Three Years on the Plains

by Tuttle, Edmund B.

• ISBN13: 9780806134949
• ISBN10: 0806134941
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-01
• Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr

Summary

History has its heroes and its villains, but most of all it has its witnesses. As post chaplain at Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming Territory from 1867 to 1870, the Reverend Edmund B. Tuttle was an eyewitness to the evolving relationship between the U.S. Army and American Indians on the northern high plains, particularly the Lakota (Sioux), the Northern Cheyennes, and the Northern Arapahos. In 1873, he wrote about his experiences, along with events derived from other sources. Tuttle knew many of the individuals involved in the various Indian-Anglo conflicts during the 1860s. His writings and interpretations furnish important information about the military occupation of the Bozeman Trail and about the Fort Laramie "massacre" of 1866, when Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahos wiped out Captain William J. Fetterman and his command. Tuttle's book also includes more peaceful events, such as Oglala Sioux chief Red Cloud's visit to Washington and New York City and the 1868 negotiations at Fort Phil Kearney. In some cases, Tuttle presents transcriptions of American Indian testimony given at the various meetings between Indian leaders and government officials. Jerome A. Greene's foreword sets Tuttle's writings in historical context.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xi
Foreword	1	(10)
Jerome A. Greene
Introduction	11	(2)
Where did the Indians come from?	13	(3)
Despoiling the Grave of an old Onondaga Chief	16	(6)
The Fidelity of an Indian Chief	22	(4)
Big Thunder---a Winnebago Chief	26	(1)
Indian Tradition---the Deluge	27	(5)
Tribes on the Plains	32	(15)
The Author a ``Medicine-man''	47	(1)
The Sioux Sun Dance---Scene on the Plains of Young Warriors exhibiting Fortitude and Bravery in Torturing Pains---a Horrible Scene	48	(4)
Julesbug	52	(3)
A Brave Boy and some Indians	55	(1)
An Indian Meal	56	(3)
Shall the Indians be exterminated?	59	(6)
Indians don't believe half they hear	65	(1)
Army Officers	66	(2)
What shall be done?	68	(3)
A Good Joke by Little Raven	71	(1)
How the Indian is cheated	72	(1)
Burial of a Chief's Daughter	72	(3)
An Indian Raid on Sidney Station, Union Pacific Railroad	75	(2)
Why do Indians scalp their Enemies?	77	(2)
Indian Boy's Education	79	(2)
Making Presents	81	(1)
Indians making Signals	81	(1)
Merciful Indians	82	(1)
A Scene at North Platte	82	(5)
Across the Plains	87	(2)
Why does not the Indian meddle with the Telegraph?	89	(1)
Plum Creek Massacre	90	(1)
Pawnee Indians---Yellow Sun and Blue Hawk	91	(1)
A Trip to Fort Laramie	92	(3)
Moss Agates	95	(2)
A Young Brave	97	(3)
The Head Chief---Red Cloud	100	(6)
Red Cloud's Journey	106	(1)
Phil. Kearney Massacre	107	(14)
Perilous Adventure---Pursuit of a Horse-Thief	121	(7)
Hanging Horse-Thieves	128	(3)
An Indian Fight at Sweetwater Mines	131	(4)
Indian Attack on the Stage-Coach going to Denver---Rev. Mr. Fuller's Account of Two Attempts upon his Life	135	(8)
Chaplain White says there's a time to Pray and a time to Fight	143	(2)
Legend of ``Crazy Woman's Fork''	145	(4)
Phil. Kearney Massacre	149	(1)
Mauvaises Terres, or Bad Lands, Dakota	150	(3)
Natural History---Animals on the Plains	153	(5)
A Night Scene	158	(2)
The Mission-House	160	(1)
Indian Language, Counting, etc.	160	(1)
Indians attack Lieutenant W. Dougherty---Fight between Forts Fetterman and Reno	161	(1)
Speech of ``White Shield,'' Head Chief of the Arickarees	162	(2)
Indian Trading	164	(3)
Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and their Friends in Washington	167	(34)
Conclusion	201	(4)
Lord's Prayer in Sioux Language	205	(1)
Apostles' Creed	206	(1)
Distances	206