Campaigns of General Custer in the North-west, and the final surrender of Sitting Bull

by Walker

  For the protection of the settlers in northern Montana, a cordon of forts had been commenced in 1877, which were now nearly completed, and there was every reason to believe that the former scene of the Sioux troubles-the valley of the Yellowstone and its tributaries-would not be again entered by them. But north of their former field of operations they could roam unrestrainedly, while the stores of government supplies at Poplar River and other outlying posts were never safe from their raids.

  In the opening of the year 1879 a panic prevailed among the white settlers near the border, in consequence of large bands of Sitting Bull's Indians crossing the line and committing depredations, killing the cattle of the settlers, stealing horses, etc. General Miles was accordingly sent to take the field, with troops sufficient to repel and overcome any body of Indians, however large ; and on the 12th of July he crossed to the northern bank of the Missouri with his command, in the vicinity of Old Fort Reck, and five days later the advance detachment, under Lieutenant Clark, struck a, large body of Indians between Beaver Creek and Milk River, and a spirited skirmish ensued. Sitting Bull was in command in person, and the battle would have ended disastrously for the whites, as they were largely outnumbered- but on the near approach of the main body of the troops he prudently withdrew to the north bank of Milk River, thence retreating to the British possessions. Many Indians were captured in the retreat, and the operations of that summer were attended with gratifying results. The bands of half-

  "breeds, who had by their nefarious traffic with the hostiles kept them well supplied with arms and ammunition, were either captured or dispersed, and their traffic broken up. On the 28th of July, Long Dog, an emissary from Sitting Bull's camp, reported that the hostiles had elected to remain permanently north of the line, and General Miles was assured by the commandant of the mounted police that no further apprehension need be entertained of hostile raids- assurances which the facts in the end fully justified.

  During the summer of 1880, there were a few isolated cases of murder and theft, in which the hand of the Sioux was apparent; but the surrender to General Miles, in the autumn, of the notorious Rain-in-the-Face, with many other chiefs and thousands of their followers, virtually settled the Indian problem in the Northwest.

  When Rain-in-the-Face crossed the line and surrendered, Gaul and his followers crossed also, but the latter went to Poplar Creek instead of Fort Keogh, and though at first expressing a willingness to surrender, he delayed from time to time, until January 2d, 1881, he yielded to the persuasions o? Colonel Ilges and his frost-bitten soldiers, and a few shots from his Gatling guns, and gave himself up. Crow King had previously surrendered, and Sitting Bull was left alone in his glory, and with a handful of dispirited followers, in his old retreat at Wood Mountain. He, too, now submits to the inevitable, recognizing in the rapid development of the Northwest country, the signs of the inevitable fate that thrusts upon the red man the alternative of civilization or extermination. With «his handful of half-starved followers, he reluctantly accepts the bounty of the government he has so long defied, yet remjains sullen and defiant to the last.

  Through the efforts of the scout, Louis Legare, mainly, the once powerful chieftain of the Sioux was induced to come into the lines and surrender to the military, kind treatment and immunity from punishment for his past misdeeds having been previously guaranteed him. With the last remnant of his people, some two hundred souls, old men, women and children, the old war-chief arrived at Fori Buford, Dakota, at noon, on July 19th, 1881. At the head of the mournful cortege rode Sitting Bull, Four Horns, Red Thunder and other sub-chiefs, on their war ponies, and following came six army wagons loaded with the squaws and children, and behind them came some twenty-five of Louis Xiegare's Red River carts, containing their baggage.

  They presented a forlorn and pitiful appearance-the great Sitting Bull himself being very dirty and very hungry, his face wearing a sullen, bull-dog expression, his dress and appearance bearing marks of the hardships and destitution he has recently experienced. Yet, until called upon to surrender his arms, he preserved under this, the most trying ordeal to a savage, a dignified and unbroken silence. Thus •ended the war in the Northwest The closing of the five years' campaign against the most remarkable leader of modern times is tersely chronicled in the following official dispatches :

  Fort Buford, D. T., July 14, 1881.-Gen. A. H. Terry, •Commanding Department Dakota, Fort Snelling: Just received a dispatch from Legare, dated 12th inst.; says he is en route with Sitting Bull, Four Horns and Red Thunder; in all, 6 chiefs, 40 families-about 200 in all, men, women and children. He says they came from Lake Qu'Appelle, starving. Will send in this morning to meet them with rations. Messenger says they are about sixty miles out. (Signed) D. H. Brotherton, Maj. 7th Infantry, Com.

  Fort Buford, D. T., July 19.-Gen. A. H. Terry, Commanding Department of Dakota, Fort Snelling : Sitting Bull and his followers surrendered to me at noon to-day.

  (Signed) D. H. Brotherton, Maj. 7th Infantry, Com.

  While the last act of the drama, the final scene in Sitting Bull's career as a warrior, was enacted at noon on July 20th, when, by the hand of his little son, he delivered to Major Brotherton the rifle he had carried throughout so many bloody fields. This being done, the great chieftain spoke as follows:

  "I surrender this rifle to you through my young son, whom I now desire to teach in this manner that he has become a friend of the Americans. I wish him to learn the habits of

  the whites and to be educated as their sons are educated. I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle. This boy has given it to you, and he now wants to know how he is going to make a living. Whatever you have to give-or whatever you have to say, I would like to receive or hear now, for I don't wish to be kept in darkness longer. I have sent several messengers in here from time to time, but none of them have returned with news. The other chiefs, Crow King and Gaul, have not wanted me to come, and I have never received good news from here. I now wish to be allowed to live this side of the line or the other, as I see fit. I wish to continue my old life of lunting, but would like to be allowed to trade on both sides of the line. This is my country, and I don't wish to be compelled to give it up. My heart was very sad at having to leave the great mother's country. She has been a friend to me, but I want my children to grow up in our native country, and I also wish to feel that I can visit two of my friends on the other side of the line, viz.: Major Walsh and Captain McDonald, whenever I wish, and would like to trade with Louis Legare, as he has always been a friend to me. I wish to have all my people live together upon one reservation of our own on the Little Missouri. I left several families at Wood Mountain and between there and Qu'Appelle. I have many people among the Yanktonais at Poplar Creek, and I wish all them and those who have gone to Standing Rock to be collected together upon one reservation. My people liave many of them been bad. All are good now that their arms and ponies have been taken from them. (Speaking to Major Brotherton):

  " You own this ground with me, and we must try and help ^ach other. I do not wish to leave here until I get all the people I left behind and the Uncapapas now at Poplar Creek. I would like to have my daughter, who is now at Fort Yates, sent up here to visit me, as also eight men now there (mentioning their names), and I would like to know that Louis Legare is to be rewarded for his services in bringing me and my people in here."

  Sitting Bull and his people have been sent to the Indian

  Agency of Standing Rock, Dakota, on the Missouri River, where Rain-in-the-Face, Gaul, Long-Dog and other chiefs of his tribe, with their followers, have preceded him.

  At this agency there are now fully 7,000 Indians, and though "finis " may now be appended to the last chapter of the history of the Indian wars in the Northwest, yet, in dealing with these pent-up savages, soothing the malcontents, and restraining the unruly spirits there confined from deeds of violence, in helping and instructing those susceptible of civilizing influences, and benefiting and chri
stianizing all, the Interior Department has a task as weighty, a labor as arduous, and a problem more puzzling, than that just worked out by the military, in their subjugation and capture.

  CHAPTER II.

  Officers in the Field against Sitting BuU since 1872.

  The commanding officer of the Department of Dakota, Brevet-Major-General Alfred H. Terry, is one of the Brigadier-Generals in the regular army. He entered the volunteer service at the beginning of the late civil war, in 1861, as Colonel of the 2d Connecticut Volunteers. In 1862 he was promoted to a Brigadier-General, and in 1864 to a Major-General of Volunteers, and in 1835 he was made a Brigadier-General in the regular army. In accepting his commission he also received the following, which Congress, by joint resolution, passed as a vote of thanks to him and the officers under his command : " For the unsurpassed gallantry and skill exhibited by them in the attack upon Fort Fisher, and the brilliant and decisive victory by which that important work has been captured from the Rebel forces, and placed in the possession and under the authority of the United States, and for their long and faithful services and unswerving devotion to the cause of the country in the midst of its greatest difficulties and dangers." He was made a Brevet-Major-General in 1886, for gallant and meritorious services in the capture of Wilmington, North Carolina. He has been

  in command of this military department since 1873, and the country has been fully advised at various times in regard to important operations against the hostiles. He needs no comment nor compliment from our pen.

  Of the officers who have been stationed on the extreme frontier of civilization at times during the past ten years, for the purpose of opening and protecting the new Northwest, we will make mention, in order to more fully explain to our readers that the work has not been confined to a very small number of officers, and that several of our best regiments have been brought to the front to take part in conquering the Sioux warriors. Among the first that were in command was Brigadier-General W. B. Hazen, recently promoted from the colonelcy of the 6th United States Infantry, And now chief signal officer. He was made a Brevet-Major-General in 1865.

  He was appointed from the military academy at West Point in 1859. In 1859 he was promoted for gallant conduct in several engagements with Indians in Texas. During the war he was promoted at different, times for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Chickamauga, Ga., Chattanooga, Tenn.; in the capture of Atlanta, Ga., and Fort McAllister, Ga., and.for long and continued service of the highest character, and for special gallantry and service at Fort McAllister. In his promotion the infantry lost one of its ablest commanders, and one of the most gentlemanly officers in the service of the United States ; but the Signal Service gains one of the brightest stars in the constellation at Washington.

  Daniel Huston, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th Infantry, was appointed from the military academy at West Point in 1848. At the beginning of the late war he was distinguished in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., for gallant conduct He was promoted for special gallant and meritorious service during the siege of Vicksburg, and later, for gallant and meritorious service during the war. During his service in this department he was in command at Forts Buford and Stevenson. He is highly esteemed by the old pioneers and citizens throughout the Northwest.

  Brevet-Colonel Orlando H. Moore, Major of the 6tli In-fantry, entered the regular army in 1856. Was appointed from the State of Michigan. He was promoted at different times during the war for gallant and meritorious services, and for special gallantry in action at Tebbs Bend, Ky. He has done most excellent service in the Northwest in bringing the hostiles in, and is not only one of the bravest of the brave, but is a most courteous and faithful officer.

  Brevet-Major-General David S. Stanley, Colonel of the 22d Infantry, was among the first to have a command in the Northwest, after the right of way was granted to the Northern Pacific Bailroad. He was appointed to the regular army from the military academy at West Point in 1852. He was among the most distinguished officers in the war of the rebellion, and received rapid promotion for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Stone Biver, Tenn.; Besaca,. Ga.. ^ufPs Station, Ga.; and Franklin, Tenn.

  He commanded the ^reat expedition in 1873, from Forts Bice and Lincoln, that penetrated farther into the hitherto unknown western wilds than ever our army had been before. The trail he made has since been known as " the Stanley-trail," and has, more or lesb, been a guide to the engineers and pioneers in locating a permanent line for the Northern Pacific Bailroad from the Missouri Biver to Pompey's Pillar, in the headwaters of the Yellowstone. The 22d Infantrjr did most excellent and hard service, both officers, and men, while stationed at different military posts in this department.

  Brevet-Brigadier-General Thomas L. Crittenden, Colonel of the 17th Infantry, came with his regiment to this department in an early day, which can now be looked upon as the veteran regiment in the Northwest. General Crittenden was a Major-General of Volunteers during the war, and has had vast experience in military as well as in political affairs in his own State. He was promoted for gallant and meritorious service in the battle of Stone Biver, Tenn. Ever zeal-, ous, and one of the best military advisers and administrative officers in the Northwest.

  W. P. Carlin, Lieut.-Colonel of the 17th Infantry, was amp;

  Brevet-Major-General in the late civil war, and was promoted at different times for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Jonesboro', Ga.; and Bentonville, N. C. He entered the regular army from the Military Academy at West Point, in 1850. He has been commanding officer at various military stations in Dakota Territory, and, until quite recently, at Fort Yates, or more generally known to the outside world as the Standing Rock Agency. He is a strictly moral and temperate man, and his duties have at times been onerous, but his official career has always been approved by the Lieut.-General and General of the Army.

  Robert E. A. Crofton, previous to 1879, was the Major of the 17th Infantry, while he was serving in this department in earlier days. He was promoted at different times during the war of secession, for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Shiloh, Tenn; Chickamauga, Ga.; and Mission. Ridge, Tenn. He is now Lieut.-Colonel of the 13th Infantry* He is not only a brave, but a model and gentlemanly officer*

  The 2d U. S. Cavalry has been on duty in this department since 1876, stationed at Forts Custer and Keogh, Montana Territory. Brevet-Major-General Johli W. Davidson was Colonel of the regiment from March, 1879, up to the time of his death in St. Paul, but a few days since. He was appointed to the regular army from the Military Academy at West Point, in 1845. He was promoted at different times during the war of the rebellion, for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Gaines Mill, Va.; Golding's Farm, Va.; and the capture of Little Rock, Ark. He was a strict disciplinarian, and did much to elevate the morale of the army. He died a few days since in St. Paul, Minn., while en route east to recuperate his broken health. By his death the cavalry loses one of its ablest commanders, the army one of its noblest veterans, and his bereaved family a kind-hearted husband and father. The other field officers of this regiment have experienced equally as hard service as those of other regiments, and have displayed great energy and skill in bringing this Indian war to a close. Their service in the field has been in the extreme Northwest, at times near the British Possessions.

  In 1876, after the battles of the Little Big Horn, this department was reinforced by the 5th XJ. S. Infantry, commanded by Brig.-General Nelson A. Miles, then Colonel of the regiment. He has deservedly been promoted for special gallant and meritorious conduct in the Northwest. By his promotion the infantry loses a brilliant eagle, but the list of Brigadiers gains a bright star. It was through his generalship that Chief Joseph and his band were captured.

  Brevet-Brig.-General Joseph Whistler, the Lieut.-CoL of the 5th Infantry, has a record well known. He entered the regular army from the Military Academy at West Point in 1846. He was promoted for gallantry on the battle-field of Cherubusco,
in the Mexican War, and again promoted for gallant and meritorious services in front of Petersburg, Va. He has been in command at Fort Keogh most of the time since it was built, and has also taken no little part in active field operations in forcing Sitting Bull and his warriors to their final surrender. He is genial as he Is brave, and always in good humor. Western people will always hail with joy the veteran " General Joseph Whistler."

  The 7th U. S. Infantry has done long and effective service in the Northwest under command of Brevet-Major-General John Gibbon, its brave and popular Colonel. For the past several years a greater portion of the regiment have been serving in Western Montana.

  General John Gibbon entered the regular army by appointment from the Military Academy at West Point in July, 1847. He was assigned to duty in the 4th Artillery, and during the late civil war he was promoted to a Major-General of Volunteers, and special promotion from time to time for gallant and meritorious service in the battles of Antietam, Md.; Fredericksburg, Va.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Spott-sylvania, Va.; and in the capture of Petersburg, Va. He is an excellent administrative military officer, and his services have been invaluable in the Northwest, having taken an active part in several important expeditions against the hostile Sioux.

  The Lieut.-Colonel of this regiment, Chas. C. Gilbert, was appointed to the regular army from the Military Academy at West Point in July, 1846, and in the late civil war was promoted to a Brig.-General of Volunteers. He was distinguished for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Shiloh, Tenn.; Richmond, Ky.; Springfield, Mo.; Pittsburg Landing, Tenn.; and in the battle of Perryville, Ky. He now commands at the Standing Bock Indian Agency, on the Missouri River, and more recently known as Fort Yates. About seven thousand Indians are located at this agency, under the immediate charge of Major McLaughlin, well known in Dakota Territory as an experienced and efficient Indian agent He is assisted by the Rev. Father Chrysostrom, a Catholic missionary, who has done good work in the way of organizing schools at different stations in the Northwest. It is expected that Sitting Bull will be sent to this agency in a Tery few days.