CHEYENNES, UTES, AND LESSER TRIBES GETTING READY FOR THE WARPATH.
New-York Times / July 2, 1885
FORT RENO, Indian Territory, July 2. -- The situation here regarding a possible Indian outbreak is one of the greatest suspense. The medicine making will be concluded to-night, and if the quality of the medicine is good there is not the slightest doubt that the young bucks will go on the warpath. If it is bad, peace is equally certain. Strong efforts are being made to bring about a combined resistance to the seizure of arms now in the hands of the Cheyennes, Kiowas, Comanches, and Caddos. If such a combination is effected by the Indians the result will be to bring between 2,000 and 3,000 fighting men into the field.
The Comanches have cached their best arms in anticipation of a seizure. A large number of Comanches and Caddos are now on the reservation, and it is learned that they are in full accord with the Cheyennes on the question of war. An attempt to disarm will result in an uprising unless sufficient troops are on hand to awe the Indians.
Recent reports are to the effect that the bands of Magpie and Saw Eagle are committing depredations in the Panhandle country. The whites at the cantonment are greatly alarmed. Four companies of the Fifth Cavalry are now en route, south of Caldwell, for Reno. Their arrival will increase the garrison to 16 companies. The Government commission is expected here daily.
DENVER, Col., June 2. - Gov. Eaton received the following telegram this morning from a ranch man living near Durango:
The settlements of Mancos and Dolores are threatened by the Indians, and people are very much alarmed. Some of the people are moving their families out for greater safety, and others, who are unable to mover, are sleeping out in the sage brush for fear their houses will be burned and their families massacred. The citizens are not sufficiently armed, neither have they ammunition. Yesterday a detail guarding horses saw an Indian scout within two miles of the valley. The people have no confidence in the United States military. We demand State protection, arms, and ammunition. I was instructed by the citizens of Mancos to make this demand.
M.T. MORRIS
Some days ago Gov. Eaton sent Inspector-General Reardon and Adjt.-Gen. Taylor to the scene of the trouble to investigate and report. This morning the Governor received the following telegram:
DURANGO, Col., July 2 - 12:10 A.M.
To the Governor of Colorado:
Think you ought to send to-morrow by express to Durango 200 45-calibre rifles; also ammunition. Have just got in from Rico, where they have 3,000 rounds of ammunition and 40 rifles, and are ready to start without delay, if called. There is every indication of war. I think the city company ought to be directed to hold itself ready for orders. The Rico company will have to come mounted. Have seen the agent, and he is afraid of trouble. Quick and decided action may save the State a large expense and many lives. Signal fires are reported on the mountains on Dolores and Mancos, and the bucks are alone and mounted, with spare animals, and are off the reservation.
F.W. REARDON, Inspector-General.
DURANGO, July 2 - 1 A.M.
To Gov. Eaton:
Have just arrives at midnight, and find trouble may occur at any moment. Telegraph immediately to the President. Will write you in the morning.
F.A. TAYLOR, Adjutant-General.
The Governor says he will make further investigation before telegraphing to the President.
TOMBSTONE, Arizona, July 2. - William Penn Howland arrived last night from the San Bernardino ranch. He gives the following account of the fight previously reported between the whites and Indians at Aputo: Capt. Crawford, with the main body of the troops and the scouts, went directly toward the Torres Mountains, while Lieut. Davis's command passed around to the east end of the mountains, flanking the Indians and surprising them while in camp. The camp consisted of 17 bucks and 14 women and children. In the attack two of the bucks were killed and one was wounded. The women and children and the wounded buck were made prisoners, but the rest of the Indians escaped into the mountains, and it was found impossible to overtake them. Lieut. Davis sent Lieut. Hanna, with a detail of six men, in charge of the prisoners and three mutinous Indian scouts to the San Bernardino ranch. At the same time he sent a courier to Fort Bowie asking Gen. Crook for reinforcements to meet Lieut. Hanna at the San Bernardino ranch and relieve him.
When Howland left the San Bernardino ranch yesterday Lieut. Hanna had not arrived there, although he had been on the way six days. Lieut. McGrew, who had been dispatched to relieve Lieut. Hanna, arrived at the ranch on Monday, and scouts have been sent out from Lieut. McGrew's command to obtain news of Lieut. Hanna. The belief exists that the 14 bucks who made their escape after the Aputo fight, seeing that the prisoners left the main command guarded only by six men, have followed and ambushed the party, massacred them and rescued the prisoners.
