to recapture them, which resulted in a sharp skirmish and the repulse of the Indians.

On the morning of the 8th the command deployed to meet and attack the main body of warriors, led by Crazy Horse, Little Big Man, White Bull, Big Crow, Two Moons, Hump and other prominent chiefs of the Cheyennes and Ogalallas. The country was very rough--mountainous in fact; and as the Indians moved down the valley to encounter the troops they evidently had every confidence of They outnumbered the and must have had at on the overlook

making it another massacre. troops more than two to one, least a thousand warriors field. From the heights

ing the valley where they

had stationed themselves they called out to the troops, "You have had your last

66

breakfast," and similar expressions of "YOU HAVE HAD YOUR LAST BREAKFAST." derision for the troops and of confidence

in themselves. Some of our scouts, particularly Yellowstone Kelley, who understood the Sioux and could reply to them in their own language, responded with equal defiance, challenging them to the encounter, and shouting back to them that they were all "women."

As the fight opened the canvas covers were stripped off from the pieces of artillery, and the two Napoleon guns exploded shells within their lines, creating great consternation and the reëchoing of the guns through the

valley, while it gave the troops much confidence, undoubtedly multiplied the number of our guns in the estimation of the Indians themselves. At one time they had completely surrounded the command, but the key of the position was a high bluff to the left of the line of troops, and the sharpest fighting was for the possession of this ground. The Indians who held it were led by Big Crow a "medicine man," who had worked himself up to such a frenzy that he had made the Indians believe that his medicine was so strong that the white men could not harm him. He rushed out in front of the warriors, attired in the most gorgeous Indian battle costume of the brightest colors, and with a headdress made of the waving plumes of the eagle falling down his back, jumped up and down, ran in a circle and whooped and yelled. Our men turned their guns upon him, but for several minutes he was unharmed, notwithstanding their efforts to reach him with their rifles.

Then a charge was made by troops under Majors Casey and Butler, and Captains McDonald and Baldwin. It was done with splendid courage, vim and determination, although the men were so encumbered with their heavy winter clothing, and the snow was so deep, that it was impossible to move faster than a slow walk. Captain Baldwin was conspicuous in this charge for his boldness and excellent judgment. In the very midst of his daring acts of bravado, Big Crow fell, pierced by a rifle shot, and his loss, together with the success of the charge that had been made and the important ground gained, seemed to cause a panic among the Indians, and they immediately fled in utter rout up the valley down which they had come a few hours before with such confidence.

The latter part of the engagement occurred during a snowstorm, which added an inexpressible weirdness to the scene. I think every officer and soldier realized the desperate nature of this encounter, the command being then between three and four hundred miles from any railroad or settlement. If they had met with disaster it would have been many weeks before any relieving command could have reached the ground from the nearest possible source of aid. Every officer and soldier knew that a mistake meant disaster, and disaster or defeat meant annihilation, and were therefore inspired to deeds of heroism and fortitude and a corresponding confidence. The fighting that occurred on the left of the line, as already described, was for a time very close and desperate. The backs of those retreating warriors presented the most delightful picture, as it then seemed to us, that it was ever our fortune to see on the opening of a new year.

While the engagement was not of such a serious character as to cause great loss of life on either side, yet it demonstrated the fact that we could

move in any part of the country in the midst of winter, and hunt the enemy down in their camps wherever they might take refuge. In this way, constantly pursuing them, we had made them realize that there was no peace or safety for them while they remained in a hostile attitude. After accomplishing what we had set out for, we returned to the cantonment on the Yellowstone, bringing with us the captives before mentioned. These were placed under a strong guard and properly protected. They were kindly treated, well fed and well clothed.

Their capture proved to be an important affair, as remarked, in affording a means of communication with the hostile camps. I sent Scout John Brughier with two of the

ing the terms upon which
cepted, namely, uncondi-
compliance with such or-
from the higher
the same time
that in case of
ance the troops
against them.
formed this
and dangerous
as subsequent
similar nature,
and courage.
long journey
deep snow, he
hostiles had
retreat from

of January 8, as

captives, February 1, offera surrender would be actional, with subsequent ders as should be received

authorities, at informing them a noncompliwould move Brughier permost valuable service, as well services of a with great skill Making the through very found that the continued their the battlefield far as to the

base of the Big Horn Mountains, and had camped on the Little Horn, a tributary of the Little Big Horn.

This was a very daring expedition for Brughier to undertake, and he did not attempt it without serious doubts as to his being able to get into their camp. He believed that if he was once there, he would find some of his friends who would protect him; but what he feared was being killed as he approached the camp. However, he succeeded in reaching there safely, and found the Indians encamped in the deep snow and suffering greatly from the cold, while their horses were dying from

exposure.

The return of the Indians who accompanied him was a great surprise to their friends and relatives. The fact that they had been humanely and properly treated in a large camp of soldiers with whom they had been in hostile relations was something not counted on, and was a surprise to the savages, making a very favorable impression upon them. They were disposed to consider kindly the demand for their surrender. The captives themselves acted as messengers of peace, and were very active in assuring their hostile brethren that the Indians, who were still in our hands, had been equally well treated, and urged their people to accept the terms of the government and put themselves under its control.

The result was that Brughier's mission was so successfully accomplished that on February 19, he returned with nineteen Indians, mainly chiefs and leading warriors, who desired to know the exact conditions upon which they could surrender. The terms as above given were repeated; and in various councils and frank and free communications a feeling of confidence and good faith was engendered, which has never been disturbed so far as relates to the Indians who subsequently surrendered there.

The Indians in council were treated with firmness, but also with kindness, and given to understand that if they would surrender they would receive just treatment, but if they would not, the harshest measures of war would be resumed against them. They returned to their camp with apparently good impressions and good intentions.

Almost immediately after their departure a singular tragedy occurred in the little band of Indian prisoners held in our hands. One morning soon after sunrise a sharp pistol shot was heard in one of their tents, and the officer of the day and one of the guard went to ascertain the cause. He found that a young and handsome Indian woman of about twenty-two years of age had committed suicide. Much to his astonishment he found that all that time she had kept secreted about her person the little pocket pistol with which she had finally taken her life. On making inquiries through the interpreter it was found that she had a lover in the Indian camp to whom she was most devotedly attached, and the fact that he had not accompanied the delegation for the purpose of seeing her, if for no other, so preyed upon her mind that she became heart-broken at the thought that he had cared so little for her. She had made inquiries concerning him of the warriors who had come in, and they had told her that he was indifferent to her, so believing that her love was not reciprocated she had taken her own life.

The fact, as we afterward ascertained, was that this young man was out hunting buffaloes at the time the party was induced to start for our camp, and did not know of their coming until it was too late. She was buried near the cantonment, and, when her relatives finally came in and surrendered, a strange and tragic scene was enacted. Her nearest relatives gathered about the grave moaning and bewailing her loss, and several of them took their knives and slashed their faces and persons until they were covered with blood. The women were especially demonstrative, falling upon each other's necks and weeping, while the male Indians maintained their accustomed stoical silence and dignity. One was noticed to pick up a little child and hold it in his arms during the scene of mourning, but upon his face you could discern no more emotion than upon that of a bronze statue, although the officers and soldiers were greatly moved by the sight.

While these measures were being taken to persuade the Indians to surrender, the most active efforts were being made at the cantonment to equip the command for another expedition if it should be necessary, though it certainly was not desired by anyone in the command. If it could be avoided, we did not care to again encounter the large bodies of hostile Indians on their own familiar ground, or endure the severity of that terrible climate.

On the return of the nineteen chiefs their runners and criers went through the camp announcing that the war was over, and the camp immediately commenced to move in the direction of our cantonment, passing over the divide from the Little Big Horn across to Tongue River, and down that stream to the mouth of Otter Creek. There they were met by runners from Spotted Tail, the principal chief of the peaceful Sioux, offering more favorable terms than had been given by me, and including the right to retain their guns and ponies, and to obtain ammunition. The main body of the Indians then halted and went into camp, and a larger delegation of the leading chiefs and warriors came in to find whether like terms could be obtained from me.

Another council was held, and I heard their statements and their wishes in regard to better terms, but all I could do was to announce to them the desire of the government to maintain peace in that region, and that the troops would be used constantly and incessantly until the wished-for results were accomplished. I informed them that it was my earnest wish to be their friend, rather than their enemy, but that I must continue to be their enemy until they placed themselves in subjection to the government. My