Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1883
No. 305.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. West.
Washington, July 26, 1883.
Sir: With reference to Mr. Saurin’s note of the 28th of February last, referring to previous correspondence and denying the reports received by this Government to the effect that the Milk River country was overrun with Canadian Indians and half-breeds, I now have the honor to inclose herewith for the information of Her Majesty’s Government a copy of a letter to this Department from the War Department on the subject.
I have, &c.,
Mr. Tweedale to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March5 last, inclosing copy of a note from the British legation at this capital, together with a copy of a communication from the inspector of the northwestern mounted police, commanding Wood Mountain post, on the subject of the movements of the half-breeds and hostile Indians in the vicinity of Milk River, Montana, in which communication the inspector asserts that the reports that the Milk River country is overrun with Canadian half-breeds are not correct.
In reply I beg to inform you that the matter was referred to the commanding general of the Department of Dakota, who was instructed to cause a careful statement to be made of the number of half-breeds and Canadian Indians who have been [Page 516] during the past autumn and winter, in the Milk River country and on adjoining reservations in the Territory of Montana.
I have now the honor to invite your attention to the inclosed copies of the respective reports on this subject from the commanding officers of the Department of Dakota, the District of Montana, and the camp on Poplar River, Montana, and also to the inclosed statement, marked A, compiled at the headquarters of the Department of Dakota, from the best information that could be obtained.
Copies of the inclosed papers have been furnished the Department of the Interior to-day.
Very respectfully,
Chief Cleric (for the Secretary of War, in his absence).
Copy of indorsements on (2445, Adjutant-General’s Office, 1883) communication from Adjutant-General of March 9, 1883, furnishing, for the information of the commanding general, Military Division of the Missouri, copy of letter from State Department to Secretary of War, inclosing copy of a note from the British legation on the subject of the movements of half-breeds and hostile Indians in the vicinity of Milk River, Montana, &c.
[First indorsement.]
Chicago, March 14, 1883.
Respectfully referred to the commanding general, Department of Dakota, for investigation and report, attention being invited to the statement contained in the letter of A. R. Macdonell, inspector, commanding mounted police Northwestern Territory, Wood Mountain.
The commanding general, Department of Dakota, will please cause a careful statement to be made of the number of half-breeds and Canadian Indians who have been in the Milk River country and on the reservation referred to, and return these papers with a full and detailed report as possible to these headquarters.
By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan.
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Second indorsement.]
Fort Snelling, Minn., June 8, 1883.
Respectfully returned to the headquarters Military Division of the Missouri.
Attention invited to the inclosed reports of the commanding officer of the district of Montana, the commanding officer Camp Poplar River, Montana, and the inclosed statement marked A.
Assistant Adjutant-General,
In absence of the brigadier-general commanding.
[Third indorsement.]
Chicago, June 16, 1883.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army for the information of the Secretary of War.
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
Captain Read to assistant adjutant-general, Department of Dakota.
April 6, 1883.
Sir: In compliance with your indorsement of March 19 on copies of correspondence relative to a movements of half-breeds and hostile Indians in the vicinity of Milk River, Montana, I have the honor to report as follows: On the 26th of November I sent First Sergeant Neeland, Company B, Eleventh Infantry, with a small party to the Milk River country to hunt for the command and observe the movements of the [Page 517] half-breeds and Indians. Immediately after his arrival there he saw what he believed to be half-breeds running buffalo. Following them up, he captured seven half-breeds, with train of nine carts loaded with meat and robes, on their way north, whom he permitted to go in consideration of information given him regarding other parties. He then followed a party of twenty or twenty-five half-breeds with thirty-nine carts, came in sight of them, but was unable to overtake them before reaching the Canadian line. He therefore turned back to strike another party of whom he had been informed, and found them near Campbell’s Crossing of Milk River. The party, consisting of thirty-three half-breeds and four or five Cree Indians, abandoned their train and fled with their ponies, leaving in Neeland’s hands fifty-eight carts, 200 robe hides, and about 15,000 pounds of meat. He afterwards saw another party of five half-breeds with seven carts, making in all about seventy-five half-breeds and Cree Indians with ninety-three carts seen by this party during an absence of thirteen days. A few days after Sergeant Neeland’s return a party sent out by the Indian agent, with which was a non-commissioned officer from this post on furlough, Corporal Yesson, Company B, Eleventh Infantry, from whom I got my information, captured a party of ten half-breeds, saw five other half-breeds at one time, eight half-breeds and twenty-five or thirty Indians at another, thirteen half-breeds at another, about sixty-six in all, and also saw large numbers of half-breeds or Indians hunting buffalo every day for ten days. Corporal Yesson was informed by hunters that about one hundred half-breeds and Indians had gone up Beaver Creek.
On the 28th of February, Scout Culbertson, with one white man and six Indians, captured nine lodges of Crees (forty-seven Indians all told, of whom eleven were bucks), near head of Beaver Creek, and brought them to Timber Creek, where they were turned over to a detachment sent to meet them, and afterwards sent across the line by order of the department commander. These Indians were part of a camp of thirty lodges that had been removed from the big bend of Milk River, by troops from Fort Assinniboine a short time before, and were moving towards Missouri River. They stated that the other twenty-one lodges returned to their old camp after the troops had left. A white man in the employ of the Indian bureau, and others whom I know to be perfectly reliable, have informed me that about fifty families of Canadian half-breeds have been all winter south of the Missouri, within a few miles of Fort Peck. All of these people mentioned were trespassing upon the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, and all except those last named in what is known as the Milk River country.
On the 21st of December, 1832, I left post myself and scouted that section of country thoroughly, returning December 31. I found no half-breeds or Indians, but the snow, which had fallen within two weeks, was packed down by “jumpers” or half-breed sleighs into well-beaten roads, the principal ones leading towards Wood Mountain, with smaller trails running into them from the hills in every direction. These trails showed conclusively that hundreds of “jumpers” had passed over them since the snow fell, and confirmed the report made to me that half-breeds in large numbers had been there a few days before my arrival.
The numbers given above as having been seen are only such as have been reported to me officially; many others have been reported by outside parties, which I have no means of verifying. So far as I know, no Canadian half-breeds have wintered on the reservation, except those south of the Missouri, who have now left; but that the reservation has been overrun by them and hostile Indiaus, as well as by white hunters, to such an extent as to intimidate the reservation Indians and keep them from their best hunting grounds, there is not a shadow of a doubt. I use the term “hostile Indians” not only with reference to the remnant of the Sioux in Canada, but the Crees as well, who are numerous and hostile to the reservation Indians. The fact that these people made their camps and left their families north of the line does not materially diminish the number of men hunting buffalo on this side.
Inspector Macdonell seems to have ascertained the number of white hunters on the reservation with more accuracy than I have been able to do, and the report he mentioned as having come from the “United States authorities at Poplar River” is certainly incorrect. Every white hunter I have been able to find has been removed, but when it is considered that they are scattered over a large extent of country in parties of from two to six, the difficulties in the way of removing all of them are obvious.
As for Scout Culbertson, he has served under my immediate command more than two years, has proved himself an excellent scout and interpreter in every respect, and in every case where I have acted on reports made by him they have been fully verified. His field service the past winter has been mostly with detachments of troops where the reports have been made by others.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Captain Eleventh Infantry, Commanding Post.
Colonel Ruger to adjutant-general, Department of Dakota.
Helena, Mont., April 24, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith report of the 8th instant by the commanding officer of Fort Assinniboine, Mont., relative to raids recently made south of the boundary line by Canadian Indians, principally Crees; also, statements by Mr. John Young, United States Indian agent at the Blackfeet Agency, and by Mr. William Rowe, deputy United States marshal, living at Fort Benton, regarding the same general subject. A summary of essential facts embraced in the papers is as follow s
On the night of the 15th of March ultimo 111 ponies were stolen from the Piegans at the Blackfeet Agency, but the thieves were not overtaken. Their course was direct for the boundary line, and the party were no doubt Crees.
About the 15th March last a party of Crees, under leadership of “Cut-foot,” left the vicinity of Fort Walsh, crossed the boundary, and, on the 18th and 19th, killed the work oxen belonging to Mr. Clark Tingley, of Fort Benton, near Mr. Joseph Kipp’s ranch, which is on the Marias River, about 80 miles from Benton, and stole from Mr. Kipp forty-three horses, and from Mr. Guadupié, near there, five horses; and from Mr. Solomon Abbott, at Willow Round,up the Marias from Mr. Kipp’s ranch, twenty horses. Pursuit was made by a party of agency Piegans, at the time near Mr. Kipp’s ranch, who overtook the raiclers on the morning of the 19th and killed two, but the main party of about fifteen remaining escaped across the line, and arrived on the 21st, with the stolen horses, in the vicinity of Fort Walsh. Of these horses, seven were afterwards recovered through the efforts of officers of the northwest police at Fort Walsh.
On the night of April 1 a party of Cree Indians stole horses—reported at sixty-seven—from the Gros Ventre camp on People’s Creek. Of these, thirty-seven were recovered near the boundary by a pursuing party, but the thieves escaped.
On the 17th instant seventeen horses were stolen by a party of Crees from Mr. John Galbraith, about 28 miles from Fort Benton, on the Teton River. Information of this was received on the 18th instant by the commanding officer at Fort Assinniboine, who promptly dispatched troop L, Second Cavalry, Captain Randolph Norwood, with Indian scouts, to intercept the raiders.
A party of seventeen Crees, presumed to be the same, were overtaken near White Horse Lake to the east of Sweet Grass Hills, making their way with stolen horses for the boundary. These Crees fired on the advanced party of scouts. One of the Indians was killed by return fire, and, the troop coming up, one other was killed, the rest of the Crees then making good their escape across the boundary in the direction of Fort Walsh.
Special report has been made as to this affair.
On the 14th instant sixty-nine Cree Indians (men, women, and children), who came from the vicinity of Fort Walsh, were found south of the boundary near Fort Assinniboine. They said they came south to get food, hunt and truck. , They have been sent north of the line.
From-communications before received, and as appears by the letters from Major Shurtleff, commanding at Fort Walsh, to the commanding officer at Fort Assinniboine, attached to the report of Colonel Ilges, the officers of the northwest police are anxious to put a stop to these incursions, but, probably from lack of adequate force, have not. Removal of the Crees to the North Saskatchewan, referred to in the letter of the 6th instant by Major Shurtleff, would do much to put a stop to their forays. The recent activity of these Indians in horse-stealing south of the line, particularly by those in the vicinity of Fort Walsh, may be due to expectation on their part of having to move north soon. Presentation of the subject would be incomplete were no reference made to conduct in like regard by our Indians. Stealing parties of them have at times, no doubt, been north of the border, but the evil resulting has been comparatively small. A communication from Colonel Irvine, then commanding officer at Fort Walsh, was received in November last by the commanding officer at Fort Shaw, to the effect that a large number of horses had been stolen from the vicinity of Fort Walsh and supposed to have been taken to the agency on this side of the line. This matter was inquired into, but no evidence found that the Indians of the Blackfeet Agency or other Indians this side of the line were guilty. A copy of the letter of Colonel Irvine, and a statement by United States Indian Agent John Young, are attached. No other complaint of like acts by our Indians has, so far as I have information, been made within a year past.
The rumor mentioned by Mr. Young that ranchmen on the Teton, from whom horses had been stolen, had been north of the boundary to make good their losses by theft in return, I heard nothing of at the time and do not credit.
Report has been made of the particular dispositions of troops recently made and ordered with reference to raids by Canadian Indians south of border, particularly to the region of the Marias River.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Commanding District of Montana.
Colonel Ilges to acting assistant adjutant-general, District of Montana.
Sir: In obedience to telegraphic instructions from your office, I have the honor to submit the following report concerning the late raids of hostile Crees into the United States territory, and their operations, as far as I have been able to ascertain from reliable sources:
It appears that about the 15th ultimo one of the Cree chiefs named Pie-a-pot informed Capt. A. Shurtleff, superintendent and commander of the post of Fort Walsh, of the intention of a band of Cree warriors, under the leadership of “Cut-foot,” to cross the boundary line into United States territory for the purpose of stealing horses and taking the war-path; that Pie-a-pot requested Captain Shurtleff to prevent the raid; that thereupon Captain Shurtleff assembled the leader, “Cut-foot,” and his young men in the post-trader’s store, and advised them against the raid, as being contrary to law and against his positive orders; that if they did cross the boundary line with any hostile intent, which of course he could not prevent with the forces available, they would be arrested and any stolen stock taken away from them upon their return, if such should be found in their possession. This conversation is reported to have taken place in the presence of the trader, Mr. D. W. Marsh, Captain Norman, the Indian agent, and several white men; that a day or two after said conversation “Cut-foot” with fifteen other Cree warriors (among them “The Head,” “The Man who speaks with his Friend,” “Chocolate,” “Frying Around,” “Kernel,” “The Indian,” “The Medicine Man,” “The Old Moccasin” and “The Lonesome Fellow”) crossed the boundary line into United States territory, and on the night of the 19th ultimo, after having separated into two bands, raided the ranch of Mr. Joe Kipp, at the crossing of the Marias, on the McLeod road, and simultaneously the ranch of Mr. Sol. Abbott, at Willow Round, stealing from the former fifty-six horses, and from the latter twenty-one; that these Crees at once started to return across the line in the direction of Fort Walsh; that they were followed by a party of white men and Piegan Indians (American), who overtook and killed three of the raiding party, among them a brother of the chief “Pie-a-pot,” previously referred to in this communication; that on the evening of the 21st ultimo the head man, “Cut-foot,” with his surviving party and the stolen horses (about seventy in number), arrived at Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory, and that the particulars of this raid became at once known to the garrison, the surrounding settlements and the Indians encamped near the post. On the 24th day of March last I dispatched to the commanding officer at Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory, a communication, giving him as full information as was then in my possession, and soliciting his official assistance to recover the stolen stock. The troops which had meanwhile been sent out from this post for the purpose of intercepting the raiders, if possible, and which had been delayed at crossing of Sage Creek by a severe storm, were recalled at the same time.
The answer of Captain Shurtleff, commanding Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory, to my communication above referred to, was received on the 7th instant, and is attached hereto.
A citizen named J. C. Pickett (with two companions), who is, to my personal knowledge, a man of high standing and respectability, arrived at Fort Walsh as the agent of Messrs. Kipp and Abbott about the 26th ultimo, for the purpose of recovering the stolen stock from the Canadian authorities, in case the same or part had been recovered. They saw Colonel Irvine, the officer commanding the mounted police, in person, stated their errand, and were promised all possible assistance. They passed through the post yesterday, having in their possession seven of the stolen horses. Mr. Pickett states that the balance of the stolen horses are cached by the Crees in the hills, and that they refuse to give them up, although ordered by the authorities to do so; that the Crees claim these horses as an offset to the lives of the three warriors killed on the American side during the raid. Mr. Pickett further states that he found two of the stolen horses in the possession of the interpreter of Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory; that he so informed Colonel Irvine and the commanding officer of the post; that he repeatedly demanded possession of the same, but that these horses were not returned to him for some reason unknown, although the interpreter (La Vallet) admitted that they were of the stolen number. On the 5th instant I sent, by special courier, a communication to the commanding officer at Fort Walsh, Northwest Territory, giving information about raid of Crees upon Gros Ventre Indians encamped on Milk River, and in United States territory; also asking for further information about the former raid. This communication, together with answer are attached hereto.
It appears from information received from Indian Agent Major Lincoln, attached hereto, stationed at Fort Belknap, Mont., that a band of Crees (leader unknown) raided a camp of Gros Ventres at People’s Creek, stealing from the latter sixty-seven horses. This party was followed by some of the Gros Ventre Indians, the trail leading toward the boundary line. I have received no further particulars except those contained in the communications above referred to. Not being able to learn of these [Page 520] raids to intercept and punish, I have been powerless to act effectively. By the time information reaches me the marauders are in safety across the boundary line. I respectfully suggest that the remedy for recovery of the stolen stock lies with the Canadian authorities, and the strongest effort of this Government should be put forward to bring about the desired result.
A summer camp, consisting of one company of cavalry and one company of infantry, established on the eastern slope of the Sweet Grass Hills, where there is good water and plenty of grass and timber, would, in my opinion, be of great advantage to prevent raids of Canadian Indians into the settlements, and, if such are made, to intercept and punish.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Lieutenant-Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding.
Major Shurtleff to Colonel Ilges.
Fort Walsh, April 5, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th of March, concerning the Cree raid into Montana.
I have been doing all in my power to recover Kipp’s stock, but find it very slow work, as they are cachéd in small numbers about the hills and moved about every day. I will undoubtedly be able to recover them, but it will take some time to get them all. The Indians state that they left several of them on the road, played out.
I have, &c.,
Superintendent, Commanding Post.
Colonel Ilges to commanding officer, Fort Walsh.
April 4, 1883.
Sir: The inclosed communication has just reached me from Belknap by courier:
“I respectfully request that you will take such measures as you may deem necessary to effect a recovery of the stolen stock, or such part of it as you may be able to find in the possession of the marauding party. I will also thank you to furnish me such information as you may have of the stock stolen from the Marias River, and which I have been informed was taken to your post on the 21st of March. Any assistance rendered me by you in these matters will be reciprocated as far as it is in my power to do so. I fully concur in the view expressed by Colonel Irvine that this horse-stealing should be stopped.”
Very respectfully, &c.,
Lieutenant-Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding.
Major Shurtleff to Colonel Ilges.
Fort Walsh, April 6, 1883.
Sir: Your scout, Nicholson, has just arrived with your communication concerning stolen horses from the Gros Ventre Indians by a party of Crees, under the leadership of “Break-through-the-ice.”
This party has not been in this vicinity during the past winter, and has not come this way with the horses. It is probable that they have crossed the line towards the east end of the mountains. I will at once send a party in that direction to intercept them and recover the horses, if possible. We expect to be able in a few weeks to send all these Crees to their reservation on the North Saskatchewan, which will prevent their raids in future.
I wrote you yesterday by mail concerning the recovery of Kipp’s horses.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Superintendent, Commanding Post.
Mr. Lincoln to Colonel Ilges.
Fort Belknap Agency, April 3, 1883.
Sir: I am grieved to have to report to you that the Cree Indians, fourteen in number, have raided the camp of the Gros Ventres, now on People’s Creek, on the night of April 1, and stole sixty-seven head of their horses. I am informed by one of the pursuing party that they discovered the tracks of twelve head of shod horses, which were evidently stolen from the white men on the Missouri River. Those Crees’ trail led toward the camp of Crees under the leadership of Break-through-the-ice, which is about 35 miles northeast of here and some few miles south of the forty-ninth parallel, as I have already informed you through Scouts Nicholson and Valentine. Will you kindly take steps to notify the Canadian authorities in order to effect a recovery of the animals? A party of my Indians are following up the trail.
Respectfully, &c.,
United States Indian Agent.
Mr. Young to General Ruger.
Blackfeet Agency, Montana, April 4, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram dated 26 th ultimo, asking statement of facts regarding the recent raids on this reservation, &c. On the night of the 15th March 111 ponies were stolen from the vicinity of this agency. Pursuit was made as promptly as possible. It took time to get horses enough. As fixed ammunition is forbidden to the Indians, there was delay in getting that. The trail was followed to near the Canada line towards Cypress Mountain. Ten of the ponies that had given out on the way were recovered, but died from the fatigue; but the thieves were not overtaken. The leader of the pursuing party was “Piegan-man”; he had five assistants.
From the articles picked up on the trail, moccasins, gun-covers, &c., the raiders are believed to have been Crees.
The ponies lost by this raid numbered 101. About the same date a raid was made near Willow Round, and pursuit was given more promptly. The raiders had taken 61 head of horses and had wantonly killed 10 work-steers belonging to freighters. The pursuing party, White Wolf, Little Dog, Bird’s Tail, and Jack Miller, half-breed, overtook two of the raiders, who showed fight and wounded Little Dog, Bird’s Tail and Jack Miller, the two first severely, but were finally captured and scalped. This ended the pursuit, the main party crossing into Canada with the stolen property. No doubt exists as to the party being Crees.
On the night of the 21st of March a raid was made on Birch Creek, the southern boundary of the reservation, and forty-seven ponies were stolen; in this case pursuit was prompt, and seventeen of the ponies were recovered; the pursuers, weakened by those left in charge of the recovered ponies, continued the chase, some on foot, taking the trail to the Cardotte Pass, through which the thieves crossed the mountains, escaping with thirty head of ponies. The raiders are believed to be Pend d’Oreille Indians from the Flathead agency.
The pursuers returned, got fresh ponies and letters of protection, and started again to follow all the way to the Flathead agency, if necessary. Their names are, The Horn, Sleeping Wolf, and White Bird’s Tail. No report from them at this date.
I have written to Colonel Irvine, commanding Fort Walsh, giving the particulars of the two first raids, and requesting his efforts for the recovery of the stolen property, and also to Major Ronan, of the Flathead agency, with full particulars of the Pend d’Oreille raid, and requesting his exertions for the recovery of the stolen ponies.
The two severely wounded Indians are out of danger and on the fair way of recovery.
While talking with some of the chiefs to-day about these raids, they said, “We do go to war and steal ponies; but to wantonly kill, without object, work-steers, no, never.”
Very respectfully, &c.,
United States Indian Agent.
Mr. Rowe to General Ruger.
March 23, 1883.
E. X. Budlor having left town, I took the trouble to find out the facts of the case, and have got the evidence of Mr. Tingley and Mr. John Harris, both stockmen that are familiar with case. On the 18th of March, 1883, in the morning, Mr. Tingley’s herder on the Marias, about 5 miles below Joe Kipp’s ranch, rounded up his work oxen, and in the afternoon of the same day he discovered that six of them had been shot and butchered. He then started to Kipp’s ranch for help; got Pickett, the herder, and some Piegan Indians, went to where the cattle were butchered, and found that more had been killed.
The Indians returned to Kipp’s ranch, and Pickett and two others went to look for their mules and horses; they found the mules and some of the horses, and discovered the Indians with the balance of the horses, about 40 head in number. Some shots were exchanged, and in the excitement the Indians dropped the meat they had taken from the oxen they had butchered. Later in the night a party of Piegans, about 20 in number, started in pursuit, and about daylight on the morning of the 19th they overtook the Crees and killed two of them; also two Piegans were wounded in the fight, and a half-breed had his horse shot from under him. Another mail arrived today, having left Kipp’s yesterday and traveled all night, Indians having been seen around Pend d’Oreille and at the Knees during the day.
The driver reports that the horses are stolen at the Willow Round and at the Blackfeet agency; also some of J. G. Baker & Co.’s work oxen were killed.
The Indians, when last seen, were making for Fort Walsh. Joseph Pickett and two other men have gone to Fort Walsh to try and recover the horses, and to find out what Crees were engaged in the raid.
Deputy United States Marshal.
Colonel Irvine to commanding officer, Fort Shaw.
Headquarters, Fort Walsh, November 13, 1882.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a very serious raid has been made upon settlers’ horses in these territories; a large number of horses were stolen, it is said, by Indians from the United States. The impression here is that the stolen horses have been taken to the Piegan Agency, Montana. I have written to Mr. W. G. Conrad, of J. G. Baker & Co., Fort Benton, on the subject, requesting him to secure the services of the sheriff of Benton in view of recovering the stolen horses. I shall be most grateful for any assistance you can render Mr. Conrad or the sheriff in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Conrad has a description of the horses.
I have, &c.,
Commissioner, Northwest Mounted Police.
Mr. Young to General Ruger.
Blackfeet Agency, Montana, November 28, 1882.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated November 23, giving me a copy of Commissioner Irvine’s letter to you respecting a large number of horses stolen from near Fort Walsh, and supposed to have been taken to this agency. Stealing horses from each other by the tribes on either side of the line is an ancient practice, and my efforts to repress the usage have always been exerted, and the owner of stolen property has uniformly been aided in getting it back. In April last a party of Crees and half-breeds from the Canada side made a raid on the settlement at Birch Creek, on this reservation, and stole 70 head of ponies, with which they succeeded in reaching Fort Walsh, although closely pursued to the line. I promptly informed the police authorities at Fort Walsh of this outrage, and requested their exertions for the return of the ponies.
In reply, the arrival of the above number of ponies was acknowledged at the time stated, accompanied by a promise of endeavor to recover and return them. Until this date none of them have been returned.
Small raiding parties from this side during the summer have made reprisals, and about 20 ponies have in this way been recovered. Of course I only know of these raids when they are accomplished. Along with this number 12 ponies were brought [Page 523] that had never belonged to my Indians. These were at once taken possession of by my police, and 6 of them returned to Joseph Brown, the owner, and 6 are still here awaiting claimants.
I have information quite recently of a band of 36 ponies, in charge of northern Indians from the line near Fort Belknap, passing the Sweet Grass Hills and then turning northward again; there is a possibility of these being part of the “large number lost,” and supposed to have been taken to this agency.
I called the leading men of these tribes together and made them aware of your communication, and their reply was uniform and emphatic, “that no large band of stolen horses had recently been brought on this reservation.”
In any action toward the suppression of these thefts or the punishment of the offenders I shall deem it my duty to heartily concur.
During the summer a party of three half-breeds from north of the line came here properly accredited, seeking stolen horses. They succeeded by my help in getting 6, and in going back homeward through the Teton Valley stole 17 head from the ranchmen there, and I hear that those ranchmen have been north since, stealing in return.
Very respectfully, &c.,
United States Indian Agent
Colonel Ilges to adjutant-general, District of Montana.
April 19, 1883.
Just received the following letter from Major Shurtleff, commanding officer Fort Walsh, per courier:
“I have to inform you that I have just learned that a war party of Crees left this vicinity three or four days ago for the purpose of stealing horses. I am told that they intend to go to the Piegan agency. In their raids on the agency and the Marias they generally go and return by way of the Sweet Grass Hills. You may be able to intercept them on their return.
“Dated Fort Walsh, April 18, 1883.”
I think this the same party Captain Norwood is after, and hope that he will succeed in striking them.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Note.—Information on which action was taken by the commanding officer at Fort Assinniboine was received by him from Fort Benton the day before reception of that from Major Shurtleff. His telegram is not specially referred to in my communication, but, being pertinent to the general subject, is forwarded.
Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding District of Montana.
Colonel Ruger to adjutant-general, Department of Dakota.
Helena, April 25, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor, in response to indorsement of March 19 last, from department headquarters, to report concerning the presence of Canadian Indians and half-breeds south of the boundary line, particularly in the Milk River region, during the past winter and autumn, as follows:
From the first part of July last, when a force from Fort Assinniboine established a camp on the big bend of Milk River, until the 4th day of October, when the force was withdrawn, there were no camps, properly so designated, of Canadian Indians or half-breeds south of the boundary in that region. During that time several hunting parties of such Indians and half-breeds were encountered on the reservation by detachments from the Assinniboine force, and sent north of the boundary. The largest of such parties consisted of about forty Crees, on the 8th of July last, by a detachment from the command of Captain Kellogg, Eighteenth Infantry, of which report was made at the time.
Early in December last a hunting party of Crees and other Canadian Indians of about fifty lodges were on Milk River near the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek. This information was had from a chief of the Belknap agency, Assinniboine, and also from an Assinniboine Indian, who arrived at Belknap December 27 from Wolf Point.
This camp left in the latter part of December or early in January last, and returned, it is presumed, across the line, as it was not found by scouting parties from Poplar River and Assinniboine or scout sent from Belknap, which traversed that particular [Page 524] vicinity and the country of the Milk River generally in January and February.
On February 3 last Lieutenant Hardin, Eighteenth Infantry, in command of a detachment from Fort Assinniboine, found two camps of Canadian Indians—Crees—one of four lodges and the other of forty lodges, under Chief “Rosebud” or “The Hip “and “Frozen Nose,” south of the boundary on Woody Island Creek, near the Milk River, whom he compelled to move north. These Indians stated to Lieutenant Hardin they had been all winter south of the boundary. Reports were made to United States Indian Agent Lincoln that other parties of Canadian Indians were on the Lower Beaver Creek in December last, but as to this fact no information sufficiently definite and reliable to enable me to report positively has been obtained. If such parties were there and not connected with that at the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek, their stay must have been short.
But few half-breeds were, I am confident, on the reservation during the winter, and these small roving hunting parties. Some few, it is reported, crossed the Missouri to the settlement in the Judith Basin.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding District of Montana.
Colonel Reuger to adjutant-general, Department of Dakota.
Helena, May 28, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to say that the accompanying report is as definite as I can make from reports and statements obtained.
In the first report (of April 25, 1883) I did not state numbers, and cannot now, except as inferred from the number of lodges in each case. There is included in the report with this, and not embraced in the former report, a Cree camp of about forty lodges under Chief “Waterfall.” I did not then think the evidence as to this camp sufficient for a positive statement, but now include it as reported by Agent Lincoln. I had before no information of visits by a band of Crees to the Belknap agency.
This information was given by Agent Lincoln in communication of the 21st instant, in part reply to inquiry by me for as full and definite statement as practicable relative to presence south of the boundary of Canadian Indians and half-breeds for a year past. I have taken for granted that the trail, as to which inquiries and report by me were desired in the indorsement of March 19 last, is that referred to in the principal paper, and I have confined my report to the past autumn and winter.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding District of Montana.
Colonel Ruger to adjutant-general, Department of Dakota.
Helena, May 28, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor, in response to telegram of the 7th instant from the department headquarters, and referring to indorsement of March 19 last and my reply of April 25, to make further report and a statement of the number of Canadian Indians and half-breeds who may have been south of the boundary and on the Indian reservation, as follows:
There were in December last, near the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek, a hunting party of about fifty lodges of Crees and half-breeds, numbering, as estimated, three hundred and fifty persons.
During the months of November, December, and January last, and until February 3 following, there were forty-four lodges of Crees camped on Woody Island, near its junction with the Milk River, under chiefs “Rosebud” or “The Hip,” and “Frozen Nose,” numbering about 308 persons.
These Indians were captured by a detachment from Fort Assinniboine, under Lieut. Charles B. Hardin, Eighteenth Infantry, on February 3 last, and sent north across the boundary.
During the month of December, and until about the 10th instant, there were camped near the mouth of the Muscleshell River a party of Crees, numbering twelve. There were also, during part of last autumn and during December last, camped, as reported [Page 525] by Indian Agent Lincoln to the commanding officer at Fort Assinniboine, about fifty lodges of Crees, under Chief “Waterfall” or “The Man-who-breaks-through-the-ice,” at a place in a northeasterly direction from Fort Belknap and a few miles south of the boundary, numbering about 280 persons.
A band of about twenty lodges of Crees were at the Belknap agency on at least two different occasions during the winter. This band, I estimate, numbered about 120 persons.
During the autumn and winter roving hunting parties of Canadian Indians and half-breeds, not included above, were from time to time south of the boundary in the Milk River region, but as to these I have been unable to obtain information sufficiently definite for statement of their numbers.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Colonel Eighteenth Infantry, Commanding District of Montana.
A.—Statement of the number of half-breeds and Canadian Indians who have been during the last past autumn and winter in the Milk River country and on adjoining reservations for Indians in the Territory of Montana. Compiled at headquarters Department of Dakota, from the best information that can be obtained.
| Date. | Place where found or heard from. | Description and number of people. | Number. | Remarks. | ||||
| December, 1882 | Near mouth of Frenchman’s Creek. | Crees and half-breeds. | 350 | Fifty lodges estimated at number given. | ||||
| November and December, 1882; January and February, 1883. | Woody Island Creek, near its junction with Milk River, Montana Territory. | Crees under Chief “Rosebud” or “The Hip” and “Frozen Nose.” | 308 | Forty-four lodges, estimated at number given, captured by a detachment under lieutenant Hardin, Eighteenth Infantry, February 3, and sent across the Canadian boundary line. | ||||
| December, 1882; January, February, March, April and May. 1883. | Near mouth of Muscleshell River, Montana Territory. | Crees | 12 | |||||
| Autumn of 1882 | Northeast from Fort Belknap, a few miles south of the Canadian boundary line. | Crees under Chief “Waterfall” or “The-Man-who breaks-through the-ice.” | 280 | Forty lodges estimated at number given. | ||||
| Winter of 1882 and 1883. | At Belknap agency, Montana Territory. | Crees | 120 | Twenty lodges estimated at number given. | ||||
| Autumn of 1882 and winter of 1882 and 1883. | Milk River region. | Other Canadian Indians and half-breeds in roving bands and hunting narties. | No definite data as regards numbers obtainable. | |||||
| From November 26, 1882, to December 9, 1882. | Eastern portion of Milk River country. | Half-breeds, first party seen. | 7 | |||||
| Half-breeds, second party seen. |
|
This party, when about to be overtaken, abandoned 58 carts, 200 robe hides, and about 1,500 pounds of meat, and fled with their ponies. | ||||||
| Half-breeds and a few Crees, third party seen. | ||||||||
| Half-breeds, fourth party seen. | ||||||||
| December, 1882, dates later than above. | Same | Several parties of half-breeds, in all. | 36 | |||||
| February 26, 1883 | Near head of Beaver Creek, Montana Territory. | Crees | 47 | |||||
| Winter of 1882–’83 | South of Missouri River, near Fort Peck. | Half-breeds | 200 | Fifty families, estimated at two hundred persons, camped for hunting purposes on the north or the Missouri River. | ||||
| Total | 1,422 |
Fort Snelling, Minn., June 8, 1883.