Part 10 (2/2)

”I want to say this: You are here with soldiers, and what for?

Soldiers are your fighting men. Do you then want to fight? If so, tell us. If you desire peace, send your soldiers away. I have some of your stock. I would like to see you come and try to get it back.”

This ended the talk on the part of the Indians,--then Dr. Matthews replied. He told them the Peace Commissioners would as willingly meet at Laramie as at any other place, but it was more convenient for the Indians to come to Fort Kearney. He did not promise them that the roads and country would be given up, or the posts abandoned. As to the powder the Indians asked for, he gave no reply, but said, ”If the Indians cease fighting and keep the peace during the winter, the Commissioners will meet them in the spring and make a treaty, which will satisfy both them and us.” The council broke up,--no good result being reached,--and the Indians being evidently in bad temper. When asked why Red Cloud did not come in to attend the council, a chief said, ”He has sent us as the Great Father has sent you. When the Great Father comes, Red Cloud will be here!” This meant that the haughty chief would only treat through his agents, unless President Johnson came in person.

After the council in January, matters were unsettled all along the northwestern frontier until 10th April, 1868, when a large party of Indians appeared on the bluffs overlooking Phil. Kearney Fort. General John E. Smith (who was Red Cloud's choice to escort him to Was.h.i.+ngton) was at the time commanding the post, and made signals to the Indians to come in, but they refused to do so.

Most of the Indians carried scalp poles, and wore war-paint, to show that they were hostile. Finding that they would not come in, General Smith mounted his horse, and, taking an interpreter (Boyer), rode out to have a parley with them. The general wished to go up the hill, but the interpreter begged him not to do so, and then rode to the bottom and called out, ”How?” Then a chief replied, ”How?”

_General Smith._--Come down, I want to talk.

_Chief._--Who are you, and what do you want to talk about?

_General Smith._--I am the chief at the fort, and want to see you.

Three Indians then advanced, and came slowly down the hill to where General Smith and Boyer were. When the chief, who was in his war-paint, came up, General Smith held out his hand, but the chief refused to take it, saying, ”My brother was killed over there at the Phil. Kearney ma.s.sacre, and I swore never again to shake hands with a white man.”

_General Smith._--Who are you, and who are those Indians on the hill?

_Chief._--I am a chief, and the warriors are part of Red Cloud's band.

Here is his son (at the same time pointing to a young man who sat on a pony by his side).

_General Smith._--What have you come here for?

_Chief._--We have been on the Laramie road, fighting the Snakes.

_General Smith._--You were expected at the big talk at Laramie by the Peace Commissioners.

_Chief._--I was there, and they promised that this country should be abandoned by your troops in two months. The two months are up, you are still here, and I see no sign of your moving.

_General Smith_ (sharply). We have made some preparations to go, and will leave as soon as all is in readiness; but if your warriors commit depredations, or kill any more white men, we will not go at all, but stay here, kill you and drive off your game.

_Chief_ (not noticing this threat). I want you to give me something to eat for my young men, and I will go over there and camp on the creek to-night.

_General Smith._--I have nothing to give you, but I want to warn you to restrain your warriors from committing any depredations around here.

At this stage of the interview, a company of cavalry, which General Smith had ordered to saddle up and stand ready for any emergency, was seen filing out of the gates of the post, and as soon as the Indians caught sight of the troops, they whipped up their ponies and did not stop till out of sight.

General Smith was very much provoked at this interruption, by a stupid officer coming out when he had no business to do so,--and the impression of treachery on his part made on the minds of the Indians caused them to refuse to come back again to have another talk with him.

Near sunset, the Indians were seen crossing the plateau near the creek where the chief indicated he would camp. The evening gun fired as they crossed the stream, and the whole party halted and took a good look at the fort. After a confab among themselves, they seemed to think some sort of defiance had been shown them, and a warrior aiming his gun at the fort, fired. The ball struck on the parade-ground, but did no harm.

The Indians then went into camp, but went off next morning for Red Cloud's camp, which it is thought was not far off. General Smith soon after gave up the post, as ordered to from Was.h.i.+ngton; and in like manner Reno and C. F. Smith were abandoned, and the troops marched down to Fort Russell. The Indians did not attack the troops, but followed and stole stock when they could. No sooner were the forts abandoned than the Indians came in and set fire to the buildings, destroying property that cost the government over half a million dollars. They did this lest the troops should come back and occupy them again. But the giving up of these posts gave the Indians a false idea of their power, and they thought the government did it from fear.

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