Full text of "The war in Kansas : a rough trip to the border, among new homes and a strange people"

See other formats

NARRATIVE

MY CAPTIVITY

AMONG T n K

SIOUX INDIANS.

B Y

FANNY KELLY.

WITH A BBIEP ACCOUNT OF GENERAL SULLY'S INDIAN EXPEDITION IN 1864,
BEARING UPON EVENTS OCCURRING IN MY CAPTIVITY.

HARTFORD, CONN.

MUTUAL PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1871.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by

'" -VANNY-.^E'LTL y , •

In the office of th.e Librari.an, .o.f .Congress, -at Washington.

STEREOTYPED AT THE FBANKLIN TYPE FOUNDRY, CINCINNATI.

®{ficers mrb Sfolbiers of % (EUfrenijj ©jj'ro

FOR THEIR

PERSISTENT AND DARING

EFFORTS TO AID MY HUSBAND IN

EFFECTING MY RESCUE J

AND TO THE

Officers aiib jsolbbrs of fyt £i

FOR KINDNESS

SHOWN ME AFTER MY RAN

SOM AND RETURN TO FORT SULLY, THIS

NARRATIVE is AFFECTIONATELY

DEDICATED BY

THE AUTHOR.

INTRODUCTORY.

THE summer of 1864 marked a period of unusual
3eril to the daring pioneers seeking homes in the far
West. Following upon the horrible massacres in Min-
lesota in 1862, and the subsequent chastisements in-
licted by the expeditions under Generals Sully and
Sibley in 1863, whereby the Indians were driven
rom the then western borders of civilization, in
[owa, Minnesota, and the white settlements of Dakota,
n the Missouri Valley, the great emigrant trails to
[daho and Montana became the scene of fresh out
rages; and, from the wild, almost inaccessible nature
)f the country, pursuit and punishment were impos
sible.

I was a member of a small company of emigrants,
svho were attacked by an overwhelming force of hos
tile Sioux, which resulted in the death of a large pro-

(v)

VI INTRODUCTORY.

portion of the party, in my own capture, and a horri
ble captivity of five months' duration.

Of my thrilling adventures and experience during
this season of terror and privation, I propose to give
a plain, unvarnished narrative, hoping the reader will
be more interested in facts concerning the habits, man
ners, and customs of the Indians, and their treatment
of prisoners, than in theoretical speculations and fine-
wrought sentences.

Some explanation is due the public for the delay in
publishing this my narrative. From memoranda, kept
during the period of my captivity, I had completed
the work for publication, when the manuscript was
purloined and published ; but the work was suppressed
before it could be placed before the public. After sur
mounting many obstacles, I have at last succeeded in
gathering the scattered fragments; and, by the aid of
memory, impressed as I pray no mortal's may ever be
again, am enabled to place the results before, I trust, a
kind-judging, appreciative public.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAOT

Early History — Canada to Kansas — Death of my Father —
My Marriage — "Ho! for Idaho!" — Crossing the Platte
River— A Storm, . . .,..-• ... 11

CHAPTER II.
The Attack and the Capture, . .;.'.. . .19

CHAPTER III.

My Husband's Escape — Burial of the Dead — Arrival of the
Survivors at Deer Creek — An ill-timed Ball, . . .28

CHAPTER IV.
Beginning of my Captivity, 37

CHAPTER V.

Plan for Little Mary's Escape — Tortures of Uncertainty — Un
successful Attempt to Escape, .; • v. • . .45

CHAPTER VI.

Continuation of our March into the Wilderness — Suffering from
Thirst and Weariness — Disappearance of my Fellow-pris
oner — Loss of the old Chief's Pipe, and its Consequences to
me — A Scene of Terror, 49

CHAPTER VII.

Powder River — Another Attempt to Escape — Detection and
Despair— A Quarrel— My Life saved by " Jumping Bear," 62

(vii)

Vlll CONTENTS.

CIIAPTEE VIII.

The Storm— Arrival at the Indian Village— The old Chief's
Wife — Some Kindness shown me — Attend a Feast, . . 72

CHAPTEK IX.

Preparations for Battle — An Indian Village on the Move —
Scalp Dance — A Horrible Scene of Savage Exultation —
Compelled to join the Orgies— A Cause of Indian Hostility
— Another Battle with the White Troops — Burial of an In
dian Boy — A Hasty Retreat — Made to act as Surgeon of the
W'ounded — Mauve Terre, or Bad Lands, . . . .92

CHAPTEE X.

Mourning for the Slain — Threatened with Death at the Fiery
Stake — Saved by a Speech from Ottawa — Starving Condition
of the Indians, 106

CHAPTEE XI.

Meet another White Female Captive — Sad Story of Mary
Boyeau — A Child Eoasted, and its Brains Dashed out —
Murder of Mrs. Fletcher — Five Children Slaughtered — Fate
of their Mother, . . . -. .. . . . . . 112

CHAPTEE XII.

First Intimation of my Little Mary's Fate— Despair and De
lirium — A Shower of Grasshoppers— A Feast and a Fight —
An Enraged Squaw— The Chief Wounded, . . . .120

CHAPTEE XIII.

Arrival of " Porcupine " — A Letter from Captain Marshall —
Hopes of Eescue — Treachery of the Messenger — Egosega-
lonicha— The Tables Turned — Another Gleam of Hope —
The Indian " White Tipi "—Disappointed— A White Man
Bound and left to Starve— A Burial Incident, . . .129

CHAPTEE XIV.

Lost in the Indian Village — Black Bear's White Wife — A
smallJTea Party— The White Boy-captive, Charles Sylves
ter—The Sun Dance— A Conciliating Letter from General
Sibley— A Puzzle of Human Bones— The Indian as an Art
ist — I Destroy a Picture and am Punished with Fire-brands
—A Sick Indian, .136

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER XV. PAQB

Preparing the Chi-cha-cha, or Killikinnick — Attack on Cap
tain Fisk's Emigrant Train— Fourteen Whites Killed — A
big Haul of Whisky — A Drunken Debauch — I write a Letter
to Captain Fisk under dictation — Poisoned Indians — The
Train saved by my Clerical Strategy, 147

CHAPTER XVI.
Scenes on Cannon Ball Prairie — Reflections, .... 154

CHAPTER XVII.
A Prairie on Fire — Scenes of Terror, 159

CHAPTER XVIII.

Last days with the Ogalalla Sioux — Massacre of a Party re
turning from Idaho — A Woman's Scalp — A Scalp Dance —
Suspicious Circumstance — Arrival of Blackfeet Indians —
Negotiations for my Ransom — Treachery, .... 164

CHAPTER XIX.
Indian Customs, 175

CHAPTER XX.

An Indian tradition — Arrival at the Blackfeet Village — An
offer to purchase me indignantly rejected — A Yankton at
tempts my Capture, 191

CHAPTER XXI.

Appearance of Jumping Bear — I prevail on him to carry a
Letter to the Fort — A War Speech — Intended Treachery —
Resume our Journey to the Fort — Singular Meeting with a
White Man— "Has Richmond Fallen?" — Arrival at the
Fort— I am Free! . ." ^ '' .•'.".. . -• . . .199

CHAPTER XXII.

Retrospection — A Border Trading post— Garrison Hospitality
— A Visit from the Commandant of Fort Rice — Arrival of
my Husband — Affecting Scene, 212

CHAPTER XXIII.

Sad Fate of Little Mary, . '..-, \ . ." ,. ,.'. . • 218

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE XXIV. PAGM

What occurred at Fort Laramie after my Capture — Efforts to
Kescue — Lieutenant Brown killed — Keward offered— It is
the Means of restoring another White Woman and Child —
Her Kescuers hung for Former Murders — A Letter announc
ing my Safe Arrival at Fort Sully, 223

CHAPTER XXV.

Supper in Honor of our Re-union — Departure from Fort Sully
— Incidents by the way — Arrival at Geneva— Mother and
Child— A Happy Meeting, 228

CHAPTER XXVI.

Elizabeth Blackwell — Mormon Home — A brutal Father — The
Mother and Daughters flee to the Mountains — Death of the
Mother and Sisters from exposure — Elizabeth saved by an
Indian — A White Woman tortured — Rescued Children —
The Boxx Family— Capture of Mrs. Blynn, . . .238

CHAPTER XXVII.

Move to Wyoming — False Friends--^The Manuscript of my
Narrative taken by another party and published — I go to
Washington, 250

CHAPTER XXVIII.
General Sully's Expedition, ....... 255

POEM TO MRS. FANNIE KELLY, 268

CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN CHIEFS, 270

CERTIFIED COPIES OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH CAPTAIN

FISK, 274

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT G. A. HESSELBERG, . . . 279
STATEMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SIXTH

IOWA CAVALRY, 282

CAPTIVITY AMONG THE SIOUX.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY — CANADA TO KANSAS — DEATH OF MY FATHER — MY
MARRIAGE — " HO ! FOR IDAHO !" — CROSSING THE PLATTE RIYHR —
A STORM.

I WAS born in Orillia, Canada, in 1845. Our home
was on the lake shore, and there amid pleasant sur
roundings I passed the happy days of early childhood.

The years 1852 to 1856 witnessed, probably, the
heavest immigration the West has ever known in a
corresponding length of time. Those who had gone
before sent back to their friends such marvelous ac
counts of the fertility of the soil, the rapid develop
ment of the country, and the ease with which fortunes
were made, the " Western fever" became almost epi
demic. Whole towns in the old, Eastern States were
almost depopulated. Old substantial farmers, sur
rounded apparently by all the comforts that heart
could wish, sacrificed the homes wherein their families
had been reared for generations, and, with all their
worldly possessions, turned their faces toward the set-
Ill)

12 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ting sun. And with what high hopes! Alas! how
few, comparatively, met their realization.

In 1856, my father, James Wiggins, joined a New
York colony bound for Kansas. Being favorably im
pressed with the country and its people, they located the
town of Geneva, and my father returned for his family.

Reaching the Missouri River on our way to our new
home, my father was attacked with cholera, and died.

In obedience to his dying instructions, my widowed
mother, with her little family, continued on the way to
our new home. But, oh! with what saddened hearts
we entered into its possession. It seemed as if the
light of our life had gone out. He who had been
before to prepare that home for us, was not there to
share it with us, and, far away from all early asso
ciations, almost alone in a new and sparsely settled
country, it seemed as though hope had died.

But God is merciful. He prepares the soul for its
burdens. Of a truth, "He tempers the wind to the
shorn lamb."*

Our family remained in this pleasant prairie home,
where I was married to Josiah S. Kelly.

My husband's health failing, he resolved upon a
change of climate. Accordingly, on the 17th of May,
1864, a party of six persons, consisting of Mr. Gardner
Wakefield, my husband, myself, our adopted daughter
(my sister's child), and two colored servants, started
from Geneva, with high-wrought hopes and pleasant

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 13

anticipations of a romantic and delightful journey
across the plains, and a confident expectation of future
prosperity among the golden hills of Idaho.

A few days after commencing our journey, we were
joined by Mr. Sharp, a Methodist clergyman, from
Verdigris River, about thirty miles south of Geneva;
and, a few weeks later, we overtook a large train of
emigrants, among whom were^ a family from Allen
County with whom we were acquainted — Mr. Larimer,
wife, and child, a boy eight years old. Preferring to
travel with our small train, they left the larger one
and became members of our party. The addition of
one of my own sex to our little company was cause
of much rejoicing to me, and helped relieve the dull
ness of our tiresome march.

The hours of noon and evening rest were spent in
preparing our frugal meals, gathering flowers with our
children, picking berries, hunting curiosities, or gazing
in wrapt wonder and admiration at the beauties of this
strange, bewildering country.

Our amusements were varied. Singing, reading,
writing to friends at home, or pleasant conversation,
occupied our leisure hours.

So passed the first few happy days of our emigration
to the land of sunshine and flowers.

When the sun had set, when his last rays were
flecking the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains,
gathering around the camp-fires, in our home-like tent,

14 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

we ate with a relish known only to those who, like us,
scented the pure air, and lived as nature demanded.

At night, when our camp had been arranged by
Andy and Franklin, our colored men, it was always
in the same relative position, Mr. Kelly riding a few
miles ahead as evening drew near to select the camping
ground.

The atmosphere, which during the day was hot and
stifling, became cool, and was laden with the odor of
prairie flowers, the night dews filling their beautiful
cups with the waters of heaven.

The solemnity of night pervaded every thing. The
warblings of the feathered tribe had ceased. The an
telope and deer rested on the hills ; no sound of laugh
ing, noisy children, as in a settled country ; no tramp
ing of busy feet, or hurrying to and fro. All is silent.
Nature, like man, has put aside the labors of the day,
and is enjoying rest and peace.

Yonder, as a tiny spark, as a distant star, might be
seen from the road a little camp-fire in the darkness
spread over the earth.

Every eye in our little company is closed, every
hand still, as we lay in our snugly-covered wagons,
awaiting the dawn of another day.

And the Eye that never sleeps watched over us in our
lonely camp, and cared for the slumbering travelers.

Mr. Wakefield, with whom we became acquainted
after he came to settle at Geneva, proved a most agree-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 15

able companion. Affable and courteous, unselfish,
and a gentleman, we remember him with profound
respect.

A fine bridge crosses the Kansas Kiver. A half-
hour's ride through the dense heavy timber, over a jet-
black soil of incalculable richness, brought us to this
bridge, which we crossed.

We then beheld the lovely valley of the prairies,
intersecting the deep green of graceful slopes, where
waves tall prairie grass, among which the wild flow
ers grow.

Over hundreds of acres these blossoms are scattered,
yellow, purple, white, and blue, making the earth
look like a rich carpet of variegated colors; those
blooming in spring are of tender, modest hue, in later
summer and early autumn clothed in gorgeous splendor.
Solomon's gold and purple could not outrival them.

Nature seemingly reveled in beauty, for beauty's
sake alone, for none but the simple children of the
forest to view her in state.

Slowly the myriad years come and go upon her soli
tary places. Tender spring-time and glorious summer
drop down their gifts from overflowing coffers, while
the steps of bounding deer or the notes of singing
birds break upon the lonely air.

The sky is of wonderful clearness and transparency.
Narrow belts and fringes of forest mark the way of
winding streams.

16 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

In the distance rise conical mounds, wrapped in the
soft veil of dim and dreamy haze.

Upon the beaten road are emigrants wending their
way, their household goods packed in long covered
wagons, drawn by oxen, mules, or horses; speculators
working their way to some new town with women and
children; and we meet with half-breed girls, with
heavy eye-lashes and sun-burnt cheeks, jogging along
on horseback.

I was surprised to see so many women among the
emigrants, and to see how easily they adapted them
selves to the hardships experienced in a journey across
the plains.

As a rule, the emigrants travel without tents, sleep
ing in and under wagons, without removing their
clothing.

Cooking among emigrants to the far West is a very
primitive operation, a frying-pan and perhaps a Dutch
oven comprising the major part of the kitchen fur
niture.

The scarcity of timber is a source of great inconven
ience and discomfort, " buffalo chips " being the sub
stitute. At some of the stations, where opportunity
offered, Mr. Kelly bought wood by the pound, as I
had not yet been long enough inured to plains priva
tions to relish food cooked over a fire made with
"chips" of that kind.

We crossed the Platte River by binding four wagon

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 17

boxes together, then loaded the boat with goods, and
were rowed across by about twenty men.

We were several days in crossing. Our cattle and
horses swam across. The air had been heavy and op
pressively hot ; now the sky began to darken suddenly,
and just as we reached the opposite shore, a gleam of
lightning, like a forked tongue of flame, shot out of
the black clouds, blinding us by its flash, and followed
by a frightful crash of thunder.

Another gleam and another crash followed, and the
dense blackness lowered threateningly over us, almost
shutting out the heights beyond, and seeming to en
circle us like prisoners in the valley that lay at our
feet.

The vivid flashes lighting the darkness for an instant
only made its gloom more fearful, and the heavy roll
ing of the thunder seemed almost to rend the heav
ens above it.

All at once it burst upon our unprotected heads in
rain. But such rain ! Not the gentle droppings of an
afternoon shower, nor a commonplace storm, but a
sweeping avalanche of water, drenching us completely
at the first dash, and continuing to pour, seeming to
threaten the earth on which we stood, and tempt the
old Platte to rise and claim it as its own.

Our wagon covers had been removed in the fording,
and we had no time to put up tents for our protection
until its fury was exhausted. And so we were forced
2

18 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

to brave the elements, with part of our company on
the other side of the swollen river, and a wild scene,
we could scarcely discern through the pelting rain, sur
rounding us.

One soon becomes heroic in an open-air life, and so
we put up what shelter we could when the abating
storm gave us opportunity; and, wringing the water
out of clothes, hair, and eye-brows, we camped in
cheerful hope of a bright to-morrow, which did not
disappoint us, and our hundreds of emigrant compan
ions scattered on the way.

Each recurring Sabbath was gratefully hailed as a
season of thought and repose ; as a matter of conscience
and duty we observed the day, and took pleasure in
doing so.

We had divine service performed, observing the
ceremonies of prayer, preaching, and singing, which
was fully appreciated in our absence from home and
its religious privileges.

Twenty-five miles from California Crossing is a place
called Ash Hollow, where the eye is lost in space as it
endeavors to penetrate its depths. Here some years
before, General Harney made his name famous by an
indiscriminate massacre of a band of hostile Indians,
with their women and children.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 19

CHAPTER II.

THE ATTACK AND THE CAPTURE.

A TRAIN of wagons were coursing their westward
way, with visions of the future bright as our own.
Sometimes a single team might be seen traveling alone.

Our party were among the many small squads emi
grating to the land of promise.

The day on which our doomed family were scattered
and killed was the 12th of July, a warm and oppressive
day. The burning sun poured forth its hottest rays upon
the great Black Hills and the vast plains of Montana,
and the great emigrant road was strewed with men,
women, and children, and flocks of cattle, representing
towns of adventurers.

We looked anxiously forward to the approach of
evening, with a sense of relief, after the excessive heat
of the day.

Our journey had been pleasant, but toilsome, for
we had been long weeks on the road.

Slowly our wagons wound through the timber that
skirted the Little Box Elder, and, crossing the stream,
we ascended the opposite bank.

20 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

We had no thought of danger or timid misgivings
on the subject of savages, for our fears had been all dis
persed by constantly received assurances of their friend
liness.

At the outposts &nd ranches, we heard nothing but
ridicule of their pretensions to warfare, and at Fort
Laramie, where information that should have been
reliable was given us, we had renewed assurances of
the safety of the road and friendliness of the Indians.

At Horseshoe Creek, which we had just left, and
where there was a telegraph station, our inquiries had
elicited similar assurances as to the quiet and peaceful
state of the country through which we must pass.

Being thus persuaded that fears were groundless, we
entertained none, and, as I have mentioned before, our
small company preferred to travel alone on account of
the greater progress made in that way.

The beauty of the sunset and the scenery around us
filled our hearts with joy, and Mr. Wakefield's voice
was heard in song for the last time, as he sang, "Ho!
for Idaho." Little Mary's low, sweet voice, too, joined
in the chorus. She was so happy in her childish glee
on that day, as she always was. She was the star and
joy of our whole party.

We wended our way peacefully and cheerfully on,
without a thought of the danger that was lying like a
tiger in ambush in our path.

Without a sound of preparation or a word of warn-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 21

ing, the bluffs before us were covered with a party of
about two hundred and fifty Indians, painted and
equipped for war, who uttered the wild war-whoop and
fired a signal volley of guns and revolvers into the air.

This terrible and unexpected apparition came upon us
with such startling swiftness that we had not time to
think before the main body halted and sent out a part
of their force, which circled us round at regular inter
vals, but some distance from our wagons. Recovering
from the shock, our men instantly resolved on defense,
and corralled the wagons. My husband was looked
upon as 'leader, as he was principal owner of the train.
Without regard to the insignificance of our numbers,
Mr. Kelly was ready to stand his ground ; but, with all
the power I could command, I entreated him to forbear
and only attempt conciliation. " If you fire one shot/'
I said, " I feel sure you will seal our fate, as they seem
to outnumber us ten to one, and will at once massacre
all of us."

Love for the trembling little girl at my side, my hus
band, and friends, made me strong to protest against any
thing that would lessen our chance for escape with our
lives. Poor little Mary ! from the first she had enter
tained an ungovernable dread of the Indians, a repug
nance that could not be overcome, although in our
intercourse with friendly savages, I had endeavored to
show how unfounded it was, and persuade her that
they were civil and harmless, but all in vain. Mr.

22 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Kelly bought her beads and many little presents from
them which she much admired, but she would always
add, "They look so cross at me and they have knives
and tomahawks, and I fear they will kill me." Could
it be that her tender young mind had some presenti
ment or warning of her horrid fate ?

My husband advanced to meet the chief and demand
his intentions.

The savage leader immediately came toward him,
riding forward and uttering the words, " How ! how I"
which are understood to mean a friendly salutation.

His name was Ottawa, and he was a war chief of
the Ogalalla band of the Sioux nation. He struck
himself on his breast, saying, "Good Indian, me," and
pointing to those around him, he continued, "Heap
good Indian, hunt buffalo and deer." He assured us
of his utmost friendship for the white people; then
he shook hands, and his band followed his example,
crowding around our wagons, shaking us all by the
hand over and over again, until our arms ached, and
grinning and nodding with every demonstration of
good will.

Our only policy seemed to be temporizing, in hope
of assistance approaching; and, to gain time, we allowed
them unopposed to do whatever they fancied. First,
they said they would like to change one of their horses
for the one Mr. Kelly was riding, a favorite race
horse. Very much against his will, he acceded to their

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 23

request, and gave up to them the noble animal to which
he was fondly attached.

My husband came to me with words of cheer and
hope, but oh ! what a marked look of despair was upon
his face, such as I had never seen before.

The Indians asked for flour, and we gave them what
they wanted of provisions. The flour they emptied
upon the ground, saving only the sack. They talked
to us partly by signs and partly in broken English,
with which some of them were quite familiar, and as
we were anxious to suit ourselves to their whims and
preserve a friendly intercourse as long as possible, we
allowed them to take whatever they desired, and offered
them many presents besides. It was, as I have said be
fore, extremely warm weather, but they remarked that
the cold made it necessary for them to look for clothing,
and begged for some from our stock, which was granted
without the slightest offered objection on our part. I,
in a careless-like manner, said they must give me some
moccasins for some articles of clothing that I had just
handed them, and very pleasantly a young Indian gave
me a nice pair, richly embroidered with different colored
beads.

Our anxiety to conciliate them increased every mo
ment, for the hope of help arriving from some quarter
grew stronger as they dallied, and, alas ! it was our
only one.

They grew bolder and more insolent in their ad-

24 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

vances. One of them laid hold of my husband's gun,
but, being repulsed, desisted.

The chief at last intimated that he desired us to pro
ceed on our way, promising that we should not be
molested. We obeyed, without trusting them, and
soon the train was again in motion, the Indians insist
ing on driving our herd, and growing ominously
familiar. Soon my husband called a halt. He saw
that we were approaching a rocky glen, in whose
gloomy depths he anticipated a murderous attack, and
from which escape would be utterly impossible. Our
enemies urged us still forward, but we resolutely re-'
fused to stir, when they requested that we should pre
pare supper, which they said they would share with
us, and then go to the hills to sleep. The men of our
party concluded it best to give them a feast. Mr.
Kelly gave orders to our two colored servants to pre
pare at once to make a feast for the Indians.

Andy said, " I think, if I knows any thing about
it, they ?s had their supper ;" as they had been eating
sugar crackers from our wagons for an hour or more.

The two colored men had been slaves among the
Cherokees, and knew the Indian character by expe
rience. Their fear and horror of them was unbounded,
and their terror seemed pitiable to us, as they had
worked for us a long time, and were most faithful,
trustworthy servants.

Each man was busy preparing the supper; Mr.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 25

Larimer and Frank were making the fire ; Mr. Wake-
field was getting provisions out of the wagon ; Mr.
Taylor was attending to his team ; Mr. Kelly and
Andy were out some distance gathering wood ; Mr.
Sharp was distributing sugar among the Indians ; sup
per, that they asked for, was in rapid progress of prep
aration, when suddenly our terrible enemies threw off
their masks and displayed their truly demoniac^ na
tures. There was a simultaneous discharge of arms,
and when the cloud of smoke cleared away, I could
see the retreating form of Mr. Larimer and the slow
motion of poor ^JMr. Wakefield, for he was mortally
wounded.

Mr. Kelly and Andy made a miraculous escape with
their lives. Mr. Sharp was killed within a few feet
of me. Mr. Taylor — I never can forget his face as I
saw him shot through the forehead with a rifle ball.
He looked at me as he fell backward to the ground a
corpse. I was the last object that met his dying gaze.
Our poor faithful Frank fell at my feet pierced by
many arrows. I recall the scene with a sickening
horror. I could not see my husband anywhere, and
did not know his fate, but feared and trembled. "With
a glance at my surroundings, my senses seemed gone
for a time, but I could only live and endure.

I had but little time for thought, for the Indians
quickly sprang into our wagons, tearing off covers,
breaking, crushing, and smashing all hinderances to

26 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

plunder, breaking open locks, trunks, and boxes, and
distributing or destroying our goods with great rapidity,
using their tomahawks to pry open boxes, which they
split up in savage recklessness.

Oh, what horrible sights met my view ! Pen is
powerless to portray the scenes occurring around me.
They filled the air with the fearful war-whoops and
hideous shouts. I endeavored to keep my fears quiet
as possible, knowing that an indiscreet act on my part
might result in jeopardizing our lives, though I felt
certain that we two helpless women would share
death by their hands ; but with as much of an air of
indifference as I could command, I kept still, hoping
to prolong our lives, even if but a few moments. I was
not allowed this quiet but a moment, when two of the
most savage-looking of the party rushed up into my
wagon, with tomahawks drawn in their right hands,
and with their left seized me by both hands and pulled
me violently to the ground, injuring my limbs very
severely, almost breaking them, from the effects of
which I afterward suffered a great deal. I turned to
my little Mary, who, with outstretched hands, was
standing in the wagon, took her in my arms and helped
her to the ground. I then turned to the chief, put my
hand upon his arm, and implored his protection for
my fellow-prisoner and our children. At first he gave
me no hope, but seemed utterly indifferent to my
prayers. Partly in words and partly by signs, he

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 27

ordered me to remain quiet, placing his hand upon his
revolver, that hung in a belt at his side, as an argu
ment to enforce obedience.

A short distance in the rear of our train a wagon
was in sight. The chief immediately dispatched a de
tachment of his band to capture or to cut it off from us,
and I saw them ride furiously off in pursuit of the
small party, which consisted only of one family and
a man who rode in advance of the single wagon.
The horseman was almost instantly surrounded and
killed by a volley of arrows. The husband of the
family quickly turned his team around and started
them at full speed, gave the whip and lines to his wife,
who held close in her arms her youngest child. He
then went to the back end of his wagon and threw
out boxes, trunks, every thing that he possessed. His
wife meantime gave all her mind and strength to urg
ing the horses forward on their flight from death. The
Indians had by this time come very near, so that they
riddled the wagon-cover with bullets and arrows, one
passing through the sleeve of the child's dress in its
mother's arms, but doing it no personal injury.

The terrified man' kept the Indians at bay with his
revolver, and finally they left him and rode furiously
back to the scene of the murder of our train.

30 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Indians calling to each other; then came the culmi
nation of his awful suspense. The Indians had again
mounted their horses, and, raising the terrible war
song, chanted its ominous notes as they took their way
across the hills, carrying his yearning thoughts with
them. Pen is powerless to portray the agony, to him,
of those fearful moments.

Still fearing to move in the darkness, he distin
guished footsteps near him, and knew by the stealthy
tread that they were those of an Indian. In breath
less silence he crouched close to the ground, fearing
each instant the descent of the tomahawk and- the
gleam of the scalping-knife, when, strange to say, a
venomous reptile came to his rescue, and his enemy
fled before it. A huge rattlesnake, one of the many
with which that region is infested, raised its curved
neck close beside him, and, thrusting forth its poison
ous fangs, gave a warning rattle. The prowling
Indian took alarm at the sound; other snakes, roused
for the safety of their young in the dens around, re
peated it, and the savage, knowing it would be death
to venture further, retreated, leaving my husband in
safety where he had taken refuge; for, although he
must have lain close to the noisome reptile, he re
ceived no hurt, and the greater horror of his human
foe rendered him almost indifferent to the dangers
of his surroundings.

Cautiously he crawled out of the weeds and grass,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 31

and, rising to his feet unharmed, started swiftly in an
eastward direction. He had to go far out in the hills
to avoid the savages, and, after traveling many miles
around, he at last reached the large train, with which
the small party I had seen pursued had previously
taken refuge.

They were already consolidating with other trains
for defense, and would not venture to join Mr. Kelly,
although he earnestly implored assistance to go out in
aid of his friends and family, if any of them should
be left alive.

The colored man, Andy, soon after joined them.
He came in running and in great excitement, and was
about to report all the company killed, when he joy
fully discovered Mr. Kelly.

Great consternation and alarm had spread with the
tidings of the massacre, and fears for personal safety
prevented any one from joining my unhappy husband
in efforts to rescue his wife and child, or succor his
missing companions.

The train did not move forward until re-enforced by
many others alongx the road; and even then every
precaution was taken to secure safety and prevent a
surprise. "Women in many instances drove the teams,
to prevent their husbands or fathers being taken at a
disadvantage; weapons were in every man's hands, and
vigilant eyes were fixed on every bluff or gorge, antici
pating attack.

30 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Cautiously he crawled out of the weeds and grass,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 31

The colored man, Andy, soon after joined them.
He came in running and in great excitement, and was
about to report all the company killed, when he joy
fully discovered Mr. Kelly.

The train did not move forward until re-enforced by
many others alongx the road; and even then every
precaution was taken to secure safety and prevent a
surprise. Women in many instances drove the teams,
to prevent their husbands or fathers being taken at a
disadvantage; weapons were in every man's hands, and
vigilant eyes were fixed on every bluff or gorge, antici
pating attack.

32 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

A little time and travel brought them to the first
scene of murder, where they found the dead body of
the companion of the man who so narrowly escaped
with his family. They placed the body in a wagon,
and proceeded to the dreaded spot where the slaughter
of our party had occurred.

The wagons still were standing, and feathers, flour,
the remnants of much that was but half destroyed, lay
scattered about the ground.

Mr. Kelly, with faltering steps, supported by the
strong arm of Andy, was among the first to search
the spot; his intense distress for the unknown fate of
his family urged him on, although he dreaded to think
of what the bloody spot might disclose to him.

The dead bodies of Mr. Sharp, Mr. Taylor, and our
colored servant, Franklin, were discovered lying where
they had fallen. Poor Frank had been shot by an
arrow that pierced both his legs, pinning them together,
in which condition he had been murdered by the ruth
less wretches by having his skull broken.

Both Mr. Sharp and Mr. Taylor left large families
at home to mourn their loss. Mr. Larimer came up
with an arrow wound in one of his limbs. He had
passed the night in trying to elude his savage pursuers,
and was very tired and exhausted, and very much dis
tressed about his wife and son, a robust little fellow of
eight or nine years.

But Mr. Wakefield was nowhere to be seen. After

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 33

searching the brushwood for some time, and a quarter
of a mile distant from the scene of attack, they dis
covered him still alive, but pierced by three arrows that
he had vainly endeavored to extract, succeeding only in
withdrawing the shafts, but leaving the steel points
still deeply imbedded in the flesh. Mr. Kelly took
him and cared for him with all the skill and kindness
possible. No brothers could have been more tenderly
attached to each other than they. He then procured as
comfortable a conveyance as he could for them, and
picked up a few relics from our demolished train.
Among them was a daily journal of our trip, from the
time we were married until the hour that the Indians
came upon us. This he prized, as he said, more than
he did his life.

The next thing that was necessary to do, after the
wounded were cared for, was to bury the dead, and a
wide grave was dug and the four bodies solemnly con
signed, uncoffined, to the earth. A buffalo robe was
placed above them, and then the earth was piled on
their unconscious breasts.

At that time the question of color had occasioned
much dissension, and controversy ran high as to the
propriety of allowing the colored people the privilege
of sitting beside their white brethren. Poor Franklin
had shared death with our companions, and was not
deemed unworthy to share the common grave of his
fellow victims. They lie together in the valley of

34 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Little Box Elder, where with saddened hearts our
friends left them, thinking of the high hopes and
fearless energy with which they had started on their
journey, each feeling secure in the success that awaited
them, and never, for a moment, dreaming of the
grave in the wilderness that was to close over them
and their earthly hopes. They were buried on the
desolate plain, a thousand miles away from their
loved wives and children, who bemoan their sad,
untimely fate.

Mr. Kelly found part of his herd of cattle grazing
near by ; Mr. Sharp's were still tied to the stake where
he had carefully secured them. The Indians had taken
our horses, but left the cattle, as they do when they are
on the war path, or unless they need meat for present
use. They shot some of them, however, and left them
to decay upon the plain. Many arrows were scattered
upon the ground, their peculiar marks showing that
their owners had all belonged to one tribe, though of
different bands. They were similar in form and finish ;
the shafts were round and three feet long, grooved on
their sides, that the blood of the victim might not be
impeded in its outward flow; each had three strips of
feathers attached to its top, about seven inches in length,
and, on the other end, a steel point, fastened lightly, so
as to be easily detached in the flesh it penetrates. The
depth of the wound depends on the distance of the
aim, but they sometimes pass quite through the body,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 35

though usually their force is exhausted in entering a
few inches beyond the point.

The wounded being made as comfortable as circum
stances would allow, the train left the spot in the even
ing, and moved forward to an encampment a mile
distant from the sad place, where the journey of our
lost companions had ended forever, whose visions of
the golden land must be a higher and brighter one than
earthly eyes can claim.

Early next day the travelers arrived at Deer Creek
Fort, where Mr. Kelly found medical aid for the
wounded, and procured a tent to shelter them, and
devoted himself to alleviating their sufferings, and,
with the assistance of the kind people of the fort, suc
ceeded in arranging them in tolerable comfort.

Captain Rhineheart was commanding officer at Deer
Creek, and ordered the property of the deceased to be
delivered over to him, which Mr. Kelly did.

The story of the attack and massacre had traveled
faster than the sufferers from its barbarity. The gar
rison had learned it before the train arrived, through
some soldiers returning from Fort Laramie, where
they had been to receive money from the paymaster,
who had heard an account of the attack on the road,
and had a passing glimpse of the terrible field of
slaughter.

The evening that the large train arrived at the fort,
the officers gave a ball, and the emigrant women were

36 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

invited, from the trains camped in the vicinity, to join
in these inappropriately timed festivities.

The mother of the child, who had so narrowly es
caped death, having lost her own wardrobe in her
efforts to escape the pursuit of the Indians, borrowed a
dress from a lady who resided at the fort, and attended
the entertainment, dancing and joining in the gayeties,
when the burial of their companion and our poor men
had just been completed, and the heavy cloud of our
calamity had so lately shrouded them in gloom. Such
are the effects of isolation from social and civil in
fluence, and contact with danger, and familiarity with
terror and death.

People grow reckless, and often lose the gentle sym
pathies that alleviate suffering, from frequent inter
course with it in its worst forms.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS 37

CHAPTER IV.

BEGINNING OF MY CAPTIVITY.

THE facts related in the preceding chapter concern
ing matters occurring in Mr. Kelly's experience, and
adventures after the attack upon our train, were related
to me after my restoration to freedom and my hus
band, by him.

I now return to the narration of my own terrible
experiences.

I was led a short distance from the wagon, with
Mary, and told to remain quiet, and tried to submit ;
but oh, what a yearning sprang up in my heart to
escape, as I hoped my husband had done ! But many
watchful eyes were upon me, and enemies on every
side, and I realized that any effort then at escape
would result in failure, and probably cause the death
of all the prisoners.

Mrs. Larimer, with her boy, came to us, trembling
with fear, saying, " The men have all escaped, and left
us to the mercy of the savages/'

In reply, I said, "I do hope they have. What
benefit would it be to us, to have them here, to suffer

38 NAKEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

this fear and danger with us ? They would be killed,
and then all hope of rescue for us would be at an
end."

Her agitation was extreme. Her grief seemed to
have reached its climax when she saw the Indians
destroying her property, which consisted principally
of such articles as belong to the Daguerrean art. She
had indulged in high hopes of fortune from the pros
ecution of this art among the mining towns of Idaho.
As she saw her chemicals, picture cases, and other
property pertaining to her calling, being destroyed,
she uttered such a wild despairing cry as brought the
chief of the band to us, who, with gleaming knife,
threatened to end all her further troubles in this world.
The moment was a critical one for her. The Indians
were flushed with an easy- won victory over a weak
party; they had "tasted blood," and it needed but
slight provocation for them to shed that even of de
fenseless women and children.

My own agony could be no less than that of my
companion in misfortune. The loss of our worldy
possessions, which were not inconsiderable, consisting
of a large herd of cattle, and groceries, and goods of
particular value in the mining regions, I gave no
thought to. The possible fate of my husband ; the
dark, fearful future that loomed before myself and
little Mary, for whose possible future I had more ap
prehension than for my own, were thoughts that

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 39

flashed through my mind to the exclusion of all mere
pecuniary considerations.

But my poor companion was in great danger, and
perhaps it was a selfish thought of future loneliness in
captivity which induced me to intercede that her life
might be spared. I went to the side of the chief, and,
assuming a cheerfulness I was very far from feeling,
plead successfully for her life.

I endeavored in every way to propitiate our savage
captor, but received no evidences of kindness or relent
ing that I could then understand. He did present
me, however, a wreath of gay feathers from his own
head, which I took, regarding it merely as an orna
ment, when in reality, as I afterward learned, it was
a token of his favor and protection.

He then left us, to secure his own share of plunder,
but we saw that we were surrounded by a special
guard of armed men, and so gave up all struggle
against what seemed an inevitable doom, and sat down
upon the ground in despair.

I know now that night had come upon us while we
sat there, and that darkness was closing the scene of
desolation and death before their arrangements for de
parture were completed.

The first intimation we had that our immediate mas
sacre was not intended, was a few articles of clothing
presented by a young Indian, whose name was Wechela,
who intimated that we would have need for them.

40 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

It was a pitiable sight to see the terrified looks of
our helpless children, who clung to us for the protec
tion we could not give. Mrs. Larimer was uncon
scious of the death of any of our party. I did not
tell her what my eyes had seen, fearing that she could
not endure it, but strove to encourage and enliven her,
lest her excitement would hasten her death or excite
the anger of our captors.

We both feared that when the Indians made their
arrangements for departure we would be quickly dis
posed of by the scalping knife; or even should we
escape for the time, we saw no prospect of release from
bondage. Terror of the most appalling nature for the
fate of the children possessed me, and all the horrors
of Indian captivity that we had ever heard crowded
on our minds with a new and fearful meaning — the
slow fires, the pitiless knife, the poisoned arrows, the
torture of famine, and a thousand nameless phantoms
of agony passed before our troubled souls, filling us
with fears so harrowing that the pangs of dissolution
compared to them must have been relief.

It may be thought almost impossible in such a chaos
of dread to collect the soul in prayer, but

When woe is come, the soul is dumb
That crieth not to God,

and the only respite we could claim from despair was
the lifting of our trembling hearts upward to the God
of mercy.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 41

Those hours of misery can never be forgotten. "We
were oppressed by terrors we could not explain or
realize. The sudden separation from those we loved
and relied on ; our own helplessness and the gloom of
uncertainty that hung over the future — surely none can
better testify to the worth of trust in God than those
whose hope on earth seemed ended; and, faint and
weak as our faith was, it saved us from utter desola
tion and the blackness of despair.

From among the confused mass of material of all
kinds scattered about, the same young Indian, We-
chela, brought me a pair of shoes ; also a pair of little
Mary's. He looked kindly as he laid these articles
before me, intimating by his gestures that our lives
were to be spared, and that we should have need of
them and other clothing during our long march into
captivity. He also brought me some books and letters,
all of which I thankfully received. I readily conceived
a plan to make good use of them, and secreted as many
as I could about my clothing. I said to Mrs. Larimer,
" If I can retain these papers and letters, and we are
forced to travel with the Indians into their unknown
country, I shall drop them at intervals along the way
we are taken, as a guide, and trust in God that our
friends may find and follow them to our rescue, or if
an opportunity of escape offer, we will seize it, and by
their help retrace our steps."

The property that the Indians could not carry with
4

42 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

them, they gathered into a pile and lighted. The light
of the flames showed us the forms of our captors busily
loading their horses and ours with plunder, and pre
paring to depart. "When their arrangements were com
pleted, they came to us and signified that we must
accompany them, pointing to the horses they led up
to us, and motioning for us to mount. The horse
assigned to me was one that had belonged to Mr. Lari
mer, and was crippled in the back. This I endeavored
to make them understand, but failed.

This was the first reliable assurance they gave us
that our lives were not in immediate danger, and we
received it gratefully, for with the prospect of life hope
revived, and faith to believe that God had not for
saken us, and that we might yet be united to our
friends, who never seemed dearer than when we were
about to be carried into captivity- by the hostile sons
of the forest.

Many persons have since assured me that, to them,
death would have been preferable to life with such
prospects, saying that rather than have submitted to
be carried away by savages, to a dark and doubtful
doom, they would have taken their own lives. But it
is only those who have looked over the dark abyss of
death who know how the soul shrinks from meeting
the unknown future.

Experience is a grand teacher, and we were then in
her school, and learned that while hope offers the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 43

faintest token of refuge, we pause upon the fearful
brink of eternity, and look back for rescue.

Mrs. Larimer had climbed into her saddle, her boy
placed behind her on the same horse, and started on, ac
companied by a party of Indians. I also climbed into
my saddle, but was no sooner there than the horse fell
to the ground, and I under him, thus increasing the
bruises I had already received, and causing me great
pain. This accident detained me some time in the rear.
A dread of being separated from the only white woman
in that awful wilderness filled me with horror.

Soon they had another horse saddled for me, and
assisted me to mount him. I looked around for my
little Mary. There she stoood, a poor helpless lamb,
in the midst of blood-thirsty savages. I stretched out
my arms for her imploringly. For a moment they
hesitated ; then, to my unspeakable joy, they yielded,
and gave me my child. They then started on, leading
my horse ; they also gave me a rope that was fastened
around the horse's under jaw.

The air was cool, and the sky was bright with the
glitter of starlight. The water, as it fell over the
rocks in the distance, came to our eager ears with a
faint, pleasant murmur. All nature seemed peaceful
and pitiless in its calm repose, unconscious of our
desolate misery ; the cry of night-birds and chirp of
insects came with painful distinctness as we turned to
leave the valley of Little Box Elder.

44 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Straining my eyes, I sought to penetrate the shadows
of the woods where our fugitive friends might be hid.
The smoldering ruins of our property fell into ashes
and the smoke faded away; night had covered the
traces of confusion and struggle with her shrouding
mantle, and all seemed quiet and unbroken peace.

I turned for a last look, and even the smoke was
gone; the solemn trees, the rippling water, the soft
night wind and the starlight, told no tale of the deso
lation and death that had gone before; and I rode on
in my helpless condition, with my child clinging to
me, without guide or support, save my trust in God.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 45

CHAPTER Y.

PLAN FOR LITTLE MARY'S ESCAPE — TORTURES OP UNCERTAINTY-
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.

THE Indians left the scene of their cruel rapacity,
traveling northward, chanting their monotonous war
song. After a ride of two miles, through tall weeds
and bushes, we left the bottom lands, and ascended
some bluffs, and soon after came to a creek, which was
easily forded, and where the Indians quenched their
thirst.

The hills beyond began to be more difficult to ascend,
and the gorges seemed fearfully deep, as we looked
into the black shadows unrelieved by the feeble light
of the stars.

In the darkness of our ride, I conceived a plan for
the escape of little Mary.

I whispered in her childish ear, " Mary, we are only
a few miles from our camp, and the stream we have
crossed you can easily wade through. I have dropped
letters on the way, you know, to guide our friends in
the direction we have taken ; they will guide you back
again, and it may be your only chance of escape from

46 NAKEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

destruction. Drop gently down, and lie on the ground
for a little while, to avoid being seen ; then retrace your
steps, and may God in mercy go with you. If I can,
I will follow you."

The child, whose judgment was remarkable for hei
age, readily acceded to this plan ; her eye brightened
and her young heart throbbed as she thought of its
success.

Watching the opportunity, I dropped her gently,
carefully, and unobserved, to the ground, and she lay
there, while the Indians pursued their way, uncon
scious of their loss.

To portray my feelings upon this separation would
be impossible. The agony I suffered was indescribable.
I was firmly convinced that my course was wise — that
I had given her the only chance of escape within my
power ; yet the terrible uncertainty of what her fate
might be in the way before her, was almost unbearable.

I continued to think of it so deeply that at last I
grew desperate, and resolved to follow her at every
risk. Accordingly, watching an opportunity, I, too,
slipped to the ground under the friendly cover of
night, and the horse went on without its rider.

My plan was not successful. My flight was soon
discovered, and the Indian wheeled around and rode
back in my pursuit. Crouching in the undergrowth I
might have escaped in the darkness, were it not for
their cunning. Forming in a line of forty or fifty

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 47

abreast, they actually covered the ground as they rode
past me.

The horses themselves were thus led to betray me,
for, being frightened at my crouching form, they
stopped and reared, thus informing^ them of my hiding-
place.

With great presence of mind I arose the moment I
found myself discovered, and relating my story, the
invention of an instant, I succeeded partially in allay
ing their anger.

I told them the child had fallen asleep and dropped
from the horse; that I had endeavored to call their
attention to it, but in vain; and, fearing I would be
unable to find her if we rode further, I had jumped
down and attempted the search alone.

The Indians used great violence toward me, assur
ing me that if any further attempts were made to
escape, my punishment would be accordingly.

They then promised to send a party out in search
of the child when it became light.

Poor little Mary! alone in the wilderness, a little,
helpless child; who can portray her terror!

With faith to trust, and courage to dare, that little,
trembling form through the long hours of the night
kept watch.

The lonely cry of the night-bird had no fear in its
melancholy scream for the little wanderer who crouched
amid the prairie grass. The baying of the gray wolf,

48 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

as he passed the lonely watcher, might startle, but
could not drive the faith from her heart.

Surely God is just, and angels will guide the falter
ing feet to friends and Home. Innocent of wrong,
how could she but trust that the unseen hands of
spirits would guide her from the surrounding perils!

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 49

CHAPTEK VI.

CONTINUATION OF OUR MARCH INTO THE WILDERNESS — SUFFERING
FROM THIRST AND WEARINESS — DISAPPEARANCE OF MY FELLOW
PRISONER — LOSS OF THE OLD CHIEF* S PIPE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
TO ME — A SCENE OF TERROR.

To take up the thread of my own narrative again,
and the continuation of my journey with the savages,
after the never-to-be-forgotten night when I parted
with little Mary, and the attempt to escape myself, will
be to entertain my reader with a sight of the danger
ous and precipitous paths among the great bluffs which
we had been approaching, and the dizzy, fearful heights
leading over the dark abyss, or the gloomy, terrible
gorge, where only an Indian dares to venture.

The blackness of night, and the dread of our savage
companions, added terror to this perilous ride. As we
passed the little creek before we plunged into these
rocky fastnesses, we had left some scattered woods along
its banks.

I remember looking longingly at the dim shelter of

these friendly trees, and being possessed by an almost

uncontrollable desire to leap from the horse and dare

my fate in endeavoring to reach their protecting shade;

50 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

but the Indians' rifles behind me, and my dread of
instant death, restrained me. And now my attention
was attracted by the wild and terrible scenery around
us, through which our fearful captors rode at ease,
although it seemed impossible for man or beast to
retain a footing over such craggy peaks and through
such rugged ravines.

The cool air and the sound of rippling water warned
us of our nearness to a river; and soon the savages
turned their horses down a steep declivity that, like a
mighty wall, closed in the great bed of the North Platte.

I saw that the river was rapid and deep, but we
crossed the sands, plunged in, and braved the current.

From the child to my husband was an easy transi
tion ; indeed, when I thought of one, the other was
present in my mind; and to mark the path of our
retreat with the letters and papers I dropped on our
way, seemed the only hope I had of his being able to
come to my rescue.

As the horses plunged into the swelling river I
secretly dropped another letter, that, I prayed, might
be a clue to the labyrinth through which we were
being led ; for I could see by all the Indians' precau
tions, that to mislead any who should have the temerity
to attempt our recovery, was the design of their move
ments.

They had taken paths inaccessible to white men,
and made their crossing at a point where it would be

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 51

impossible for trains to pass, so that they might avoid
meeting emigrants. Having reached the opposite bank
they separated into squads, and started in every direc
tion, except southward, so as to mislead or confuse
pursuers by the various trails.

The band that surrounded and directed us kept to
the northward a little by west. I tried to keep the
points of compass clearly, because it seemed part of the
hope that sustained me.

Mr. Kelly had said that our position on the Little
Box Elder was about twelve miles from Deer Creek
Station, which lay to the northwest of us. Marking
our present course, I tried, by calculating the distance,
to keep that position in my mind, for toward it my
yearning desire for help and relief turned.

After crossing the river and issuing from the bluffs
we came to a bright, cool stream of water in a lovely
valley, which ran through its bosom, spreading a de
licious freshness all around.

Brilliant flowers opened their gorgeous cups to the
coming sunshine, and delicate blossoms hid themselves
among the rich shrubbery and at the mossy roots of
grand old trees.

The awakening birds soared upward with load and
joyful melodies, and nature rejoiced at approaching
day.

The beauty and loveliness of the scene mocked my
sleepless eyes, and despair tugged at my heart-strings ;

52 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

still I made superhuman efforts to appear cheerful, for
my only refuge was in being submissive and practicing
conciliation. My fear of them was too powerful to
allow me to give way to emotion for one moment.

There were sentinels stationed at different places to
give the alarm, in case of any one approaching to
rescue, and I afterward learned that in such a case I
would have been instantly murdered.

Next morning I learned, by signs, that Indians had
gone out in search of little Mary, scattering themselves
over the hills, in squads. Those remaining were con
stantly overlooking their plunder and unrolling bundles
taken from our wagons. They indulged their admira
tion for their spoils in loud conversation.

The Indians seemed to select, with a clear knowledge
of natural beauty, such localities as seemed best fitted
to suggest refreshment and repose.

The scenery through which we had passed was
wildly grand ; it now became serenely beautiful, and to
a lover of nature, with a mind free from fear and
anxiety, the whole picture would have been a dream of
delight.

The night of my capture, I was ordered to lie down
on the ground, near a wounded Indian. A circle of
them guarded me, and three fierce warriors sat near me
with drawn tomahawks.

Reader, imagine my feelings, after the terrible scenes
of the day previous; the desolate white woman in the

.AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 53

power of revengeful savages, not daring to speak, lest
their fury should fall on my defenceless head.

My great anxiety now was to preserve my sanity,
which threatened to be overcome if I did not arouse
myself to hope, and put aside the feeling of despair
which at times stole over me. My heart was contin
ually lifted to "Our Father," and confidently I now
began to feel that prayer would be answered, and that
God would deliver me in due season. This nerved me
to endure and appear submissive.

At early dawn I was aroused from my apparent
slumbers by the war chief, who sent me out to catch
the horses — our American horses being afraid of the
savages — and as the animals were those belonging to
our train, it was supposed that I could do so readily.

Upon returning, my eyes were gladdened by the
sight of my fellow prisoner, who was seated with her
boy upon the ground, eating buffalo meat and crackers.
I went immediately to her, and we conversed in low
tones, telling her of my intention to escape the first
opportunity. She seemed much depressed, but I en
deavored to re-assure her, and bidding her hope for the
best, went back to where the Indians were making
ropes, and packing their goods and plunder more
securely, preparatory to the succeding march, which
was commenced at an early hour of the day.

We proceeded on our journey until near noon, when
we halted in a valley not far to the north of Deer Creek

54 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Station, and I met this lady again. It was a clear and
beautiful valley where we rested, until the scorching
rays of the sun had faded in the horizon.
* Being burdened with the gun, and bow and arrow of
the chief, my tired arms were relieved, and I plead for
the privilege of camping here all night for many rea
sons. One was, we might be overtaken by friends sent
to rescue us, and the distance of return would be less
if I should be successful in my next attempt to escape.

My entreaties were unavailing; the savages were
determined to go forward, and we were soon mounted
and started on. We traveled until sunset, then camped
for the night in a secluded valley ; we seemed to enter
this valley along the base of a wall, composed of bluffs
or peaks. Within these circling hills it lay, a green,
cool resting place, watered by a bright sparkling stream,
and pleasantly dotted with bushes and undergrowth.

The moon went down early, and in the dim, uncer
tain star light, the heavy bluifs seemed to shut us in
on all sides, rising grimly, like guardians, over our
imprisoned lines. Blankets were spread, and on these
the Indians rested.

I was then led out some distance in the camp, and
securely fastened for the night. But before this, I
remarked, to my fellow prisoner, my determination to
escape that night, if my life were the forfeit, as in
every wind I fancied I could hear the voice of little
Mary calling me. She entreated me not to leave her,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 55

but promising help to her should I be fortunate
enough to get free, I sadly bade her good night, and
went to my allotted place.

In the morning, when permitted to rise, I learned
that she had disappeared. A terrible sense of isola
tion closed around me. No one can realize the sensa
tion without in some measure experiencing it.

I was desolate before, but now that I knew myself
separated from my only white companion, the feeling
increased tenfold, and seemed to weigh me down with
its awful gloomy horror.

In the heart of the wilderness, surrounded by crea
tures with whom no chord of sympathy was enter
tained — far from home, friends and the interests of
civilized life — the attractions of society, and, above
all, separated from husband and loved ones — there
seemed but one glimpse of light, in all the blackness
of despair, left, and that was flight.

I listened to every sound, while moments appeared
hours, and it seemed to me that death in its most ter
rible form would not be so hard to bear as the tor
turing agony I then endured.

I murmured broken prayers. I seemed to hear the
voices of my husband and child calling me, and spring
ing forward, with a wild belief that it was real, would
sink back again, overwhelmed with fresh agony.

Arrangements were then made for resuming our
journey, and we were soon once more on our march.

56 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Another burden had been added to my almost worn-
out frame, the leading of an unruly horse; and my
arms were so full of the implements I was forced to
carry, that I threw away the pipe of the old chief — a
tube nearly three feet long, and given me to take care
of — which was very unfortunate for me, exciting the
wrath and anger of the chief to a terrible degree.

Now they seemed to regard me with a suspicious
aversion, and were not so kind as before.

The country they passed over was high, dry, and
barren. I rode one horse and led another; and when
evening came they stopped to rest in a grove of great
timber, where there was a dry creek bed.

Water was obtained by digging in the sand, but the
supply was meager, and I was allowed none.

The sun began to sink, and the chief was so enraged
against me, that he told me by signs that I should be
hold it rise no more.

Grinding his teeth with wrathful anger, he made me
understand that I was not to be trusted; had once
tried to escape ; had made them suffer the loss of my
child, and that my life would be the forfeit.

A large fire had been built, and they all danced
around it. Night had begun to darken heavily over
me, and I stood trembling and horror struck, not
knowing but that the flame the savages capered about
was destined to consume my tortured form.

The pipe of the chief was nowhere to be found, and

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 57

it was demanded of me to produce it. He used the
Indian words, " Chopa-chanopa," uttered in a voice
of thunder, accompanying them with gestures, whose
meaning was too threatening to be mistaken.

I looked in fear and dismay around me, utterly at a
loss to know what was expected, yet dreading the con
sequences of failing to obey.

"Wechela, the Indian boy, who had been so kind to
me, now came up, and made the motion of puffing
with his lips, to help me; and then I remembered
that I had broken the pipe the day before, and thrown
it away, ignorant of their veneration for the pipe, and
of its value as a peace offering.

The chief declared that I should die for having
caused the loss of his pipe.

An untamed horse was brought, and they told me I
would be placed on it as a target for their deadliest
arrows, and the animal might then run at will, carry
ing my body where it would.

Helpless, and almost dying with terror at my situa
tion, I sank on a rocky seat in their midst. They
were all armed, and anxiously awaited the signal.
They had pistols, bows, and spears; and I noticed
some stoop, and raise blazing fire-brands to frighten
the pawing beast that was to bear me to death.

In speechless agony I raised my soul to God ! Soon
it would stand before his throne, and with all the
pleading passion of my sinking soul I prayed for

58 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

pardon and favor in his precious blood, who had
suffered for my sins, and risen on high for my justifi
cation.

In an instant a life- time of thought condensed itself
into my mind, and I could see my old home and hear
my mother's voice ; and the contrast between the love
I had been so ruthlessly torn from, and the hundreds
of savage faces, gleaming with ferocity and excitement
around me, seemed like the lights and shadows of
some Aveird picture.

But I was to die, and I desired, with all the strength
of my soul, to grasp the promises of God's mercy, and
free my parting spirit from all revengeful, earthly
thoughts.

In what I almost felt my final breath, I prayed for
my own salvation, and the forgiveness of my enemies;
and remembering a purse of money which was in my
pocket, knowing that it would decay with my body in
the wilderness, I drew it out, and, with suffused eyes,
divided it among them, though my hands were grow
ing powerless and my sight failing. One hundred and
twenty dollars in notes I gave them, telling them its
value as I did so, when, to my astonishment, a change
came over their faces. They laid their weapons on the
ground, seemingly pleased, and anxious to understand,
requesting me to explain the worth of each note
clearly, by holding up my fingers.

Eagerly I tried to obey, perceiving the hope their

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 59

milder manner held out; but my cold hands fell pow
erless by my side, my tongue refused to utter a sound,
and, unconsciously, I sank to the ground utterly in
sensible to objects around me.

When insensibility gave way to returning feeling, I
was still on the ground where I had fallen, but prepa
rations for the deadly scene were gone, and the savages
slumbered on the ground near me by the faint fire
light. Crawling into a sitting posture, I surveyed
the camp, and saw hundreds of sleeping forms lying
in groups around, with watches set in their places,
and no opportunity to escape, even if strength per
mitted.

Weak and trembling, I sank down, and lay silent
till day-break, when the camp was again put in mo
tion, and, at their bidding, I mounted one horse and
led another, as I had done on the day previous.

This was no easy task, for the pack-horse, which
had not been broken, would frequently pull back so
violently as to bring me to the ground, at which the
chief would become fearfully angry, threatening to
kill me at once.

Practicing great caution, and using strong eifort, I
would strive to remain in the saddle to avoid the cuffs
and blows received.

Whenever the bridle would slip inadvertently from
my hand, the chief's blasphemous language would all be
English ; a sad commentary on the benefits white men

60 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

confer on their savage brethren when brought into
close contact.

Drunkenness, profanity, and dissolute habits are the
lessons of civilization to the red men, and when the
weapons we furnish are turned against ourselves, their
edge is keen indeed.

Feeling that I had forfeited the good will of the
Indians, and knowing that the tenure of my life was
most uncertain, I dared make no complaint, although
hunger and devouring thirst tortured me.

The way still led through dry and sandy hills, upon
which the sun glared down with exhausting heat, and
seemed to scorch life and moisture out of all his rays
fell upon. As far as my eye could reach, nothing but
burning sand, and withering sage brush or thorny cac
tus, was to be seen. All my surroundings only served
to aggravate the thirst which the terrible heat of that
long day's ride increased to frenzy.

When, in famishing despair I closed my eyes, a cup
of cool, delicious drink would seem to be presented to
my lips, only to be cruelly withdrawn ; and this torture
seemed to me like the agony of the rich man, who
besought Lazarus for one drop of water to cool his
parched tongue.

I thought of all I had been separated from, as it
seemed to me, forever, and the torment of the hour
reduced me to despair. I wished to die, feeling that
the pangs of dissolution could not surpass the anguish

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 61

of my living death. My voice was almost gone, and
with difficulty I maintained my seat in the saddle.

Turning my eyes despairingly to my captors, I
uttered the word " Minne," signifying water in their
language, and kept repeating it imploringly at inter
vals. They seemed to hurry forward, and, just at sun
set, came in sight of a grassy valley through which
flowed a river, and the sight of it came like hope to
my almost dying eyes.

A little brook from the hills above found its way
into the waters of this greater stream, and here they
dismounted, and, lifting me from my horse, laid me in
its shallow bed. I had become almost unconscious,
and the cool, delightful element revived me. At first
I was not able to drink, but gradually my strength
renewed itself, and I found relief from the indescribable
pangs of thirst.

The stream by which the Indians camped that night
was Powder River; and here, in 1866, Fort Conner
was built, which in the following year was named Fort
Reno.

62 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTEK VII.

POWDER RIVER — ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE — DETECTION AND
DESPAIR A QUARREL MY LIFE SAVED BY "JUMPING BEAR."

THE name given to Powder Eiver by the Indians, is
" Chahalee Wacapolah." It crosses the country east of
the Big Horn Mountains, and from its banks can be
seen the snow-capped Cloud Peak rising grandly from
its surrounding hills. Between these ranges, that cul
minate in the queenly, shining crowned height that
takes its name from the clouds it seems to pierce, are
fertile valleys, in which game abounds, and delicious
wild fruits in great variety, some of which can not be
surpassed by cultivated orchard products in the rich
ness and flavor they possess, although they ripen in
the neighborhood of everlasting snow.

In these valleys the country seems to roll in gentle
slopes, presenting to the eye many elements of loveli
ness and future value.

Powder River, which is a muddy stream, comes
from the southern side of the Big Horn Mountains,
and takes a southwestern course, and therefore is not
a part of the bright channel that combines to feed the
Missouri River from the Big Horn range.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 63

This range of the Rocky Mountains possesses two
distinct, marked features. First, there is a central or
back- bone range, which culminates in perpetual snow,
where Cloud Peak grandly rises, as the chief of all its
proud summits. Falling off gradually toward the
southern valley, there are similar ranges of the Wind
River Mountains beyond.

Between these ranges, and varying in breadth from
twelve to twenty-five miles, are fine hunting grounds,
abounding in noble orchards of wild fruit of various
kinds, and grapes, as well as game of the choicest
kind for the huntsman. Notwithstanding its vicinity
to snow, there are gentle slopes which present features
of peculiar loveliness.

Several miles northwest, and following the sweep of
the higher northern range, and six to eight miles out
side its general base, a new country opens. Sage
brush and cactus, which for nearly two hundred miles
have so largely monopolized the soil, rapidly disappear.

The change, though sudden, is very beautiful. One
narrow divide only is crossed, and the transition about
one day's ride from the above-named river. The lim
pid, transparent, and noisy waters of Deer Fork are
reached, and the horses have difficulty in breasting the
swift current. The river is so clear that every pebble
and fish is seen distinctly on the bottom, and the water
so cool that ice in midsummer is no object of desire.

The scenes of natural beauty, and the charms that

64 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

have endeared this country to the savage, will in the
future lure the emigrant seeking a home in this new
and undeveloped land.

This clear creek is a genuine outflow from the Big
Horn Mountains, and is a type of many others, no
less pure and valuable, derived from melting snow
and from innumerable springs in the mountains.

Rock Creek comes next, with far less pretensions,
but is similar in character.

A day's ride to the northward brings the traveler
to Crazy Woman's Fork.

This ever-flowing stream receives its yellow hue from
the Powder River waters, of which it is a branch.

The country is scarred by countless trails of buffalo,
so that what is often called the Indian trail is merely
the hoof-print of these animals.

Leaving Powder River, we passed through large
pine forests, and through valleys rich with beautiful
grasses, with limpid springs and seemingly eternal
verdure.

I continued to drop papers by the way, hoping they
might lead to my discovery, which would have proved
fatal had any one attempted a rescue, as the Indians
prefer to kill their captives rather than be forced to
give them up.

It was the fifth night of my sojourn with the In
dians that I found myself under the weeping willows
of Clear Creek.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 65

The men, weary with travel, and glad to find so
good a camping ground, lay down to sleep, leaving a
sufficient guard over their captive and at the outposts.

Their journey hither had been a perilous one to me,
unused as I was to the rocky paths between narrow
gorges and over masses of broken stone, which their
Indian ponies climbed with readiness and ease.

I was led to remark the difference between these
ponies and American horses, who could only struggle
to find their foothold over such craggy ground, while
the ponies led the way, picking their steps up almost
perpendicular steeps with burdens on their backs.

Their travel after the rest at Clear Creek partook of
the difficult nature of the mountain passes, and was
wearisome in the extreme, and the duties imposed upon
me made life almost too burdensome to be borne. I
was always glad of a respite at the camping ground.

On the sixth night, I lay on a rock, under the shade
of some bushes, meditating on the possibility of escape.

The way was far beyond my reckoning, and the
woods where they now were might be infested with
wild beasts; but the prospect of getting away, and
being free from the savages, closed my eyes to the
terrors of starvation and ravenous animals.

Softly I rose and attempted to steal toward some
growing timber ; but the watchful chief did not risk
his prey so carelessly, his keen eye was on me, and
his iron hand grasped my wrist and drew me back.
6

66 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Throwing me fiercely on the ground, he hissed a threat
through his clenched teeth, which I momentarily ex
pected him to put into execution, as I lay trembling at
his feet.

I felt from this time that my captivity was for life,
and a dull despair took possession of me.

Sleep, that balm for happier souls, brought only
horrid dreams, in which a dreadful future pictured
itself; and then the voices of my husband and child
seemed calling me to their side, alas ! in vain, for when
I awoke it was to find myself in the grass of the
savage camping ground, watched over by the relentless
guard, and shut out from hope of home or civilized life.

My feet were covered with a pair of good shoes, and
the chiefs brother-in-law gave me a pair of stockings
from his stores, which I gladly accepted, never, for a
moment, suspecting that, in doing thus, I was outrag
ing a custom of the people among whom I was.

The chief saw the gift, and made no remark at the
time, but soon after he shot one of his broth er-in-law's
horses, which he objected to in a decided manner, and
a quarrel ensued.

Realizing that I was the cause of the disagreement,
I tremblingly watched the contest, unable to conciliate
either combatant, and dreading the wrath of both.

The chief would brook no interference, nor would he
offer any reparation for the wrong he had inflicted.

His brother-in-law, enraged at his arrogance, drew

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 67

his bow, and aimed his arrow at my heart, determined
to have satisfaction for the loss of his horse.

I could only cry to God for mercy, and prepare to
meet the death which had long hung over my head,
when a young Blackfoot, whose name was Jumping
Bear, saved me from the approaching doom by dexter
ously snatching the bow from the savage and hurling
it to the earth.

He was named Jumping Bear from the almost mirac
ulous dexterity of some of his feats.

This circumstance and the Indian mentioned were,
in my judgment, instruments in the hand of Provi
dence, in saving Fort Sully from the vengeance and
slaughter of the Blackfeet, who had succeeded in gain
ing the confidence of some of the officers on the Mis
souri River.

His activity in the attack on our train, and the
energy he displayed in killing and pillaging on that
occasion, notwithstanding his efforts to make me believe
the contrary, forbade me to think there was any sym
pathy in his interference in my behalf.

The Indian submitted to his intervention so far that
he did not draw his bow again, and my suspense was
relieved, for the time, by the gift of a horse from the
chief to his brother-in-law, which calmed the fury of
the wronged Indian.

It happened that the animal thus given as a peace-
offering was the pack horse that pulled so uncomfort-

68 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ably against the leading rein, and thus, in the end, I
gained, by the ordeal through which I had passed, in
being relieved of a most unmanageable task.

From the first, I was deprived of every ameliorat
ing comfort that might have rendered my existence
bearable.

No tent was spread for me, no rug, or coverlet,
offered me to lie on. The hard earth, sparsely spread
with grass, furnished me a couch, and apprehension
and regret deprived me of the rest my toilsome life
demanded. They offered me no food, and at first I did
not dare to ask for it.

This was partly owing to the absence of all natural
appetite, an intense weakness and craving constantly
for drink being the only signs of the prolonged fast
that annoyed me.

The utter hopelessness of my isolation wore on me,
driving me almost to madness, and visions of husband
and child haunted my brain ; sometimes they were full
of hope and tauntingly happy; at others, I saw them
dying or dead, but always beyond my reach, and sep
arated by the impassable barrier of my probably life
long captivity.

In my weakened condition, the horrors of the stake,
to which I felt myself borne daily nearer as they pro
gressed on their homeward route, appeared like a hor
rid phantom.

It had been threatened me since my first effort to

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 69

escape, and I was led to believe such a punishment
was the inevitable consequence of my attempt.

The terrible heat of the days continued, and the road
they took was singularly barren of water. The In
dians, after drinking plentifully before starting, carry
little sticks in their mouths, which they chew con
stantly, thus creating saliva, and preventing the
parching sensation I endured from the want of this
knowledge.

The seventh night they entered a singular canon,
apparently well known to them, as they found horses
there, which evidently had been left on a former
visit.

I could not but wonder at the sagacity and patience
of these Indian ponies, which were content to wait their
master's coming, and browse about on the sparse herb
age and meager grass.

The Indians had killed an antelope that day, and a
piece of the raw flesh was allotted me for a meal. They
had then traveled in a circuitous route for miles, to
reach the mouth of this cafion, and entered it just after
sundown.

Its gloomy shade was a great relief after the heat of
the sun, and it filled my sensitive mind with awe. The
sun never seemed to penetrate its depths, and the damp
air rose around me like the breath of a dungeon.

Downward they went, as if descending into the bow
els of the earth, and the sloping floor they trod was

70 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

covered with red sand for perhaps the space of half a
mile.

Then they struck a rocky pavement, the perpendic
ular walls of which were of earth ; but as they made
another turning and entered a large space, they seemed
to change to stone with projecting arches and over
hanging cornices.

The high walls rose above the base so as to nearly
meet overhead, and, with their innumerable juttings
and irregularities, had the appearance of carved col
umns supporting a mighty ruin.

Occasionally a faint ray of the fading light struggled
with the gloom, into which they plunged deeper and
deeper, and then their horses' cautious feet would turn
the bones of antelope or deer, drawn thither by the
lurking wolf to feed the young in their lair.

I was startled with dread at the sight, fearing that
they might be human bones, with which mine would
soon be mingled.

The increasing darkness had made it necessary for
the Indians to carry torches, which they did, lighting
up the grotesque grandeur of earth and rock through
which they passed by the weird glare of their waving
brands.

Arriving at the spot they selected as a camping-
ground, they made fires, whose fantastic gleams danced
upon the rocky walls, and added a magic splendor to
their wondrous tracery. The ghostly grandeur of these

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 71

unfrequented shades can not be described, but their
effect is marvelous.

They seem to shadow forth the outline of carving
and sculpture, and in the uncertain fire-light have all
the effect of some old-time temple, whose art and
glory will live forever, even when its classic stones
are dust.

Here I found water for my parched lips, which was
more grateful to my weary senses than any natural
phenomenon ; and sinking on a moss-grown rock, near
the trickling rill that sank away in the sand beyond,
I found slumber in that strange, fantastic solitude.

I was aroused by a whistling sound, and, gathering
myself up, looked fearfully around me. Two flaming
eyes seemed to pierce the darkness like a sword. I
shuddered and held my breath, as a long, lithe serpent
wound past me, trailing its shining length through
the damp sand, and moving slowly out of sight among
the dripping vines.

After that I slept no more; and when I saw the
struggling light of day pierce the rocky opening above,
I gladly hailed the safety of the sunshine, even though
it brought sorrow, distress, and toil.

When we rose in the morning, they left the cafion
by the path they entered, as it seemed to have no other
outlet, and then pursued their way.

72 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTEE VIII.

THE STORM — ARRIVAL AT THE INDIAN VILLAGE — THE OLD CHIEF'S
WIFE — SOME KINDNESS SHOWN ME — ATTEND A FEAST.

ON the 20th of July we had nearly reached the In
dian village, when we camped for the night, as usual,
when such a locality could be gained, on the bank of a
stream of good water.

Here was a stream of sparkling, rippling water,
fresh from the melting snow of the mountain. It
was a warm, still night. Soon the sky began to
darken strangely, and great ragged masses of clouds
hung low over the surrounding hills. The air grew
heavy, relieved occasionally by a deep gust of wind,
that died away, to be succeeded by an ominous calm.
Then a low, muttering thunder jarred painfully on the
ear. My shattered nerves recoiled at the prospect of
the coming storm. From a child I had been timid
of lightning, and now its forked gleam filled me with
dismay in my unsheltered helplessness.

The Indians, seeing the approaching tempest, pre
pared for it by collecting and fastening their horses,
and covering their fire-arms and amunition, and lying

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 73

flat on the earth themselves. I crouched, too, but could
not escape the terrible glare of the lightning, and the
roar of the awful thunder grew deafening.

On came the storm with startling velocity, and the
dread artillery of heaven boomed overhead, followed
closely by blinding flashes of light; and the velocity
of the whirlwind seemed to arise in its might, to add
desolation to the terrible scene.

When the vivid gleams lit up the air, enormous
trees could be seen bending under the fierceness of
the blast, and great white sheets of water burst out of
the clouds, as if intent on deluging the world. Every
element in nature united in terrific warfare, and the
security of earth seemed denied to me while I clung
to its flooded bosom, and, blinded by lightning and
shocked by the incessant roaring of the thunder and
ihe wild ravaging of the ungovernable wind, felt myself
but a tossed atom in the great confusion, and could only
cling to God's remembering pity in silent prayer.

Huge trees were bent to the earth and broken;
others, snapped off like twigs, were carried through
the frenzied air. Some forest monarchs were left bare
of leaves or boughs, like desolate old age stripped of
its honors.

The rain had already swelled the little creek into a

mighty stream, that rolled its dark, angry waters with

fury, and added its sullen roar to the bowlings of the

storm. I screamed, but my voice was lost even to

74 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

myself in the mightier ones of the furious elements.
Three hours — three long, never-to-be-forgotten hours —
did the storm rage thus in fury, and in those hours I
thought I lived a life-time! Then, to my joy, it be
gan to abate, and soon I beheld the twinkling stars
through rents in the driving clouds, while the flashing
lightning and the roaring thunders gradually becom
ing less and less distinct to the eye and ear, told me
the devastating storm was speeding on toward the
east ; and when, at dawn of day, the waters were as
suaged, the thunder died away, and the lightnings
were chained in their cell, the scene was one of inde
scribable desolation. The wind had gone home; day
light had cowed him from a raging giant into a meek
prisoner, and led him moaning to his cavern in the
eastern hills. A strangely-solemn calm seemed to
take the place of the wild conflict ; but the track of
destruction was there, and the swollen water and
felled trees, the scattered boughs and uprooted sap
lings, told the story of the havoc of the storm.

It was a night of horror to pass through, and I
thankfully greeted the returning day, that once more
gave me the comfort of light, now almost my only
solace, for my position grew more bitter, as the chief's
savage-like exultation in my capture and safe abduc
tion increased as we neared the village where their
families were, and where I feared my fate would be
decided by bloodshed or the fearful stake.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 75

On the 21st of July we left camp early, the day
being cool and favorable for traveling. Our route
lay over rolling prairie, interspersed with extensive
tracts of marsh, which, however, we easily avoided
crossing. A few miles brought us to a high, broken
ridge, stretching nearly in a north and south direc
tion. As we ascended the ridge we came in sight of
a large herd of buffalo, quietly feeding upon the bunch,
or buffalo grass, which they prefer to all other kinds.
These animals are short-sighted, and scent the ap
proach of an enemy before they can see him, and
thus, in their curiosity, often start to meet him, until
they approach near enough to ascertain to their satis
faction whether there be danger in a closer acquaint
ance. In this case they decided in the affirmative,
and, when they had once fairly made us out, lost no
time in increasing the distance between us, starting on
a slow, clumsy trot, which was soon quickened to a
,gait that generally left most pursuers far in the rear.
But the Indians and their horses both are trained
buffalo hunters, and soon succeeded in surrounding a
number. They ride alongside their victim, and, lev
eling their guns or arrows, send their aimed shot in
the region of the heart, then ride off to a safe dis
tance, to avoid the desperate lunge which a wounded
buffalo seldom fails to make, and, shaking his shaggy
head, crowned with horns of most formidable strength,
stands at bay, with eyes darting, savage and defiant,

76 NAEKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

as he looks at his human foe. Soon the blood begins to
spirt from his mouth, and to choke him as it comes.
The hunters do not shoot again, but wait patiently
until their victim grows weak from loss of blood, and,
staggering, falls upon his knees, makes a desperate ef
fort to regain his feet, and get at his slayer, then fall
ing once more, rolls over on his side, dead.

Sometimes these animals number tens of thousands,
in droves. The Indians often, for the mere sport,
make an onslaught, killing great numbers of them,
and having a plentiful feast of " ta-tonka," as they
call buffalo meat. They use no economy in food. It
is always a feast or a famine; and they seem equally
able to gorge or fast. Each man selects the part of
the animal he has killed that best suits his own taste,
and leaves the rest to decay or be eaten by wolves,
thus wasting their own game, and often suffering pri
vation in consequence.

They gave me a knife and motioned me to help my
self to the feast. I did not accept, thinking then it
would never be possible for me to eat uncooked meat.

They remained here over night, starting early next
morning. We were now nearing the village where
the Indians belonged.

Jumping Bear, the young Indian who had shown
me so many marks of good will, again made his ap
pearance, with a sad expression on his face, and that
day would ride in silence by my side ; which was an

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 77

act of great condescension on his part, for these men
rarely thus equalize themselves with women, but ride
in advance.

They had traveled nearly three hundred miles, and,
despite my fears, I began to rejoice in the prospect of
arriving among women, even though they were savages ;
and a dawning hope that I might find pity and com
panionship with beings of my own sex, however
separated their lives and customs might be, took
posssesion of me.

I had read of the dusky maidens of romance; I
thought of all the characters of romance and history,
wherein the nature of the . red man is enshrined in
poetic beauty. The untutored nobility of soul, the
brave generosity, the simple dignity untrammelled by
the hollow conventionalities of civilized life, all rose
mockingly before me, and the heroes of my youthful
imagination passed through my mind in strange con
trast with the flesh and blood realities into whose
hands I had fallen.

The stately Logan, the fearless Philip, the bold
Black Hawk, the gentle Pocahontas: how unlike the
greedy, cunning and cruel savages who had so ruth
lessly torn me from my friends!

Truly, those pictures of the children of the forest
that adorn the pages of the novelist are delightful
conceptions of the airy fancy, fitted to charm the mind.
They amuse and beguile the hours they invest with

78 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

their interest; but the true red man, as I saw him,
does not exist between the pages of many volumes.
He roams his native wastes, and to once encounter and
study him there, so much must be sacrificed that I
could scarcely appreciate the knowledge I was gaining
at such a price.

Notwithstanding all I had seen and experienced, I
remembered much that was gentle and faithful in the
character ascribed to the Indian women. Perhaps I
might be able to find one whose sympathy and com
panionship could be wrought upon to the extent of
aiding me in some way to escape. I became hopeful
with the thought, and almost forgot my terror of the
threats of my captors, in my desire to see the friendly
faces of Indian women.

The country around was rich and varied. Beauti
ful birds appeared in the trees, and flowers of variety
and fragrance nodded on their stems. Wild fruits
were abundant, and I plucked roses and fruit for food,
while my savage companions feasted on raw meat.
They did not seem to care for fruit, and urged me to
eat meat with them. I refused, because of its being
raw. A young Indian, guessing the cause of my refusal
to eat, procured a kettle, made a fire, cooked some, and
offered it to me. I tried to eat of it to please them,
since they had taken the trouble to prepare a special
dish, but owing to the filthy manner in which it was
prepared a very small portion satisfied me.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS 79

"We were now nearing a river, which, from its
locality, must have been the Tongue River, where we
found refreshing drink, and rested for a short time.
The Indians gave me to understand that when we
crossed this stream, and a short distance beyond, we
would be at their home.

Here they paused to dress, so as to make a gay ap
pearance and imposing entrance into the village. Ex
cept when in full dress, an Indian's wearing apparel
consists only of a buffalo robe, which is also part of a
fine toilet. It is very inconveniently disposed about
the person, without fastening, and must be held in
position with the hands.

Here the clothing taken from our train was brought
into great demand, and each warrior that had been
fortunate enough to possess himself of any article of
our dress, now arrayed himself to the best advantage
the garments and their limited ideas of civilization
permitted ; and, in some instances, when the toilet was
considered complete, changes for less attractive articles
of display were made with companions who had not
been so fortunate as others in the division of the
goods, that they might also share in the sport afforded
by this derisive display.

Their peculiar ideas of tasteful dress rendered them
grotesque in appearance. One brawny face appeared
under the shade of my hat, smiling with evident satis
faction at the superiority of his decorations over those

80 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

of his less fortunate companions; another was shaded
from the scorching rays of the sun by a tiny parasol,
and the brown hand that held it aloft was thinly cov
ered by a silk glove, which was about the only article
of clothing, except the invariable breech-cloth, that
the warrior wore.

Vests 'and other garments were put on with the
lower part upward; and they all displayed remarkable
fertility in the arrangement of their decorations. They
seemed to think much of their stolen goods, some of
which were frivolous, and others worthless.

Decorating themselves by way of derision, each
noble warrior endeavored to outdo the other in splen
dor, which was altogether estimated by color, and not
by texture. Their horses were also decked in the most
ridiculous manner.

Ottawa, or Silver Horn, the war chief, was arrayed
in full costume. He was very old, over seventy-five,
partially blind, and a little below the medium height.
He was very ferocious and savage looking, and now,
when in costume, looked frightful. His face was red,
with stripes of black, and around each eye a circlet of
bright yellow. His long, black hair was divided into
two braids, with a scalp-lock on top of the head. His
ears held great brass wire rings, full six inches in di
ameter, and chains and bead necklaces were suspended
from his neck; armlets and bracelets of brass, to
gether with a string of bears' claws, completed his

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS/ 81

jewelry. He wore also leggings of deer skin, and a
shirt of the same material, beautifully ornamented with
beads, and fringed with scalp-locks, that he claimed to
have taken from his enemies, both red and white.
Over his shoulders hung a great, bright-colored quilt,
that had been taken from our stores. He wore a
crown of eagle feathers on his head ; also a plume of
feathers depending from the back of the crown.

His horse, a noble-looking animal, was no less gor
geously arrayed. His ears were pierced, like his mas
ter's, and his neck was encircled by a wreath of bears'
claws, taken from animals that the chief had slain.
Some bells and a human scalp hung from his mane,
forming together, thus arrayed, a museum of the tro
phies of the old chief's prowess on the war path, and
of skill in the chase.

When all was arranged, the chief mounted his horse
and rode on in triumph toward the village, highly
elated over the possession of his white captive, whom
he never looked back at or deigned to notice, except to
chastise on account of her slowness, which was una
voidable, as I rode a jaded horse, and could not keep
pace.

The entire Indian village poured forth to meet us,
amid song and wild dancing, in the most enthusiastic
manner, flourishing flags and weapons of war in fren
zied joy as we entered the village, which, stretched for
miles along the banks of the stream, resembled a vast

82 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

military encampment, with the wigwams covered with
white skins, like Sibley tents in shape and size, ranged
without regard to order, but facing one point of the
compass.

We penetrated through the irregular settlement for
over a mile, accompanied by the enthusiastic escort of
men, women, and children.

We rode in the center of a double column of Indiana
and directly in the rear of the chief, till we reached the
door of his lodge, when several of his wives came out
to meet him. He had six, but the senior one remained
in the tent, while a younger one was absent with the
Farmer or Grosventre Indians. Their salutation is
very much in the manner of the Mexicans ; the women
crossed their arms on the chief's breast, and smiled.

They met me in silence, but with looks of great
astonishment.

I got down as directed, and followed the chief into
the great lodge or tent, distinguished from the others
by its superior ornaments. It was decorated with
brilliantly colored porcupine quills and a terrible
fringe of human scalp-locks, taken in battle from the
Pawnees.

On one side was depicted a representation of the
Good Spirit, rude in design, and daubed with colors.
On the other side was portrayed the figure of the spirit
of evil in like manner. The Indians believe in these
two deities and pay their homage to them. The first

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 83

they consider as entirely benevolent and kind ; but the
second is full of vile tricks and wicked ways.

They fear him, and consider it only safe to propitiate
him occasionally by obedience to his evil will. This
may account for some of their worst ferocities, and ex
plain that horrible brutality of nature which they so
often exhibit.

The senior wife, who had remained in the lodge, met
her husband with the same salutation as the others had
done.

I was shown a seat opposite the entrance on a buffalo
skin. The chief's spoil was brought in for division by
his elderly spouse.

As it was spread out before them, the women
gathered admiringly round it, and proved their pecu
liarities of taste; and love of finery had a counterpart
in these forest belles, as well defined as if they had been
city ladies. Eagerly they watched every new article
displayed, grunting their approval, until their senior
companion seized a piece of cloth, declaring that she
meant to retain it all for herself.

This occasioned dissatisfaction, which soon ripened
to rebellion among them, and they contended for a just
distribution of the goods. The elder matron, following
her illustrious husband's plan in quelling such out
breaks, caught her knife from her belt, sprang in among
them, vowing that she was the oldest and had the right
to govern, and threatening to kill every one if there

84 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

was the least objection offered to her decrees. I had so
hoped to find sympathy and pity among these artless
women of the forest, but instead, cowed and trembling,
I sat, scarcely daring to breathe.

The chief noticed my fear and shrinking posture,
and smiled. Then he rose, and made a speech, which
had its effect. The women became quiet. Presently
an invitation arrived for the chief to go to a feast, and
he rose to comply.

I followed his departing figure with regretful glances,
for, terrible as he and his men had been, the women
seemed still more formidable, and I feared to be left
alone with them, especially with the hot temper and
ready knife of the elder squaw.

Great crowds of curious Indians came flocking in
to stare at me. The women brought their children.
Some of them, whose fair complexion astonished me,
I afterward learned were the offspring of fort mar
riages.

One fair little boy, who, with his mother, had just
returned from Fort Laramie, came close to me. Find
ing the squaw could speak a few words in English, I
addressed her, and was told, in reply to my questions,
that she had been the wife of a captain there, but that
his white wife arriving from the East, his Indian wife
was told to return to her people; she did so, taking her
child with her. The little boy was dressed completely
in military clothes, even to the stripe on his pantaloons,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 85

and was a very bright, attractive child of about four
years.

It was a very sad thought for me to realize that a
parent could part with such a child, committing it for
ever to live in barbarous ignorance, and rove the woods
among savages with the impress of his own superior
race, so strongly mingled with his Indian origin. I
saw many other fair-faced little children, and heard the
sad story from their mothers, and was deeply pained to
see their pale, pinched features, as they cried for food
when there was none to be had ; and they are sometimes
cruelly treated by the full-blooded and larger children
on account of their unfortunate birth.

Now that the question of property was decided be
tween the women of the chief's family, they seemed
kindly disposed toward me, and one of them brought
me a dish of meat ; many others followed her example,
even from the neighboring lodges, and really seemed to
pity me, and showed great evidences of compassion,
and tried to express their sympathy in signs, because I
had been torn from my own people, and compelled to
come such a long fatiguing journey, and examined me
all over and over again, and all about my dress, hands,
and feet particularly. Then, to their great surprise,
they discovered my bruised and almost broken limbs
that occurred when first taken, also from the fall of the
horse the first night of my captivity, and proceeded at
once to dress my wounds.

86 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

I was just beginning to rejoice in the dawning kind
ness that seemed to soften their swarthy faces, when a
messenger from the war chief arrived, accompanied by
a small party of young warriors sent to conduct me to
the chiefs presence. I did not at first comprehend the
summons, and, as every fresh announcement only awak
ened new fears, I dreaded to comply, yet dared not
refuse. Seeing my hesitation, the senior wife allowed
a little daughter of the chiefs, whose name was Yellow
Bird, to accompany me, and I was then conducted to
several feasts, at each of which I was received with
kindness, and promised good will and protection. It
was here that the chief himself first condescended to
speak kindly to me, and this and the companionship
of the child Yellow Bird, who seemed to approach me
with a trusting grace and freedom unlike the scared
shyness of Indian children generally, inspired hope.

The chief here told me that henceforth I could call
Yellow Bird my own, to take the place of my little
girl that had been killed. I did not at once compre
hend all of his meaning, still it gave me some hope of
security.

When at nightfall we returned to the lodge, which,
they told me, I must henceforth regard as home, I
found the elder women busily pounding a post into
the ground, and my fears were at once aroused, being
always ready to take alarm, and suggested to me that it
betokened some evil. On the contrary, it was simply

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 87

some household arrangement of her own, for presently,
putting on a camp kettle, she built a fire, and caused
water to boil, and drew a tea, of which she gave me
a portion, assuring me that it would cure the tired
and weary feeling and secure me a good rest.

This proved true. Soon a deep drowsiness began to
steal over the weary captive. My bed of furs was
shown me. Yellow Bird was told to share my couch
with me, and from this time on she was my constant
attendant. I laid down, and the wife of the chief
tenderly removed my moccasins, and I slept sweetly —
the first true sleep I had enjoyed in many weary
nights.

Before my eyes closed in slumber, my heart rose in
gratitude unspeakable to God for his great and im
measurable mercy.

I readily adapted myself to my new position. The
chief's three sisters shared the lodge with us.

The following day commenced my labors, and the
chief's wife seemed to feel a protecting interest in me.

The day of the 25th of July was observed by
continual feasting in honor of the safe return of the
braves.

There was a large tent made by putting several
together, where all the chiefs, medicine-men, and great
warriors met for consultation and feasting. I was in
vited to attend, and was given an elevated seat, while
the rest of the company all sat upon the ground, and

88 NABRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

mostly cross-legged, preparatory to the feast being
dealt out.

In the center of the circle was erected a flag-staff,
with many scalps, trophies, and ornaments fastened to
it. Near the foot of the flag-staff were placed, in a
row on the ground, several large kettles, in which was
prepared the feast. Near the kettles on the ground,
also, were a number of wooden bowls, in which the
meat was to be served out. And in front, two or
three women, who were there placed as waiters, to light
the pipes for smoking, and also to deal out the food.

In these positions things stood, and all sat with
thousands climbing and crowding around for a peep at
me, as I appeared at the grand feast and council, when
at length the chief arose, in a very handsome costume,
and addressed the audience, and in his speech often
pointed to me. I could understand but little of his
meaning.

Several others also made speeches, that all sounded
the same to me. I sat trembling with fear at these
strange proceedings, fearing they were deliberating upon
a plan of putting me to some cruel death to finish their
amusement. It is impossible to describe my feelings
on that day, as I sat in the midst of those wild, savage
people. Soon a handsome pipe was lit and brought to
the chief to smoke. He took it, and after presenting
the stem to the north, the south, the east, and the west,
and then to the sun that was over his head, uttered a

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 89

few words, drew a few whiffs, then passed it around
through the whole group, who all smoked. This smok
ing was conducted with the strictest adherence to exact
and established form, and the feast throughout was con
ducted in the most positive silence.

The lids were raised from the kettles, which were all
filled with dog's meat alone, it being well cooked and
made into a sort of stew. Each guest had a large
wooden bowl placed before him, with a quantity of
dog's flesh floating in a profusion of soup or rich gravy,
with a large spoon resting in the dish, made of buffalo
horn.

In this most difficult and painful dilemma I sat,
witnessing the solemnity ; my dish was given me, and
the absolute necessity of eating it was painful to con
template. I tasted it a few times after much urging,
and then resigned my dish, which was taken and
passed around with others to every part of the group,
who all ate heartily. In this way the feast ended,
and all retired silently and gradually, until the ground
was left to the waiters, who seemed to have charge of
it during the whole occasion.

The women signified to me that I should feel highly
honored by being called to feast with chiefs and great
warriors ; and seeing the spirit in which it was given,
I could not but treat it respectfully, and receive it as a
very high and marked compliment.

Since I witnessed it on this occasion, I have been
8

90 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

honored with numerous entertainments of the kind,
and all conducted in the same solemn and impressive
manner.

As far as I could see and understand, I feel author
ized to pronounce the dog-feast a truly religious cere
mony, wherein the superstitious Indian sees fit to sac
rifice his faithful companion to bear testimony to the
sacredness of his vows of friendship for the Great
Spirit. He always offers up a portion of the meat to
his deity, then puts it on the ground to remind him
of the sacrifice and solemnity of the offering.

The dog, among all Indian tribes, is more esteemed
and more valued than among any part of the civilized
world. The Indian has more time to devote to his
company, and his Untutored mind more nearly assim
ilates to the nature of his faithful servant. -

The flesh of these dogs, though apparently relished
by the Indians, is undoubtedly inferior to venison
and buffalo meat, of which feasts are constantly made,
where friends are invited, as they are in civilized so
ciety, to a pleasant and convivial party ; from which
fact alone, it would seem clear that they have some ex
traordinary motive, at all events, for feasting on the
flesh of that useful and faithful animal, even when as
in the instance I have been describing.

Their village was well supplied with fresh and dried
meat of the buffalo and deer. The dog-feast is given,
I believe, by all tribes of America, and by them all,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 91

I think, this faithful animal, as well as the horse, is
sacrificed, in several different ways, to appease offended
spirits or deities, whom it is considered necessary that
they should conciliate in this way, and when done, is
invariably done by giving the best in the herd or the
kennel.

That night was spent in dancing. Wild and furious
all seemed to me. I was led into the center of the
circle, and assigned the painful duty of holding above
my head human scalps fastened to a little pole. The
dance was kept up until near morning, when all
repaired to their respective lodges. The three kind
sisters of the chief were there to convey me to mine.

92 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER IX.

PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE — AN INDIAN VILLAGE ON THE MOVE —
SCALP DANCE — A HORRIBLE SCENE OF SAVAGE EXULTATION-
COMPELLED TO JOIN THE ORGIES — A CAUSE OF INDIAN HOSTILITY —
ANOTHER BATTLE WITH THE WHITE TROOPS BURIAL OF AN IN
DIAN BOY — A HASTY RETREAT — MADE TO ACT AS SURGEON OF THE
WOUNDED MAUVE TERRE, OR BAD LANDS.

THE next morning the whole village was in motion.
The warriors were going to battle against a white en
emy, they said, and old men, women, and children
were sent out in another direction to a place of safety,
as designated by the chief. Every thing was soon
moving. With the rapidity of custom the tent-poles
were lowered and the tents rolled up. The cooking
utensils were put together, and laid on cross-beams
connecting the lower ends of the poles as they trail
the ground from the horses' sides, to which they are
attached. Dogs, too, are made useful in this exodus,
and started off, with smaller burdens dragging after
them, in the same manner that horses are packed.

The whole village was in commotion, children
screaming or laughing; dogs barking or growling
nnder their heavy burdens; squaws running hither

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 93

and thither, pulling down tipi-poles, packing up
every thing, and leading horses and dogs with huge
burdens.

The small children are placed in sacks of buffalo
skin and hung upon saddles or their mothers' backs.
The wrapped up lodges, which are secured by thongs,
are fastened to the poles on the horses' backs, together
with sundry other articles of domestic use, and upon
these are seated women and children. To guide the
horse a woman goes before, holding the bridle, carry
ing on her back a load nearly as large as the horse
carries. Women and children are sometimes mounted
upon horses, holding in their arms every variety of
plunder, sometimes little dogs and other forlorn and
hungry looking pets. In this unsightly manner, some
times two or three thousand families are transported
many miles at the same migration, and, all being in
motion at the same time, the cavalcade extends for a
great distance.

The men and boys are not so unsightly in their ap
pearance, being mounted upon good horses and the
best Indian ponies, riding in groups, leaving the
women and children to trudge along with the bur
dened horses and dogs.

The number and utility of these faithful dogs is
sometimes astonishing, as they count hundreds, each
bearing a portion of the general household goods.
Two poles, about ten or twelve feet long, are attached

94 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

to the shoulders of a dog, leaving one end of each
dragging upon the ground. On these poles a small
burden is carried, and with it the faithful canine jogs
along, looking neither to the right nor to the left, but
apparently intent upon reaching the end of his jour
ney. These faithful creatures are under the charge of
women and children, and their pace is occasionally en
couraged with admonitions in the form of vigorous
and zealous use of whips applied to their limbs and
sides. It was quite painful to me to see these poor
animals, thus taken from their natural avocation, and
forced to a slavish life of labor, and compelled to
travel along with their burdens; yet, when this change
has been made, they become worthless as hunters, or
watchers, and even for the purpose of barking, being
reduced, instead, to beasts of burden. It was not un
common to see a great wolfish-looking dog moodily
jogging along with a lot of cooking utensils on one
side, and on the other a crying papoose for a balance,
while his sulking companion toils on, supporting upon
his back a quarter of antelope or elk, and is followed
by an old woman, or some children, who keep at bay
all refractory dogs who run loose, occasionally showing
their superiority by snapping and snarling at their
more unfortunate companions.

This train was immensely large, nearly the whole
Sioux nation having concentrated there for the pur
pose of war. The chief 's sisters brought me a horse

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 95

saddled, told me to mount, and accompany the already
moving column, that seemed to be spreading far over
the hills to the northward. We toiled on all day. Late
in the afternoon we arrived at the ground of encamp
ment, and rested for further orders from the warriors,
who had gone to battle and would join us there.

I had no means of informing myself at that time
with whom the war was raging, but afterward learned
that General Sully's army was pursuing the Sioux,
and that the engagement was with his men.

In three days the Indians returned to camp, and
entered on a course of feasting and rejoicing, that
caused me to believe that they had suffered very little
loss in the affray.

They passed their day of rest in this sort of enter
tainment; and here I first saw the scalp dance, which
ceremonial did not increase my respect or confidence
in the tender mercies of my captors.

This performance is only gone through at night and
by the light of torches, consequently its terrible char
acteristics are heightened by the fantastic gleams of
the lighted brands.

The women, too, took part in the dance, and I was
forced to mingle in the fearful festivity, painted and
dressed for the occasion, and holding a staff from the
top of which hung several scalps.

The braves came vauntingly forth, with the most
extravagant boasts of their wonderful prowess and

96 NAEKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

courage in war, at the same time brandishing weapons
in their hands with the most fearful contortions and
threatenings.

A number of young women came with them, carry
ing the trophies of their friends, which they hold aloft,
while the warriors jump around in a circle, brandish
ing their weapons, and whooping and yelling the fear
ful war-cry in a most frightful manner, all jumping
upon both feet at the same time, with simultaneous
stamping and motions with their weapons, keeping ex
act time. Their gestures impress one as if they were
actually cutting and carving each other to pieces as
they utter their fearful, sharp yell. They become
furious as they grow more excited, until their faces are
distorted to the utmost; their glaring eyes protrude
with a fiendish, indescribable appearance, while they
grind their teeth, and try to imitate the hissing, gurg
ling sound of death in battle. Furious and faster
grows the stamping, until the sight is more like a
picture of fiends in a carnival of battle than any thing
else to which the war-dance can be compared.

No description can fully convey the terrible sight in
all its fearful barbarity, as the bloody trophies of their
victory are brandished aloft in the light of the flickering
blaze, and their distorted forms were half concealed by
darkness. The object for which the scalp is taken is ex
ultation and proof of valor and success. My pen is pow
erless to portray my feelings during this terrible scene.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 97

This country seemed scarred by countless trails,
where the Indian ponies have dragged lodge-poles, in
their change of habitations or hunting. The antip
athy of the Indian to its occupation or invasion by the
wl.ite man is very intense and bitter. The felling of
timber, or killing of buffalo, or traveling of a train,
or any signs of permanent possession by the white
man excites deadly hostility. It is their last hope; if
they yield and give up this, they will have to die or
ever after be governed by the white man's laws; con
sequently they lose no opportunity to kill or steal from
and harass the whites when they can do so.

The game still clings to its favorite haunts, and the
Indian must press upon the steps of the white man or
lose all hope of independence. Herds of elk proudly
stand with erect antlers, as if charmed by music, or as
if curious to understand this strange inroad upon their
long-secluded parks of pleasure; the mountain sheep
look down from belting crags that skirt the perpendic
ular northern face of the mountains, and yield no rival
of their charms or excellence for food. The black and
white-tail deer and antelope are ever present, while the
hare and the rabbit, the sage hen, and the prairie-
chicken are nearly trodden down before they yield to
the intrusion of the stranger.

Brants, wild geese, and ducks multiply and people
the waters of beautiful lakes, and are found in many
of the streams. The grizzly and cinnamon bears are
9

98 NAEBATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

often killed and give up their rich material for the
hunter's profit; and the buffalo, in numberless herds,
with tens of thousands in a herd, sweep back and
forth, filling the valley as far as the eye can reach, and
adding their value to the red man both for food, hab
itation, fuel, and clothing. The Big Horn Eiver,
and mountains and streams beyond, are plentifully
supplied with various kinds of fish. The country
seems to be filled with wolves, which pierce the night
air with their howls, but, like the beavers whose dams
incumber all the smaller streams, and the otter, are
forced to yield their nice coats for the Indian as well
as white man's luxury.

The Indians felt that the proximity of the troops
and their inroads through their best hunting-grounds
would prove disastrous to them and their future hopes
of prosperity, and soon again they were making prep
arations for battle ; and again, on the 8th of August,
the warriors set forth on the war-path, and this time
the action seemed to draw ominously near our en
campment.

An Indian boy died the night before, and was buried
rather hastily in the morning. The body was wrapped
in some window curtains that once draped my windows
at Geneva. There was also a red blanket and many
beads and trinkets deposited on an elevated platform,
with the moldering remains, and the bereaved mother
and relatives left the lonely spot with loud lamenta-

AMONGf THE SIOUX INDIANS. 99

tions. There seemed to be great commotion and great
anxiety in the movements of the Indians, and presently
I could hear the sound of battle ; and the echoes, that
came back to me from the reports of the guns in the
distant hills, warned me of the near approach of my
own people, and my heart became a prey to wildly
conflicting emotions, as they hurried on in great des
peration, and even forbid me turning my head and
looking in the direction of the battle. Once I broke
the rule and was severely punished for it. They
kept their eyes upon me, and were very cross and
unkind.

Panting for rescue, yet fearing for its accomplish
ment, I passed the day. The smoke of action now
rose over the hills beyond. The Indians now realized
their danger, and hurried on in great consternation.

General Sully's soldiers appeared in close proximity,
and I could see them charging on the Indians, who,
according to their habits of warfare, skulked behind
trees, sending their bullets and arrows vigorously for
ward into the enemy's ranks. I was kept in advance
of the moving column of women and children, who
were hurrying on, crying and famishing for water,
trying to keep out of the line of firing.

It was late at night before we stopped our pace,
when at length we reached the lofty banks of a noble
river, but it was some time before they could find a
break in the rocky shores which enabled us to reach

100 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

the water and enjoy the delicious draught, in which
luxury the panting horses gladly participated.

We had traveled far and fast all day long, without
cessation, through clouds of smoke and dust, parched
by a scorching sun. My face was blistered from the
burning rays, as I had been compelled to go with
my head uncovered, after the fashion of all Indian
women. Had not had a drop of water during the
whole day.

Reluctant to leave the long-desired acquisition, they
all lay down under the tall willows, close to the stream,
and slept the sleep of the weary. The horses lingered
near, nipping the tender blades of grass that sparsely
bordered the stream.

It was not until next morning that I thought of
how they should cross the river, which I suppose to
have been the Missouri. It was not very wide, but
confined between steep banks; it seemed to be deep
and quite rapid; they did not risk swimming at that
place, to my joy, but went further down and all plunged
in and swam across, leading my horse. I was very
much frightened, and cried to Heaven for mercy. On
that morning we entered a gorge, a perfect mass of
huge fragments which had fallen from the mountains
above; they led my horse and followed each other
closely, and with as much speed as possible, as we were
still pursued by the troops. During the day some two
or three warriors were brought in wounded. I was

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 101

called to see them, and assist in dressing their wounds.
This being my first experience of the kind, I was at
some loss to know what was best to do ; but, seeing in
it a good opportunity to raise in their estimation, I en-
f deavored to impress them with an air of my superior
knowledge of surgery, and as nurse, or medicine
woman. I felt now, from their motions and meaning
glances, that my life was not safe, since we were so
closely pursued over this terrible barren country.

My feelings, all this time, can not be described, when
I could hear the sound of the big guns, as the Indians
term cannon. I felt that the soldiers had surely come
for me and would overtake us, and my heart bounded
with joy at the very thought of deliverance, but sunk
proportionately when they came to me, bearing their
trophies, reeking scalps, soldiers' uniforms, covered
with blood, which told its sad story to my aching heart.
One day I might be cheered by strong hope of approach
ing relief, then again would have such assurance of my
enemies' success as would sink me correspondingly low
in despair. For some reason deception seemed to be
their peculiar delight ; whether they did it to gratify an
insatiable thirst for revenge in themselves, or to keep
me more reconciled, more willing and patient to abide,
was something I could not determine.

The feelings occasioned by my disappointment in
their success can be better imagined than described,
but imagination, even in her most extravagant flights,

102 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

can but poorly picture the horrors that met my view
during these running flights.

My constant experience was hope deferred that
maketh the heart sick. It was most tantalizing and
painful to my spirit to be so near our forces and the
flag of liberty, and yet a prisoner and helpless.

On, and still on, we were forced to fly to a place
known among them as the Bad Lands, a section
of country so wildly desolate and barren as to induce
the belief that its present appearance is the effect of
volcanic action.

Great bowlders of blasted rock are piled scattering
round, and hard, dry sand interspersed among the
crevices.

Every thing has a ruined look, as if vegetation and
life had formerly existed there, but had been suddenly
interrupted by some violent commotion of nature. A
terrible blight, like the fulfilling of an ancient curse,
darkens the surface of the gloomy landscape, and the
desolate, ruinous scene might well represent the entrance
to the infernal shades described by classic writers.

A choking wind, with sand, blows continually, and
fills the air with dry and blinding dust.

The water is sluggish and dark, and apparently life-
destroying in its action, since all that lies around its
moistened limits has assumed the form of petrifaction.
Rocks though they now seemed, they had formerly held
life, both animal and vegetable, and their change will

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 103

furnish a subject of interesting speculation to enter
prising men of science, who penetrate those mournful
shades to discover toads, snakes, birds, and a variety
of insects, together with plants, trees, and many curiosi
ties, all petrified and having the appearance of stone.
I was startled by the strange and wonderful sights.

The terrible scarcity of water and grass urged us for
ward, and General Sully's army in the rear gave us no
rest. The following day or two we were driven so far
northward, and became so imminently imperiled by the
pursuing forces, that they were obliged to leave all their
earthly effects behind them, and swim the Yellow Stone
River for life. By this time the ponies were completely
famished for want of food and water, so jaded that it
was with great difficulty and hard blows that we could
urge them on at all.

When Indians are pursued closely, they evince a
desperate and reckless desire to save themselves, with
out regard to property or provisions.

They throw away every thing that will impede
flight, and all natural instinct seems lost in fear. We
had left, in our compulsory haste, immense quantities
of plunder, even lodges standing, which proved imme
diate help, but in the end a terrible loss.

General Sully with his whole troop stopped to de
stroy the property, thus giving us an opportunity to
escape, which saved us from falling into his hands, as
otherwise we inevitably would have done.

104 NAKEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

One day was consumed in collecting and burning
the Indian lodges, blankets, provisions, etc., and that
day was used advantageously in getting beyond his
reach. They travel constantly in time of war, ranging
over vast tracts of country, and prosecuting their
battles, or skirmishes, with a quiet determination un
known to the whites.

A few days' pursuit after Indians is generally enough
to wear and tire out the ardor of the white man, as it
is almost impossible to pursue them through their own
country with wagons and supplies for the army, and
it is very difficult for American horses to traverse the
barren, rugged mountain passes, the Indians having
every advantage in their own country, and using their
own mode of warfare. The weary soldiers return dis
heartened by often losing dear comrades, and leaving
them in a lonely grave on the plain, dissatisfied with
only scattering their red foes.

But the weary savages rest during these intervals,
often sending the friendly Indians, as they are called
and believed to be, who are received in that character
in the forts, and change it for a hostile one, as soon as
they reach the hills, to get supplies of ammunition and
food with which they refresh themselves and prosecute
the war.

After the attack of General Sully was over an In
dian came to me with a letter to read, which he had
taken from a soldier who was killed by him, and the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 105

letter had been found in his pocket. The letter stated
that the topographical engineer was killed, and that
General Sally's men had caught the red devils and cut
their heads off, and stuck them up on poles. The
soldier had written a friendly and kind letter to his
people, but, ere it was mailed, he was numbered with
the dead.

106 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER X.

MOURNING FOR THE SLAIN — THREATENED WITH DEATH AT THE FIERY
STAKE — SAVED BY A SPEECH FROM OTTAWA — STARVING CONDITION
OF THE INDIANS.

As soon as we were safe, and General Sully pursued
us no longer, the warriors returned home, and a scene
of terrible mourning over the killed ensued among the
women. Their cries are terribly wild and distressing,
on such occasions; and the near relations of the de
ceased indulge in frantic expressions of grief that can
not be described. Sometimes the practice of cutting
the flesh is carried to a horrible and barbarous extent.
They inflict gashes on their bodies and limbs an inch
in length. Some cut off their hair, blacken their faces,
and march through the village in procession, torturing
their bodies to add vigor to their lamentations.

Hunger followed on the track of grief; all their food
was gone, and there was no game in that portion of
the country.

In our flight they scattered every thing, and the
country through which we passed for the following two
weeks did not yield enough to arrest starvation. The

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 107

Indians were terribly enraged, and threatened me with
death almost hourly, and in every form.

I had so hoped for liberty when my friends were
near; but alas! all my fond hopes were blasted. The
Indians told me that the army was going in another
direction.

They seemed to have sustained a greater loss than I
had been made aware of, which made them feel very
revengeful toward me.

The next morning I could see that something un
usual was about to happen. Notwithstanding the early
hour, the sun scarcely appearing above the horizon,
the principal chiefs and warriors were assembled in
council, where, judging from the grave and reflective
expression of their countenances, they were about to
discuss some serious question.

I had reason for apprehension, from their unfriendly
manner toward me, and feared for the penalty I might
soon have to pay.

Soon they sent an Indian to me, who asked me if I
was ready to die — to be burned at the stake. I told
him whenever Wakon-Tonka (the Great Spirit) was
ready, he would call for me, and then I would be ready
and willing to go. He said that he had been sent
from the council to warn me, that it had become
necessary to put me to death, on account of my white
brothers killing so many of their young men recently.
He repeated that they were not cruel for the pleasure

108 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

of being so ; necessity is their first law, and he and the
wise chiefs, faithful to their hatred for the white race,
were in haste to satisfy their thirst for vengeance; and,
further, that the interest of their nation required it.

As soon as the chiefs were assembled around the
council fire, the pipe-carrier entered the circle, holding
in his hand the pipe ready lighted. Bowing to the
four cardinal points, he uttered a short prayer, or in
vocation, and then presented the pipe to the old chief,
Ottawa, but retained the bowl in his hand. When all
the chiefs and men had smoked, one after the other,
the pipe-bearer emptied the ashes into the fire, saying,
"Chiefs of the great Dakota nation, Wakon-Tonka
give you wisdom, so that whatever be your determi
nation, it may be conformable to justice." Then, after
bowing respectfully, he retired.

A moment of silence followed, in which every one
seemed to be meditating seriously upon the words that
had just been spoken. At length one of the most
aged of the chiefs, whose body was furrowed with the
scars of innumerable wounds, and who enjoyed among
his people a reputation for great wisdom, arose.

Said he, "The pale faces, our eternal persecutors,
pursue and harass us without intermission, forcing us to
abandon to them, one by one, our best hunting grounds,
and we are compelled to seek a refuge in the depths
of these Bad Lands, like timid deer. Many of them
even dare to come into prairies which belong to us,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 109

to trap beaver, and hunt elk and buffalo, which are
our property. These faithless creatures, the outcasts
of their own people, rob and kill us when they can.
Is it just that we should suffer these wrongs without
complaining? Shall we allow ourselves to be slaugh
tered like timid Assinneboines, without seking to avenge
ourselves? Does not the law of the Dakotas say,
Justice to our own nation, and death to all pale faces?
Let my brothers say if that is just," pointing to the
stake that was being prepared for me.

" Vengeance is allowable," sententiously remarked
Mahpeah (The Sky).

Another old chief, Ottawa, arose and said, "It is
the undoubted right of the weak and oppressed; and
yet it ought to be proportioned to the injury re
ceived. Then why should we put this young, innocent
woman to death ? Has she not always been kind to
us, smiled upon us, and sang for us? "Do not all our
children love her as a tender sister? Why, then,
should we put her to so cruel a death for the crimes
of others, if they are of her nation ? Why should we
punish the innocent for the guilty ? "

I looked to Heaven for mercy and protection, offer
ing up those earnest prayers that are never offered in
vain ; and oh ! how thankful I was when I knew their
decision was to spare my life. Though terrible were
my surroundings, life always became sweet to me,
when I felt that I was about to part with it.

110 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

A terrible time ensued, and many dogs, and horses,
even, died of starvation. Their bodies were eaten im
mediately ; and the slow but constant march was daily
kept up, in hope of game and better facilities for fish
and fruit.

Many days in succession I tasted no food, save what
I could gather on my way; a few rose leaves and
blossoms was all I could find, except the grass I would
gather and chew, for nourishment. Fear, fatigue, and
long-continued abstinence were wearing heavily on my
already shattered frame. Women and children were
crying for food ; it was a painful sight to witness their
sufferings, with no means of alleviating them, and no
hope of relief save by traveling and hunting. We
had no shelter save the canopy of heaven, and no
alternative but to travel on, and at night lie down on
the cold, damp ground, for a resting place.

If I could but present to my readers a truthful pic
ture of that Indian home at that time, with all its
sorrowful accompaniments ! They are certainly en
graved upon faithful memory, to last forever; but no
touch of pen could give any semblance of the realities
to another.

What exhibitions of their pride and passion I have
seen ; what ideas of their intelligence and humanity I
have been compelled to form ; what manifestations of
their power and ability to govern had been thrust
upon me. The treatment received was not such as

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. Ill

to enhance in any wise a woman's admiration for the
so-called noble red man, but rather to make one pray
to be delivered from their power.

Compelled to travel many days in succession, and
to experience the gnawings of hunger without miti
gation, every day had its share of toil and fear. Yet
while my temporal wants were thus poorly supplied, I
was not wholly denied spiritual food. It was a blessed
consolation that no earthly foe could interrupt my
communion with the heavenly world. In my mid
night, wakeful hours, I was visited with many bright
visions.

He walks with thee, that angel kind,
And gently whispers, be resigned ;
Bear up, bear on, the end shall tell,
The dear Lord ordereth all things well.

112 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XI.

MEET ANOTHER WHITE FEMALE CAPTIVE — SAD STORY OF MART BOYEAU
— A CHILD ROASTED AND ITS BRAINS DASHED OUT — MURDER OP
MRS. FLETCHER — FIVE CHILDREN SLAUGHTERED — FATE OF THEIR
MOTHER.

IT was about this time that I had the sorrowful sat
isfaction of meeting with a victim of Indian cruelty,
whose fate was even sadder than mine.

It was a part of my labor to carry water from the
stream at which we camped, and, awakened for that
purpose, I arose and hurried out one morning before
the day had yet dawned clearly, leaving the Indians
still in their blankets, and the village very quiet.

In the woods beyond I heard the retiring howl of
the wolf, the shrill shriek of the bird of prey, as it
was sweeping down on the unburied carcass of some
poor, murdered traveler, and the desolation of my life
and its surroundings filled my heart with dread and
gloom.

I was so reduced in strength and spirit, that nothing
but the dread of the scalping-knife urged my feet from
task to task; and now, returning toward the dpi,
with my heavy bucket, I was startled to behold a fair-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 113

faced, beautiful young girl sitting there, dejected and
worn, like myself, but bearing the marks of loveliness
and refinement, despite her neglected covering.

Almost doubting my reason^ for I had become un
settled in my self-reliance, and even sanity, I feared to
address her, but stood spell-bound, gazing in her sad
brown eyes and drooping, pallid face.

The chief stood near the entrance of the tipi, enjoy
ing the cool morning air, and watching the interview
with amusement. He offered me a book, which chanced
to be one of the Willson's readers, stolen from our
wagons, and bade me show it to the stranger.

I approached the girl, who instantly held out her
hand, and said: "What book is that?"

The sound of my own language, spoken by one of
my own people, was too much for me, and I sank to
the ground by the side of the stranger, and, endeavor
ing to clasp her in my arms, became insensible.

A kindly squaw, who was in sight, must have been
touched by our helpless sorrow ; for, when recovering,
she was sprinkling my face with water from the bucket,
and regarding me with looks of interest.

Of course, we realized that this chance interview
would be short, and, perhaps, the last that we would
be able to enjoy, and, while my companion covered her
face and wept, I told my name and the main incidents
of my capture; and I dreaded to recall the possible
fate of my Mary, lest I should rouse the terrible feel-
10

114 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ings I was trying to keep in subjection as my only hope
of preserving reason.

The young girl responded to my confidence by
giving her own story, which she related to me as fol
lows:

"My name is Mary Boyeau; these people call me
Madee. I have been among them since the massacre
in Minnesota, and am now in my sixteenth year.
My parents were of French descent, but we lived
in the State of New York, until my father, in pur
suance of his peculiar passion for the life of a nat
uralist and a man of science, sold our eastern home,
and came to live on the shores of Spirit Lake, Min
nesota.

" The Indians had watched about our place, and re
garded what they had seen of my father's chemical ap
paratus with awe and fear. Perhaps they suspected
him of working evil charms in his laboratory, or held
his magnets, microscopes, and curiously-shaped tubes
in superstitious aversion.

" I can not tell ; I only know that we were among
the first victims of the massacre, and that all my fam
ily were murdered except myself, and, I fear, one
younger sister."

" You fear ! " said I. " Do you not hope that she
escaped ? "

The poor girl shook her head. " From a life like
mine death is an escape," she said, bitterly.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 115

" Oh ! it is fearful ! and a sin to rush unbidden into
God's presence, but I can not live through another
frightful winter.

"No, I must and will die if no relief comes to me.
For a year these people regarded me as a child, and
then a young man of their tribe gave a horse for me,
and carried me to his tipi as his wife."

" Do you love your husband ? " I asked.

A look, bitter and revengeful, gleamed from her
eyes.

" Love a savage, who bought me to be a drudge and
slave!" she repeated. "No! I hate him as I hate all
that belong to this fearful bondage. He has another
wife and a child. Thank God ! " she added, with a
shudder, " that I am not a mother ! "

Misery and the consciousness of her own degraded
life seemed to have made this poor young creature des
perate ; and, looking at her toil-worn hands and scarred
arms, I saw the signs of abuse and cruelty ; her feet,
too, were bare, and fearfully bruised and travel-marked.

" Does he ill treat you ? " I inquired.

" His wife does," she answered. " I am forced to
do all manner of slavish work, and when my strength
fails, I am urged on by blows. Oh! I do so fearfully
dread the chilling winters, without proper food or
clothing; and I long to lie down and die, if God's
mercy will only permit me to escape from this hope
less imprisonment. I have nothing to expect now. I

116 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

did once look forward to release, but that is all gone.
I strove to go with the others, who were ransomed at
Fort Pierre, and Mrs. Wright plead for me with all
her heart; but the man who bought me would not
give me up, and my prayers were useless.

" Mr. Dupuy, a Frenchman, who brought a wagon
for the redeemed women and children, did not offer
enough for me ; and when another man offered a horse
my captor would not receive it.

" There were many prisoners that I did not see in
the village, but I am left alone. The Yanktons, who
hold me, are friendly by pretense, and go to the agencies
for supplies and annuities, but at heart they are bitterly
hostile. They assert that, if they did not murder and
steal, the Father at Washington would forget them;
and now they receive presents and supplies to keep
them in check, which they delight in taking, and
deceiving the officers as to their share in the out
breaks."

Her dread of soldiers was such that she had never
attempted to escape, nor did she seem to think it possi
ble to get away from her present life, so deep was the
despair into which long-continued suffering had plunged
her.

Sad as my condition was, I could not but pity poor
Mary's worse fate. The unwilling wife of a brutal
savage, and subject to all the petty malice of a scarcely
less brutal squaw, there could be no gleam of sunshine

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 117

in her future prospects. True, I was, like her, a cap
tive, torn from home and friends, and subject to harsh
treatment, but no such personal indignity had fallen to
my lot.

When Mary was first taken, she saw many terrible
things, which she related to me, among which was the
following :

One day, the Indians went into a house where they
found a woman making bread. Her infant child lay
in the cradle, unconscious of its fate. Snatching it
from its little bed they thrust it into the heated oven,
its screams torturing the wretched mother, who was
immediately after stabbed and cut in many pieces.

Taking the suffering little creature from the oven,
they then dashed out its brains against the walls of the
house.

One day, on their journey, they came to a narrow
but deep stream of water. Some of the prisoners, and
nearly all of the Indians, crossed on horseback, while
a few crossed on logs, which had been cut down by the
beaver. A lady (by name Mrs. Fletcher, I believe),
.who was in delicate health, fell into the water with her
heavy burden, unable, on account of her condition, to
cross, and was shot by the Indians, her lifeless body
soon disappearing from sight. She also told me of a
white man having been killed a few days previous, and
a large sum of money taken from him, which would
be exchanged for articles used among the Indians

118 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

when they next visited the Red River or British Pos
sessions. They went, she told me, two or three timea
a year, taking American horses, valuables, etc., which
they had stolen from the whites, and exchanging them
for amunition, powder, arrow points, and provisions.

Before they reached the Missouri River they killed
five of Mrs. Dooley's children, one of which was left
on the ground in a place where the distracted mother
had to pass daily in carrying water from the river;
and when they left the camp the body remained un-
buried. So terrible were the sufferings of this heart
broken mother, that, when she arrived in safety among
the whites, her reason was dethroned, and I was told
that she was sent to the lunatic asylum, where her dis
tracted husband soon followed.

Mary wished that we might be together, but knew
that it would be useless to ask, as it would not be
granted.

I gave her my little book and half of my pencil,
which she was glad to receive. I wrote her name in
the book, together with mine, encouraging her with
every kind word and hope of the future. She could
read and write, and understood the Indian language
thoroughly.

The book had been taken from our wagon, and I
had endeavored to teach the Indians from it, for it
contained several stories; so it made the Indians very
angry to have me part with it.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 119

For hours I had sat with the book in my hands,
showing them the pictures and explaining their mean
ing, which interested them greatly, and which helped
pass away and relieve the monotony of the days of
captivity which I was enduring. Moreover, it in
spired them with a degree of respect and veneration
for me when engaged in the task, which was not only
pleasant, but a great comfort. It was by this means
they discovered my usefulness in writing letters and
reading for them.

I found them apt pupils, willing to learn, and they
learned easily and rapidly. Their memory is very
retentive — unusually good.

120 NAKEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XII.

FIRST INTIMATION OF MY LITTLE MARY'S FATE — DESPAIR AND DELI
RIUM — A SHOWER OF GRASSHOPPERS — A FEAST AND A FIGHT —
AN ENRAGED SQUAW — THE CHIEF WOUNDED.

ONE day, as I was pursuing what seemed to me an
endless journey, an Indian rode up beside me, whom I
did not remember to have seen before.

At his saddle hung a bright and well-known little
shawl, and from the other side was suspended a child's
scalp of long, fair hair.

As my eyes rested on the frightful sight, I trembled
in my saddle and grasped the air for support. A
blood-red cloud seemed to come between me and the
outer world, and I realized that innocent victim's dying
agonies.

The torture was too great to be endured — a merciful
insensibility interposed between me and madness.

I dropped from the saddle as if dead, and rolled upon
the ground at the horse's feet.

When I recovered, I was clinging to a squaw, who,
with looks of astonishment and alarm, was vainly
endeavoring to extricate herself from my clutches.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 121

With returning consciousness, I raised my eyes to
the fearful sight that had almost deprived me of reason ;
it was gone.

The Indian had suspected the cause of my emotion,
and removed it out of sight.

They placed me in the saddle once more, and not
being able to control the horrible misery I felt, I pro
tested wildly against their touch, imploring them to
kill me, and frantically inviting the death I had before
feared and avoided.

"When they camped, I had not the power or reason
to seek my own tent, but fell down in the sun, where
the chief found me lying. He had been out at the
head of a scouting party, and knew nothing of my
sufferings.

Instantly approaching me, he inquired who had mis
used me. I replied, " No one. I want to see my dear
mother, my poor mother, who loves me, and pines for
her unhappy child. "

I had found, by experience, that the only grief with
which this red nation had any sympathy was the sor
row one might feel for a separation from a mother, and
even the chief seemed to recognize the propriety of
such emotion.

On this account I feigned to be grieving solely for
my dear widowed mother, and was treated with more
consideration than I had dared to expect.

Leaving me for a few moments, he returned, bring-
11

122 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ing me some ripe wild plums, which were deliciously
cooling to my fever-parched lips.

Hunger and thirst, sorrow and fear, with unusual
fatigue and labor, had weakened me in mind and body,
so that, after trying to realize the frightful vision that
had almost deprived me of my senses, I began to
waver in my knowledge of it, and half determined
that it was a hideous phantom, like many another that
had tortured my lonely hours.

I tried to dismiss the awful dream from remem
brance, particularly as the days that followed found me
ill and delirious, and it was some time before I was
able to recall events clearly.

About this time there was another battle; and many
having already sank under the united misery of hunger
and fatigue, the camp was gloomy and hopeless in the
extreme.

The Indians discovered my skill in dressing wounds,
and I was called immediately to the relief of the
wounded brought into camp.

The fight had lasted three days, and, from the im
moderate lamentations, I supposed many had fallen,
but could form no idea of the loss.

Except when encamped for rest, the tribe pursued
their wanderings constantly; sometimes flying before
the enemy, at others endeavoring to elude them.

I kept the record of time, as it passed with the
savages, as well as I was able, and, with the excep-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 123

tion of a few days lost, during temporary delirium
and fever at two separate times, and which I en
deavored to supply by careful inquiry, I missed no
count of the rising or setting sun, and knew dates
almost as well as if I had been in the heart of civ
ilization.

One very hot day, a dark cloud seemed suddenly to
pass before the sun and threaten a great storm. The
wind rose, and the cloud became still darker, until the
light of day was almost obscured.

A few drops sprinkled the earth, and, then, in a
heavy, blinding, and apparently inexhaustible shower,
fell a countless swarm of grasshoppers, covering every
thing and rendering the air almost black by their
descent.

It is impossible to convey an idea of their extent;
they seemed to rival Pharaoh's locusts in number, and
no doubt would have done damage to the food of the
savages had they not fallen victims themselves to their
keen appetites.

To catch them, large holes are dug in the ground,
which are heated by fires. Into these apertures the
insects are then driven, and, the fires having been
removed, the heated earth bakes them.

They are considered good food, and were greedily
devoured by the famishing Sioux. Although the
grasshoppers only remained two days, and went as sud
denly as they had come, the Indians seemed refreshed

124 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

by feasting on such small game, and continued to
move forward.

Halting one day to rest beside good water, I busily
engaged myself in the chief's tipi, or lodge. I had
grown so weak that motion of any kind was exhaust
ing to me, and I could scarcely walk. I felt that I
must soon die of starvation and sorrow, and life had
ceased to be dear to me.

Mechanically I tried to fulfill my tasks, so as to
secure the continued protection of the old squaw, who,
when not incensed by passion, was not devoid of
kindness.

My strength failed me, and I could not carry out
my wishes, and almost fell as I tried to move around.

This met with disapprobation, and, better fed than
myself, she could not sympathize with my want of
strength. She became cross, and left the lodge, threat
ening me with her vengeance.

Presently an Indian woman, who pitied me, ran into
the tipi in great haste, saying that her husband had
got some deer meat, and she had cooked it for a feast,
and begged me to share it. As she spoke, she drew me
toward her tent, and, hungry and fainting, I readily
followed.

The chief saw us go, and, not disdaining a good din
ner, he followed. The old squaw came flying into the
lodge like an enraged fury, flourishing her knife, and
vowing she would kill me.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 125

I arose immediately and fled, the squaw pursuing
me. The chief attempted to interfere, but her rage
was too great, and he struck her, at which she sprang
like an infuriated tiger upon him, stabbing him in sev
eral places.

Her brother, who at a short distance beheld the fray,
and deeming me the cause, fired six shots, determining
to kill me. One of these shots lodged in the arm of
the chief, breaking it near the shoulder. I then ran
until I reached the outskirts of the village, where I
was captured by a party who saw me running, but
who knew not the cause.

Thinking that I was endeavoring to escape, they
dragged me in the tent, brandishing their tomahawks
and threatening vengeance.

After the lapse of half an hour some squaws came
and took me back to the lodge of the chief, who was
waiting for me, before his wounds could be dressed.
He was very weak from loss of blood.

I never saw the wife of the chief afterward.

Indian surgery is coarse and rude in its details. A
doctor of the tribe had pierced the arm of the chief
with a long knife, probing in search of the ball it
had received, and the wound thus enlarged had to be
healed.

As soon as I was able to stand, I was required to
go and wait on the disabled chief. I found his three

126 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

sisters with him, and with these I eontinned to live in
companionship.

One of them had been married, at the fort, to a white
man, whom she had left at Larimie when his prior
wife arrived.

She told me that they were esteemed friendly, and
had often received supplies from the fort, although at
heart they were always the enemy of the white man.

" But will they not suspect you?" asked I. " They
may discover your deceit and punish you some day."

She laughed derisively. " Our prisoners do n't
escape to tell tales," she replied. " Dead people do n't
talk. We claim friendship, and they can not prove
that we don't feel it. Besides, all white soldiers are
cowards."

Shudderingly I turned away from this enemy of my
race, and prepared to wait on my captor, whose super
stitious belief in the healing power of a white woman's
touch led him to desire her services.

The wounds of the chief were severe, and the sup
puration profuse. It was my task to bathe and dress
them, and prepare his food.

Hunting and fishing being now out of the question
for him, he had sent his wives to work for themselves,
keeping the sisters and myself to attend him.

War with our soldiers seemed to have decreased the
power of the chief to a great extent.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 127

As he lay ill, he evidently meditated on some plan
of strengthening his forces, and finally concluded to
send an offer of marriage to the daughter of a war-
chief of another band.

As General Sully's destructive attack had deprived
him all ready offerings, he availed himself of my shoes,
which happened to be particularly good, and, reducing
me to moccasins, sent them as a gift to the expected
bride.

She evidently received them graciously, for she came
to his lodge almost every day to visit him, and sat
chatting at his side, to his apparent satisfaction.

The pleasure of this new matrimonial acquisition on
the part of the chief was very trying to me, on account
of my limited wardrobe, for as the betrothed continued
in favor, the chief evinced it by giving her articles of
my clothing.

An Indian woman had given me a red silk sash,
such as officers wear. The chief unceremoniously cut
it in half, leaving me one half, while the coquettish
squaw received the rest.

An Indian husband's power is absolute, even to
death.

No woman can have more than one husband, but an
Indian can have as many wives as he chooses.

The marriage of the chief was to be celebrated with
all due ceremony when his arm got well.

128 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

But his arm never recovered. Mr. Clemens, the
interpreter, tells me (in my late interview with him),
that he still remains crippled, and unable to carry out
his murderous intentions, or any of his anticipated
wicked designs.

He is now living in the forts along the Missouri
Eiver, gladly claiming support from the Government.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 129

CHAPTER XIII.

ARRIVAL OP "PORCUPINE" — A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN MARSHALL —

HOPES OP RESCUE — TREACHERY OF THE MESSENGER — EGOSEGALO-

NICHA — THE TABLES TURNED — ANOTHER GLEAM OF HOPE — THE
INDIAN "WHITE TIPI " — DISAPPOINTED — A WHITE MAN BOUND
AND LEFT TO STARVE — A BURIAL INCIDENT.

BEFORE the Indians left this camping-ground, there
arrived among us an Indian called Porcupine. He
was well dressed, and mounted on a fine horse, and
brought with him presents and valuables that insured
him a cordial reception.

After he had been a few days in the village, he
gave me a letter from Captain Marshall, of the Elev
enth Ohio Cavalry, detailing the unsuccessful attempts
that had been made to rescue me, and stating that this
friendly Indian had undertaken to bring me back, for
which he would be rewarded.

The letter further said that he had already received
a horse and necessary provisions for the journey, and
had left his three wives, with thirteen others, at the
fort, as hostages.

My feelings, on reading this letter, were indescrib-

130 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

able. My heart leaped with unaccustomed hope, at
this evidence of the efforts of my white friends in my
behalf; bat the next instant despair succeeded this
gleam of happy anticipation, for I knew this faithless
messenger would not be true to his promise, since he
had joined the Sioux immediately after his arrival
among them, in a battle against the whites.

My fears were not unfounded. Porcupine prepared
to go back to the fort without me, disregarding my
earnest prayers and entreaties.

The chief found me useful, and determined to keep
me. He believed that a woman who had seen so
much of their deceitfulness and cruelty could do them
injury at the fort, and might prevent their receiving
annuities.

Porcupine said he should report me as dead, or im
possible to find ; nor could I prevail on him to do any
thing to the contrary.

When reminded of the possible vengeance of the
soldiers on his wives, whom they had threatened to
kill if he did not bring me back, he laughed.

" The white soldiers are cowards," he replied ; " they
never kill women ; and I will deceive them as I have
done before."

Saying this, he took his departure; nor could my
most urgent entreaties induce the chief to yield his
consent, and allow me to send a written message to my
friends, or in any wise assure them of my existence.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 131

All hope of rescue departed, and sadly I turned again
to the wearisome drudgery of my captive life.

The young betrothed bride of the old chief was
very gracious to me. On one occasion she invited me
to join her in a walk. The day was cool, and the air
temptingly balmy.

" Down there," she said, pointing to a deep ravine ;
" come and walk there ; it is cool and shady."

I looked in the direction indicated, and then at the
Indian girl, who became very mysterious in her man
ner, as she whispered :

" There are white people down there."

" How far ? " I asked, eagerly.

" About fifty miles," she replied. " They have great
guns, and men dressed in much buttons ; their wagons
are drawn by horses with long ears."

A fort, thought I, but remembering the treacherous
nature of the people I was among, I repressed every
sign of emotion, and tried to look indifferent.

" Should you like to see them ? " questioned Egose-
galonicha, as she was called.

" They are strangers to me," I said, quietly ; " I do
not know them."

" Are you sorry to live with us ? "

" You do not have such bread as I would like to
eat," replied I, cautiously.

ft And are you dissatisfied with our home ? "

"You have some meat now; it is better than that at

132 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

the other camping-ground. There we had no food, and
I suffered."

"But your eyes are swollen and red/' hinted she;
"you do not weep for bread."

These questions made me suspicious, and I tried to
evade the young squaw, but in vain.

"Just see how green that wood is," I said, affecting
not to hear her.

" But you do not say you are content," repeated she.
" Will you stay here always, willingly ? "

" Come and listen to the birds," said I, drawing my
companion toward the grove.

I did not trust her, and feared to utter a single
word, lest it might be used against me with the chief.

Neither was I mistaken in the design of Egosegalo-
nicha, for when we returned to the lodge, I overheard
her relating to the chief the amusement she had en
joyed, in lying to the white woman, repeating what
she had said about the fort, and inventing entreaties
which I had used, urging her to allow me to fly to
my white friends, and leave the Indians forever.

Instantly I resolved to take advantage of the affair
as a joke, and, approaching the chief with respectful
pleasantry, begged to reverse the story.

It was the squaw who had implored me to go with
her to the white man's fort, I said, and find her a
white warrior for a husband; but, true to my faith
with the Indians, I refused.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 133

The wily Egosegalonicha, thus finding her weapons
turned against herself, appeared confused, and suddenly
left the tent, at which the old chief smiled grimly.

Slander, like a vile serpent, coils itself among these
Indian women ; and, as with our fair sisters in civil
ized society, when reality fails, invention is called in
to suply the defect. They delight in scandal, and
prove by it their claim to some of the refined conven
tionalities of civilized life.

Porcupine had spread the news abroad in the village
that a large reward had been offered for the white wo
man, consequently I was sought for, the motive being
to gain the reward.

One day an Indian, whom I had seen in different
places, and whose wife I had known, made signs in
timating a desire for my escape, and assuring me of
his help to return to my people.

I listened to his plans, and although I knew my po
sition in such a case to be one of great peril, yet I felt
continually that my life was of so little value that any
opportunity, however slight, was as a star in the dis
tance, and escape should be attempted, even at a risk.

We conversed as well as we could several times, and
finally arrangements were made. At night he was to
make a slight scratching noise at the tipi where I was,
as a sign. The night came, but I was singing to the
people, and could not get away. Another time we had
visitors in the lodge, and I would be missed. The

134 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

next night I arose from my robe, and went out into
the darkness. Seeing my intended rescuer at a short
distance, I approached and followed him. We ran
hastily out of the village about a mile, where we were
to be joined by the squaw who had helped make the
arrangements and was favorable to the plan for my
escape, but she was not there. White Tipi (that was
the Indian's name) looked hastily around, and, seeing
no one, darted suddenly away, without a word of ex
planation. Why the Indian acted thus I never knew.
It was a strange proceeding.

Fear lent me wings, and I flew, rather than ran, back
to my tipi, or lodge, where, exhausted and discouraged,
I dropped on the ground and feigned slumber, for the
inmates were already aroused, having just discovered
my absence. Finding me apparently asleep, they lifted
me up, and taking me into the tent, laid me upon my
own robe.

The next evening White Tipi sent for me to come to
his lodge, to a feast, where I was well and hospitably
entertained, but not a sign given of the adventure of
the previous night. But when the pipe was passed,
he requested it to be touched to my lips, then offered
it to the Great Spirit, thus signifying his friendship
for me.

In this month the Indians captured a white man,
who was hunting on the prairie, and carried him far
away from the haunts of white men, where they tied

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 135

him hand and foot, after divesting him of all clothing,
and left him to starve. He was never heard of after
ward.

There were twin children in one of the lodges, one
of which sickened and died, and in the evening was
buried. The surviving child was placed upon the
scaffold by the corpse, and there remained all night,
its crying and moaning almost breaking my heart. I
inquired why they did this. The reply was, to cause
the mate to mourn. The mother was on one of the
neighboring hills, wailing and weeping, as is the cus
tom among them. Every night, nearly, there were
women among the hills, wailing for their dead.

136 NABKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XIV.

LOST IN THE INDIAN VILLAGE — BLACK BEAR'S WHITE WIFE — A SMALL
TEA PARTY — THE WHITE BOY-CAPTIVE, CHARLES SYLVESTER —
THE SUN DANCE — A CONCILIATING LETTER FROM GENERAL SIB-
LEY — A PUZZLE OF HUMAN BONES — THE INDIAN AS AN ARTIST —
I DESTROY A PICTURE AND AM PUNISHED WITH FIRE-BRANDS — A
SICK INDIAN.

ABOUT the 1st of October the Indians were on the
move as usual, and by some means I became separated
from the family I was with, and was lost. I looked
around for them, but their familiar faces were not to be
seen. Strangers gazed upon me, and, although I be
sought them to assist me in finding the people of my
own tipi, they paid no attention to my trouble, and
refused to do any thing for me.

Never shall I forget the sadness I felt as evening
approached, and we encamped for the night in a lonely
valley, after a wearisome day's journey.

Along one side stood a strip of timber, with a small
stream beside it. Hungry, weary, and lost to my
people, with no place to lay my head, and after a fruit
less search for the family, I was more desolate than
ever. Even Keoku, or " Yellow Bird," the Indian

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 137

girl who had been given me, was not with me that day,
making it still more lonely.

I sat down and held my pony. It was autumn, and
the forest wore the last glory of its gorgeous coloring.
Already the leaves lay along the paths, like a rich
carpet of variegated colors. The winds caught a
deeper tone, mournful as the tones of an JEolian
harp, but the air was balmy and soft, and the sunlight
lay warm and pleasant, as in midsummer, over the
beautiful valley, now occupied with numberless camps
of tentless Indians. It seemed as if the soft autumn
weather was, to the last moment, unwilling to yield
the last traces of beauty to the chill embraces of stern
winter, and I thought of the luxuries and comforts of
my home. I looked back on the past with tears of
sorrow and regret; my heart was overburdened with
grief, and I prayed to die. The future looked like a
dark cloud approaching, for the dread of the desolation
of winter to me was appalling.

While meditating on days of the past, and contem
plating the future, Keoku came suddenly upon me,
and was delighted to find the object of her search.

They had been looking for me, and did not know
where I had gone, were quite worried about me, she said,
and she was glad she had found me. I was as pleased
as herself, and rejoiced to join them.

One has no idea of the extent of an Indian village,
or of the number of its inhabitants.
12

138 NABRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

It would seem strange to some that I should ever
get lost when among them, but, like a large city, one
may be separated from their companions, and in a few
moments be lost.

The Indians all knew the "white woman," but I
knew but few comparatively, and consequently when
among strangers I felt utterly friendless.

The experience of those days of gloom and sadness
seem like a fearful dream, now that my life is once
again with civilized people, and enjoying the blessings
that I was there deprived of.

Some twenty-five years ago an emigrant train, en
route for California, arrived in the neighborhood of
the crossing of the North Platte, and the cholera broke
out among the travelers, and every one died, with the
exception of one little girl.

The Indian " Black Bear," while hunting, came to
the wagons, now a morgue, and, finding the father of
the girl dying with cholera, took the child in his arms.
The dying parent begged him to carry his little
one to his home in the East, assuring him of abund
ant reward by the child's friends, in addition to the
gold he gave him. These facts I gleaned from a
letter given to Black Bear by the dying father,
and which had been carefully preserved by the
daughter.

Instead of doing as was desired, he took the money,
child, and every thing valuable in the train, to his own

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS/ 139

home among the hills, and there educated the little one
with habits of savage life.

She forgot her own language, her name, and every
thing about her past life, but she knew that she was
white. Her infancy and girlhood were, therefore,
passed in utter ignorance of the modes of life of her
own people, and, contented and happy, she remained
among them, verifying the old adage, that "habit is
second nature." When she was of marriageable age,
Black Bear took her for his wife, and they had a child,
a boy.

I became acquainted with this white woman shortly
after I went into the village, and we were sincere
friends, although no confidants, as I dared not trust
her. It was very natural and pleasant also to know
her, as she was white, and although she was an Indian
in tastes and habits, she was my sister, and belonged to
my people ; there was a sympathetic chord between us,
and it was a relief to be with her.

On the occasion of my first visit with her, Black
Bear suggested the idea that white women always
drank tea together, so she made us a cup of herb tea,
which we drank in company.

I endeavered to enlighten her, and to do her all the
good I could; told her of the white people, and of
their kindness and Christianity, trying to impress her
with the superiority of the white race, all of which she
listened to with great interest.

140 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

I was the only white woman she had seen, for when
ever they n eared any fort she was always kept out of
sight.

She seemed to enjoy painting herself, and dressing
for the dances, as well as the squaws, and was happy
and contented with Indian surroundings, for she knew
no difference.

I know not what has become of her, for I have
never heard ; neither can I remember the name of her
father, which was in the note handed the Indian by his
dying hand.

A little boy, fourteen years old, whose name was
Charles Sylvester, belonging in Quincy, Illinois, who
was stolen when seven years of age, was in the village,
and one day I saw him playing with the Indian boys,
and, discovering immediately that he was a white boy,
I flew to his side, and tried to clasp him in my arms, in
my joy exclaiming, "Oh! I know you are a white
boy ! Speak to me, and tell me who you are and where
you come from ?" He also had forgotten his name and
parentage, but knew that he was white.

When I spoke to him, the boys began to plague and
tease him, and he refused to speak to me, running away
every time I approached him.

One year after, one day, when this boy was out
hunting, he killed a comrade by accident, and he dared
not return to the village ; so he escaped, on his pony, to
the white people. On his way to the States, he called

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 141

at a house where they knew what Indians he belonged
to, and they questioned him, whether he had seen a
white woman in the village ; he replied in the affirma
tive, and a bundle of pictures being given him, he
picked mine out from among them, saying, " That is the
white woman whom I saw."

After a while, being discontented with his own people,
he returned to his adopted friends on the North Platte,
and became an interpreter and trader, and still remains
there, doing business at various posts.

When the Indians went to obtain their annuities,
they transferred me to the Unkpapas, leaving me in
their charge, where there was a young couple, and an
old Indian, who had four wives; he had been very
brave, it was said, for he had endured the trial which
proves the successful warrior. He was one of those
who "looked at the sun" without failing in heart or
strength.

This custom is as follows: The one who undergoes
this operation is nearly naked, and is suspended from
the upper end of a pole by a cord, which is tied to
some splints which run through the flesh of both
breasts. The weight of his body is hung from it, the
feet still upon the ground helping support it a very
little, and in his left hand he holds his favorite bow,
and in his right, with a firm hold, his medicine bag.

A great crowd usually looks on, sympathizing with
and encouraging him, but he still continues to hang and

142 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

" look at the sun/' without paying the least attention
to any one about him. The mystery men beat their
drums, and shake their rattles, and sing as loud as
they can yell, to strengthen his heart to look at the
sun from its rising until its setting, at which time, if
his heart and strength have not failed him, he is " cut
down," receives a liberal donation of presents, which
are piled before him during the day, and also the name
and style of a doctor, or medicine man, which lasts him,
and insures him respect, through life. It is considered
a test of bravery. Superstition seems to have full
sway among the Indians — -just as much as in heathen
lands beyond the sea, where the Burmah mother casts
her child to the crocodile to appease the Great Spirit.

Many of these Indians were from Minnesota, and
were of the number that escaped justice two years be
fore, after committing an indiscriminate slaughter of
men, women, and children. One day, I was sent for
by one of them, and when I was seated in his lodge,
he gave me a letter to read, which purported to have
been written by General Sibley, as follows :

" This Indian, after taking part in the present out
break of the Indians against the white settlers and
missionaries, being sick, and not able to keep up with
his friends in their flight, we give you the offerings of
friendship, food and clothing. You are in our power,
but we won't harm you. Go to your people and gladden
their hearts. Lay down your weapons, and fight the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 143

white men no mote. "We will do you good, and not
evil. Take this letter; in it we have spoken. Depart
in peace, and ever more be a friend to the white peo
ple, and you will be more happy.

H. H. SIBLEY,

Brig. -Gen., Commanding Expedition.

Instinctively I looked up into his face, and said :
"Intend to keep your promise?" He laughed de
risively at the idea of an Indian brave abandoning
his profession. He told of many instances of out
rageous cruelties of his band in their marauding and
murderous attacks on traveling parties and frontier
settlers ; and, further, to assure me of his bravery, he
showed me a puzzle or game he had made from the
finger bones of some of the victims that had fallen be
neath his own tomahawk. The bones had been freed
from the flesh by boiling, and, being placed upon a
string, were used for playing some kind of Indian
game. This is but one of the heathenish acts of these
Indians.

The Indians are fond of recounting their exploits,
and, savage like, dwell with much satisfaction upon
the number of scalps they have taken from their white
foes. They would be greatly amused at the shudder
ing horror manifested, when, to annoy me, they would
tauntingly portray the dying agonies of white men,
women, and children, who had fallen into their hands ;

144 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

and especially would the effect of their description of
the murder of little Mary afford them satisfaction. I
feel, now, that I must have been convinced of her
death, yet I could not then help hoping that she had
escaped.

These exploits and incidents are generally related by
the Indians, when in camp having nothing to do. The
great lazy brutes would sit by the hour, making carri-
catures of white soldiers, representing them in various
ways, and always as cowards and inferior beings;
sometimes as in combat, but always at their mercy.
This was frequently done, apparently to annoy me,
and one day, losing patience, I snatched a rude draw
ing from "the hands of an Indian, who was holding it
up to my view, and tore it in two, clasping the part
that represented the white soldier to my heart, and
throwing the other in the fire. Then, looking up, I
told them the white soldiers were dear to me; that
they were my friends, and I loved them. I said they
were friends to the Indians, and did not want to harm
them. I expressed myself in the strongest manner by
words and signs.

Never did I see a more enraged set of men. They
assailed me with burning fire-brands, burning me se
verely. They heated the points of arrows, and burned
and threatened me sorely.

I told them I meant no harm to them. That it was
ridiculous, their getting angry at my burning a bit of

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 145

paper. I promised I would make them some more;
that they should have pictures of my drawing, when,
at last, I pacified them. They were much like children
in this respect — easily offended, but very difficult to
please.

I was constantly annoyed, worried, and terrified by
their strange conduct — their transition from laughing
and fun to anger, and even rage. I knew not how to
get along with them. One moment, they would seem
friendly and kind ; the next, if any act of mine dis
pleased them, their faces were instantly changed, and
they displayed their hatred or anger in unmeasured
words or conduct — children one hour, the next,
fiends. I always tried to please them, and was as
cheerful as I could be under the circumstances, for my
own sake.

One day, I was called to see a man who lay in
his tipi in great suffering. His wasted face was dark
ened by fever, and his brilliantly restless eyes rolled
anxiously, as if in search of relief from pain. He
was reduced to a skeleton, and had endured tortures
from the suppuration of an old wound in the knee.

He greeted me with the " How ! how ! " of Indian
politeness, and, in answer to my inquiry why he came
to suffer so, replied :

" I go to fight white man. He take away land, and
chase game away ; then he take away our squaws. He
take away my best squaw."
13

146 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Here his voice choked, and he displayed much emo
tion.

Pitying his misery, I endeavored to aid him, and
rendered him all the assistance in my power, but death
was then upon him.

The medicine man was with him also, practicing his
incantations.

We were so constantly traveling, it wearied me be
yond expression. The day after the Indian's burial
we were again on the move.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 147

CHAPTER XY.

PREPARING THE CHI-CHA-CHA, OR KILLIKINNICK — ATTACK ON CAP
TAIN FISK'S EMIGRANT TRAIN — FOURTEEN WHITES KILLED —
A BIG HAUL OF WHISKY — A DRUNKEN DEBAUCH — I WRITE A
LETTER TO CAPTAIN FISK UNDER DICTATION — POISONED INDIANS —
THE TRAIN SAVED BY MY CLERICAL STRATEGY.

ONE of the occupations given me, while resting in
the villages between war times, was to prepare the
bark of a red willow called killikinnick, for smoking
instead of tobacco.

They discovered that I could sing, and groups of
idle warriors would gather around me before the tent,
urging me to sing as I worked. A dreary, dreary
task ! chanting to please my savage companions while
I rubbed and prepared the bark of willow, my heart
ready to burst with grief.

On the 5th of September they went to battle, and
surprised a portion of Captain Fisk's men passing in
escorting an emigrant train — fourteen of whom they
killed, and captured two wagons loaded with whisky,
wines, and valuable articles. There was a quantity of
silver-ware and stationery also taken by them.

Among the articles captured and brought into camp

148 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

were a number of pickles in glass jars, which the In
dians tasted. The result was comical in the extreme,
for there is nothing that an Indian abhors more than a
strong acid. The faces they made can be imagined but
not described. Thinking they might be improved by
cooking, they placed the jars in the fire, when of course
they exploded, very much to their disgust for the
" white man's kettles."

I could hear the firing plainly, and when they re
turned that night in triumph, bringing with them the
plundered stores, they committed every description of
extravagant demonstration. In the wild orgies which
followed, they mocked and groaned in imitation of the
dying, and went through a horrid mimicry of the
butchery they had perpetrated.

They determined to go out again, and capture a
quantity of horses corralled in the neighborhood, and
sweep the train and soldiers with wholesale massacre ;
but they feared the white man's cannon, and deliberated
on means of surprising by ambush, which is their only
idea of warfare.

Indians are not truly brave, though they are vain
of the name of courage. Cunning, stealth, strategy,
and deceit are the weapons they use in attack.

They endure pain, because they are taught from in
fancy that it is cowardly to flinch, but they will never
stand to fight if they can strike secretly and escape.

Fearing the cannon, yet impatient for the spoil

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 149

almost within view, the Indians waited for three days
for the train to move on and leave them free to attack.

For two days I implored and begged on my knees
to be allowed to go with them, but to no avail. At
last I succeeded in inducing them to allow me to write,
as they knew I understood the nature of correspond
ence, and they procured for me the necessary appliances
and dictated a letter to Captain Fisk, assuring him
that the Indians were weary of fighting, and advising
him to go on in peace and safety.

Knowing their malicious designs, I set myself to
work to circumvent them ; and although the wily chief
counted every word dictated, and as they were marked
on paper, I contrived, by joining them together, and
condensing the information I gave, to warn the officer
of the perfidious intentions of the savages, and tell
him briefly of my helpless and unhappy captivity.

The letter was carefully examined by the chief, and
the number of its apparent words recounted.

At length, appearing satisfied with its contents, he
had it carried to a hill in sight of the soldier's camp,
and stuck on a pole.

In due time the reply arrived, and again my inge
nuity was tasked to read the answer corresponding with
the number of words, that would not condemn me.

The captain's real statement was, that he distrusted
all among the savages, and had great reason to.

On reading Captain Fisk's words, that seemed to

150 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

crush my already awakened hopes, my emotion over
came me.

Having told the Indians that the captain doubted
their friendliness, and explained the contents of the
letter as I thought best, the next day I was entrusted
with the task of writing again, to solemnly assure the
soldiers of the faith and friendship professed.

Again I managed to communicate with them, and
this time.begged them to use their field-glasses, and that
I would find an excuse for standing on the hills in the
afternoon, that they might see for themselves that I
was what I represented myself to be — a white woman
held in bondage.

The opportunity I desired was gained, and to my
great delight, I had a chance of standing so as to be
seen by the men of the soldier's camp.

I had given my own name in every communication.
As soon as the soldiers saw that it truly was a woman
of their own race, and that I was in the power of their
enemies, the excitement of their feelings became so great
that they desired immediately to rush to my rescue.

A gentleman belonging to the train generously offered
eight hundred dollars for my ransom, which was all
the money he had, and the noble, manly feeling dis
played in my behalf did honor to those who felt it.
There was not a man in the train who was not will
ing to sacrifice all he had for my rescue.

Captain Fisk restrained all hasty demonstrations,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 151

and even went so far as to say that the first man who
moved in the direction of the Indian camp should be
shot immediately, his experience enabling him to know
that a move of that kind would result fatally to them
and to the captive.

The Indians found a box of crackers saturated with
water, and, eating of them, sickened and died.

I afterward learned that some persons with the train
who had suffered the loss of dear relatives and friends
in the massacre of Minnesota, and who had lost their
all, had poisoned the crackers with strychnine, and left
them on one of their camping-grounds without the
captain's knowledge.

The Indians told me afterward that more had died
from eating bad bread than from bullets during the
whole summer campaign.

Captain Fisk deserves great credit for his daring and
courage, with his meager supply of men, against so large
an army of red men.

After assurance of my presence among them, Captain
Fisk proceeded to treat quietly with the savages on
the subject of a ransom, offering to deliver in their vil
lage three wagon loads of stores as a price for their
prisoner.

To this the deceitful creatures pretended readily to
agree, and the tortured captive, understanding their
tongue, heard them making fun of the credulity of
white soldiers who believed their promises.

152 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

I had the use of a field-glass from the Indians, and
with it I saw my white friends, which almost made me
wild with excited hope.

Knowing what the Indians had planned, and dread
ing lest the messengers should be killed, as I knew they
would be if they came to the village, I wrote to Cap
tain Fisk of the futility of ransoming me in that way,
and warned him of the treachery intended against his
messengers. *

No tongue can tell or pen describe those terrible
days, when, seemingly lost to hope and surrounded by
drunken Indians, my life was in constant danger.

Nights of horrible revelry passed, when, forlorn and
despairing, I lay listening, only half consciously, to the
savage mirth and wild exultation.

To no overtures would the Indians listen, declaring
I could not be purchased at any price — they were de
termined not to part with me. Captain Fisk and his
companions were sadly disappointed in not obtaining
my release, and, after a hopeless attempt, he made
known the fact of my being a prisoner, spreading the
news far and wide.

His expeditions across the plains had always been
successful, and the Indians, knowing him to be very

* The original letters written by me to Captain Fisk are now
on file in the War Department at Washington. Officially certi
fied extracts from the correspondence are published elsewhere in
this work.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS.

brave, gave him the name of the " Great Chief, who
knows no fear," and he richly deserves the appellation,
for the expeditions were attended with great danger.
The reports of his various expeditions have been pub
lished by Government, and are very interesting, giving
a description of the country.

In September the rains were very frequent, some
times continuing for days.

This may not seem serious to those who have always
been accustomed to a dwelling and a good bed, but to
me, who had no shelter and whose shrinking form was
exposed to the pitiless storm, and nought but the cold
ground to lie upon, bringing the pains and distress of
rheumatism, it was a calamity hard to bear, and I often
prayed fervently to God to give me sweet release in a
flight to the land where there are no storms.

Soon the winter would be upon us, and the cold, and
sleet, and stormy weather would be more difficult to
bear. Would I be so fortunate, would Heaven be so
gracious as to place me in circumstances where the
wintry winds could not chill or make me suffer ! My
heart seemed faint at the thought of what was before
me, for hope was lessening as winter approached !

154 NARRATIVE bF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XVI.

SCENES ON CANNON BALL PRAIKIE — REFLECTIONS.

WELL do I remember my thoughts and feelings
when first I beheld the mighty and beautiful prairie
of Cannon Ball Kiver. With what singular emotions
I beheld it for the first time! I could compare it to
nothing but a vast sea, changed suddenly to earth,
with all its heaving, rolling billows; thousands of
acres lay spread before me like a mighty ocean, bounded
by nothing but the deep blue sky. What a magnificent
sight — a sight that made my soul expand with lofty
thought and its frail tenement sink into utter nothing
ness before it ! Well do I remember my sad thoughts
and the turning of my mind upon the past, as I stood
alone upon a slight rise of ground, and overlooked
miles upon miles of the most lovely, the most sublime
scene I had ever beheld. Wave upon wave of land
stretched away on every hand, covered with beautiful
green grass and the blooming wild flowers of the
prairie. Occasionally I caught glimpses of wild ani
mals, while flocks of birds of various kinds and beau
tiful plumage skimming over the surface here and

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 155

there, alighting or darting upward from the earth,
added life and beauty and variety to this most enchant
ing scene.

It had been a beautiful day, and the sun was now
just burying himself in the far-off ocean of blue, and
his golden rays were streaming along the surface of the
waving grass and tinging it with a delightful hue.
Occasionally some elevated point caught and reflected
back his rays to the one I was standing upon, and it
would catch, for a moment, his fading rays, and glow
like a ball of golden fire. Slowly he took his diurnal
farewell, as if loth to quit a scene so lovely, and at last
hid himself from my view beyond the western horizon.

I stood and marked every change with that poetical
feeling of pleasant sadness which a beautiful sunset
rarely fails to awaken in the breast of the lover of
nature. I noted every change that was going on, and
yet my thoughts were far, far away. I thought of the
hundreds of miles that separated me from the friends
that I loved. I was recalling the delight with which
I had, when a little girl, viewed the farewell scenes of
day from so many romantic hills, and lakes, and rivers,
rich meadows, mountain gorge and precipice, and the
quiet hamlets of my dear native land so far away. I
fancied I could see my mother move to the door, with a
slow step and heavy heart, and gaze, with yearning
affection, toward the broad, the mighty West, and sigh,
wondering what had become of her lost child.

156 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

I thought, and grew more sad as I thought, until
tears filled my eyes.

Mother! what a world of affection is comprised in
that single word ; how little do we in the giddy round
of youthful pleasure and folly heed her wise counsels ;
how lightly do we look upon that zealous care with
which she guides our otherwise erring feet, and watches
with feelings which none but a mother can know the
gradual expansion of our youth to the riper years of
discretion. We may not think of it then, but it will
be recalled to our minds in after years, when the gloomy
grave, or a fearful living separation, has placed her far
beyond our reach, and her sweet voice of sympathy
and consolation for the various ills attendant upon us
sounds in our ears no more. How deeply then we
regret a thousand deeds that we have done contrary to
her gentle admonitions ! How we sigh for those days
once more, that we may retrieve what we have done
amiss arid make her kind heart glad with happiness!
Alas ! once gone, they can never be recalled, and we
grow mournfully sad with the bitter reflection.

" O, my mother !" I cried aloud, " my dearly beloved
mother! Would I ever behold her again? should I
ever return to my native land? Would I find her
among the living ? If not, if not, heavens ! what a
sad, what a painful thought ! " and instantly I found
my eyes swimming in tears and my frame trembling
with nervous agitation. But I would houe for the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 157

best. Gradually I became calm; then I thought of
my husband, and what might be his fate. It was sad
at best, I well knew. And lastly, though I tried to
avoid it, I thought of Mary; sweet, lost, but dearly
beloved Mary ; I could see her gentle features ; I could
hear her plaintive voice, soft and silvery as running
waters, and sighed a long, deep sigh as I thought of her
murdered. Could I never behold her again ? No ; she
was dead, perished by the cruel, relentless savage.
Silence brooded over the world; not a sound broke
the solemn repose of nature ; the summer breeze had
rocked itself to rest in the willow boughs, and the
broad-faced, familiar moon seemed alive and toiling as
it climbed slowly up a cloudless sky, passing starry
sentinels, whose nightly challenge was lost in vast vor
tices of blue as they paced their ceaseless round in the
mighty camp of constellations. With my eyes fixed
upon my gloomy surroundings of tyranny, occasionally
a slip of moonshine silvered the ground. I watched
and reflected. Oh, hallowed days of my blessed girl
hood ! They rise before me now like holy burning
stars breaking out in a stormy, howling night, making
the blackness blacker still. The short, happy spring
time of life, so full of noble aspirations, and glowing
hopes of my husband's philanthropic schemes of chari
table projects in the future.

We had planned so much for the years to come,
when, prosperous and happy, we should be able to

158 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

distribute some happiness among those whose fate might
be mingled with ours, and in the pursuit of our daily
avocations we would find joy and peace. But, alas!
for human hopes and expectations !

It is thus with our life. We silently glide along,
little dreaming of the waves which will so soon sweep
over us, dashing us against the rocks, or stranding us
forever. "We do not dream that we shall ever wreck,
until the greater wave comes over us, and we bend
beneath its power.

If some mighty hand could unroll the future to our
gaze, or set aside the veil which enshrouds it, what
pictures would be presented to our trembling hearts?
No ; let it be as the All- wise hath ordained — a closed-
up tomb, only revealed as the events occur, for could
we bear them with the fortitude we should if they
were known beforehand ? Shrinking from it, we would
say, ts Let the cup pass from me."

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 159

CHAPTER XVII.

A PRAIRIE ON FIRE — SCENES OF TERROR.

IN October, we were overtaken by a prairie fire.
At this season of the year the plants and grass, parched
by a hot sun, are ready to blaze in a moment if ignited
by the least spark, which is often borne OD "She wind
from some of the many camp fires.

With frightful rapidity we saw it extend in all direc
tions, but we were allowed time to escape.

The Indians ran like wild animals from the flames,
uttering yells like demons; and great walls of fire
from the right hand and from the left advanced toward
us, hissing, crackling, and threatening to unite and
swallow us up in their raging fury.

We were amid calcined trees, which fell with a
thundering crash, blinding us with clouds of smoke,
and were burned by the showers of sparks, which
poured upon us from all directions.

The conflagration assumed formidable proportions;
the forest shrunk up in the terrible grasp of the flames,
and the prairie presented one sheet of fire, in the midst
of which the wild animals, driven from their dens and

160 NARK ATI VE OF CAPTIVITY

hiding-places by this unexpected catastrophy, ran about
mad with terror.

The sky gleamed with blood-red reflection, and the
impetuous wind swept both flames and smoke before
it.

The Indians were terrified in the extreme on seeing
around them the mountain heights lighted up like
beacons, to show the entire destruction. The earth
became hot, while immense troops of buffalo made the
ground tremble with their furious tread, and their bel-
lowings of despair would fill with terror the hearts of
the bravest men.

Every one was frightened, running about the camp
as if struck by insanity.

The fire continued to advance majestically, as it
were, swallowing up every thing in its way, preceded
by countless animals of various kinds, that bounded
along with howls of fear, pursued by the scourge,
which threatened to overtake them at every step.

A thick smoke, laden with sparks, was already pass
ing over the camp. Ten minutes more, and all would
be over with us, I thought, when I saw the squaws
pressing the children to their bosoms.

The Indians had been deprived of all self-possession
by the presence of our imminent peril — the flames
forming an immense circle, of which our camp had
become the center.

But, fortunately, the strong breeze which, up to that

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 161

moment, had lent wings to the conflagration, suddenly
subsided, and there was not a breath of air stirring.

The progress of the fire slackened. Providence
seemed to grant us time.

The camp presented a strange aspect. On bended
knee, and with clasped hands, I prayed fervently.
The fire continued to approach, with its vanguard of
wild beasts.

The Indians, old and young, male and female, be
gan to pull up the grass by the roots all about the
camp, then lassoed the horses and hobbled them in the
center, and, in a few moments, a large space was
cleared, where the herbs and grass had been pulled up
with the feverish rapidity which all display in the fear
of death.

Some of the Indians went to the extremity of the
space, where the grass had been pulled up, and formed
a pile of grass and plants with their feet; then, with
their flint, set fire to the mass, and thus caused " fire
to fight fire," as they called it. This was done in dif
ferent directions. A curtain of flames rose rapidly
around us, and for some time the camp was almost
concealed beneath a vault of fire.

It was a moment of intense and awful anxiety. By
degrees the flames became less fierce, the air purer;
the smoke dispersed, the roaring diminished, and, at
length, we were able to recognize each other in this
horrible chaos.
14

162 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

A sigh of relief burst from every heart. Our camp
was saved ! After the first moments of joy were over,
the camp was put in order, and all felt the necessity
of repose, after the terrible anxieties of the preceding
hours; and also to give the ground time enough to
cool, so that it might be traveled over by people and
horses.

The next day we prepared for departure. Tents
were folded, and packages were placed upon the ponies,
and our caravan was soon pursuing its journey, under
the direction of the chief, who rode in advance of our
band.

The appearance of the prairie was much changed
since the previous evening. In many places the black
and burnt earth was a heap of smoking ashes ; scarred
and charred trees, still standing, displayed their sad
dening skeletons. The fire still roared at a distance,
and the horizon was still obscured by smoke.

The horses advanced with caution over the uneven
ground, constantly stumbling over the bones of ani
mals that had fallen victims to the embrace of the
flames.

The course we took in traveling wound along a nar
row ravine, the dried bed of some torrent, deeply in
closed between two hills. The ground trodden by the
horses was composed of round pebbles, which slipped
from under their feet, augmenting the difficulty of the
march, which was rendered still more toilsome to me

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 163

by the rays of the sun falling directly upon my un
covered head and face.

The day passed away thus, and, aside from the
fatigue which oppressed me, the day's journey was
unbroken by any incident.

At evening, we again camped in a plain, absolutely
bare; but in the distance we could see an appearance
of verdure, affording great consolation, for we were
about to enter a spot spared by the conflagration.

At sunrise, next morning, we were on the march
toward this oasis in the desert.

164 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XVIII.

LAST DAYS WITH THE OGALALLA SIOUX — MASSACRE OF A PARTY RE
TURNING FROM IDAHO — A WOMAN'S SCALP — A SCALP DANCE — SUS
PICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE ARRIVAL OF BLACKFEET INDIANS NE
GOTIATIONS FOR MY RANSOM — TREACHERY.

MY last days with the Ogalalla Sioux Indians were
destined to be marked by a terrible remembrance.

On the first of October, while the savages lingered
in camp about the banks of the Yellowstone River,
apparently fearing, yet almost inviting attack by their
near vicinity to the soldiers, a large Mackinaw, or
flat-boat, was seen coming down the river.

From their hiding-places in the rocks and bushes,
they watched its progress with the stealthy ferocity of
the tiger waiting for his prey.

At sundown the unsuspecting travelers pushed their
boat toward the shore, and landed for the purpose of
making a fire and camping for the night.

The party consisted of about twenty persons, men,
women, and children. Suspecting no danger, they left
their arms in the boat.

With a simultaneous yell, the savages dashed down

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 165

upon them, dealing death and destruction in rapid
strokes.

The defenseless emigrants made an attempt to rush
to the boat for arms, but were cut off, and their bleed
ing bodies dashed into the river as fast as they were
slain. Then followed the torture of the women and
children.

Horrible thought! from which all will turn with
sickened soul, and shuddering, cry to Heaven, " How
long, O Lord ! how long shall such inhuman attrocities
go unpunished?"

Not a soul was left alive when that black day's
work was done ; and the unconscious river bore away
a warm tide of human blood, and sinking human
forms.

When the warriors returned to camp, they brought
their frightful trophies of blood-stained clothes and
ghastly scalps.

My heart-sick eyes beheld the dreadful fruits of
carnage ; and, among the rest, I saw a woman's scalp,
with heavy chestnut hair, a golden brown, and four
feet in length, which had been secured for its beauty.
The tempting treasure lost the poor girl her life, which
might have been spared; but her glorious locks were
needed to hang on the chief's belt.

Nearly all the flat-boats that passed down the Yel
lowstone River to the Missiouri, from the mining re
gions, during that season, were attacked, and in some

166 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

instances one or more of the occupants killed. The
approach of this boat was known, and the Indians had
ample time to plan their attack so that not a soul
should escape.

That night the whole camp of braves assembled to
celebrate the fearful scalp dance; and from the door
of my tent I witnessed the savage spectacle, for I was
ill, and, to my great relief, was not forced to join in
the horrid ceremony.

A number of squaws occupied the center of the ring
they formed, and the pitiless wretches held up the fresh
scalps that day reaped in the harvest of death.

Around them circled the frantic braves, flourishing
torches, and brandishing weapons, with the most fero
cious barks and yells, and wild distortions of coun
tenance.

Some uttered boasts of bravery and prowess, and
others lost their own identity in mocking their dying
victims in their agony.

Leaping first on one foot, then on the other, accom
panying every movement with wild whoops of excite
ment, they presented a scene never to be forgotten.

The young brave who bore the beautiful locks as
his trophy, did not join in the dance. He sat alone,
looking sad.

I approached and questioned him, and he replied
that he regretted his dead victim. He brought a
blood-stained dress from his lodge, and told me it was

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 167

worn by the girl with the lovely hair, whose eyes
haunted him and made him sorry.

After being cognizant of this frightful massacre, I
shrank more than ever from my savage companions,
and pursued my tasks in hopeless despondence of ever
being rescued or restored to civilized life.

One day I was astonished to notice a strange Indian,
whom I had never seen before, making signs to me of
a mysterious nature.

He indicated by signs that he wanted me to run
away with him to the white people. I had become so
suspicious, from having been deceived so many times,
that I turned from him and entered the chief's tent,
where, despite his cruelty and harshness to me, I felt
comparatively safe.

I afterward saw this Indian, or rather white man,
or half-breed, as I believe him to have been, though
he could not, or would not speak a word of English.
His long hair hung loosely about his shoulders, and
was of a dark brown color. He had in no respect the
appearance of an Indian, but rather that of a wild,
reckless frontier desperado. I had never seen him be
fore, though he seemed well known in the camp.

One thing that perhaps made me more suspicious
and afraid to trust any one, was a knowledge of the
fast that many of the Indians who had lost relatives in
the recent battles with General Sully, were thirsting
for my blood, and would have been glad to decoy me

168 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

far enough away to wreak their vengeance, and be safe
from the fury of the old chief, my task-master.

This stranger came one day into a tent where I was,
and showed me a small pocket bible that had belonged
to my husband, and was presented to him by his now
sainted mother many years before. His object was to
assure me that I might trust him; but such an in
stinctive horror of the man had taken possession of me
that I refused to believe him ; and at last he became
enraged and threatened to kill me if I would not go
with him.

I plead with him to give me the bible, but he re
fused. How dear it would have been to me from asso
ciation, and what strength and comfort I would have
received from its precious promises, shut out, as I was,
from my world and all religious privileges and sur
rounded by heathen savages.

Soon after the foregoing incident, the old chief and
his three sisters went away on a journey, and I was
sent to live with some of his relatives, accompanied by
my little companion, Yellow Bird. We traveled all
day to reach our destination, a small Indian village.
The family I was to live with until the return of the
chief and his sisters, consisted of a very old Indian
and his squaw, and a young girl.

I had a dread of going among strangers, but was
thankful for the kindness with which I was received
by this old couple. I was very tired, and so sad and

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 169

depressed, that I cared not to ask for any thing, but
the old squaw, seeming to understand my feelings, con
siderately placed before me meat and water, and kindly
ministered to my wants in every way their means
would allow.

I was with this family nearly three weeks, and was
treated with almost affectionate kindness, not only by
them, but by every member of the little community.
The children would come to see me, and manifest in
various ways their interest in me. They would say,
" Wasechawea (white woman) looks sad ; I want to
shake hands with her."

I soon began to adapt myself to my new surround
ings, and became more happy and contented than I
had ever yet been since my captivity began. My time
was occupied in assisting the motherly old squaw in
her sewing and other domestic work.

There was but once a cloud come between us. The
old chief had given orders that I was not to be per
mitted to go out among the other villagers alone, orders
of which I knew nothing. Feeling a new sense of
freedom, I had sometimes gone out, and on one occa
sion, having been invited into different tipis by the
squaws, staid so long that the old Indian sent for me,
and seemed angry when I returned. He said it was
good for me to stay in his tent, but bad to go out
among the others. I pacified him at last by saying
I knew his home was pleasant, and I was happy there,
15

170 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

and that I did not know it was bad to go among the
other tents.

The old chief returned, finally, and my brief season
of enjoyment ended. He seemed to delight in tortur
ing me, often pinching my arms until they were black
and blue. Regarding me as the cause of his wounded
arm, he was determined that I should suffer with him.

"While in this village " Man- Afraid-of-His-Horses "
arrived, and I was made aware of his high standing
as a chief and warrior by the feasting and dancing
which followed. He was splendidly mounted and
equipped, as also was another Indian who accompanied
him.

I have since learned from my husband that the
treacherous chief made such statements of his influence
with the hostile Indians as to induce him to purchase
for them both an expensive outfit, in the hope of my
release. I saw and conversed with him several times,
and though he told me that he was from the Platte,
he said nothing of the real errand on which he was
sent, but returned to the fort and reported to Mr.
Kelly that the band had moved and I could not be
found.

Captain Fisk had made known to General Sully
the fact of my being among the Indians, and the ef
forts he had made for -my release; and when the
Blackfeet presented themselves before the General,
asking for peace, and avowing their weariness of hos-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 171

tility, anxious to purchase arms, amunition, and n£ces-
saries for the approaching winter, he replied :

" I want no peace with you. You hold in captivity
a white woman ; deliver her up to us, and we will be
lieve in your professions. But unless you do, we will
raise an army of soldiers as numerous as the trees on
the Missouri River and exterminate the Indians."

The Blackfeet assured General Sully that they held
no white woman in their possession, but that I was
among the Ogalallas.

" As you are friendly with them," said the General,
"go to them and secure her, and we will then reward
you for so doing."

The Blackfeet warriors appeared openly in the vil
lage a few days afterward, and declared their intentions,
stating in council the determination of General Sully.

The Ogalallas were not afraid, they said, and refused
to let me go. They held solemn council for two days,
and at last resolved that the Blackfeet should take me
as a ruse, to enable them to enter the fort, and a
wholesale slaughter should exterminate the soldiers.

"While thus deliberating as to what they thought
best — part of them willing, the other half refusing to
let me go — Hunkiapa, a warrior, came into the lodge,
and ordered me out, immediately following me.

He then led me into a lodge where there were fifty
warriors, painted and armed — their bows strung and
their quivers full of arrows.

172 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

From thence, the whole party, including three
squaws, who, noting ray extreme fear, accompanied me,
started toward a creek, where there were five horses
and warriors to attend us to the Blackfeet village.

Placing me on a horse, we were rapidly pursuing
our way, when a party of the Ogalallas, who were un
willing, came up with us, to reclaim me.

Here they parleyed for a time, and, finally, after a
solemn promise on the part of my new captors that I
should be returned safely, and that I should be cared
for an^l kindly treated, we were allowed to proceed.

In their parleying, one of the warriors ordered me
to alight from the horse, pointing a pistol to my
breast. Many of them clamored for my life, but,
finally, they settled the matter, and permitted us to
proceed on our journey.

After so many escapes from death, this last seemed
miraculous ; but God willed it otherwise, and to him I
owe my grateful homage.

It was a bitter trial for me to be obliged to go with
this new and stranger tribe. I was unwilling to ex
change my life for an unknown one, and especially as
my companionship with the sisters of the chief had
been such as to protect me from injury or insult. A
sort of security and safety was felt in the lodge of the
chief, which now the fear of my new position made
me appreciate still more.

Savages they were, and I had longed to be free

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 173

from them; but now I parted with them with regret
and misgiving.

Though my new masters, for such I considered
them, held out promise of liberty and restoration to
my friends, knowing the treacherous nature of the
Indians, I doubted them. True, the Ogalallas had
treated me at times with great harshness and cruelty,
yet I had never suffered from any of them the slightest
personal or unchaste insult. Let me bear testimony to
this redeeming feature in their treatment of me.

At the time of my capture I became the exclusive
property of Ottawa, the head chief, a man over sev
enty-five years of age, and partially blind, yet whose
power over the band was absolute. Receiving a severe
wound in a melee I have already given an account of,
I was compelled to become his nurse or medicine
woman ; and my services as such were so appreciated,
that harsh and cruel as he might be, it was dangerous
for others to offer me insult or injury; and to this
fact, doubtless, I owe my escape from a fate worse
than death.

The Blackfeet are a band of the Sioux nation ; con
sequently, are allies in battle. The chief dared not
refuse on this account ; besides, he was an invalid, and
wounded badly.

The Blackfeet left three of their best horses as a
guarantee for my safe return.

The chief of the Ogalallas had expressed the desire

174 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

that, if the Great Spirit should summon him away;
that I might be killed, in order to become his attend
ant to the spirit land.

It was now the commencement of November, and
their way seemed to lead to the snowy regions, where
the cold might prove unendurable.

When I heard the pledge given by the Blackfeet,
my fears abated ; hope sprang buoyant at the thought
of again being within the reach of my own people,
and I felt confident that, once in the fort, I could frus
trate their plans by warning the officers of their in
tentions.

I knew what the courage and discipline of fort
soldiers could accomplish, and so hoped, not only to
thwart the savage treachery, but punish the instiga
tors.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 176

CHAPTER XIX.

INDIAN CUSTOMS.

DURING my forced sojourn with the Ogalallas, I had
abundant opportunity to observe the manners and cus
toms peculiar to a race of people living so near, and
yet of whom so little is known by the general reader.
A chapter devoted to this subject will doubtless inter
est all who read this narrative.

Nothing can be more simple in its arrangement than
an Indian camp when journeying, and especially when
on the war path. The camping ground, when practi
cable, is near a stream of water, and adjacent to timber.
After reaching the spot selected, the ponies are unloaded
by the squaws, and turned loose to graze. The tents,
or " tipis," are put up, and wood and water brought for
cooking purposes. All drudgery of this kind is per
formed by the squaws, an Indian brave scorning as
degrading all kinds of labor not incident to the chase
or the war path.

An Indian tipi is composed of several dressed skins,
usually of the buffalo, sewed together and stretched
over a number of poles, the larger ones containing as

176 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

many as twenty of these poles, which are fifteen to
twenty feet long. They are of yellow pine, stripped
of bark, and are used as " travois " in traveling. Three
poles are tied together near the top or small ends, and
raised to an upright position, the bottoms being spread
out as far as the fastening at the top will permit. Other
poles are laid into the crotch thus formed at the top,
and spread out in a circular line with the three first
put up. This comprises the frame work, and when in
the position described is ready to receive the covering,
which is raised to the top by means of a rawhide rope,
when, a squaw seizing each lower corner, it is rapidly
brought around, and the edges fastened together with
wooden pins, a squaw getting down on all fours,
forming a perch upon which the tallest squaw of the
family mounts and inserts the pins as high as she
can reach. A square opening in the tent serves for
a door, and is entered in a stooping posture. A piece
of hide hangs loosely over this opening, and is kept
in position by a heavy piece of wood fastened at the
bottom.

When in position, the Indian tipi is of the same
shape as the Sibley tent. In the middle is built a fire,
where all the cooking is done, a hole at the top afford
ing egress for the smoke. The preparation for a meal
is a very simple affair. Meat was almost their only
article of diet, and was generally roasted, or rather
warmed through over the fire, though sometimes it was

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 177

partially boiled, and always eaten without salt or bread.
They have no set time for eating; will fast all of one
day, and perhaps eat a dozen times the next.

The outer edge of the tent contains the beds of the
family, which are composed of buffalo robes and
blankets. These are snugly rolled up during the day,
and do service as seats.

If there is reason to suppose an enemy near, no fire
is allowed in the camp ; and in that case each one satis
fies appetite as best he or she can, but generally with
" pa-pa," or dried buffalo meat.

An Indian camp at close of day presents a most ani
mated picture. The squaws passing to and fro, loaded
with wood and water, or meat, or guiding the sledges
drawn by dogs, carrying their all; dusky warriors
squatted on the ground, in groups, around fires built
in the open air, smoking their pipes, or repairing
weapons, and recounting their exploits ; half naked and
naked children capering about in childish glee, furnish
a picture of the nomadic life of these Indians of strange
interest. Not more than ten minutes are required to
set up an Indian village.

When it becomes necessary to move a village, which
fact is never known to the people, a crier goes through
the camp, shouting, " Egalakapo ! Egalakapo I" when
all the squaws drop whatever work they may be
engaged in, and in an instant are busy as bees, taking
down tipis, bringing in the ponies and dogs, and load-

178 % NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ing them; and in less than fifteen minutes the caval
cade is on the march.

The squaws accompany the men when they go to
hunt buffalo, and as fast as the animals are killed, they
strip off their hides, and then cut off the meat in strips
about three feet long, three to four inches wide, and
two inches thick ; and such is their skill that the bones
will be left intact and as free from meat as though they
had been boiled. The meat is then taken to camp
and hung up to dry. It is most filthy, being covered
with grass and the excrement of the buffalo.

The medicine men treat all diseases nearly alike.
The principal efforts are directed to expelling the spirit,
whatever it may be, which it is expected the medicine
man will soon discover, and having informed the friends
what it is, he usually requires them to be in readiness
to shoot it, as soon as he shall succeed in expelling it.

Incantations and ceremonies are used, intended to
secure the aid of the spirit, or spirits, the Indian wor
ships. When he thinks he has succeeded, the medicine
man gives the command, and from two to six or more
guns are fired at the door of the tent to destroy the
spirit as it passes out.

Many of these medicine men depend wholly on con
juring, sitting by the bedside of the patient, making
gestures and frightful noises, shaking rattles, and
endeavoring, by all means in their power, to frighten
the evil spirit. They use fumigation, and are very fond

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 179

of aromatic substances, using and burning cedar and
many different plants to cleanse the tent in which the
sick person lies.

The native plants, roots, herbs, and so forth, are used
freely, and are efficacious.

They are very careful to conceal from each other,
except a few initiated, as well as from white men, a
knowledge of the plants used as medicine, probably
believing that their efficacy, in some measure, depends
on this concealment.

There is a tall, branching plant, growing abundantly
in the open woods and prairies near the Missouri River,
which is used chiefly by the Indians as a purgative, and
is euphorbia corrallata, well known to the botanist.

Medicines are generally kept in bags made of the
skin of some animal.

All the drinks which are given the sick to quench
thirst are astringent, sometimes bitter and sometimes
slightly mucilaginous.

The most common is called red-root (ceanothus
canadensis) , a plant abounding in the western prairies,
although they seem to have more faith in some ceremony.

A dance peculiar to the tribe where I was, called the
pipe dance, is worth mentioning, and is called by the
Indians a good medicine. A small fire is kindled in
the village, and around this the dancers, which usually
consist of young men, collect, each one seated upon a
robe.

180 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

The presiding genius is a chief, or a medicine man,
who seats himself by a fire, with a long pipe which
he prepares for smoking. Offering it first to the Great
Spirit, he then extends it toward the north, south,
east, and west, muttering unintelligibly. Meanwhile
an equally august personage beats a drum, singing and
leaping and smoking. The master of ceremonies sits
calmly looking on, puffing away with all the vigor
imaginable.

The dance closes with piercing yells, and barking
like frightened dogs, and it lasts an hour or more.

"When the mother gives birth to her child, it is not
uncommon for no other person to be present. She
then lives in a hut or lodge by herself until the child
is twenty-five or thirty days old, when she takes it to
its father, who then sees his child for the first time.

Females, after parturition, and also in other condi
tions, bathe themselves — swim, as they express it — in
the nearest river or lake.

This is, no doubt, a most efficacious means of im
parting strength and vigor to the constitution, and it
is certain that Indian females are less subject to what
are termed female complaints than white women.

It is an uncommon occurrence that an Indian woman
loses her life in parturition.

When the child is old enough to run alone, it is
relieved of its swathings, and if the weather is not too
cold, it is sent off without a particle of clothing to pro-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 181

tect it or impede the action of its limbs, and in this
manner it is allowed to remain until it is several years
old, when it receives a limited wardrobe.

Despite the rugged and exposed life they lead, there
are comparatively few cripples and deformed persons
among them. It is said that deformed infants are
regarded as unprofitable and a curse from the Great
Spirit, and disposed of by death soon after birth.
Sometimes, at the death of a mother, the infant is also
interred. An incident of this kind was related to me.
A whole family had been carried off by small-pox ex
cept an infant. Those who were not sick had as much
to do as they could conveniently attend to, consequently
there was no one willing to take charge of the little
orphan. It was placed in the arms of its dead mother,
enveloped in blankets and a buffalo-robe, and laid upon
a scaffold in their burying-place. Its cries were heard
for some time, but at last they grew fainter, and finally
were hushed altogether in the cold embrace of death,
with the moaning wind sounding its requiem, and the
wolves howling in the surrounding gloom, a fitting
dirge for so sad a fate.

The Indians believe that God, or the Great Spirit,
created the universe and all things just as they exist.

They believe the sun to be a large body of heat, and
that it revolves around the earth. Some believe it is a
ball of fire. They do not comprehend the revolution
of the earth around the sun. They suppose the sun

182 NARK ATI VE OF CAPTIVITY

"literally rises and sets, and that our present theory is
an invention of the white man, and that he is not sin
cere when he says the earth moves around the sun.

They say that paradise, or the happy hunting-
grounds, is above, but where, they have no definite
idea, though all think the future a happier state. They
regard skill in hunting or success in war as the pass
port to eternal happiness and plenty, where there is no
cold or wet season. Still they all acknowledge it is the
gift of the " Wa-hon Tonka," the Great Spirit.

The manner of disposing of their dead is one of the
peculiar customs of the Indians of the plains which
impresses the beholder for the first time most forcibly.
Four forked posts are set up, and on them a platform
is laid, high enough to be out of reach of wolves or
other carniverous animals, and on this the body is
placed, wrapped in buifalo-robes or blankets, and some
times both, according to the circumstances of the de
ceased, and these are wound securely with a strip of
buffalo hide. If in the vicinity of timber, the body is
placed on a platform, securely fixed in the crotch of a
high tree. The wrappings of buffalo-robe or blankets
protect the body from ravenous birds that hover around,
attracted by the scent of an anticipated feast.

All that pertained to the dead while living, in the
way of furs, blankets, weapons, cooking utensils, etc.,
are also deposited with the body. In some instances,
the horse belonging to the deceased is shot. They be-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 18J5

lieve that the spirit wanders off to distant hunting-
grounds, and as it may have to pass over a country
where there is no game, a quantity of dried buffalo
meat is usually left with the body for its subsistence.
While on a journey, these burial places are held sacred
as those of a Christian nation, and when a tribe is pass
ing such localities they will make a detour rather than
go the more direct road by the resting-place of their
dead, while the relatives leave the trail and go alone to
the spot, and there renew and repeat their mourning as
on the occasion of his death. They also leave presents
for the dead of such little trinkets as he most prized
before he departed to his new hunting-grounds.

The boys are early taught the arts of war. A bow
and arrows are among the first presents that an Indian
youth receives from his parents, and he is soon in
structed in their use. Indeed, the skill of a hunter
seems to be a natural endowment, and, although some
are more accurate and active than others, they all shoot
with wonderful precision and surprising aptitude, seem
ing to inherit a passionate love for the sports of the
chase.

The Indian boy receives no name until some dis
tinguishing trait of character or feat suggests one, and
changes it from time to time as more fitting ones are
suggested. Some of their names are very odd, and
some quite vulgar.

The wife is sometimes wooed and won, as if there

184 NAEEATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

was something of seatiment in the Indian character,
but oftener purchased without the wooing. When the
desired object is particularly attractive, and of a good
family, the courting and purchasing both may be re
quired. When a young brave goes courting, he dec
orates himself out in his best attire, instinctively divin
ing that appearances weigh much in the eyes of a forest
belle, or dusky maiden, who receives him bashfully,
for a certain kind of modesty is inherent in Indian
girls, which is rather incongruous when considered in
connection with their peculiar mode of life. Discre
tion and propriety are carefully observed, and the
lovers sit side by side in silence, he occasionally pro
ducing presents for her acceptance. These express a
variety of sentiment, and refer to distinct and separate
things; some signifying love; some, strength; some,
bravery ; others allude to the life of servitude she is
expected to live if she becomes his wife. If they are
accepted graciously, and the maiden remains seated, it
is considered equivalent to an assurance of love on her
part, and is acted upon accordingly. Although no
woman's life is made less slavish by the marriage con
nection, and no one is treated with respect, it is scarcely
known in Indian life that a girl has remained unmar
ried even to middle age.

When a chief desires to multiply the number of his
wives, he often marries several sisters, if they can be
had, not because of any particular fancy he may have

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 185

for any but the one who first captivated him, but be
cause he thinks it more likely to have harmony in the
household when they are all of one family. Not even
squaws can live happily together, when each may have a
part interest in the same man as their husband jointly.
Polygamy is inconsistent with the female character,
whether in barbarism or civilization.

As many skins as they can transport on their ponies,
of the game killed while on their hunts, are dressed by
the squaws, and then taken to some trading post, mili
tary station, or agency, and bartered off for such articles
as are most desired by them, such as beads, paints, etc.,
and powder, lead, and caps. They are willing to allow
much more proportionately for ammunition than any
other articles. They are most outrageously swindled
by the traders whom our Government licenses to trade
with them. A buffalo-robe which the trader sells for
from ten to fifteen dollars, is bought from the Indians
for a pint cup of sugar and a small handful of bullets,
while furs of all kinds are exchanged for paints and
trinkets at equally disproportionate rates. The Indians
know they are cheated whenever they barter with the
white traders, but they have no remedy, as there is no
competition, and hence much of their disaffection.

Buffalo-robes, bearskins, and deer, and antelope skins
are brought in in great numbers ; they shoot and trap
the beaver and otter expressly for their furs.

The Indians are almost universally fond of whisky,
16

186 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

and have a strong propensity for gambling. They will
risk at cards almost every thing they own, and if un
successful appear quite resigned to their loss, resting in
the gambler's hope of " better luck next time."

The squaws play a game with small bones of oblong
shape, which seems to have a great fascination for
them, as I have known them to spend whole days and
nights at it, and in many instances gambling away
every thing they owned. Five of these pieces are used,
each possessing a relative value in the game, designa
ted by spots from one to five on one side, the other
being blank. They are placed in a dish or small
basket, which is shaken and then struck upon the
ground with a jar, tossing the pieces over, and accord
ing to the number of spots up, so is the game decided,
very similar, I imagine, to the white man's game of
" high-die."

They have a peculiar way of defining time. When
they wish to designate an hour of the day, they point
to the position the sun should be in at that time. The
number of days is the number of sleeps. Their next
division of time is the number of moons, instead of our
months; and the seasons are indicated by the state of
vegetation. For instance, spring is when the grass
begins to grow, and the autumn when the leaves fall
from the trees, while years are indicated by the season
of snows.

There is a language of signs common to all the tribes,

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 187

by which one tribe may communicate with, another
without being able to speak or understand its dialect.
Each tribe is known by some particular sign.

The Indian is noted for his power of endurance of
both fatigue and physical pain. I have thought much
upon the fear manifested by these reputed brave bar
barians; they seem to be borne down with the most
tormenting fear for their personal safety at all times, at
home or roaming for plunder, or when hunting, and
yet courage is made a virtue among them, while cow
ardice is the unpardonable sin. When compelled to
meet death, they seem to muster sullen, obstinate defi
ance of their doom, that makes the most of a dreaded
necessity, rather than seek a preparation to meet it with
submission, which they often dissemble, but never
possess.

Instinct, more than reason, is the guide of the red.
man. He repudiates improvement, and despises man
ual effort. For ages has his heart been imbedded in
moral pollution.

The blanket, as worn by the Indian, is an insuper
able barrier to his advance in arts or agriculture.
When this is forever dispensed with, then his hands
will be free to grasp the mechanic's tools or guide the
plow. It is both graceful and chaste in their eyes, and
to adopt the white man's dress is a great obstacle, a
requirement too humiliating, for they have personal as
well as national pride. No hat is worn, but the head

188 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

is covered with feathers aud rude ornaments. A heavy
mass of wampum, often very expensive, adorns the
neck. Frequently the entire rim of each ear is pierced
with holes, and adorned with jewels of silver, or
something resembling it.

The Indian does every thing through motives of
policy. He has none of the kindlier feelings of
humanity in him. He is as devoid of gratitude as he
is hypocritical and treacherous. He observes a treaty,
or promise, only so long as it is dangerous for him to
disregard it, or for his interest, in other ways, to keep
it. Cruelty is inherent in them, and is early manifested
in the young, torturing birds, turtles, or any little ani
mal that may fall into their hands. They seem to
delight in it, while the pleasure of the adult in tortur
ing his prisoners is most unquestionable. They are
inveterate beggars, but never give, unless with a view
to receive a more valuable present in return.

The white man, he has been taught, is his enemy, and
he has become the most implacable enemy of the white
man. His most fiendish murders of the innocent is his
sweetest revenge for a wrong that has been done by
another.

The youth are very fond of war. They have no
other ambition, and pant for the glory of battle, long
ing for the notes of the war song, that they may rush
in and win the feathers of a brave. They listen to the
stories of the old men, as they recall the stirring scenes

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 189

of their youth, or sing their war songs, which form
only a boasting recapitulation of their daring and
bravery. They yearn for the glory of war, which is
the only path to distinction. Having no arts or in
dustrial pursuits, the tribes are fast waning from war,
exposure, and disease.

But few of the tribes cultivate the soil, the nature of
the Indian rendering in his eyes as degrading all labor
not incident to the chase or the war-path ; and not
withstanding the efforts of missionaries, and the vast
sums of money expended by the Government to place
them on reservations and teach them the art of agricul
ture, the attempts to civilize the Indian in that way
may be considered almost a total failure. The results
bear no comparison to their cost.

Their ideas of the extent and power of the white
race are very limited, and after I had learned the lan
guage sufficiently to converse with them, I frequently
tried to explain to them the superior advantages of the
white man's mode of living. They would ask me
many questions, as to the number of the white men on
this side of the big water, and how far that extended ;
and on being told of two big oceans, they would ask
if the whites owned the big country on the other
side, and if there were any Indians there. Many of
my statements were received with incredulity, and I
was often called a liar, especially when I told of the
number and rapid increase of the white race; some-

190 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

-times the older ones would get angry. The younger
ones were often eager listeners, and especially in times
of scarcity and hunger would they gather around me to
learn about the white man, and then would I endeavor
to impress them with the advantages of a fixed home
and tilling the soil over their wild, roaming life.

AM£>NG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 191

CHAPTER XX.

AN INDIAN TRADITION — ARRIVAL AT THE BLACKFEET VILLAGE — AW
OFFER TO PURCHASE ME INDIGNANTLY REJECTED — A YANKTON
ATTEMPTS MY CAPTURE.

THE Blackfeet village was one hundred and fifty
miles from the Ogalallas, and the way thither lay
often over the tops of bare and sandy hills.

On the summits of these heights I found shells
such as are picked up at the sea-side. The Indians
accounted for their appearance there by saying, that
once a great sea rolled over the face of the country,
and only one man in a boat escaped with his family.
He had sailed about in the boat until the waters re
tired to their place, and, living there, became the
father of all the Indians.

These savages proved very kind to me. Though
their nation is regarded by the whites as very vindic
tive and hostile, they showed me nothing but civility
and respect.

On the third morning we reached a small village,
where we halted. The Indians of the village were
rejoiced to see me. Among them I recognized many

192 NAEKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

familiar faces, and they imparted to us their mistrust
and apprehension lest I had been stolen from the
Ogalallas ; but the Blackfeet assured them to the con
trary; and, after questioning me, they became satis
fied, and gave us food, promising to send warriors to
our village, and giving us another horse.

The journey to the village of the Blackfeet was ex
ceedingly wearisome — completely exhausting me by its
length ; and I suffered from the intense cold weather.

Approaching their village, they entered it with loud
demonstrations of joy, singing and whooping after
the manner of their race, with noises defying descrip
tion.

I was received with great joy; and even marks of
distinction were shown me. That night there was a
feast, and every thing denoted a time of rejoicing.

My life was now changed — instead of waiting upon
others, they waited upon me.

The day of my arrival in the Blackfeet village was
a sad one, indeed, being the first anniversary of my
wedding. The songs and shouts of exultation of the
Indians seemed like a bitter mockery of my misery
and helplessness.

I met in the village many warriors whom I had
seen during the summer, and knew that they had par
ticipated in the battles with General Sully. They saw
that something had made me sad and thoughtful, and
asked what it was. I told them it was my birth-day.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 193

Soon after my arrival, Egosegalonicha was sent to
me, and inquired how I was treated, and particularly
wished to know if they were respectful to me. She
told me that she was sent to inquire for my safety and
well-being, and that any remissness on the part of the
Blackfeet would be visited with vengeance.

She told me that her people mourned the captive's
absence, and grieved for her presence. From others I
learned the same.

Next morning there was great commotion in the
camp, caused by the arrival of a delegation from the
Yanktons, with a handsome horse and saddle, as a
present for me.

The saddle was of exquisite workmanship, em
broidered with beads, and richly decorated with fringe.

The Yanktons desired to purchase me, offering five
of their finest horses for me, which the Blackfeet were
quite indignant at, replying, that they also had fine
horses; and, deeming it an insult, returned the horse
and its saddle. Fearing my disappointment, they, in
council that night, decided to present me with some
thing as worthy as the Yanktons had sent.

Accordingly, at the door of the tent next morning
were four of their best animals; eight beautiful robes
were brought in by the young men, and given me also.

The Yanktons were told to return to their tribe, and
if such a message was again sent, the hatchet would be
painted and given to them.
17

194 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

This closed the negotiation, but not their efforts to
obtain me.

The large reward which had been offered for my
recovery caused the Indians much trouble, as fre
quently large parties from other tribes would come in,
offering to purchase me from those who held me cap
tive. Several such instances occurred while I was with
the Ogalallas; nor were the Blackfeet exempt from
similar annoyances.

One day, while in Tall Soldier's tipi, there was a
large body of mounted warriors seen approaching the
village. The women gathered around me, and told me
I must stay in the tent, concealed. All was excite
ment, and the women seemed frightened. Soon I knew
that preparations were being made for a feast on a
large scale. The strange warriors came into camp and
held a council, at which Tall Soldier made a speech,
which, from the distance, I could not understand;
they then had a feast, and departed. The Blackfeet
gave me to understand that the visit of these Indians
was on my account, as had been that of the Yank-
tons.

Soon after, I noticed that parties of warriors would
leave the camp daily and return, bringing ammuni
tion and goods of various kinds. I learned from the
squaws and children that a party of traders from the
Platte River had arrived in the neighborhood with
four wagons, to trade with the Indians, and that they

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 195

wanted to buy me, but that the Indians would not
part with me. I pretended to the Indians that I did
not desire to leave them, but plead that I might go
with them to see the white men, which was refused,
as was also a request that I might write a letter to
them.

Soon after, the traders were murdered, only one man
escaping, who reached Fort Laramie nearly dead from
hunger and exposure, having traveled the whole dis
tance from the Missouri River on foot.

I have since learned that the men were sent out by
Mr. Beauve, a trader, near Fort Laramie, with in
structions to procure my release if it required all they
possessed.

Since learning these facts, I am more than ever con
vinced that the reluctance of the Indians to give me up
grew out of their hope of capturing Fort Sully through
my involuntary agency, and securing a greater booty
than any ransom offered; as also of obtaining revenge
for the losses inflicted upon their nation by the soldiers
under General Sully.

The Blackfeet appeared in every respect superior to
the tribe I had left. The chief, "Tall Soldier," dis
played the manners and bearing of a natural gentle
man.

They kept up an air of friendliness, and communi
cated frequently with the whites; but, in reality, were
ready to join any hostile expedition against them, and

196 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

were with the Ogalalla Sioux when our train was at
tacked at Box Elder.

The Blackfeet seemed to be stationary in their vil
lage, only sallying out in small parties for plunder and
horses ; and, during that time, keeping up a succession
of entertainments at the tipi of the chief, where a con
stant arrival of warriors and many Indians from other
tribes, who were warmly welcomed, added to the ex
citement of the days.

I sympathized with the poor wife of the chief, who
was the only woman, beside myself, in the tent, and to
whose labor all the feasts were due.

She was obliged to dress the meat, make fires, carry
water, and wait upon strangers, besides setting the
lodge in order.

These unceasing toils she performed alone — the com
mands of the chief forbidding me to aid her.

While with the Ogalallas, I had never crossed their
will or offered resistance to my tasks, however heavy,
having learned that obedience and cheerful industry
were greatly prized ; and it was, doubtless, iny concili
ating policy that had at last won the Indians, and
made them bewail my loss so deeply.

The squaws are very rebellious, often displaying un
governable and violent temper. They consider their
life a servitude, and being beaten at times like animals,
and receiving no sort of sympathy, it acts upon them
accordingly.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 197

The contrast between them and my patient submis
sion had its effect upon the Indians, and caused them
to miss me when separated from them.

During my sojourn in this village I received invita
tions to every feast, and to the different lodges. One
day, when visiting one of these lodges, a package of
letters was given me to read. They had been taken
from Captain Fisk's train, and were touchingly beau
tiful. Some of them were the correspondence of a
Mr. Nichols with a young lady, to whom he seemed
tenderly attached. I was asked to read these letters
and explain them to the Indians.

I was removed at different times to various lodges,
as a sort of concealment, as I learned that the Yank-
tons had not yet given up the idea of securing me;
and, one night, I awoke from my slumbers to behold
an Indian bending over me, cutting through the robes
which covered me, after making a great incision in the
tent, whereby he entered. Fearing to move, I reached
out my hand to the sqnaw who slept near me (whose
name was Chahompa Sea — White Sugar), pinching
her, to arouse her, which had its effect; for she im
mediately arose and gave the alarm, at which the
Indian fled. This caused great excitement in the
camp, and many threats were made against the Yank-
tons.

The intense cold and furious storms that followed
my arrival among the Blackfeet precluded the possi-

198 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

bility of their setting out immediately on the proposed
journey to Fort Sully.

The snow-drifts had rendered the mountain passes
impassable, and the chief informed me that they must
wait until they were free from danger, before taking
leave of the shelter and security of their protected vil
lage.

Jumping Bear Promising by the Moon, to Carry My Letter to tbo
White Chief at Fort Sully.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 199

CHAPTER XXI.

APPEARANCE OP JUMPING BEAK — I PREVAIL ON HIM TO CARRY A

LETTER TO THE FORT A WAR SPEECH INTENDED TREACHERY

RESUME OUR JOURNEY TO THE FORT — SINGULAR MEETING WITH A
WHITE MAN — "HAS RICHMOND FALLEN?" — ARRIVAL AT THE

FORT — i AM FREE!

"JUMPING BEAK," who rescued me from the re
vengeful arrow of the Indian whose horse the chief
shot, one day presented himself to me, and reminded
me of my indebtedness to him in thus preserving my
life.

Trembling with fear, I listened to his avowal of
more than ordinary feeling, during which he assured
me that I had no cause to fear him — that he had
always liked the white woman, and would be more
than a friend to me.

I replied, that I did not fear him ; that I felt grate
ful to him for his kindness and protection, but that
unless he proved his friendship for me, no persuasion
could induce me to listen.

" Will you carry a letter to my people at the fort,
delivering it into the hands of the great chief there ?
They will reward you for your kindness to their sister;

200 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

they will give you many presents, and you will return
rich."

"I dare not go," he replied. "Nor could I get
back before the warriors came to our village."

" My people will give you a fast horse,' ' said I,
" and you may return speedily. Go now, and prove
your friendship by taking the letter, and returning
with your prizes."

I assured him that the letter contained nothing that
would harm him or his people; that I had written of
him and of his kindness, and of his good will toward
them. After many and long interviews, the women of
the lodge using their influence, I at last prevailed upon
him to go, and invoking the bright moon as a witness
to my pledge of honor and truth, he started on his
journey, bearing the letter, which I believed was to
seal my fate for weal or wo. In the moonlight I
watched his retreating form, imploring Heaven to
grant the safe delivery of the little messenger, upon
which so much depended.

Daring and venturesome deed! Should he prove
false to me, and allow any one outside the fort to see
the letter, my doom was inevitable.

Many days of intense anxiety were passed after his
departure. The squaws, fearing that I had done
wrong in sending him, were continually asking ques
tions, and it was with difficulty I could allay their

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 201

anxiety, and prevent them from disclosing the secret
to the other women.

The contents of the letter were a warning to the
"Big Chief" and the soldiers of an intended attack
on the fort and the massacre of the garrison, using me
as a ruse to enable them to get inside the fort; and
beseeching them to rescue me if possible.

The messenger reached the fort, and was received
by the officer of the day, Lieutenant Hesselberger, and
conducted to the commander of the post, Major House,
and Adjutant Pell, who had been left there to treat
with the Indians on my account.*

General Sully was absent at Washington, but every
necessary precaution was taken to secure the fort.

Jumping Bear received a suit of clothes and some
presents, and was sent back with a letter for me, which
I never received, as I never saw him again. These
facts I learned after my arrival at Fort Sully.

The night before our departure from the Blackfeet
village, en route for the fort, I was lying awake, and
heard the chief address his men seriously upon the
subject of their wrongs at the hands of the whites. I
now understood and spoke the Indian tongue readily,

*A written statement from Lieutenant Hesselberger, setting
forth the fact of my writing and sending the letter of warning,
and that it undoubtedly was the means of saving the garrison at
Fort Sully from massacre, is on file in the Treasury Department
at Washington. A certified copy is published in connection with
this narrative.

202 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

and so comprehended his speech, which, as near as I
can recollect, was as follows :

" Friends and sons, listen to my words. You are a
great and powerful band of our people. The inferior
race, who have encroached on our rights and terri
tories, justly deserve hatred and destruction. These
intruders came among us, and we took them by the
hand. We believed them to be friends and true
speakers; they have shown us how false and cruel
they can be.

" They build forts to live in and shoot from with
their big guns. Our people fall before them. Our
game is chased from the hills. Our women are taken
from us, or won to forsake our lodges, and wronged
and deceived.

" It has only been four or five moons since they
drove us to desperation, killed our brothers and burned
our tipis. The Indian cries for vengeance ! There is
no truth nor friendship in the white man ; deceit and
bitterness are in his words.

" Meet them with equal cunning. Show them no
mercy. They are but few, we are many. Whet your
knives and string your bows; sharpen the tomahawk
and load the rifle.

" Let the wretches die, who have stolen our lands,
and we will be free to roam over the soil that was our
fathers'. We will come home bravely from battle.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 203

Our songs shall rise among the hills, and every tipi
shall be hung with the scalp-locks of our foes."

This declaration of hostilities was received with
grunts of approval ; and silently the war preparations
went on, that I might not know the evil design hidden
beneath the mask of friendship.

That night, as if in preparation for the work he had
planned, the gracious chief beat his poor tired squaw
unmercifully, because she murmured at her never-
ending labor and heavy tasks.

His deportment to me was as courteous as though
he had been educated in civilized life ; indeed, had he
not betrayed so much ignorance of the extent and
power of the American nation, in his address to his
band, I should have thought him an educated Indian,
who had traveled among the whites. Yet in his brutal
treatment of his squaw, his savage nature asserted
itself, and reminded me that, although better served
than formerly, I was still among savages.

When morning came to my sleepless night, I arose,
still dreading lest some terrible intervention should
come between me and the longed-for journey to the
abodes of white men.

The day before, leaving the Blackfeet village, I gave
all my Indian trinkets to a little girl who had been
my constant companion, and by her gentle and affec
tionate interest in the captive white woman, had
created within me a feeling akin to love. She was

204 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

half white, and was grand-daughter of a chief called
"Wichunkiapa, who also treated me with kindness.

The morning after the chief's address to his warriors,
the savages were all ready for the road, and, mount
ing in haste, set up their farewell chant as they wound
in a long column out of the village.

I have frequently been asked, since my restoration
to civilization, how I dressed while with the Indians,
and whether I was clothed as the squaws were. A
description of my appearance as I rode out of the In
dian village that morning, will satisfy curiosity on
this point.

My dress consisted of a narrow white cotton gown,
conposed of only two breadths, reaching below the
knee, and fastened at the waist with a red scarf; moc
casins, embroidered with beads and porcupine quills,
covered my feet, and a robe over my shoulders com
pleted my wardrobe.

While with the Ogalallas, I wore on my arms great
brass rings that had been forced on me, some of them
fitting so tight that they lacerated my arms severely,
leaving scars that I shall ever retain as mementos of
my experience in Indian ornamentation. I was also
painted as the squaws were, but never voluntarily ap
plied the article.

It was winter, and the ground was covered with
snow, but so cold was the air that its surface bore the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 205

horses' feet on its hard, glittering breast, only breaking
through occasionally in the deep gullies.

It was two hundred miles from the Blackfeet village
to Fort Sully, in the middle of winter, and the weather
intensely cold, from the effects of which my ill-clad
body suffered severely. I was forced to walk a great
part of the way, to keep from freezing. Hoping for
deliverance, yet dreading lest the treacherous plans of
the Indians for the capture of the fort and massacre
of its garrison might prove successful, and my return
to captivity inevitable, I struggled on, striving to bear
with patience the mental and bodily ills from which I
suffered. My great fear was that my letter had not
fallen into the right hands.

On our journey we came in sight of a few lodges,
and in among the timber we camped for the night.
While in one of the lodges, to my surprise, a gentle
manly figure approached me, dressed in modern style.
It astonished me to meet this gentlemanly-looking,
well-mannered gentleman under such peculiar circum
stances. He drew near and addressed me courteously.

"This is cold weather for traveling. Do you not
find it so?" he inquired.

" Not when I find myself going in the right direc
tion," I replied.

I asked him if he lived in that vicinity, supposing,
of course, from the presence of a white man in our

206 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

camp, that we must be near some fort, trading-post, or
white settlement.

He smiled and said, "I am a dweller in the hills,
and confess that civilized life has no charms for me. I
find in freedom and nature all the elements requisite
for happiness."

Having been separated from the knowledge and
interests of national affairs just when the struggle
agitating our country was at its height, I asked the
question :

"Has Richmond been taken?"

" No, nor never will be," was the reply.

Further conversation on national affairs convinced
me that he was a rank rebel.

We held a long conversation, on various topics. He
informed me he had lived with the Indians fourteen
years ; was born in St. Louis, had an Indian wife, and
several children, of whom he was very proud ; and
he seemed to be perfectly satisfied with his mode of
living.

I was very cautious in my words with him, lest he
might prove a traitor; but in our conversation some
Indian words escaped my lips, which, being overheard,
rumor construed into mischief. What I had said was
carried from lodge to lodge, increasing rather than di
minishing, until it returned to the lodge where I was.
The Indians, losing confidence in me, sent the young
men, at midnight, to the camp of the white man, to

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 207

ascertain what had been said by me, and my feelings
toward them.

He assured the messengers that I was perfectly
friendly, had breathed nothing but kindliness for them,
and was thoroughly contented; had so expressed my
self, and there was no cause to imagine evil.

This man trafficked and traded with the Indians,
disposing of his goods in St. Louis and in eastern
cities, and was then on his way to his home, near the
mouth of the Yellowstone River.

Early in the forenoon of the last day's travel, my
eager and anxious eyes beheld us nearing the fort.
The Indians paused and dismounted to arrange their
dress and see to the condition of their arms. Their
blankets and furs were adjusted ; bows were strung,
and the guns examined by them, carefully. They
then divided into squads of fifties, several of these
squads remaining in ambush among the hills, for the
purpose of intercepting any who might escape the an
ticipated massacre at the fort; the others then rode on
toward the fort, bearing me with them.

A painfully startling sight (the last I was destined
to see), here met my gaze. One of the warriors, in
passing, thrust out his hand to salute me. It was
covered by one of my husband's gloves, and the sight
of such a memento filled me with inexpressible dread
as to his fate. Nothing in the least way connected
with him had transpired to throw any light upon -his

208 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

whereabouts, or whether living or dead, since we had
been so suddenly and cruelly separated. All was
darkness and doubt concerning him.

Mr. Kelly had been a Union soldier, and happening
to have his discharge papers with me at the time of
my capture, I had been able to secrete them ever
since, treasuring them merely because they had once
belonged to him and contained his name.

Now, as we approached the place where his fate
would be revealed to me, and, if he lived, we would
meet once more, the appearance of that glove, on the
savage hand, was like a touch that awakened many
chords, some to thrill with hope, some to jar painfully
with fear.

In appearance I had suffered from my long estrange
ment from home life. I had been obliged to paint
daily, like the rest of my companions, and narrowly
escaped tattooing, by pretending to faint away every
time the implements for the marring operation were
applied.

During the journey, whenever an opportunity offered,
I would use a handful of snow to cleanse my cheeks
from savage adornment; and now, as we drew nearer
the fort, and I could see the chiefs arranging them
selves for effect, my heart beat high, and anticipation
became so intense as to be painful.

Eight chiefs rode in advance, one leading my horse
by the bridle, and the warriors rode in the rear. The

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 209

cavalcade was imposing. As we neared the fort they
raised the war song, loud and wild, on the still, wintry
air; and, as if in answer to its notes, the glorious flag
of our country was run up, and floated bravely forth
on the breeze from the tall flag-staff within the fort.

My eyes caught the glad sight, and my heart gave
a wild bound of joy ; something seemed to rise in my
throat and choke my breathing Every thing was
changed ; the torture of suspense, the agony of fear,
and dread of evil to come, all seemed to melt away
like mist before the morning sunshine, when I beheld
the precious emblem of liberty. How insignificant
and contemptible in comparison were the flaunting In
dian flags that had so long been displayed to me ; and
how my heart thrilled with a sense of safety and pro
tection as I saw the roofs of the buildings within the
fort covered by the brave men who composed that lit
tle garrison.

The precious emblem of liberty, whose beloved
stripes and stars floated proudly out, seemed to beckon
me to freedom and security; and as the fresh breeze
stirred its folds, shining in the morning light, and
caused them to wave lightly to and fro, they came
like the smile of love and the voice of affection, all
combined, to welcome me to home and happiness
once more.

An Indian hanger-on of the fort had sauntered care
lessly forward a few minutes previous, as if actuated
18

210 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

by curiosity, but in reality to convey intelligence to his
fellow-savages of the state of the fort and its de
fenses.

Then the gate was opened, and Major House appeared,
accompanied by several officers and an interpreter, and
received the chiefs who rode in advance.

Meanwhile, Captain Logan (the officer of the day),
a man whose kind and sympathetic nature did honor
to his years and rank, approached me. My emotions
were inexpressible, now that I felt myself so nearly
rescued. At last they overcame me. I had borne
grief and terror and privation ; but the delight of being
once more among my people was so overpowering that
I almost lost the power of speech, or motion, and when
I faintly murmured, "Am I free, indeed free?" Cap
tain Logan's tears answered me as well as his scarcely
uttered "Yes," for he realized what freedom meant to
one who had tasted the bitterness of bondage and
despair.

As soon as the chiefs who accompanied me entered
the gate of the fort, the commandant's voice thundered
the order for them to be closed.

The Blackfeet were shut out, and I was beyond
their power to recapture.

After a bondage lasting more than five months,
during which I had endured every torture, I once
more stood free, among people of my own race, all

AMONG THE SIOTJX INDIANS. 211

ready to assist me, and restore me to my husband's
arms.

Three ladies, residing at the fort, received me, and
cheerfully bestowed every care and attention which
could add to my comfort and secure my recovery from
the fatigues and distresses of my past experience.

212 NAEBATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XXII.

RETROSPECTION — A BORDER TRADING POST — GARRISON HOSPITALITY—
A VISIT FROM THE COMMANDANT OF FORT RICE — ARRIVAL OF
MY HUSBAND— AFFECTING SCENE.

AT first, and some time afterward, at intervals, the
effects of my life among the savages preyed upon my
mind so as to injure its quiet harmony. I was ill at
ease among my new friends, and they told me that my
eyes wore a strangely wild expression, like those of a
person constantly in dread of some unknown alarm.

Once more free and safe among civilized people, I
looked back on the horrible past with feelings that
defy description.

The thought of leaving this mortal tenement on the
desert plain for the wolves to devour, and the bones
to bleach under the summer sun and winter frosts, had
been painful indeed. Now, I knew that if the wearied
spirit should leave its earthly home, the body would
be cared for by kind Christian friends, and tenderly
laid beneath the grass and flowers, and my heart
rejoiced therein.

Hunger and thirst, long days of privation and

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 213

suffering, had been mine. No friendly voices cheered
me on; all was silence and despair. But now the
scene had changed, -and the all-wise Being, who is cog
nizant of every thought, knew the joy and gratitude of
my soul.

True, during the last few weeks of my captivity, the
Indians had done all in their power for me, all their
circumstances and condition would allow, and the
women were very kind, but " their people were not my
people," and I was detained a captive, far from home,
and friends, and civilization.

With Alexander Selkirk I could say, " Better dwell
in the midst of alarms, than reign in this horrible place."

Being young, and possessed of great cheerfulness and
elasticity of temper, I was enabled to bear trials which
seemed almost impossible for human nature to endure
and live.

Soon after my arrival at the fort, Captain Pell came
and invited me to go to a trader's store to obtain a
dress for myself. I needed it very much, having no
clothing of my own to wear.

A kind lady, Mrs. Davis, accompanied me, and the
sight that presented itself to my wondering eyes will
never be erased from memory.

By the door-steps, on the porches, and every-where,
were groups of hungry Indians of all sizes and both
sexes, claiming to be friendly.

Some of them were covered with every conceivable

214 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

kind of superficial clothing and adornment, and criti
cally wanting in cleanliness, a peculiar trait among the
Indians of the Northwest.

There was the papoose, half-breeds of any number,
a few absolutely nude, others wrapped slightly in bits
of calico, a piece of buckskin, or fur.

Speculators, teamsters, and interpreters, mingled with
the soldiers of the garrison — squaws, with their bright,
flashing shawls, or red cloth, receiving, in their looped-
up blanket, the various articles of border traffic, such
as sugar, rice, flour, and other things — tall warriors
bending over the same counter, purchasing tobacco,
brass nails, knives, and glass beads, all giving words
to thought, and a stranger might well wonder which
was the better prototype of tongues. The Cheyennes
supplement their words with active and expressive
gestures, while the Sioux amply use their tongues as
well as their arms and fingers.

To all, whether half-breed, Indian, or white man,
the gentlemanly trader gave kind and patient atten
tion, while himself and clerks seemed ready and
capable of talking Sioux, French, or English, just as
the case came to hand.

It was on the 12th of December when I reached the
fort, and like heaven the place appeared after the trials
of savage life.

The officers and men were like brothers to me ; and
their tender sympathy united me to them in the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 215

strongest bonds of friendship, which not even death
can sever.

A party and supper was made for my special benefit,
and on New Year's morning I was serenaded with can
non. Every attention and kindness was bestowed upon
me ; and to Dr. John Ball, post surgeon, I owe a debt
of gratitude which mere words can never express. He
was my attendant physician during my sojourn at the
fort, and, as my physical system had undergone very
severe changes, I needed great care. Under his skill
ful treatment and patient attention I soon recovered
health and strength. I had been severely frozen on
the last days of my journey with the Indians toward
the fort.

Colonel Diamond, from Fort Eice, came to visit me
ere I left Fort Sully. He was attended by an escort
of one hundred and eighty men.

He told me of his efforts to obtain my release, and
that he, with his men, had searched the Indian village
for me, but found no warriors there, as they had
already taken me to the fort. The Indian women
had made him understand by signs that the " White
Woman " had gone with the chiefs.

He said the Indians were so enraged about giving
me up, that they killed three of his men and scalped
them, by orders from the chief, Ottawa, who was un
able to do any service himself, being a cripple. He
bade them bring him the scalps of the white men.

216 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

An Indian, who killed one of the men, fell dead in
his lodge the same day, which frightened his people
not a little ; for, in their superstition, they deemed it
a visitation of the Great Spirit for a wrong done.

Colonel Diamond did not forget me, neither did he
cease in his efforts in my behalf.

During all this time no tidings had been received by
me of my husband. But one day, great commotion
was occasioned in the fort by the announcement that
the mail ambulance was on the way to the fort, and
would reach it in a few moments. An instant after, a
soldier approached me, saying: "Mrs. Kelly, I have
news for you. Your husband is in the ambulance."

No person can have even a faint idea of the uncon
trollable emotions which swept over me like an ava
lanche at that important and startling news. But it
was not outwardly displayed. The heart-strings were
stirred to their utmost depths, but gave no sound.
Trembling, quivering in their strong feeling, they
told not of the deep grief and joy intermingled there.

Mechanically, I moved around, awaiting the pres
ence of the beloved, and was soon folded to his breast,
where he held me with a grasp as if fearful of my
being torn from him again.

Not an eye present but was suffused with tears.
Soldiers and men, the ladies who had been friends to
me, all mingled their tears and prayers. Language
fails to describe our meeting. For seven long months

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 217

we had not beheld each other, and the last time was on
the terrible field of slaughter and death.

His personal appearance, oh ! how changed ! His
face was very pale, and his brown hair was sprinkled
with gray. His voice was alone unchanged. He
called me by name, and it never sounded so sweet be
fore. His very soul seemed imbued with sadness at
our separation, and the terrible events which caused it.

My first question was concerning my little Mary;
for her fate had been veiled in mystery. He gave me
the account of her burial — a sad and heart-renaing
story, sufficient to chill the lightest heart — which ac
count comprises the succeeding chapter.
19

218 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTEK XXIII.

SAD FATE OP LITTLE MARY.

THE reader will please go back with me to that
fearful first night of my captivity, and to the moment
when I put into execution the plan for dear little
Mary's escape, which I prayed might result in her
restoration to our friends.

It must have been something more than a vague
hope of liberty to be lost or won that guided the fee
ble steps of the child back on the trail to a bluff over
looking the road where, weary from the fatigue and
terror of a night passed alone on the prairie, she sat,
anxious, but hopeful, awaiting the coming of friends.

Rescue was seemingly near, now that she had
reached the great road, and she knew that there would
be a passing train of emigrants ere long.

It was in this situation she was seen by some pass
ing soldiers, holding out her little trembling hands
with eager joy and hope, imploring them to save her.

It was a party of but three or four soldiers return
ing from Fort Laramie, where they had been to meet
the paymaster. They had been pursued by Indians

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 219

the day before; had also passed the scene of the de
struction of our train; and believed the country
swarming with Indians. Their apprehensions were,
therefore, fully aroused, and, fearing the little figure
upon the distant bluff might be a decoy to lead them
into ambush, hesitated to approach. There was a
large ravine between, and it is not strange that their
imagination should people it with lurking savages.
However, they were about crossing to the relief of
the little girl, when a party of Indians came in sight,
and they became convinced it was a decoy, and turned
and fled.

They returned to Deer Creek Station, and related
the circumstance. Mr. Kelly, arriving soon after,
heard it, and his heart sank within him at the descrip
tion of the child, for he thought he recognized in it
the form of our little Mary.

He applied to the officer in command for a detail of
soldiers to go with him to search for her, but all en
treaty and argument were in vain.

The agony that poor child endured as the soldiers
turned away, and the war-whoop of the savage rang
upon her terrified soul, is known only to God. Instead
of the rescue and friends which, in her trusting heart
and innocent faith, she had expected to find, fierce
Indians stood before her, stringing their bows to take
her life, thus to win another trophy, marking the
Indian murderer.

220 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

The whizzing arrows were sent into the body of the
helpless child, and with the twang of the bow-strings,
the delicate form of the heroic child lay stretched upon
the ground, and the bright angel spirit went home to
rest in the bosom of its Father.

On the morning of the 14th, two days after Mary
was seen, Mr. Kelly succeeded in obtaining a squad of
soldiers at the station, and went out to search for the
child, and after a short march of eight miles, they dis
covered the mutilated remains of the murdered girl.

Mr. Kelly's grief and anguish knew no bounds.

Three arrows had pierced the body, and the toma
hawk and scalping-knife had done their work. When
discovered, her body lay with its little hands out
stretched as if she had received, while running, the
fatal arrows.

Surely He who numbers the sparrows and feeds the
ravens was not unmindful of her in that awful hour,
but allowed the heavenly kingdom, to which her
trembling soul was about to take its flight, to sweeten,
with a glimpse of its beatific glory, the bitterness of
death, even as the martyr Stephen, seeing the bliss
above, could not be conscious of the torture below.

Extracting the arrows from the wounds, and dividing
her dress among the soldiers, then tenderly wrapping
her in a winding sheet, Mr. Kelly had the sad satisfac
tion of smoothing the earth on the unconscious breast
that had ceased to suffer, and when this duty was per-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 221

formed, they left the little grave all alone, far from the
happy home of her childhood, and the brothers, with
whom she had played in her innocent joy.

Of all strange and terrible fates, no one who had
seen her gentle face in its loving sweetness, the joy and
comfort of our hearts, would have predicted such a
barbarous fate for her. But it was only the passage
from death into life, from darkness into daylight, from
doubt and fear into endless love and joy. Those little
ones, whose spirits float upward from their downy pil
lows, amid the tears and prayers of broken-hearted
friends, are blest to enter in at heaven's shining gate,
which lies as near little Mary's rocky, blood-stained
pillow in the desolate waste as the palace of a king,
and when she had once gained the great and unspeak
able bliss of heaven, it must have blotted out the
remembrance of the pain that won it; and made no
price too great for such delight.

In the far-off land of Indian homes,

Where western winds fan " hills of black,"

'Mid lovely flowers, and golden scenes,
They laid our loved one down to rest.

Where brightest birds, with silvery wings,
Sing their sweet songs upon her grave,

And the moonbeam's soft and pearly beams
With prairie grasses o'er it wave.

No simple stone e'er marks the spot
Where Mary sleeps in dreamless sleep,

222 NAEEATFVE OF CAPTIVITY

But the moaning wind, with mournful sound,
Doth nightly o'er it vigils keep.

The careless tread of savage feet,
And the weary travelers, pass it by,

Nor heed they her, who came so far
In her youth and innocence to die.

But her happy spirit soared away

To blissful climes above ;
She found sweet rest and endless joy

In her bright home of love.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 223

CHAPTER XXIV.

WHAT OCCURRED AT FORT LARAMIE AFTER MY CAPTURE — EFFORTS TO
RESCUE— LIEUTENANT BROWN KILLED — REWARD OFFERED — IT IS
THE MEANS OF RESTORING ANOTHER WHITE WOMAN AND CHILD —
HER RESCUERS HUNG FOR FORMER MURDERS — A LETTER AN
NOUNCING MY SAFE ARRIVAL AT FORT SULLY.

IMMEDIATELY after Mr. Kelly reached Deer Creek,
at the time of our capture, he telegraphed to Fort
Laramie of the outbreak of the Indians, and the cap
ture of his wife.

Colonel Collins, of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, com
mandant of the military district, ordered two compa
nies, under Captain Shuman and Captain Marshall,
two brave and daring men, to pursue and rescue me,
and chastise the savages in case of resistance.

But the distance of one hundred miles lay between
these forts, and they only arrived on their way too
late for rescue. They continued their march, however,
and after an absence of three days returned unsuc
cessful.

Sad to relate, a young and daring officer, Lieutenant
Brown, of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteers, fell a victim

224 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

to savage cruelty in my behalf, for with a view of
prospecting the neighborhood, he, with Mr. Kelly, left
the main body with a small squad of men in quest of
the Indians.

Coming suddenly upon a band of warriors, in their
encampment, the brave Lieutenant indiscreetly ordered
an attack, but the men, seeing the futility of opposing
such numbers, fled, and left Mr. Kelly and the
officer.

Becoming conscious of his dangerous situation, he
feigned friendship, addressing them in the usual way,
" How koda ?" which means, How do you do, friend ?

But they were not to be deceived, and sent an arrow,
causing him to fall from his horse, and the effects of
which caused his death a few hours afterward.

He was immediately reported dead, and with all the
speed the men could command they pursued his mur
derers; but the fresher horses of the savages carried
them off beyond their reach, and the soldiers were com
pelled to return in disappointment.

Brave young man ! the ardent friend of Mr. Kelly,
and the husband and father of an affectionate wife and
child, stricken down in his early manhood, we would
humbly lay the wreath of "immortelles" upon thy
lonely grave.

After several expeditions in like manner which
proved unsuccessful, Mr. Kelly offered a reward of
nineteen horses, the money value of which was de-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 225

posited with the commander of Fort Laramie, and it
was circulated through all the Indian villages, that
upon my safe delivery the reward would be paid.

Every effort possible was made by my husband and
his brothers to procure my rescue or ransom. No
money or efforts were spared, and the long days of
agonizing suspense to them were worse than death.

The reward which had been offered for my ransom
was the means of rescuing another white woman, a
Mrs. Ewbanks, and her child, held by the Indians.

The Indian Two- Face and his son, having a desire
to enhance their fortunes, paid a few small sums to the
other Indians who claimed her, and, taking her with
them, set out for Fort Laramie.

When they arrived within a few miles of the fort, the
prisoners were left with the son and some others, while
Two-Face preceded them to arrange the terms of sale.

The commander agreed to the price, and on the fol-
• lowing day Mrs. Ewbanks and her child were brought
in — the Indians thinking it made no difference which
white woman it was. This was several months after
my capture.

Instead of paying the price, the commandant seized
and confined them in the guard-house, to await trial
for the murder of the ranche-men and the stealing of
women and children. The testimony of Mrs. Ewbanks
was proof sufficient. They confessed their crimes, and
were executed in May following.

226 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

In crossing the North Platte River, five miles below
the fort, Mrs. Ewbanks had suffered intensely, her
child being bound to her back, and she holding on to
a log bound by a rope fastened to the saddle of the In
dian's horse.

The chief passed over easily, but mother and child
were nearly frozen to death by clinging and struggling
among masses of broken ice, and protected only by a
thin, light garment.

Mr. Kelly sent deputations of Indians with horses,
to the Indian villages, with letters to me, which were
never delivered. They were not true to their trust,
but would come to see me without giving me the mes
sages, then return with the declaration that I could not
be found.

He would furnish a complete outfit for an Indian,
costing about four hundred dollars, and send him to
find me ; but the Indian cared only for the money ; he
would never return.

Having despaired of accomplishing any thing further
toward my rescue at Fort Laramie, he left for Leaven-
worth, to obtain help from citizens there, to get permis
sion of the commander of the division to raise an inde
pendent company for my release.

There he met with his brother, General Kelly, who
had just returned from the South, and had received a
letter from me, acquainting him with my freedom.

Mr. Kelly would not at first be convinced, but, after

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 227

being shown the letter, he said, " Yes, I know that is
Fanny's writing, but it can not be possible;" and by
daylight he was on his way to Dakota.

Who can tell his varied emotions, during that long
and wearisome journey, when, at the end, hope held out
to him the cup of joy which, after the long suffering of
months, he was about to drink. Let only those judge
who have been separated from the dearest on earth, and
whose fate was involved in mysterious silence, more
painful than if the pallid face rested beneath the
coffin-lid.

228 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XXV.

SUPPER IN HONOR OP OUR RE-UNION — DEPARTURE FROM FORT SULLY
— INCIDENTS BY THE WAY — ARRIVAL AT GENEVA — MOTHER AND
CHILD — A HAPPY MEETING.

FORT SULLY was garrisoned by three companies of
the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and I should be recreant to
every sense of justice did I not more particularly ex
press my gratitude to them all — officers and men — for
the delicate, more than brotherly, kindness shown me
during my stay of two months among them.

They had fought gallantly during that summer, and
punished severely the Indians who held me captive;
and though my sufferings at the time were increased
tenfold thereby, I believe the destitute condition of the
Indians had much to do with my final restoration to
freedom. Had there been plenty of food in the In
dian villages, none would have gone to Fort Sully to
make a treaty.

On each of the two evenings we remained at the
fort after my husband's arrival, we were honored with
a " feast," in marked contrast with those I had at-
tended while with the savages. Stewed oysters rel-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 229

ished better than stewed dog, and the abundance of
other good things, with the happy-looking, kind,
sympathetic faces of my own people around the
board, filled me with a feeling of almost heavenly
content.

Mr. Harry Chatterton presided at the first, and, in a
feeling manner, expressed the delight and satisfaction
his comrades and himself experienced in this hour of
our re-union :

" Sweet is this dream — divinely sweet —
No dream ! no fancy ! that you meet ;
Tho' silent grief has shadowed o'er
To crush your love — it had no power—
Tho' long divided, you 've met once more
To tell your toils and troubles o'er;
Renew the pledge of other days,
And walk in sweet and pleasant ways

"May the good Father of mercies ever protect and
bless you; make the sun of happiness to brightly
shine upon you, and may it never again be dimmed
by stern misfortune! is the earnest and heartfelt wish
of every person in this fort to-day."

With deep emotion these words were spoken, and we
felt convinced they were from the innermost depths of
the heart.

How many affectionate, generous natures are among
us, whom we can never appreciate until some heavy
cloud drops down upon us, and they, with their cheer-

230 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

ful words and kind acts, assist us to rise, and in hours
of joy they are ready to grasp us by the hand, and
welcome us to happiness ?

Anxious for a re-union with our friends, and to be
once more with my dear mother, we bade farewell to
those who had shown us so much kindness and atten
tion, and commenced our journey at daylight, to pre
vent the Indians, many of whom remained about the
fort, knowing of my departure, as I was in constant
dread of recapture.

Fort Sully is on the Missouri River, three hundred
miles from Sioux City, by land, which distance we
traveled in an ambulance. At all the military posts,
stations, and towns through which we passed, all — mil
itary and civilians — seemed to vie with each other in
kindness and attention. Those living in frontier towns
know what the nature of the Indian is, and could most
heartily sympathize with one who had suffered from
captivity among them.

At Yankton I received particularly kind attention,
from Mrs. Ash, of the Ash Hotel, who also gave me
the information, elsewhere written, of the fate of Mrs.
Dooley and Mrs. Wright. Here, also, I met a num
ber of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, to which gallant regi
ment I was under so great obligation. Dr. Bardwell,
a surgeon of that regiment, who was at Fort Sully at
the time the Blackfeet came in to make a treaty, and
were sent off after me, and who, I had previously been

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 231

informed, was active in measures tending to my re
lease, was stationed at Yankton, and manifested the
kindness of his heart in many ways.

At Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and St. Joe, crowds
of visitors flocked to see the white woman who had
been a captive with the Indians ; and I was compelled
to answer many questions. From St. Joe, we made
all haste for Leavenworth, Kansas, where I was re
ceived by friends and relatives as one risen from the
dead.

At last we reached our old home in Geneva; the
home from which we had departed but a few months
before, lured to new fields by the brightest hopes of
future prosperity. Alas! what disappointments had
fallen to our lot ! But soon I was clasped in my dear
mother's arms, and all my sorrows were swallowed up
in the joy of that re-union.

On the morning of our departure for the plains, she
said (while tears of sorrow filled her eyes) that she felt
as though it was our final farewell. Her fears were
agonizing in my behalf. She seemed to have a pre
sentiment of evil — a dark, portentous cloud hung over
my head, she felt, that would burst upon me, and scat
ter dismay and grief — which too well was realized in
the days that followed.

I endeavored to cheer her with hope, and smilingly
assured her that, as soon as the Pacific Railroad was
completed, I should visit my home and her; and,

232 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

though many miles might separate us, we still would
be one in heart; and the facilities for traveling were
becoming so easy and rapid, we could not be separated
for any great length of time. But her sad heart re
fused to be comforted. A mother's unchanging love —
stronger than death, faithful under every circumstance,
and clinging with tenacity to the child of her affection,
could not part with me without a pang of anguish,
which was increased tenfold when the news of my
capture reached her.

Gradually she sank under this heavy affliction;
health rapidly gave way, and for three long months
she lay helpless, moaning and bewailing the loss of
her children ; for, scarcely had she aroused from the
terrible stupor and grief which the news of my
brother's death from poison, while a soldier in the
Union army, had plunged her, when this new and
awful sorrow came like a whirlwind upon her fainting
spirit.

But God is good. In his great mercy he spared us
both, to meet once more, and a letter from my hand,
telling her of my safety, reached her in due time ; and
in each other's fond embrace we were once more
folded.

Oh! happy hour! Methinks the angels smiled in
their celestial abodes when they witnessed that dear
mother's joy.

The reader naturally supposes that here my narra-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 233

tive ought to end; that, restored to husband, mother,
and friends, my season of sorrow must be over. But
not so. Other trials were in store for me, and, even
fortified as I was by past tribulation, I sank almost
despairingly under their affliction. Nor was I yet done
with the Indians.

Anxious to again establish a home, we left Geneva,
went to Shawneetown, where we prospered ; but better
prospects offering farther west, we went to Ellsworth,
a new town just staked out on the western line of
Kansas. I was the first woman who located there.
"We lived in our wagon for a time, then built a hotel,
and were prospering, when fears of the Indians again
harassed us.

The troops at Fort Harker, four miles east of Ells
worth, had been out, under General Hancock, in pursuit
of the Indians, to punish them for murders and depre
dations committed along the line of the Pacific Railroad,
and coming upon an Indian camp, destroyed it, inflict
ing a severe chastisement. This we knew would so
exasperate the Indians as to render the situation of
the exposed settlements one of great danger; and
after my experience, a terrible dread of again falling
into their hands intensified my apprehensions for our
safety.

The scouts, Jack Harvey and " Wild Bill," were con
stantly on the lookout, and eagerly would we look
toward the hills for any one who could give us news,
20

234 NARRATIVE OP CAPTIVITY

and gather around them, when they came from the
front, with anxious faces and listening ears.

Meantime the population ot Ellsworth had rapidly
increased, and military companies were formed for pro
tection. Thus we lived in a continual state of alarm,
until at last one night the signal was given that the
Indians were approaching, when every man flew to his
post, and the women and children fled to the places of
refuge that had been prepared for them, an iron-clad
house and a "dug-out," or place under ground. I fled
to the latter place, where about fifty altogether had
congregated, and among them were three young men
who were the sole survivors of a large family — father,
mother, and two sisters — murdered and horribly muti
lated in the Minnesota massacres.

The Indians were repulsed, but they continued
to harass us and threaten the town, so that it became
necessary to apply for military protection. Accordingly,
a number of colored troops were sent there, which
imparted a feeling of security.

But Ellsworth was doomed to a more terrible scourge,
if possible, than the Indians had threatened to be. The
troops were recently from the South. Soon after
their arrival among us, the cholera broke out among
them, and, spreading among the citizens, created a
terrible panic. The pestilence was most destructive,
sweeping before it old and young, and of all classes.

My husband fell a victim to the disease.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 235

On the 28th day of July, 1867, a violent attack of
this terrible disease carried him off, and, in the midst of
peril and cares, I was left a mourning, desolate widow.

Being in delicate health, I was forced to flee to the
East, and stopped at St. George, where one week after
my little one was ushered into this world of sorrow.

The people were panic-stricken in relation to the
cholera, and when I went there, they were afraid to
receive me into their homes, consequently I repaired to
a small cabin in the outskirts of the town, and my
adopted son and myself remained there alone for
several days.

A young lady, Miss Baker, called on me in great
sympathy, saying she was not afraid of cholera, and
would stay with me until after my confinement.

I was very thankful for her kindness, and after the
fear was over with the people, every attention that
humanity could suggest was given me; but, alas! my
heart was at home, and so deep were my yearnings,
the physician declared it impossible for me to recover
until I did go home.

The events that had transpired seemed like a fear
ful dream.

The physician who attended me went to Ellsworth to
see if it was prudent for me to go, sending a letter
immediately after, bidding me come, as the cholera had
disappeared.

Oh ! how changed was that home ! The voice that

236 NAKKATIVE OP CAPTIVITY

had ever been as low, sweet music to my ear was
hushed forever ; the eye that had always met mine with
smiling fondness was closed to light and me, and the
hand so often grasped in tender love was palsied in
death ! Mr. Kelly, the noble, true, and devoted hus
band, my loved companion, the father of my innocent
child, was gone. Oh ! how sad that word ! My
heart was overwhelmed with grief, and that did its
work, for it prostrated me on a bed of illness nigh
unto death.

Dr. McKennon very faithfully attended me during
my illness, and as I was recovering, he was seized by
severe sickness himself, which proved fatal.

He was anxious to see me before he died, and desired
assistance that he might be taken down stairs for the
purpose.

His attendants allowed him to do so, but he fainted
in the attempt, and was laid on the floor until he
recovered, then raised and placed on the sofa.

I was then led into the room, and, seating myself
beside him, he grasped my hand, exclaiming: "My
friend, do not leave me. I have a brother in New
York " — but his lips soon stiffened in death, and he was
unable to utter more.

It was a severe shock to my nervous system, already
prostrated by trouble and illness, and I greatly missed
his attention and care.

No relative, or friend, was near to lay his weary

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 237

head upon the pillow; but we laid him to rest in the
burial ground of Ellsworth with sad hearts and great
emotion.

In the spring I went to the end of the road further
west, with an excursion party, to a place called Sheri
dan. On our return we stopped at Fort HayS, where
I met two Indians who recognized me, and I also knew
them. We conversed together. I learned they had a
camp in the vicinity, and they were skulking around,
reconnoitering. They were well treated here and very
liberally dealt with. They inquired where I lived; I
told them way off, near to the rising sun.

The next morning, when the train left town, the
band, riding on horseback, jumped the ditch, and
looked into the windows of the cars, hoping to see me.

They told the people that I belonged to them, and
they would take my papoose and me way off to their
own country ; we were their property, and must go
with them.

It was supposed that if I had been in the cars the
Indians would have attempted to take the train.

238 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XXVI.

ELIZABETH BLACKWELL — MORMON HOME — A BRUTAL FATHER — THE

MOTHER AND DAUGHTERS FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS DEATH OP

THE MOTHER AND SISTERS FROM EXPOSURE — ELIZABETH SAVED
BY AN INDIAN — A WHITE WOMAN TORTURED — RESCUED CHILDREN
THE BOXX FAMILY — CAPTURE OF MRS. BLYNN

SOME few weeks after the events just related, I re
ceived a note from a stranger, requesting me to call
on her at the dwelling of a hunter, where she was
stopping. Her name was Elizabeth Blackwell, and
emigrated with her parents from England, who became
proselytes of the ruling prophet of Salt Lake City,
where they remained until Elizabeth's father took an
other wife. This created trouble; words ensued, soon
followed by blows, and Elizabeth, in endeavoring to
protect her mother, was struck by her brute of a father
with a knife, and one of her eyes destroyed.

Being discouraged and broken-hearted, the wretched
mother and daughters (for Elizabeth had two sisters)
resolved to escape. They wandered away among the
mountains, and, having no place of shelter, all perished
with the cold, except Elizabeth, who was found by the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 239

Indians, nearly frozen to death. They lifted her up
and carried her to camp, where they gave her every
attention requisite for restoration.

She remained with the Indians until she was able
to go east, where she underwent the severe operation
of having both legs amputated above the knee.

The treatment received from the Indians so attached
her to them that she prefers to live a forest life, and
when she gave me her narrative, she was on her way
from the States to her Indian home.

Her father soon wearied of his Mormon wife, and
escaped to the Eocky Mountains, where he became a
noted higwayman. Hearing of Elizabeth's residence
among the Indians, he visited her, and gave her a
large sum of money. The fate of his family had great
effect on him, and remorse drove him to desperation.

The husband of Elizabeth took his second wife and
Elizabeth's child from Salt Lake to Cincinnati, where
they now live.

She was twenty-six years old when I saw and con
versed with her, a lady of intelligence, and once pos
sessed more than ordinary beauty.

She had just received the news of her father's death.
He was killed near Fort Dodge, Kansas.

Elizabeth related to me many acts of cruelty she had
witnessed among the savages, one of which was to the
following effect :

A woman was brought into the camp on horseback,

240 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

who had been captured from a train, and an Indian
who was attempting to lift her from the horse, was
shot in the act, by her own hand. This so enraged
the savages that they cut her body in gashes, filled
them with powder, and then set fire to it.

The sight of the woman's sufferings was too much
for Elizabeth to endure, and she begged the savages
to put an end to the victim at once, which accordingly
was done.

But although Elizabeth saw many heartless acts —
many terrible scenes — still she had a kindly feeling
toward the Indians, for they saved her from a horrible
death by starvation and exposure, and had been very
tender with her. She was somewhat embittered toward
the white people, on account of her sufferings, and
treatment.

A short time after, General Sully invited me to Fort
Harker, to see two white captive children, a girl of
fourteen and a boy of six. They had beep captured
two years before, and the account of their treatment
given me by the girl, was any thing but favorable.
The boy was as wild as a deer.

A Sioux woman at Fort Harker had taken these
children into her own family and cared for them as a
mother. She was the daughter of a white man, was
born at Fort Laramie, and had married an interpreter
by the name of Bradley. She was quite intelligent,
having been educated by her husband.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 241

In January, 1868, two other children were captured
in the State of Texas by the Kiowa Indians. They
were girls, aged five and three years. Their parents
and all the known relatives had been murdered, and
the children had been recently recovered from the In
dians, and were in the care of J. H. Leavenworth,
United States Indian Agent. Having no knowledge
of their parentage, they were named Helen and Heloise
Lincoln.

Another interesting family was taken from Texas
by the Indians, their beautiful home destroyed, and all
killed with the exception of the mother and three
daughters.

Their name was Boxx. The ages of the children
were respectively eighteen, fourteen, and ten, and they
were allowed to be together for a time, but afterward
were separated.

They experienced great cruelties. The youngest
was compelled to stand on a bed of live coals, in order
to torture the mother and sisters.

Lieutenant Hesselberger, the noble and brave officer,
whose name will live forever in the hearts of the cap
tives he rescued, heard of this family, and, with a party
of his brave men, went immediately to the Indian vil
lage, and offered a reward for the captives, which at
first was declined, but he at length succeeded in pur
chasing the mother and one girl; he afterward pro
cured the release of the others.
21

242 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Lieutenant Hesselberger braved death in so doing,
and his only reward is the undying gratitude of those
who owe their lives to his self-sacrificing, humane
devotion and courage.

In the fall of 1868, the Indians commenced depre
dations on the frontier of Kansas, and after many
serious outbreaks, destroying homes and murdering
settlers, the Governor issued a call for volunteers to
assist General Sheridan in protecting the settlers and
punishing the Indians. Among those who volun
teered was my youngest brother, and many of my old
schoolmates and friends from Geneva, who related to
me the following incidents, which are fully substan
tiated by General Sheridan and others.

Mrs. Morgan, an accomplished and beautiful bride,
and Miss White, an educated young lady, were both
taken from their homes by the Indians. They were
living on the Republican River.

During their captivity they suffered much from the
inclemency of the weather, and it was March before
they were released by General Sheridan.

The troops, the Kansas boys, were all winter among
the mountains, endeavoring to protect the frontier.

They suffered great privation, being obliged some
times to live on the meat of mules, and often needing
food. All honor to these self-sacrificing men, who
braved the cold and hunger of the mountains to pro
tect the settlers on the frontier.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 243

A Mrs. Blynn, whose maiden name was Harrington,
of Franklin County, Kansas, who was married at the
age of nineteen, and started with her young husband
for the Pacific coast, was taken prisoner by the Indians
and suffered terrible brutality.

About that time the savages had become trouble
some on the plains, attacking every wagon-train, kill
ing men and capturing women. But the train in
which Mr. Blynn and his wife traveled was supposed
to be very strong, and able to repel any attack made
upon them, should there be any such trouble.

Mrs. Blynn had a presentiment of evil — of the fate
of their unfortunate company, and her own dark im
pending destiny, in a dream, the realization of which
proved too true.

When she related her dream" to her husband, he
tried to laugh away her superstitious fears, and prevent
its impression on her mind.

It was not many days after that a large number of
warriors of the Sioux tribe were seen in the distance,
and the people of the train arranged themselves in a
shape for attack.

The Indians, seeing this preparation, and, fearing a
powerful resistance, fired a few shots, and, with yells
of rage and disappointment, went off.

Within the succeeding days the travelers saw In
dians, but they did not come near enough to make
trouble.

244 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Confident of no disturbance or hinderance to their
journey, the happy emigrants journeyed on fearless
(comparatively) of the red skins, and boasting of their
power.

But the evil hour at last approached. When the
column had reached Sand Creek, and was in the act of
crossing, suddenly the wild yells of Indians fell upon
their ears, and soon a band of Cheyennes charged down
upon them.

Two wagons had already got into the stream, and,
instead of hastening the others across, and thus put
ting the creek between themselves and their pursuers,
the whites drove the two back out of the water, and,
entangled in the others, threw every thing in confu
sion. This confusion is just what the Indians like,
and they began whooping, shouting, and firing furi
ously, in order to cause a stampede of the live-stock.

In five minutes all was accomplished; all the ani
mals, except those well fastened to the wagons, were
dashing over the prairie. The Indians then circled
around and fired a volley of bullets and arrows. Mr.
Blynn was killed at the second fire, while standing
before the wagon in which were his wife and child.

" God help them ! " was all he said, as, firing his
rifle at the Indians for the last time, he sank down
dead.

The men returned the fire for awhile, then fled,
leaving their wounded, all their wagons, and the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 245

women and children in the hands of the relentless
victors.

Santana, who led the band, sprang in first, followed
by his braves, whom he ordered to let the cowardly
pale faces run away without pursuit.

The dead and wounded were scalped, and the women
and children taken captive. All were treated with
brutal conduct; and, having secured all the plunder
they could, the savages set fire to every wagon, and,
with the horses they had taken from the train, set out
in the direction of their villages.

Mrs. Blynn's child, Willie, two years old, cried very
much, which so enraged Santana that he seized him by
the heels, and was ready to dash out his brains, but the
poor mother, in her agony, sprang forward, caught the
child, and fought so bravely with the infuriated mur
derer, that he laughed, and told her to keep it ; for he
feared she would fret if he killed it.

Mounted on a pony, her child in her arms, she en
deavored to please her savage captor by appearing
satisfied, dwelling on the hope that some event would
occur, whereby she might be rescued and restored to
her friends. It was for her darling child that she
endeavored to keep up her heart and resolve to live.

When they arrived at Santana's village, Mrs. Blynn
was left alone of all the seven who were taken. Group
after group dropped away from the main body, taking
with them the women whom they had prisoners.

246 HARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Her hardships soon commenced. For a day or two
she was fed sufficiently ; but afterward all that she had
to eat she got from the squaws in the same lodge with
her ; and, as they were jealous of her, they often re
fused to give her any thing, either for herself or Willie.

An Indian girl, in revenge for an injury done her
by Santana, the murder of her best friend, became a
spy for General Sheridan, and endeavored by every
means in her power to rescue Mrs. Blynn from the
grasp of these savages; but her efforts were unsuccess
ful. She was a true friend to the unfortunate lady,
giving her food, and endeavoring to cheer her with
the promise of rescue and safe deliverance.

The squaws abused her shamefully in the absence
of Santana, burning her with sharp sticks and splint
ers of resinous wood, and inflicting the most excruci
ating tortures upon her. Her face, breasts, and limbs
were one mass of wounds. Her precious little one was
taken by the hair of the head and punished with a
stick before her helpless gaze.

Mrs. Blynn, the captive, previous to this torture,
had written a letter to the general commanding the
department, whoever he might be, and sent it by the
Indian girl.

We insert a copy of this letter, which is sufficient to
draw tears from the eye of any one who may read it.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 247

" KIOWAH VILLAGE, ON THE WASHITA RIVER. )
Saturday, November 7, 1868. j

" KIND FRIEND :

" Whoever you may be, if you will only buy us from
the Indians with ponies or any thing, and let me come
and stay with you until I can get word to my friends,
they will pay you well ; and I will work for you also,
and do all I can for you.

" If it is not too far to this village, and you are not
afraid to come, I pray you will try.

" The Indians tell me, as near as I can understand,
they expect traders to come, to whom they will sell us.
Can you find out by the bearer, and let me know if
they are white men ? If they are Mexicans, I am
afraid they will sell us into slavery in Mexico.

" If you can do nothing for me, write, for God's
sake! to "W. T. Harrington, Ottawa, Franklin County,
Kansas — my father. Tell him we are with the Kio-
wahs, or Cheyennes; and they say when the white
men make peace we can go home.

"Tell him to write to the Governor of Kansas
about it, and for them to make peace. Send this to
him, please.

" We were taken on October 9th, on the Arkansas,
below Fort Lyon. My name is Mrs. Clara Blynn.
My little boy, Willie Blynn, is two years old.

" Do all you can for me. Write to the Peace Com-

248 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

missioners to make peace this fall. For our sake do
all you can, and God will bless you for it !

" If you can let me hear from you, let me know
what you think about it. Write to my father. Send

him this. Good-by !

" MKS. K. F. BLYNN.

"P. S. — I am as well as can be expected, but my
baby, my darling, darling little Willie, is very weak.
O, God! help him! Save him, kind friend, even if
you can not save me. Again, good-by."

Mrs. Blynn passed her time in drudgery, hoping
against hope up to the morning of the battle, when
General Sheridan's gallant soldiers, under the com
mand of General Ouster, came charging with loud
huzzahs upon the village.

Black Kettle's camp was the first attacked, though
all the village was, of coarse, aroused.

The heart of Mrs. Blynn must have beat wildly,
mingling with hope and dread, when she heard the
noise and firing, and saw the United States soldiers
charging upon her captors.

Springing forward, she exclaimed : (( Willie, Willie,
saved at last ! " but the words were scarce on her lips,
ere the tomahawk of the revengeful Santana was buried
in her brain ; and in another instant little Willie was
in the grasp of the monster, and his head dashed
against a tree ; then, lifeless, he was thrown upon the
dying mother's breast, whose arms instinctively closed

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 249

around the dead baby boy, as though she would pro
tect him to the last moment of her life.

General Sheridan and his staff, in searching for the
bodies of Major Elliott and his comrades, found these
among the white soldiers, and they were tenderly car
ried to Fort Cobb, where, in a grave outside the stock
ade, mother and child lie sleeping peacefully, their
once bruised spirits having joined the loved husband
and father in the land where captivity is unknown.

Surely, if heaven is gained by the sorrows of earth,
this little family will enjoy the brightest scenes of the
celestial world.

250 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CHAPTER XXVII.

MOVE TO WYOMING — FALSE FRIENDS — THE MANUSCRIPT OF MY NAR
RATIVE TAKEN BY ANOTHER PARTY AND PUBLISHED — I GO TO
WASHINGTON.

MR. KELLY'S sudden death, my own sickness, and
the scourge of cholera, all coming at one time, proved
disastrous to me in a pecuniary way. I was defrauded
in every way, even to the robbing of my husband's
body of the sum of five hundred dollars the day of his
death. However, I finally disposed of the remnant
of property left, and started for Wyoming, where lived
the only persons beside myself who survived the attack
on our train. They had prospered, and in a spirit of
kindness, as I then thought, invited and prevailed on
me to share their home.

It proved a most disastrous move for me. My
leisure hours, since my release from captivity, had
been devoted to preparing for publication, in book
form, a narrative of my experience and adventures
among the Indians, and it was completed. The
manuscript was surreptitiously taken, and a gar
bled, imperfect account of my captivity issued as the
experience of my false friend, who, by the aid of an

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 251

Indian, escaped after a durance of only one day and
night.

I remained in Wyoming one year, then started for
Washington, resolved to present a claim to the Gov
ernment for losses sustained at the hands of the In
dians. I knew what difficulties beset my path, but
duty to my child urged me on, and I was not without
some hope of success.

After learning of my captivity through Captain
Fisk, President Lincoln had issued orders to the differ
ent military commanders that my freedom from the
Indians must be purchased at any price ; and my sad
story was well known to the then existing authorities
when I arrived in Washington.

President Grant, learning through a friend from
Colorado of my presence, sent for me, and assured me
of his warmest sympathy. He was cognizant of what
had already transpired relative to me, and told me the
papers were on file in the War Department, in charge
of General Sherman.

In presenting my claim, many difficulties had to be
encountered ; but members of Congress, realizing that
some compensation was due me, and understanding the
delay that would result from a direct application to the
Indian Bureau, introduced a bill appropriating to me
five thousand dollars for valuable services rendered the
Government in saving Captain Fisk's train from de
struction, and by timely warning saving Fort Sully

252 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

from pillage, and its garrison from being massacred.
This was done without my having any knowledge of it
until after the bill had passed both houses of Congress
and become a law.

During my stay in Washington, Eed Cloud, and a
delegation of chiefs and head warriors from the differ
ent tribes of the Dakota or Sioux nation, arrived.
They all recognized me as once having been with
their people, and seemed quite rejoiced at the meet
ing.

Some of the good Christian people of the city ex
tended to the Indians, through me, an invitation to
attend church one Sabbath, which I made known to
Red Cloud, telling him of the great organ, the fine
music they would hear, and of the desire the good
people had to benefit their souls.

Red Cloud replied with dignity that he did not have
to go to the big house to talk to the Great Spirit ; he
could sit in his tipi or room, and the Great Spirit
would listen. The Great Spirit was not where the big
music was. No, he would not go.

None of the Indians accepted the invitation ; but
some of the squaws went, escorted to the church in ele
gant carriages ; but they soon left in disgust. The daz
zling display of fine dresses, the beautiful church, and
the (t big music " — none of these had interest for them,
if unaccompanied by a feast.

I attended several of the councils held with the In-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 253

dians. At one of them, Red Cloud addressed Secretary
Cox and Commissioner Parker in a lengthy speech on
the subject of his grievances, in which he referred to
me as follows. Pointing me out to the Secretary and
Commissioner, he said :

" Look at that woman ; she was captured by Silver
Horn's party. I wish you to pay her what her captors
owe her. I am a man true to what I say, and want to
keep my promise. I speak for all my nation. The
Indians robbed that lady there, and through your in
fluence I want her to be paid out of the first money
due us." Placing his finger first upon the breast of
the Secretary and then of the Commissioner, as if to
add emphasis to what he was about to say, he added,
" Pay her out of our money ; do not give the money
into any but her own hands ; then the right one will
get it."

In one of my interviews with the chiefs, Red Cloud,
Spotted Tail, and others desired me to get up a paper
setting forth my claims against their people, and they
would sign it. I accordingly made out a bill of items
and presented it to them, with my affidavit, and a
statement setting forth the circumstances of capture and
robbery, which was fully explained to them by their
interpreter.

This document the chiefs representing the different
bands signed readily. It is inserted elsewhere, with
other documents corroborative of the truth of this nar-

254 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

rative. It is also signed by another delegation of chiefs
I met in New York.

With this last interview with the delegation of In
dians I met in New York ends, I trust forever, my
experience with Indians. The preparation of the manu
script for this plain, simple narrative of facts in my ex
perience, has not been without its pangs. It has seemed,
while writing it, as if with the narration of each inci
dent, I was living over again the fearful life I led while
a captive; and often have I laid aside the pen to get
rid of the feelings which possessed me. But my task
is completed ; and with the ending of this chapter, I
hope to lay aside forever all regretful remembrances of
my captivity, and, looking only at the silvery lining
to be found in every cloud, enjoy the happiness which
every one may find in child-like trust in Him who
ordereth all things well.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 255

CHAPTEE XXVIII.

GENERAL SULLYJS EXPEDITION.

DUEING the summer of 1864, and while I was a
prisoner with the Indians, an expedition, composed of
Iowa and Minnesota volunteers, with a few independ
ent companies of Nebraska and Dakota men, with one
company of friendly Indians of various tribes, started
from Fort Sully, in Dakota, with the double purpose,
under instructions from the War Department, of es
corting a large emigrant train safely through the In
dian country on their way to Idaho, and, if possible,
to inflict such punishment on the hostile bands they
might meet as would make them willing to sue for
peace.

The expedition was commanded by General Alfred
Sully, of the United States Army, a brave, skillful
officer, and veteran Indian fighter, having spent the
best part of twenty-five years7 service on the frontier.
He was a captain of infantry under General Harney,
in his memorable campaign of 1857, and was present
at the battle of Ash Hollow, where Harney surprised
a large band of Indians, with their families, who were

256 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

slaughtered indiscriminately, inflicting such punish
ment as made the name of General Harney a terror
to the Indians, and, at the same time, brought upon
his head the execration of thin-skinned philanthropists,
who thought savages — the " noble red men " of their
imagination — should be conquered only by a sugar
plum and rose-water policy.

For many interesting particulars of this expedition,
and its bearing upon some of the incidents of my cap
tivity and final ransom, I am indebted to the corre
spondence of one who was a member of the expedition,
written to his family during its progress.

The first day's march carries the command to the
Cheyenne River, where the topographical engineer, to
whom I have referred, was killed. His fate was sad,
indeed. An officer in the regular army, he served
with distinction in the South during the rebellion, par
ticipating in over fifty battles, and passing through all
without a wound. He was captured by the rebels,
paroled, and sent to join General Sully's expedition, to
make a topographical survey of the country.

Having faced danger on many a well-contested field,
he held the Indian in utter contempt, and roamed the
country along the line of march with reckless indiffer
ence to danger.

A short time before reaching the place where the
command intended to go into camp, Captain Fielner
started in advance, accompanied by only one man, a

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 257

half-breed. Reaching the river, they dismounted, and
were about fastening their horses to graze near a grove
of wild plum-trees, when two Indians stepped out, and
one of them shot Captain Fielner, the ball from his
rifle passing through both arms and the breast. The
advance guard arriving soon after, word was sent back
to General Sully, who ordered the company of Dakota
Cavalry to deploy and occupy so much of the country
as to make it impossible for the Indians to escape.
This was done, and, closing toward a center, the two
savages were found in a " buffalo wallow," a depression
in the ground made by the buffalos, and forming a very
good rifle-pit. Being addressed in their own language,
they refused to surrender, and were shot. General
Sully afterward had their heads cut off; and when the
command left camp next morning, they graced two
pointed stakes on the bank of the river, placed there
as a warning to all straggling Indians.

The feeling manifested by General Sully on the
occasion of Captain Fielner's death was intense. A
brave officer, a scientific scholar, and a gentleman of.
rare social qualities, he had won upon the kindlier
feelings of his associates in rank, and was respected
by all. His untimely death was sincerely mourned
by the whole command.

Death by the hand of the enemy had seldom touched
that little army — so seldom, that when a companion

failed to answer at roll-call, his absence was felt. The
22

258 NAKKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

only other officer killed during the three years of Gen
eral Sally's operations against the Indians was Lieu
tenant Thomas K. Leavitt, of Company B, Sixth Iowa
Cavalry. At the battle of Whitestone Hill, in Sep
tember, 1863, after the Indians had been utterly
routed, Lieutenant Leavitt went through their deserted
camp on foot, his horse having been shot under him ;
and, approaching a buffalo robe, raised it with the
point of his saber, revealing an Indian and squaw,
who sprang upon him so suddenly that he had no
opportunity to defend himself, and, with their knives,
stabbed him in several places. Darkness came on,
and, separated from his companions, stripped of his
clothing, and wounded mortally, he was all night ex
posed to bitter cold. Despite his wounds, he crawled
over the ground fully a half mile, was found next
morning, and conveyed to camp, where he died soon
after. A young man of superior education, of a
wealthy family, he relinquished a lucrative position
in a bank, and enlisted as a private, but was soon pro
moted to a lieutenancy; and, at the time of his death,
was acting Adjutant-General on General Sully ?s staff.
The emigrant train to be escorted by General Sully's
command came across from Minnesota, and were met
at a point on the Missouri River about four hun
dred miles above Sioux City. Here the whole party
crossed to the west bank of the Missouri, where they
went into camp, and remained long enough to recruit

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 259

their jaded animals, preparatory to a long and fa
tiguing march into an almost unknown wilderness,
jealously guarded by a savage foe.

During this halt, Fort Rice, now one of the most
important fortifications on the Missouri River, was
built, and, when the march was resumed, a consider
able portion of the command was left to garrison it.

Here, also, General Sully learned that all the tribes
of the Sioux nation had congregated in the vicinity of
Knife River, determined to resist his passage through
their country, and confident that superior numbers
would enable them to annihilate the whole expedition,
and gain a rich booty in horses and goods, to say
nothing of the hundreds of scalp-locks they hoped to
win as trophies of their prowess.

About the middle of July the expedition took up its
march westward, and after a few days reached Heart
River. Meantime, information had been received, from
Indians employed as scouts, that the enemy had gath
ered in strong force at a place called Ta-ka-a-ku-ta,
or Deer Woods, about eighty miles to the north-west,
and that distance out of the proposed route of the ex
pedition. Accordingly, General Sully ordered the em
igrant train and heavy army wagons corralled, rifle-
pits were dug, and, as the emigrants were generally
well armed, it was deemed necessary to leave only a
small force of cavalry to protect them in case of at
tack.

260 NAKKATIVE OP CAPTIVITY

Putting the balance of the command in light march
ing order, leaving behind tents and all other articles
not absolutely necessary, the little band of determined
men started for the camp of the enemy. Although the
Indians were aware of the contemplated attack, such
was the celerity of General Sully's movements, he came
within sight of their camp at least twenty-four hours
sooner than they thought it possible the distance could
be accomplished, taking the Indians by surprise, they
not having time, as is their custom, to remove their
property and women and children beyond the reach of
danger.

I was present with this body of Indians when the
white soldiers — my countrymen — came in sight. Alter
nating between hope and fear, my feelings can be better
imagined than described. I hoped for deliverance, yet
feared disaster and death to that little army.

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon the fight commenced,
and raged, with great fury, until night closed on the
scene of conflict, leaving the whites masters of the field
and in possession of the Indian camp.

Early in the day, I, with the women and children
and old men, and such property as could be gathered
in our hasty flight, was sent off so as to be out of the
way, not to impede the flight of the Indians in case
of defeat.

This was a terrible blow to the Indians. About
eight thousand of them were gathered there, and their

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 261

village, with all their property (except their horses and
dogs), including all the stores of provisions they had
gathered for the winter, were lost. Without shelter,
without food, driven into a barren, desolate region,
devoid of game, death from starvation seemed in
evitable.

Early next morning pursuit was commenced, but
after a march of about five miles was abandoned, as the
country beyond was impassable for cavalry. Return
ing to the scene of the previous day's battle, General
Sully spent several hours in destroying the property
abandoned by the Indians in their flight. Lodge poles
were piled together and fired, and into the flames was
cast furs, robes, tents, provisions, and every thing that
fell into the hands of the soldiers.

That night the command camped about six miles
from, but within sight of, the battle-ground, going into
camp early in the afternoon. Picket guards were
stationed on the hills, three at a post, and soon after
the camp was thrown into commotion by the appear
ance of one of the guard dashing toward camp, at the
full speed of his horse, with Indians in pursuit. His
companions, worn out with the arduous service of the
preceding three days, had laid down to sleep, and
before the one remaining on guard could give the
alarm, a body of Indians was close upon them. Dis
charging his rifle to arouse his companions, he had
barely time to reach his horse and escape. The bodies

262 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

of the other two were found next day horribly muti
lated ; and that night, being within sight of the battle
ground, the firelight revealed the forms of a large body
of savages dancing around the burning ruins of their
own homes.

Returning to Heart River, General Sully took the
emigrants again in charge, and resumed the march
toward Idaho.

Traversing a country diversified and beautiful as the
sun ever shone upon, presenting at every turn pictures
of natural beauty, such as no artist ever represented on
canvas, the expedition at last struck the "Mauvais
Terra," or Bad Lands, a region of the most wildly
desolate country conceivable. No pen of writer, nor
brush of painter, can give the faintest idea of its awful
desolation.

As the command halted upon the confines of this
desert, the mind naturally reverted to political descrip
tions of the infernal regions reached in other days.

The Bad Lands of Dakota extend from the con
fluence of the Yellow Stone and Missouri Rivers
toward the south-west, a distance of about one hundred
miles, and are from twenty-five to forty miles in width.
The foot of white man had never trod these wilds
before.

The first day's march into this desert carried the
expedition ten miles only, consuming ten hours of
time, and leaving the forces four miles from, and

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 263

within sight of, the camp, they left in the morning.
On the 7th of August, the advance guard were
attacked in the afternoon by a large party of Indians.
After a toilsome march of many days, a valley in the
wilderness was reached, presenting an opportunity for
rest, and here the first vegetation was found for the
famished horses. In this valley the troops camped;
the advance guard were brought back, having suffered
some from the attack of the ambushed savages.

Next day commenced one of the most memorable
battles ever fought with Indians in the whole experi
ence of the Government. The whole Dakota nation,
including the supposed friendly tribes, was concentrated
there, and numbered fully eight thousand warriors.
Opposed to them was a mere handful, comparatively,
of white men. But they were led by one skilled in
war, and who knew the foe he had to contend against.

For three days the light raged, and, finally, on the
night of the third day, and after a toilsome march of
ten days through the " Bad Lands," the command
reached a broad, open country, where the savages made
a final, desperate stand to drive the invaders back.
They were the wild Dakotians, who had seen but little
of the white settlements, and had a contemptuous
opinion. But a new lesson was to be learned, and it
cost them dearly. They had seen guns large and small,
but the little mountain howitzers, from which shells
were sent among them, they could not comprehend, and

264 NAREATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

asked the Indian scouts accompanying the expedition
if all the wagons " shot twice." Terrible punishment
was inflicted upon the Indians in that three days7 fight.

At the close of the second day, the brigade wagon-
master reported that he had discovered the tracks of
a white woman, and believed the Indians held one
captive. This was the first intimation General Sully
received of my captivity, and, not having received from
the western posts any report of captures by Indians,
thought it must be some half-breed woman who wore
the foot gear of civilization.

But the sympathetic nature of that brave, noble
General was stirred to its depths, when his Indian
scouts brought in the report that they had talked with
the hostile foe, and they had tauntingly said, "we
have a white woman captive/7

The Indians were badly whipped, and having accom
plished that portion of his mission, General Sully
went on with his emigrant train to the Yellow Stone
River, and beyond that there were long, toilsome
marches, but no battles.

Early in October the command arrived opposite
Fort Eice, and went into camp. The tents of the
little band of white warriors were hardly pitched
before word came that Captain Fisk, with a large party
of emigrants and a small escort of soldiers, had been
attacked by a large party of Indians ; had corralled
their train, and could not move, but were on the

Bed Cloud, the Orator Sioux Chief.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 265

defensive, and were confident of holding out until
relief should come. They were distant about one
hundred and eighty miles, and the sympathetic nature
of the veteran, while it condemned the action of his
junior officer, thrilled with an earnest desire to save
the women and children of that apparently doomed
train.

A detail of men from each company of the command
was made, and Captain Fisk and his train of emigrants
rescued from their perilous situation. Here was re
ceived proof positive of the fact that a white woman
was held captive by the Indians ; and while every man
would have been willing to risk his life for her rescue,
and many applications were made to the General for
permission to go out on expeditions for that purpose,
he had already adopted such measures as must secure
her release.

Friendly Indians who had accompanied the expedi
tion were sent out to visit the various tribes, to assure
them of an earnest desire on the part of the whites for
peace, and invite them to meet at Fort Sully to make
a treaty. The result was that about the latter part of
October the vicinity of the fort presented an unusual
appearance of animation. Several bands had come in,
in anticipation of the big feast that had hitherto pre
ceded all talks. Their disappointment may be imagined
when they were told that no talk would be had, nor
any feast given, until they brought in the white woman.
23

2G6 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Their protestations, that she was not their captive, and
that they could not get her from the band who held
her, were of no avail, and, at length, Tall Soldier, who
was thought to be friendly, called for volunteers to go
with him for the white woman. About one hundred
Indians responded, and the assurance was given that
they would get the captive, if even at the expense of
a fight with those they went to take her from.

Weeks of painful suspense passed, and then came a
letter from the captive woman, brought by an Indian,
in which warning was given of an intent to capture
the fort and murder the garrison. The warning was
acted upon ; and when, on the 12th day of December,
a large body of Indians appeared on the bluffs over
looking the fort, that little band of not more than two
hundred men was prepared to give them a warm recep
tion should they come with hostile intent. Not only
were arms in prime condition, but every heart beat with
high resolve.

When the cavalcade drew up in front of the fort,
and the captive woman, with about twelve of her im
mediate savage attendants, had passed through the
gates, they were ordered closed, shutting out the main
body, and leaving them exposed to a raking fire from
the guns in the bastions.

But no attack was made. The Indians seemed to
know that the little band of soldiers were prepared,
and went quietly into camp, on an island opposite the

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 267

fort. Next day a council was held, and the terms of
the captives surrender agreed upon. Three unservice
able horses, to replace ponies left with the Ogalallas
by the Blackfeet, as a pledge for the captives return;
also, fifty dollars worth of presents, some provisions,
and a promise of a treaty when General Sully should
return. The Indians remained about the fort nearly
two weeks, and during that time efforts were made to
induce the captive woman to leave the fort and visit
them at their lodges, doubtless with the design of
recapturing her. After making the captive some
presents, they bade adieu. Two months later they
returned, apparently very much disappointed when
they found the captive had left for her home. They
were soon again upon the war path.

268 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

DEDICATED TO MRS. FANNY KELLY.

BY A SOLDIER.

IN early youth, far in the distant west,

With gentle steps the fragrant fields you pressed;

Then joy rebounded in thy youthful heart,

Nor thought of care, or trouble, bore no part.

The morn of life, whose sky seems ever bright,

And distant hills are tinged with crimson light,

When hope, bright hope, by glowing fancies driven,

Fill'd thy young heart with raptured thoughts of heaven.

'Twas there, 'neath yonder glorious westernsky,

Where noble forests wave their heads on high,

And gentle zephyrs, filled with rich perfume,

Swept o'er vast prairies in undying bloom;

And there where silvery lakes and rippling streams

Go murmuring through the hills and valleys green,

And birds sing gayly, as they soar along,

In gentle notes, their ever-welcome song.

'T was there was passed thy youthful life away,

And all became a dread reality ;

Then woo'd and wedded to the one you loved,

As partner of thy life all else above ;

To share thy brightest hopes, or gloomy fears,

Or mingle in thy smiles, or gushing tears ;

To be to thee\a constant bosom friend,

Faithful and true till life's last hours should end :

Those da}7s and years so pleasantly passed by,

No tears of grief — thy bosom knew no sigh ;

But, ah ! those days, those halcyon days, are past,

Those sunny hours, they were too sweet to last I

For far out o'er the broadest prairie plain,

Onward you pressed a distant home to gain.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 269

Days, even weeks, so pleasantly passed o'er,

That mem'ry brought back those sweet days of yore;

Those days of thy youth for which you did sigh,

But ne'er did ye think that some soon should die.

For days of sadness, those days that come to all,

From the humblest cot to the palace hall,

When gathering darkness cloud the clear, blue sky,

Our brightest prospects all in ruin lie.

While gathering round the camp at close of day,

As the sun shed forth her last but lingering ray,

The war-whoop of the Sioux Indian band

Was heard; " They come," and all surrounded stand.

A moment more, and then around thee lay,

As the dark smoke had cleared itself away,

The lifeless forms of those in horror slain,

And thou, alas ! the only one remain.

No bosom friend, no counselor is near,

To sooth thy troubled breast, or quell thy fear.

Those dearest by all earthly ties are fled,

And you, a captive, stand among the dead ;

For months in bondage to this savage band,

With none to rescue from his cruel hand,

To rove with them o'er prairies far and wild,

Far from thy husband and thy murdered child.

No star of hope, nor sun's resplendent light,

Sends down one gleam upon this fearful night ;

No power to pierce the dark and hidden gloom,

That veils the heart while in this earthly tomb.

But, lo ! a change, a wondrous change, to thee !

Once held a captive, but now from bondage free.

The great Jehovah reigns ; His arm is strong,

He sets the captive free, though waiteth long,

And turns the darkest hours of midnight gloom,

Into the effulgent brightness of noon.

W. S. V. H.

270 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN CHIEFS.

Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public for
the District of Columbia, Mrs. Fanny Kelly, who is
at this time a citizen of the State of Kansas, and be
ing duly sworn, deposes and says :

That in the year 1864, she started from Geneva,
Allen County, Kansas, for the purpose of settling
with her husband and family in Montana, and for this
purpose she with her husband took all the goods and
chatties they had, which are enumerated below, with
amount and value.

She further says she is now a widow and has a
family to support.

But she was for many months a prisoner, and taken
captive by a band of the Sioux Indians, at the time at
war with the white people, and with the United States,
as follows: On the 12th day of July, 1864, while on
the usually traveled road across the plains, and west of
Fort Laramie, she, with her husband and family, with
several other persons, were attacked by these Indians,
and five of the party were killed, while she was taken
captive. That the Indians took or destroyed all they
had. She was a captive for five months, suffered
hardships and taunts, and was finally delivered to the
military authorities of the United States in Dakota, at
Fort Sully.

That the following is a statement of their goods and
effects, including stock, as near as she can remember.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 271

The whole account was made out and placed, as she
is informed, in the hands of Dr. Burleigh, late dele
gate from Dakota, but which she can not find at this
time. The amount and the leading items she knows

to be as follows :

# * # # # #

FANNY KELLY

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 24th day of
February, A. D. 1870.

JAS. H. MCKENNEY, Notary Public,

Washington County, D. C.
CITY OF WASHINGTON,
District of Columbia,

June 9th, 1870.

We, the undersigned, chiefs and head men of the
Dakota gr Sioux Indians, do hereby acknowledge and
certify to the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit
of Mrs. Fanny Kelly, as to her captivity and to the
destruction of her property by members of our nation.
We acknowledge the justness of her claim against us
for the loss of her goods, and desire that the same may
be paid her out of any moneys now due our nation, or
that may become due us by annuity or by any appro
priation made by Congress ; and we would respectfully
request that the amount as set forth in the foregoing
bill be paid to Mrs. Fanny Kelly by the Department,
out of any funds that may now or hereafter belong
to us.

SPOTTED X TAIL,

Chief of JBrule Sioux.
SWIFT X BEAR,

Chief of Brule Sioux.
FAST X BEAR,

Warrior, Brule Sioux.
YELLOW X HAIR,
Warrior, Brule Siour.

272 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

I certify that I was present when the above state
ment was signed by said Brule Sioux chiefs and war
riors, and that the same was fully explained to them
before they subscribed to same by the interpreter.

CHAS. E. GUERTJ,

Sioux Interpreter.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 9, 1870.

Witnessed by :

DEWlTT C. POOLE,

Captain U. S. Army, and Agent for Sioux Indians.

RED X CLOUD,
RED X DOG,
ROOKY X BEAR,
LONG X WOLF,
SWORD X '
SETTING X BEAR,
LITTLE X BEAR,
YELLOW X

I certify that I was present when the above state
ment was signed by the Ogallala chiefs and warriors,
and that the same was fully explained to them before
they subscribed to the same by the interpreter.

JOHN RICHARD.

Witness :

JUELS COFFEY.

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 11, 1870.

LITTLE X SWAN,
PRETTY X BEAR,
BLACK X TOMAHAWK,
RED X FEATHER.

I certify on honor that I was present when the above
statement was signed by the said chiefs and warriors of

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 273

the Minniconyon and Saus Arcs bands of Sioux In
dians, aud that the same was fully explained to them by

his

BAZEL X CLEMENS,

mark.

Interpreter.
Witness :

F. D. Curtis

GEO. M. RANDALL,
Capt. and Brvt. Maj. U. S. A.,

Indian Agent.
NEW YORK, July 14, 1870.

274 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

CERTIFIED COPIES OF MY CORRESPOND
ENCE WITH CAPTAIN FISK.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 13, 1865.

L. THOMAS, Adjutant General, U. S. A.,

Washington, D. C.
GENERAL :
# # * # * # #

We made our start from Fort Ridgley, where I had
received the kindest attentions and important favors
from the officers in charge, on the afternoon of the 15th
of July.

THE TRUCE — A CAPTIVE WHITE WOMAN.

Soon there was a gathering of what appeared to be
all the Indians about, on an eminence of prairie one
mile away, and in full sight of the camp. There came
from the crowd three unarmed warriors toward the
train, holding up a white flag which they planted in
the ground about seven hundred yards off, and then
retired.

This was an unexpected phase to the affair. While
we were making extra preparations for war, there came
a truce. I sent Mitchell, my brave and efficient officer
of the guard, with two Sioux half-bred interpreters to

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 275

ascertain the meaning of this overture. They found,
on reaching the ground, a letter stuck in a stick, and
directed to me. Without pausing to converse with
the Indians, who were a few rods distant, my assistant
returned to camp with the letter. That letter appeared
to have been written by a white woman, a captive in
the hands of the Indians, and read as follows:

" Makatunke says he will not fight wagons, for they
have been fighting two days. They had many killed
by the goods they brought into camp. They tell me
what to write. I do not understand them. I was
taken by them July 12. They say for the soldiers to
give forty head of cattle.

" Hehutalunca says he fights not, but they have been
fighting. Be kind to them, and try to free me, for
mercy's sake.

" I was taken by them July 12.
(Signed) "MRS. KELLY."

" Buy me if you can, and you will be satisfied. They
have killed many whites. Help me if you can.

" Unkpapas (they put words in, and I have to obey)
they say for the wagons they are fighting for them to
go on. But I fear the result of this battle. The
Lord have mercy on you. Do not move."

I replied to this letter as follows :

" MES. KELLY :

" If you are really a white woman captive in the
hands of these Indians, I shall be glad to buy you and
restore you to your friends, and if a few unarmed In
dians will deliver you at the place where your letter

276 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

•^

was received, I will send there for them three good
American horses, and take you to our camp.

" I can not allow any party of Indians, few or many,
to come to my train, or camp, while in this country.

" Tell them I shall move when I get ready, and halt
as long as I think proper. I want no advice or favor
from the Indians who attacked, but am prepared to
fight them as long as they choose to make war. I do
not, in the least, fear the result of this battle.

" Hoping that you may be handed to us at once for
the offer I have made,

"I am truly,
(Signed) " JAS. L. FISK, Capt. Comd'g."

The above letter was sent back by the Indian mes
senger, and we awaited the result. In the afternoon
we received the following reply :

"I am truly a white woman, and now in sight of
your camp, but they will not let me go. They say
they will not fight, but don't trust them. They say,
' How d Jye do/ They say they want you to give them
sugar, coffee, flour, gunpowder, but give them nothing
till you can see me for yourself, but induce them, taking
me first. They want four wagons, and they will stop
fighting. They want forty cattle to eat ; I have to write
what they tell me. They want you to come here — you
know better than that. His name Chatvanco and the
other's name Porcupine. Read to yourself, some of
them can talk English. They say this is their ground.
They say, i Go home and come back no more.' The
Fort Laramie soldiers have been after me, but they
(the Indians) run so ; and they say they want knives
and axes and arrow-iron to shoot buffalo. Tell them
to wait and go to town, and they can get them. I
would give them any thing for liberty. Induce them

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 277

to show me before you give any thing. They are very
anxious for you to move now. Do not, I implore you,
for your life's sake.

" FANNY KELLY.

"My residence formerly Geneva, Allen County,
Ivansas."

I returned by the Indian the following reply :

"DEAR MADAM:

"Your second communication convinces me that you
are what you profess to be, a captive white woman,
and you may be assured that myself and my party
are eager for release, but for the present I can not
accede to the demands, or gratify the wants of your
captors. We are sent on an important trust and mis
sion, by order of the great War Chief at Washington,
westward to the mountain region, with a small party
of well-armed and determined men, feeling entirely
capable of defending ourselves; but we are not a war
party, and our train is not intended for. war purposes.
Powder and shot we have, but no presents for the
hostile Indians.

" I am an officer of the Government, but am not
authorized, by my instructions to give any thing but
destruction to Indians who try to stop me on my
march. However, I will, for your release, give three
of my own horses, some flour, sugar, and coffee, or a
load of supplies. Tell the Indians to go back for the
night, and to-morrow at noon, if they will send you
with five men to deliver you to my soldiers on the
mound we occupied to-day, their main body not to
advance beyond their present position, I will hand
over to them the horses and provisions, which they will
be permitted to take away to their headquarters.

278 NARRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

" Should there be occasion, the same opportunity for
communicating will be granted to-morrow.

" The Great Spirit tells me that you will yet be safely
returned to your friends, and that all wrongs that
have been committed on the defenseless and innocent
shall be avenged.

"In warmest sympathy, I am, Madam,

"JAS. L. FISK,
"Capt. and A. Q. M. U. S. A."

* * # # * # #

With high regard, I have the honor to be,
Yours, very truly,

JAS. L. FISK,
Capt. and A. Q. M. Commanding Expedition.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, March 17, 1870.
OFFICIAL EXTRACT.

WM. BEECH,
Assistant Adjutant General.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 279

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT G. A. HES-
SELBERGER.

WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb'y 16, 1870.
To the Hon. JAMES HARLAN,

Chairman Com. Ind. Affairs, U. S. Senate.
SIR:

I have the honor to make the following statement in
relation to the captivity and release of Mrs. Fanny
Kelly.

In the summer of 1864, an expedition under the
command of General Alfred Sully, U. S. A., started
against the hostile Sioux in Dakota Territory, of which
expedition I was a member, being then an officer, First
Lieutenant, in the Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.
Whilst on the expedition, we ascertained that Mrs.
Fanny Kelly was a prisoner of the Indians that we
were then engaged against. After the command re
turned to Fort Rice, in Dakota Territory, news was
received from Captain Fisk, an officer of the Engineer
Department, U. S. A., that he was surrounded, and his
train corralled by the same Indians that we had been
fighting. I, with others, saw Fisk, and was personally
told by him that he had received notes and letters of
warning from Mrs. Kelly, telling him that he must
not break his train, that the Indians intended to fall
upon the two portions, if he did, and to massacre his
guard and the emigrants and children with him.

280 NARKATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

In the fall, after the expedition had been abandoned,
the troops were scattered at different posts along the
Missouri River, I, with my company, being left at
Fort Sully, Dakota Territory. About the latter part of
November, an Indian came inside the post. I, being
officer of the day, asked him what he wanted. He
said he came a long way, and wanted to know if I
was the " big chief," if so, he had a paper for me to
see. He gave it to me. It was a sheet torn out of a
business book, and numbered 76 in the corner. The
substance of the letter was as follows :

" I write this letter, and send it by this Indian, but
don't know whether you will get it, as they are very
treacherous. They have lied to me so often ; they have
promised to bring me to town nearly every day. I
wish you could do something to get me away from
them. If they do bring me to town, be guarded, as
they are making all kinds of threats and preparations
for an attack. I have made a pencil of a bullet, so it
might be hard to read. Please treat this Indian well.
If you do n't, they might kill me." After having the
Indian remain for a few days, and giving him plenty
to eat, he was sent on his return with a letter to Mrs.
Kelly. A short time after this, one morning, we dis
covered, back of the Fort on the hill, a large body of
Indians. The commanding officer was notified of the
fact. He immediately gave orders to prepare the fort
for defense. Since the warning received from Mrs.
Kelly, we had been unusually watchful of the Indians.
The fort was poorly constructed, having been built by
soldiers for winter quarters. The Indians were notified
not to approach the fort, and only the chiefs, who num
bered ten or twelve, were allowed to come inside the
gates, bringing with them Mrs. Kelly, and when inside
the fort, the gates were immediately closed, shutting
out the body of the Indians, who numbered about 1,000

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 281

to 1,200. A bargain was made for her, and the articles
agreed upon were delivered for her in exchange.

I believe, and it was the opinion of others, that the
advice and warning of Mrs. Kelly was very valuable
to us, and was instrumental in putting us on our guard,
and enabled us to ward off the threatened attack of the
Indians. In my opinion, had the Indians attacked the
fort, they could have captured it.

The day that Mrs. Kelly was brought into the fort
was one of the coldest I ever experienced, and she was
very poorly clad, having scarcely any thing to protect
her person. Her limbs, hands, and face were terribly
frozen, and she was put in the hospital at Fort Sully,
where she remained for a long time, nearly two months,
for treatment.

(Signed) G. A. HESSELBEEGER,

First Lieutenant U. S. Army.

Res. Leavenworth City.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Auditor's Office, June 3, 1870.

The foregoing is a correct copy of the statement of
•Lieutenant Hesselberger on file in this office.

B. B. FRENCH.
24

282 NAKRATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

STATEMENT OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
OF THE SIXTH IOWA CAVALRY.

WE, the undersigned, late officers and members of
the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, being duly sworn, do hereby
depose and say that, during the winter of the years
1864 and 1865, the said Sixth Iowa Cavalry was sta
tioned, and doing military duty, at Fort Sully, in the
Territory of Dakota; that we, in our respective mili
tary capacities, were present during the winter stated
at the aforesaid post of Fort Sully. Deponents further
say that, on or about the 6th day of December, in the
year 1864, an Indian appeared before the fort, and
signified to the officer of the day, Lieutenant G. A.
Hesselberger, that he had something to communicate to
those within the fort ; and the said Indian was allowed
to enter, and presented to the commanding officer, Ma
jor A. E. House, of the regiment before stated, a note,
or letter, which letter we all thoroughly knew the pur
port of, and it was seen and read by . It was

written, or purported to be, by one Mrs. Fanny Kelly,
who represented herself as a captive in the hands of
certain Blackfeet Sioux Indians; and that, under a
pretext of delivering her up to her people, they in
tended attacking the town or village to which they
purposed going.

Deponents further say that, at the time of the re-

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 283

ceipt of this letter, the said Fort Sully was not in
such a state of defense as would have enabled the gar
rison to hold it against the attack of any considerable
body of men ; that, in consequence of the receipt of
said letter, Major House brought the cannon in po
sition to bear on all sides of the fort, and otherwise
ordered and disposed of the garrison to withstand any
attempt to capture or destroy the fort.

Deponents further say that, on or about the 9th day
of December, the said Mrs. Fanny Kelly was brought
in as a captive and delivered by the Indians to the
commanding officer at Fort Sully; that the Indians
came up to the fort painted in war paint, and singing
their war songs ; that as soon as Mrs. Kelly was within
the gates of the fort, they were closed, and all the
Indians save those who had her directly in charge
were shut out from entrance into said fort.

Deponents further say, that they verily believe, from
information then gained, and from that which they af
terward learned, it was the intention of the Indians to
attack the fort, and they were only prevented from do
ing so by the preparations which the letter of warning
from the said Mrs. Fanny Kelly had induced the com
manding officer to make; and they verily believe that,
had the attack been made without such preparations, it
would have resulted in the capture of the fort and the
massacre of its inmates ; and such was the expressed
opinion of nearly all the members of the said Sixth
Iowa Cavalry then stationed therein ; and further de
ponents say not.

JOHN LOGAN, Capt. Co. K, Sixth Reg. Iowa Cavalry.
DEAN CHEADLB, 0. 8. " "

JOHN M. WILLIAMS, Q. M. 8. "
JOHN MAGEE, Serg't Co. H, "
JOHN COOPER, Corp. Co. K, "
L MERIT M. OAKLEY, Corp. Co. H, u

284 NAERATIVE OF CAPTIVITY

Personally appeared before me, A. J. McKean, Clerk
of the District Court, Linn County, State of Iowa, and
made solemn oath that the foregoing is true and cor
rect in all particulars, and that neither of the parties
hereto subscribing" is interested in any way in any ef
fort which the said Mrs. Kelly may make, or has
made, for indemnity, on this 22d day of January,
A. D., 1870.

[SEAL.] A. J. McKEAN,

Clerk District. Court- Linn County, Iowa.

TREASURY DEPAIWMBNT,

SECOND AUDITOR'S OFFICE, December 2d, 1870. }

I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the
original filed in this office.

E. B. FRENCH,
Second Auditor.

[The memoranda below are written with pencil.]

Captain Logan was the officer of the day when
Mrs. Kelly was brought into the fort (Sully).

John Magee, Sergeant Co. H. Sixth Iowa Cavalry,
was sergeant of the guard at the same time.

To HON. JAMES HARLAN, U. S. S., and HON. WM. SMYTH, M. C.,
Second Congressional District, Iowa :

GENTLEMEN : —

I was at Fort Sully when the arrangement was
made for the capture of this woman. Was not there
when the Indians brought her into the fort; but am
satisfied that the above affidavit, in the main, is cor
rect.

(Signed.) T. S. BARD WELL,

Late Assistant Surgeon Sixth Iowa Cavalry.

AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS. 285

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, )
SECOND AUDITOR'S OFFICE, December 24, 1870. j

I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the
original filed in this office.

E. B. FRENCH,
Second Auditor,

S^r^F^fe

YB 20626

GENERAL LIBRARY - U.C. BERKELEY

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "The war in Kansas : a rough trip to the border, among new homes and a strange people"

See other formats