wanted. He desired them to go to their camp, tell the women and children that they should be perfectly safe, and then come to his camp near there and have the talk. With the exception of a few unimportant chiefs the party left at once for their village, and the troops, after resting a sufficient length of time to enable the Indians to get out of the way, moved forward, General Custer leading with the cavalry. At this season of the year the Indian ponies are all very poor, and the Indians use them as little as possible. Many of the Indians were for this reason dismounted. Those who found it incompatible with their dignity to walk were mounted, but on such steeds as one never saw before except in the possession of an Indian. Roman Nose alone had a respectable horse.
The Indians were all in readiness for a fight, their bows strung and revolvers and rifles ready. One Indian carried a rifle that had belonged to one of the poor fellows that was burned to death at Downer's during the attack mentioned in this letter--a Ballard carbine branded B, O. D. You may imagine that your correspondent was rather anxious to take it if a fight should result, but it was prudent to say nothing that should provoke or annoy these people, who know how to make or break a treaty better than any other of the human family; and General Hancock was desirous of doing nothing that could be construed in any other than a peaceful light. After a march of nearly ten miles over ground from which the grass had been burned, the troops reached an eminence covered with short buffalo grass. From this point a scene of extreme picturesqueness was spread before us--a basin of several miles width, through which the Pawnee Fork wound its course, marked by a fringe of dwarf timber. In the centre of the basin was a grove of trees, among which the wigwarms [sic] of the Indians were visible. To the right a hill of very considerable prominence for this country furnished one of the best lookouts possible, commanding as it does, a view of fifteen or twenty miles in every direction.
Camp was pitched on the bank of the Fork, about a mile from the Indian village. While going into camp Tall Bull and Roman Nose returned from the village to state that the women and children had all fled, and none but young men remained. The reason given for the flight was that the women were afraid. This is very possible and altogether probable, as this band has been for a long time considered the worst on the plains, and they may have feared that they were to be punished for outrages yet fresh in their memory. It was also possible that the Indians were getting their women and children out of the way that they might have a chance of replacing their poor stock with the well conditioned steeds on which our troopers were mounted. General Hancock told them that he would be glad to have their women and children return, and gave them every promise that they should be perfectly safe. He also told the chiefs that he found that he must put a man in their camp to see that the rest of the Indians did not run away. Ed. Guerrier was accordingly sent, with instructions to report every two hours, or immediately if any movement was made.
Shortly after eight o'clock Guerrier returned, with the information that the Indians were leaving; also that the young men would have killed him if it had not been for Roman Nose and Tall Bull. A small band of Sioux had been camped in the village, which Guerrier thought numbered about three hundred lodges. The Indians had been indulging in a dog feast, and were preparing for some movement. Their finery had been laid aside, extra moccasins hung to their saddles, and every preparation made for a fight. The Cheyennes had been anxious for a fight, but the Sioux would not join them.
The command was at once ordered under arms, which was accomplished without noise, the Indians doing a little musical performance peculiar to themselves. Meanwhile General Custer was ordered to take his cavalry command and surround the village, but not to enter if the Indians were still occupying it; but simply detain them, that he might learn why they were anxious to run away without having the talk. The battery under Colonel Parsons was also made ready, and the infantry, under Major John Rziba, disposed in such a manner as to protect the camp if the Indians should make an attack. General Custer's movement was perfect. As soon as the village was reached it was discovered to be abandoned. Many of the lodges had been cut, and all the property that could be readily moved off. The pieces cut from the lodges were evidently to be used for shelter, and had been carried off by the Indians. General Davidson had accompanied General Custer, and returned to General Hancock with the information. The General ordered that nothing should be moved from the camp, as he desired, if possible, that the Indians should be induced to return. If, however, their purpose was hostile, he purposed burning the village.
Careful search was made through the village immediately. A child, nine or ten years old, evidently with some white blood in it, was found in one of the wigwams. The poor thing was moaning pitifully, and upon being brought to the light, it was discovered to have been ravished and most dreadfully injured. It was placed under the charge of Colonel Wynkoop, the Indian agent, who cared for it as well as possible and hopes are had of its ultimate recovery. This is the worst sign that the Indians have made. General Hancock alluded particularly, during his talk at Larned, to the very cruel manner in which white women were treated when they fell into the hands of the Indians and remonstrated with the Indians for so doing. This may have been remembered by the Indians who have taken this mode of showing their contempt for the General's wishes.
An aged Sioux was also found in one of the lodges and kindly cared for by Colonel Wynkoop, who seems to consider each particular Indian as under his special charge. This seems strange, as the Colonel is a veteran Indian fighter and has seen as much of the Indian's devilry as any man on the plains. The only danger seems that he may carry his regard too far, and trust himself some day in the hands of the savages, and thus lose his top knot, which would be likely to spoil his beauty and render him an ex official of the Indian bureau, of which he is so faithful a servant.
After receiving the information that the village was abandoned, Gen. Hancock ordered Col. Rziba to detail a guard to take possession of the village, and permit nothing to be disturbed. Lieut. Baird, with Company A of the Thirty-seventh, took possession of the village and Capt. Carpenter, with one platoon, was detailed to scout about it. Gen. Custer was ordered to be prepared to march at daylight with seven days' rations. His instructions being to follow the Indians and induce them to return, peacefully if possible, and if they would not come in this way, to make them. This seems to mean a fight, and if so the Indians will be able to get a little of the treatment that they have so long extended to any unfortunate white man that fell into their hands. It is impossible to describe the Indian village until a complete survey can be had of it than the moonlight affords. If there is sufficient time before leaving in the morning I will add to this letter.
General Hancock will remain in his present camp for a few days, when his movement will depend upon circumstances. It will, most probably, be towards Fort Dodge, on the Arkansas, the distance to which is about forty miles. The Indians may attack him, but will certainly find everything in a state of readiness. The health of the command is excellent. The sun and wind has played sad havoc on the complexion, as there is scarcely a face in camp from which the skin had not pealed to an extent that is damaging to the beauty, to say the least.
I had almost forgotten to remark the fact that some of the soldiers tried some of the meat that they found roasting by the Indian fires and found it excellent, until they discovered that they were indulging in a dog feast, when each one declared that it must have been some one else.
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The Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth United States Infantry Expected in New Mexico--The Fifth United States Infantry of Guard the Line of Smoky Hill-Major Bell, &c.
Santa Fe, April 15, 1867.
Orders have been received here regarding important military changes. As soon as the grass is sufficiently high the headquarters and companies A, F and C of the Thirty-seventh United States infantry will leave Fort Riley, Kansas, for Fort Union, New Mexico. Companies H and K of the same regiment are to proceed to Downer's Station, on the Smoky Hill, and establish a post, erecting huts for two companies of infantry. Companies G and I of the same regiment are to march to "The Monuments" on the Smoky Hill, and establish a post, erecting quarters for two companies of infantry.
As soon as Companies A, F and C of the Thirty-seventh United States infantry reach Fort Union, New Mexico, four companies of the Fifth United States infantry (which regiment has been on duty in New Mexico many years) are to be sent as expeditiously as possible--on to Reed's Springs to establish a post and build quarters, and the others to Smoky Hill, to relieve the companies of the Thirty-seventh United States infantry at Forts Harker and Hays and Downer's Station. The companies of the Thirty-seventh United States infantry relieved are to march to New Mexico.
An equal number of companies of the Fifth United States infantry, or more, if possible, are to relieve the companies of the Thirty-seventh United States infantry, not before relieved, at Downer's Station, the Monuments and Fort Wallace, which are to proceed to New Mexico. The last two companies of the Fifth United States infantry, to leave New Mexico, it is intended, shall relieve the company of the Third United States infantry at Fort Hays and the company of the same regiment at Fort Wallace. The headquarters of the Fifth infantry, now at Santa Fe, will be, after the contemplated movements, at Fort Harker.
At about the same time the companies of the Thirty-seventh Infantry leave Fort Riley the Thirty-eighth United States Infantry will take up its march for New Mexico where it is to relieve the 125th United States Colored Troops, which regiment is to march to Fort Riley, Kansas, for muster out. The headquarters of the Thirty-eighth Infantry after its arrival are to be at Fort Craig, on the Rio Grande.
A company of the Tenth United States Cavalry is to take post at Fort Larned; another company has orders to proceed to join Brevet Major Parker's company of the Third United States Infantry at Buffalo Creek, and the remaining companies, as soon as organized, are to proceed from Leavenworth to Riley for distribution.
Captain and Brevet Major Wm. H. Bell, Commissary of Subsistance, Untied States Army, has been ordered to the States. He was relieved last autumn by Captain and Brevet Colonel Chas. McClure, but was permitted to remain at Santa Fe with his family until the weather should be more favorable for an exodus. Major Bell graduated at West Point in 1857, and, in 1858, as a Lieutenant in the Third United States Infantry accompanied Beale's celebrated wagon road expedition. In 1863 he was promoted from first lieutenant in the line to captain and commissary. The major has been an excellent and faithful officer.
Source:
Unknown, [* credited to Henry Morton Stanley], "The Indian Expedition," New York Herald, Monday, 29 April 1867, Page 4, Cols. 5-6.
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