University of Virginia Library

Two years ago we received from Hon. E. D. Morgan, than U. S. Senator from New York, a copy of the Report on the Condition of our Indian Tribes, made by the joint committee of Congress at its session in 1867.

This Report could not but excite deep feeling in regard to the way the Indians had been neglected, and shame and indignation at the outrageous wrongs which had been perpetrated upon them by our people.

Comparing opinions with others, we met with so prompt and sympathetic a response, that a public meeting was called, held, and a committee of gentlemen of well-known philanthropic and Christian character appointed to organize a systematic effort to remedy the evil after the manner of the United States Christian Commission of late war-memory.

It was called the U. S. Indian Commission, and one of its first acts was to memorialize Congress to devote more attention to Indian affairs, and appoint a more watchful guardianship over the monies appropriated for the tribes.

In this memorial the name of Lieutenant-General Sherman was favorably commended in connection with Indian affairs, and it was, we think, responded to by the U. S. Senate's inserting a clause in the Indian Appropriation Bill of 1868, placing half a million of dollars to be expended under General Sherman's supervision.

The selection of General Sherman of Generals Hazen and Harney, and giving them control of the two great Indian reservations in the southern Indian territory, and Northern Dakota, with funds ample for the commencement of the great work of restraining and civilizing the wild tribes of the plains, followed soon after.

Meanwhile, circular letters containing condensed selections of the more startling facts contained in the Report as first referred to, and an address to the people, prepared by our President, were published in nearly all the great newspapers of the day, and widely circulated.

Early in January, 1868, the Commission received a letter from Major-General Hazen, dated in November past, asking that one of their number be sent to examine personally, and report upon the condition of the tribes under his care at Camp Wichita, I. T.

The Commission promptly responded to this, and I was selected for the duty.

Obtaining from the gentlemen of the Commission the necessary funds to defray expenses, with the understanding that I was to receive no pay for my services, and securing from General Grant an order providing me an escort and transportation whenever necessary, in the middle of February I started on my journey.

A heavy snow-storm which met me at Fort Leavenworth, a prolonged interview

with Major (now General) Forsyth, then in the surgeon's care at that post, suffering acutely from wounds which he had received in his encounter with Indians, and some very loud curses which greeted me as an "Indian Peace Commissioner" by a Kansas official, warned me that I was not on a "pleasure excursion."

At Fort Leavenworth, Colonel Michael Sheridan, the General's brother, informed me of the condition of the Osage Indians. Attention to this tribe had been called by the statements widely published in the papers at the time of the purchase of the immense tract of land, eight million acres, belonging to them in southern Kansas, by a company of speculators.

Information from a most trustworthy, though private source, had informed us, on leaving New York, of the unfair means brought to bear upon the Indians to effect this purchase.

Our telegram, that the Osages had eaten their beef raw— digestive organs included—and that they would henceforth forever be paupers on the Government, being widely published by the Associated Press, attracted general attention.

The Home Committee promptly followed up this stirring notice by a "remonstrance to Congress" against this iniquitous treaty.

I do not know whether we have effectually killed or only scotched the snake, but a wail went up from the land-jobbers in Kansas immediately after, that their "Osage land bill was in a discouraging condition;" so loud, that I trust it is killed. On my return home through Lawrence, Kansas, handbills were posted by the U. S. Land Agent, offering Osage lands to actual settlers in "quarter sections," one hundred and sixty acres, at government prices.

If we have thus aided in securing to our industrious poor a chance to get a home at a fair price, and have the money go into the U. S. Treasury instead of the pockets of private speculators, we have not labored in vain.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

I first visited the "half-civilized" tribes along the southeastern border of Kansas and Western Arkansas. The Kaskaskias, Neoshos, and other of the confederated bands, and the Cherokees, Creeks, Seminoles, Chickasaws, and others. I wanted to learn what means had been employed to civilize them, and to see the result. I found them as decent and cleanly in their personal appearance and habitations, their cabins and out-houses as well constructed, and their fences, farming-tools, and stock as well cared for as by the majority of the white people, their immediate neighbors.

They owe their civilization to the missionaries who have most faithfully and efficiently worked among them for the past half century, supported by the liberal contributions of the Christian people of the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States. With the exception of the Osage Mission, which is Roman Catholic, they are all Protestant missions. Presbyterians, Moravian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, have all united in the good work.

The Cherokees are the most advanced in education of all the tribes in the United States, though in orderly living, I think, the Pueblos of New Mexico surpass them. Many of the gentlemen at the head of the nation are half-breeds; men of culture and refinement, with whom it is a delight to associate.

The "Reservation" system has in the main proved a success with them, though, like all theories, it may be pushed too far.

To collect a tribe together out of its straggling, roving, savage life, and bring it into a condition where it can be handled, where it can be protected from its more powerful neighbors, and also protect its weaker neighbors from the bad men belonging to it, and to afford teachers and civilizers of every kind an opportunity to work, the Reservation system must be adopted. But when a tribe has advanced as far as the Cherokees have in civilization, a larger and broader policy must be introduced. It

is like the Chinese or Japanese building a wall around themselves, adopting the teaching of Confucius, not of our Saviour.

The war, in its dreadful ravages among them, has done great good to the Cherokees. It has killed the old factions and broken down the middle wall of partition between the half-breeds and full-bloods. All of them now see that they must be united, or the Cherokee nation goes to the wall. The half-breeds are looking more affectionately upon the full-bloods, as the proper field of labor for their most devoted efforts; and both factions are now so poor that there is nothing for the one to be envious of in the other. Even the old animosities of "North and South" have to be abandoned, and a common adversity has made them common friends.

They have a glorious heritage: 1. In a good name, earned by an unselfish, heroic life in the past.

2. In the advantage which that reputation gives them in placing them at the head, or nearly so, of all the Indian tribes of America; and

3. In natural resources of soil, climate, and geographical position.

Their country is superb. Agreeably diversified with hill and plain, well wooded and watered; coal, iron, and fertilizers of the soil near at hand; mild and temperate climate; sheltered from the colder north winds by their hills, and refreshed against the hot air of the south by the many springs and streams which water the valleys; and located on a line where very soon many railroads must meet, their situation is most hopeful.

I next visited the Seminoles. What American of forty years, does not remember the old cry about the Seminoles of Florida— twenty years ago or less. They were called "rattlesnakes—vile reptiles only fit for manure, and to be shot whenever seen." We were told, and our people believed, that nothing could ever be done with the Seminoles, and yet, there I found them living quietly in their neat log-cabins, working their farms, and sending their children to school, with as much earnestness as their white neighbors. About fifteen years ago they were removed from Florida, and placed where we found them in this country.

Rev. Mr. Ramsey, the missionary from the Presbyterian Board, has charge of one of their schools. It was in vacation, April, when I was there, and he was at work on his farm. The Seminoles gather around him as he ploughs, and watch his straight furrows with the intensest interest. His Virginia rail-fence, run by line, straight as an arrow, attracts their intelligent attention and imitation.

I visited the cabin of "Long John," their chief. He is a splendid specimen of his race: tall, well-formed; cheerful and open face. In the late war he was a sergeant in the Indian regiment on the Union side. On the walls of his bedroom he has a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, which he regards with peculiar affection. He called my attention to it with a most expressive wave of his hand from his heart towards it in reverence and manly esteem. He has an ingenious contrivance for raising up the box from the running gear of his wagon, so that he can substitute the frame of a hay rack in its place. It is all under cover, sheltered from rain. He called my attention to it with evident pride and delight. Mr. Ramsey told me that he was an earnest and consistent member of his church. And yet he is one of those who fifteen years ago were "rattlesnakes, and to be shot on sight, like other reptiles."

The mission among the Creek Indians, I had not time to visit. It is said to be the most successful of any in the United States. The Rev. Mr. Robinson has charge of it, assisted by Mr. Worcester, son of the distinguished missionary, Dr. Worcester, who labored so heroically for forty years among the Cherokees. A daughter of Dr. Worcester also had a school for the colored children at the Creek agency which has done much good.

The colored people have equal rights in all things with the Indians. In this

our red brethren set us a good example; they not only admit them to citizenship among them, but generously share with them all its privileges of free admission to schools, equal use of school funds, and rights to the land and labor.

Driven out of Texas in large numbers under the influence of the old prejudice against their race, the blacks are fortunate in being welcomed so warmly by the Creeks.

I will now continue the story from my letters.

HEADQUARTERS, U.S.A., MEDICINE BLUFF, WACHITA MOUNTAINS. Indian Territory, March 29, 1869.

— At last I have arrived at the extreme southern end of my journey, just one month and nineteen days, or six weeks, from the day I left New York.

Major-General Hazen left Fort Arbuckle with me on Friday noon, and camped on the edge of a green field and small stream of water, fifteen miles west, this side of Arbuckle, that evening. As I had a four-mule wagon, loaded with our rations and forage for twenty days, remaining, and three barrels of garden-seeds, hoes, &c., for the Indians, to carry, which moved slowly, we parted company the next morning, and the General came on a half day before me.

The route for this last trip of seventy-two miles was the most interesting of any I have yet travelled over. The wild character of the scenery, so barren and in large part so entirely uninhabited; the quantity of game, wild ducks, geese, plover, quail, prairie chickens, swans, wolves, antelope, deer, &c., constantly in sight, made it particularly exciting.

The wolves were very bold, frequently being within easy musket range, and surrounding our lonely camp at night with their watchful cries. The deer and antelope at times were equally near, and the flocks of birds spoken of were in sight every hour.

We had the full moon, and clear beautiful weather; one slight thunder-shower of half an hour being the only exception.

The grass is already beginning to appear, green and refreshing, and the mules are thriving on it finely.

General Hazen has prepared a tent, with fireplace, bed, &c., for my comfort, and I am now writing this under its hospitable roof. Major-General Grierson, of famous history in the raiding line during the last war, commands the military of this department, General Hazen's duties being really only those of Indian agent, &c., and he received me, as did all the other army officers, most cordially.

There are large numbers of Indians here encamped about our tent, and they are some of the most uncivilized and war-like of all our tribes.

The women and men are some of them half-naked, and nearly all are in their native costume of blanket and buffalo robe, with bow and arrow, or carbine with revolvers. They are nearly all mounted on ponies, and seem awkward when dismounted. They are the finest riders in the world, and when seen moving about on their ponies and horses with their bright-colored blankets, are the most picturesque people imaginable. The children are especially interesting, bright and intelligent looking. While I was in the General's tent at dinner, three of the warlike tribe of Cheyennes, the first that have arrived, presented themselves at the General's tent door. He was delighted to see them. They are the first of a band of six hundred that are coming in a day or two. They were each over six feet high, wiry, and tough in their build, and quite dignified and grave in their manners.

How I wish a Horace Vernet were here to fix upon canvas the superb pictures of Indian life around us, equalling his famous "Abd'el Kadir."

I am to go with General Hazen to-morrow to put the first plough and plant the first seed in the new ground of this Reservation.

MEDICINE BLUFF CREEK, Southern Indian Territory, April 9, 1869.

To-day I had an interview with Little Raven, Chief of the Arapahoes, in the

tent of Major-General Grierson, and got a distinct statement from him as to the entire ignorance of himself and his people, and also of the Cheyennes, about the precise location of the Reservation set off for them by U. S. Peace Commissioners in 1867. It was because the Cheyennes under Black Kettle and the Arapahoes under Little Raven were not on the Reservation, that they, with their tribes, were held guilty, and this was one of the reasons why they were attacked by General Custer at the battle of the Washita last Fall. You may remember that Colonel Wynkoop stated that he thought they were on their Reservation at the time they were attacked. You see now how easily these people are made to sign treaties, of the character of which they are not familiar, and are afterwards so severely dealt with for not understanding.

STATEMENT.

Little Raven, Chief of the Arapahoes, being questioned as to his knowledge of the location of the Reservation allotted to his people and the Cheyennes, by the Medicine Lodge Treaty in 1867, declared, in our presence, that at the time he signed the Treaty, he fully supposed the land on the Upper Arkansas, between Bent's Fort and the Rocky Mountains, was the Reservation, being the same as previously set apart to them in the treaty of 1865; and he believes that the Cheyennes were also of that opinion. Nor had he any doubt about it, until he met General Sheridan at Medicine Bluff Headquarters, 15th of February, 1869, and until to-day he did not know precisely where the new Reservation was located.

Little Raven says he supposes that this misunderstanding arose from the hasty way in which the treaty was made and read to them, and by mistaken interpretation.

After Little Raven had got through, a party of twenty-six Southern Cheyennes, with their head chiefs Little Robe, Minnimic, and others, came up, and had a little talk. They are a fine-looking body of men, and when on horseback beat any thing in the way of cavalry I have ever seen.

They tell their version of General Custer's meeting with them.

STATEMENT.

"At an interview had with Little Robe, Minnimic, or Bald Eagle, Red Moon, Grey Eyes, and other chiefs of the Cheyennes, held in the Head-Quarters tent of Major-General Grierson, they gave the following account of their interview with General Custer on the 8th or 9th of March, 1869.

"The Indians were on their way to Camp Supply, and this interview with him turned them back and delayed their progress there.

"The first notice they, the Cheyennes, had of the approach of Major-General Custer and his regiment, was from a Cheyenne woman who had been captured by General Custer in the fight against Black Kettle, on the Washita. She had been turned loose, or ran away, from General Custer some days before. The chiefs went out to see, and met General Custer coming in with two men. He went into Medicine Arrow's tent, and shook hands, and a young man came in and told them that there were a great many troops coming on the war-path, which frightened the women, and they immediately began to saddle up their ponies; but the chiefs went out and quieted them down.

"Thirty of the chiefs and warriors then went over to visit General Custer and his camp. He surrounded them with his soldiers, and told them he was going to keep them. They immediately drew their revolvers, and said that if they were to die, they would die in trying to escape; and they made a rush, and all but three broke through the guard. They were desperate and determined and brave about it, so they were allowed to go unguarded. General

Custer told the chiefs to go and bring in two white women, who were in their camp, or he would hang the three young men. They brought him the two white women, and then expected that he would release the three young men; but he would not do so. Sometimes he would talk good and sometimes bad to them; they could not understand him. He staid near them only a little while, and started for Camp Supply. He told them he wanted them to follow him on to Camp Supply; but he talked so strangely to them, they would not trust him. This over, seventy lodges started for this post. They left the others, about one hundred and twenty lodges, on the headwaters of the Washita; but the interview with Custer was on the North Fork, or a small branch of the Red River. They say that there were thirteen men, sixteen women, and nine children killed at the Washita fight. Eagle Head, or Minnimic, then said that he wanted to speak. He first shook hands with us, and then said that he wanted to speak good only. That three of their men came down to see us, and returning, reported that we had treated them kindly, and wished to see the others, and that they had now come to see us. He said that they were hungry, and wanted some food for themselves and for their people. That they were willing to go up to their Reservation with Little Raven and the Arapahoes, if he and they were willing. Little Raven being present, was asked, and he said he was willing, and would be glad to have them go with them, if the Cheyennes were willing.

"So it was agreed upon that they should go up to the Reservation together.

To-day General Hazen, Colonel Boone,* and myself visited the farms of the Agency, set the ploughs in motion, and selected the location for the Mission School. The buildings and farms will occupy a beautiful island plateau of nearly two hundred acres of rich bottom land, surrounded by Cache Creek, and one of its branches, fringed with tall trees.

HEADQUARTERS, MEDICINE CREEK, Southern Indian Territory, April 9, 1869.

Yesterday I visited the Agency of the Affiliated Bands of Indians at the Wacheta Agency. They number about seven hundred souls, and are the remnants of what were once quite important and intelligent tribes—the Wichetas, Kerchees, Caddoes, Wacoes, and others. Their Agency is located about twenty-two miles north of this post, on the Washita river, in the midst of a beautiful and fertile plain, named the Eureka Valley. All the way up we found the prairies dotted with daisies of blue, purple, pink, and white colors, and other small flowers, some of which were quite fragrant. The valley was covered with new grass, long enough to wave in the wind. Our mules, which have suffered for the want of hay, enjoyed themselves highly in the evening, munching it, omitting their usual practice of taking a roll immediately after unharnessing. The first evening was spent in sketching the ranch and some of the squaws and papooses, and the night was passed in General Hazen's ambulance; our party consisted of the General; Colonel Boone, Indian Agent; a gentleman invited; Mr. Jones, interpreter, and Captain Gray, a witness required by law to vouch for the correctness of the issue of goods to the Indians.

We were up in time to see a beautiful sunrise across the prairie, and after an hour or two spent in sketching the locality, we saw the Indians arriving on horseback.

They came in groups of two or three, and as most of them were attired in gay colors and shining ornaments, and all are superb riders, they made a most picturesque scene.

I kept my pencil busily at work all the morning, interrupted occasionally by the curiosity of the squaws and papooses looking over my shoulder. They manifested great interest in what I was doing, and with mingled expressions of wonder and delight called each other's attention to it. On another occasion, with the Apaches, I found myself very unpopular while sketching, the art being considered by them as possessing magic, and they declared it to be "bad medicine;" a name they give to all offensive or injurious things. They sent for their medicine man, or doctor, whose skill consists chiefly in performing certain incantations and magic arts, whereby the evil spirit and disease is driven away. When this medicine man, a most ill-favored Indian, arrived, he looked over my shoulder, being watched intently by the other Indians, and declared that it was "bad medicine," spit at it, and soon they all looked daggers at me. Of course I discontinued the work, and ever since then I have been particular, either to make my sketches when they were not observing me, or first explain through the interpreter what I wished to do. When it is thus explained to them, I never have any trouble.

But to return to my story. When the tribes had all assembled, and the goods had been parcelled out to them in five separate lots, one for each tribe, the chiefs assembled together, and General Hazen sent for me. The interpreter, Mr. Philip McCusky, informed us that the chiefs wished to speak to us, and invited General Hazen to commence the talk.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WICHITAS, WACOES, CADDOES, KECHAS, AND OTHERS, APRIL 7, 1869.

General Hazen commenced the talk by informing the assembled chiefs that he was happy to meet them, that the goods which would be distributed among them were not a part of their regular annuity, but were those which had been sent on for the Comanches and Kiowas last year, who burned their store and grain house and destroyed their corn. That he had given them these goods because they were peaceful and industrious. That he had bought ploughs and garden seeds for them, and employed farmers to instruct them, and would continue to watch over their interests.

Colonel Boone, the Indian Agent, then spoke to them in the same friendly way, and assured them that the Government would do all it could for them.

General Hazen then introduced me to them, telling them that I had been sent out here by a society of good men of much power and influence, and that the new Father at Washington had told him and all other Generals and soldiers, to see that I was protected and allowed to see the Indians. They said, "Good, good," to each other, and waited to hear from me.

I told them "they had many warm and strong friends where I came from. That there were good and bad white men, as well as good and bad Indians. That now the good white men had united together, to take care of the good Indians, and that, relying on the Great Spirit, they would help them. That when the Indians were at peace, prosperous, and happy, we rejoiced and were glad; but when they were at war, unfortunate, or in distress, we were unhappy and much troubled. I told them that our new Father at Washington was their friend, and repeated the words of General Grant's 'inaugural' to them. That we wished to establish schools among them, and asked them if they would send their children to them."

The Chief of the Wacoes, Good Buffalo, then replied, "That he was glad to see our faces. That this was a happy day for himself and for his people. That the Indian was like the white man. The Great Spirit had made them both, only He had made the white man wiser than the Indian. That He had put him on a broader road, and told him to take care of the Indian, and show him the way. That so far they had not found the road. That they were worse off than when they started, but that to-day they hoped to find the road. Long time ago his father took

the white man by the hand, and now they wished to do the same. This land they saw all around them for many miles belonged to their fathers. That the bones of his people lie where the Post is being built. That he hoped his people would never be made to leave this country. That they had been a long time looking for a school-house and a teacher, and were glad to now hear that they were to have them."

Wa-tu-pi, Chief of the Caddoes, then said that he wished to speak. That I "had come a long way to see them, and he was glad. That he was much pleased to see so many chiefs present to hear this talk. The Caddoes, when they first knew the white people, had been helped by them; but that they were now forgotten. His people, like the Wichitas, knew how to plough and plant corn. He hoped I would look and see how poor his people were."

I told him I saw it, and it made me very unhappy.

The Caddoes once owned and occupied the country which now forms the State of Louisiana. At present they have no land assigned to them, and are literally homeless wanderers. What a pity they have not able advocates like Mrs. General Gaines!

The chiefs noticed that I was taking notes of their reply, and asked the interpreter "what I was doing that for." He told them it was to show my friends at home and the Great Father at Washington. They said, "Wano, Wano," "Good, Good." They said they hoped I would put it all down.

I was deeply impressed with the whole scene, and left with a much higher opinion of the Indian race than I have had heretofore.

After the talk the squaws took the goods and distributed a share to each squaw and papoose present. The women and children sat around in a circle, and the squaws with the goods occupied the centre.

About three o'clock we left the Agency grounds, and rode over to the Wichita village, about three miles northeast, up the Eureka Valley.