SITTING BULL
The camp of Sitting Bull was about forty miles southeast of the Pine Ridge Agency. In December, 1890, General Ruger telegraphed from St. Paul to Colonel Drum, commandant at Fort Yates, ordering him to arrest the chief. General Ruger wished to have the military and civil officers join in the act, but the agent believed less friction would follow if the matter was placed in the hands of the Indian police. These men, as the name shows are Indians. They are the sole agents of the Interior Department for the enforcement of its regulations, and for preserving the peace. They are taken from the best men, physically and mentally, and, though their pay is moderate, they have done fine service, and shown a bravery in many instances, which none of our own race could surpass.
The arrest of Sitting Bull was certain to cause excitement among his people, and would perhaps be attended by violence. The plan was carefully guarded, and a time was selected, when most of the Indians would be at the agency drawing their rations. The delay would have been greater, had it not been learned that the chief was preparing to leave the reservation, and unless the authorities acted promptly, would soon be beyond reach.
Forty Indian police galloped toward the camp of the famous medicine man, followed at some distance by two troops of cavalry and a force of infantry. When within a few miles, these bodies united and halted. The plan was that the soldiers should station themselves some two miles from the camp, where they would be within call, should the police need their help. Then the Indian police rode forward at an easy pace.
When they reached his tent, Sitting Bull was in bed. He was roused and told that he was under arrest. He did not resist (you will remember he was lacking in personal courage) and would have submitted quietly but for his son, Crow Foot, a bright fellow of seventeen years. He was provoked by the meekness of his father. "You are very brave," he said, "when there is no danger, but when the police come you are a child."
Roused by the taunt, Sitting Bull began fighting, and called to his friends to come to his help. One of these caught up a gun and added his shouts. The next minute the battle was on, and raged viciously for some minutes. The hostiles were twice as numerous as the police, and though the latter fought heroically, they quickly found themselves in serious danger. Several were shot down, and the outlook was doubtful, when one of them galloped to the top of the nearest hill and signalled to the cavalry, who dashed forward on a dead run. A few minutes later, they opened with their Hotchkiss and Gatling guns and dispersed the hostiles.
In this affray, five of the police were killed, including the lieutenant in command. Of the hostiles, seven were shot, besides Sitting Bull, who was slain by the lieutenant a moment before his own death. In addition to these, Crow Foot, the son of the chief, was drawn out from hiding and killed by the police who were enraged because of the losses they had suffered. This was apparently not justified even in war.
The days now came, when, as I have stated, a spark would have kindled the conflagration that would have raged from Canada to the Gulf; but General Miles took charge, just before the battle at Wounded Knee, and he acted with such admirable skill, that his success was perfect. The hostiles were coaxed to come forward and surrender, and this was done with such tact, that they soon showed signs of obeying. For days they edged up foot by foot. Sometimes the bucks revolted, for they were bent on war, and many a time it seemed that nothing less than a miracle could prevent a terrific outbreak. On the morning of January 15, the immense horde came in, gave up their guns, and made submission.
To show the strength of this body, it may be said that the procession was four miles long and very nearly six thousand Indians were in line. Actual count made the number of lodges seven hundred and thirty-two. Army officers believed the whole number was fully eleven thousand. One needs only to think of what such a host—larger than any had supposed—when reinforced by the thousands from other tribes, would have done if they had once taken the war path against the United States.