The New York Herald Newspaper, December 24, 1868, Page 5

THE INDIAN WAR. Return of General Custer’s Command. DETAILS OF THE RECENT BATTLE Letter from General Sheridan Justifying the Attack on Black Kettle’s Band. . Return of General Custer from the Battle of the Washita—The Trophics of the Fight— ‘The Captives—Additional Details and Inci- dente—The Death of Major Elliott and Cap- tain Hamilton—List of Indian Chiefe Killed Sketches of Elliott and Hawilton—Tho Killed and Wounded. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, IN THE FIELD, FORK OF THE BEAVER AND WOLF RIVERS, I. n} is 1, 1868, My despatch of November 29, forwarded by special express, has already given an account of the bril- Mant victory won by the Seventh United States cavalry under Brevet Major General G. A. Custer over Black Kettle’s band of the Cheyennes; it now Temains to add those details of personal heroism and incidents which form so interesting and important a part of a hotly contested battle, Yesterday a courier from General Custer an- nounced that his column would encamp that night ‘within ten miles of this point, and would be in this Moruing. Every one was more than anxious to see the victors of the Washita, and it was with con- siderable impatience the appearance of the column was looked for, The day was a oright one, and the temperature, materially affected by the moderating influence of the sun, gave additional interest to the anticipated display. Shortly after the sun bad Passed its meridian a cluster of dark and almost in- Gefinable objects appearing upon the crest of a bill about a mile distant, simultancously accompanied with shouts and the firing of musketry, an- nounced tite approach of the column. ‘The mules and horses grazing in the valleys mear by hearing these unusual sounds stampeded from ail directions towards camp, as if by instinct, interpreting these demonstrations of triumph for the defiant shouis of nostitity, On the summit of tie hisl the head of the column halted for afew moments. Meanwhile General Sheridan, ac- companied by Brevet Brigadier General J. W. For- syth, Brevet Lieutenant Culonel A. J. McGonnigle and Dr. Morris J. Asch, Surgeon, all of the sta‘, and a number of oficers of the garrison here, took posi- tion in the valley to await the column, which the commanding general was to witness in passing re- view. At the same time Brevet Lieutenant Colonels 4. Schuyler Crosby and T. W. C. Moore, of the staff, Were to conduct the column by the proper line of arch. All the officers and soldiers not on duty assembled in the vicinity of the fort to Witness the warlike pageant. ‘The column now resumed its march, and as it descended the hill the Mashing of sabres and carbines and the Shouts of the men were in wild counterpart of the dreary surroundings of their departure from this Point about a week since. The column was now ‘within a short distance of the commanding general; the Indians shouted, the band reiterated tue stirring tones of “Garryowen” and the troopers cheered. In response rounds of huzzas from the troops of the fort shouted welcome and congratulation. In the advance were the Osage Indian trailers, Beiore Jeaving camp this morning they had arrayed and decorated themselves in a manner becoming tile im- Portance of the occasion. ‘Their faces were painted fu the most fantastic and hideous designs. About their persons were dangling the trophies Which they had captured im battle. | Spears, oo ih baal fastened the oe of their jaiieo foe, were slung upop sheir shoulders; from tueir own plaited scalp ides # ere spent ton traus of silver ornaments and featiers: over thelr BuoUlders hung shicids aud bows and yuivers fuli of arrows, while in one band they held their trusty rifle and with the other grasped the reins. Even tue animals which the Osages bestrode were decorated With scalps and strips of red aud biue blanket. At the head of the baud rode Litute Beaver, te citer, with a countenance as fixed as sioue, yet in his bearing showlug indications of an inward self-giori- fication, which Was apparcnlly kept stirring and swelling higher aud higher by the gesticulations and ‘Wud notes oi the War songs shouted by his warriors, Juvermingled with whoops and the discharge of rifles. In @ moment of enthusiasm the chief shouted, “fhey call us Americans; we are Osages,” to which sentuument went up @ responsive yell of ap- roval, Conspicuous in this party was the young sage warrior Koort-la-Mauche (irotier), Tt was he, under te impulse of tie bighest ambition of Tndian valor, that siugled Out Uiegreat chief black Keitie, the terror of ali the Osages, a8 his victim, After a severe conflict bé reached tue crowning pot oi his edorta, and bore away (he ghastly scaip of the terrible chief as aie trophy attaciing to his success, ‘With a mark of special actention this scalp was care- fully and lantasiicaiiy decorated and hung promi- nently. among the most sacred possessious of the young warrior. Following ae Indians were the scouts, led by Caluornia yoe, a veteran pioneer of over forty years. Joe isa alrsute-lovking specimen of humanity, ex- hibiing an altitude of six feet, a mat of red whis- ers hiding two-thirds of his face, aud a long, knotty ead of hair, weil powdered ii series of coats of ict, intermixed with siray biades of grass, leaves and sticks as the vestiges of lis previous night's BSiumbers. upon the bosom of Mother Kurth. Joe was a suitable figurehead for this motiey band of curiousiy clad, brave, adventurous and ragged men. Next came Generai Custer, rding alone, mounted on a magnificent black stallion, and diessed in a short, blue sacx Coat, wimmed with the color of is arm of the service, aud reinforced with fur coilar aud cuits; on his head he wore an otter cap. When General Custer came within fitty yards of the commanding general he lett his position in tue coininn and dasued up to his culef, when a warm and hearty exchange of salutations was made be- tween the co auider and his distinguisiued and successful Lieutenant, General Custer was followed in the covumn by Lie members of Lis stall, arranged in patovn:—First Liew Moylan, Assistant Adjutant General; First Lieutenant s. Ropbias; Erevet Major J. M. Beil, Brevet Cuptain A. KE, Smita, Afier whom came the mounted band. Next followed the living evidences of the victory— Over filly squaws and their chiidreu, surrounded by @ suilabie guard to prevent tueir escape, These ‘were mounted on their own, ponies, seating thein- seives astride the animals, their persons wrapped in 64ius aod blankets, even their heads and faces being covered, leaving nothing visibie but their eyes. The mothers had their ouispring mounted belind them, the papoose bos | visibie only by its diminutive head peering up over the back of the head of its mother. As many as three were mounted on some of the po- nies, Without a sigh, without a fiance to the right or left, these reunants of the band of the once pow: erfal Black Kettle followed with all the submission of captives. Following them came the keen- sighted sharpshooters, commanded by Brevet Lieutenant Cvionel W. W. Cook, and followi them the bravest men of the different com; mies Of tue regiment, in column by piatoons, under their proper officers. On a separate line of march from the summit came the wagon train pouring over the hil. In the lead were the ambulances fom bn J the dead and wounded. The train was formed tn double columa, and tn the centre were tie led ponies. ‘the regiment moved 5 the Beaver mile from the fort and there scene during the remainder of the day was joyous holiday, Officers and men recounted the perils and hardships of the march and the battle and exhibited the trophies which had been saved from the burning village. General Custer’s Sibie; Faised is cone-like outlines in the centre; on the le! @ hundred yards Chg the prisoners, the ‘and the scouts; in front, the long lines of picketed horses and the wall and shelter tents of officers and men. Returning now to the operations of the advanct column, having crossed the Canadian river General Custer sent a detachment under Major Joel H. Kiliott ‘up the river to reconnoitre for trails and with orders, should avy such exhivitions of the presence of In- diana be discovered, that courier should be sent back with the announcement of the Sratity intelli- gence, Meanwhile, General Custer, with the main column, Would proceed down the stream ana en- cainp at @ distance of five or six miles, Hardly had General Custer reached his camp for the day than couriers came dashing in, informing bim that @ trail hardiy twenty-four hours old had been found in the snow and leading southward. Everything was now ‘and officera and men were anxious and ready to abandon the few comforts had with them to set out in pursuit, While Major Eliott kept the trail at a trot, General Custer, leaving the tra and all tents in charge of Lieutenant E. G. Mathey, with a guard of eighty men, and taking buta few wagons an three “ rations, started across country, Fortunately the General struck Major Elijott’s column. The entire command now hastened forward a the utmost speed the animais could endure, When the report of the Osage trailers of the discovery of the village reached General Cus- ter's cars the General, with several Officers, crept up Bieaithily to the crest of a hill overlook jog the village. At first he doubted tho Authenticity of the Osages’ report. ‘the light of the moon was not suicienty bright to enabic | define the dark objecis which be saw in the NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1868.—TRIPLE SHEET. valley, At first he remarked they were buffa'oes, a8 it Was an extraordinary occurrence to get so close $08 vilage without an alarm being given. In his opinion that the objects they saw were buffaloes the General had also the like ‘opinions of the officers with him, All was as silent as tf the presence of a hostie force were not there to break the wild soll. tude of the scene, Suddeuly the distant tin of a bell broke upon the alert ears of the party. ‘nis slight and welcome sound solved the mystery. The Osage chicf repeated hig wor’s, “Heaps ponies,’ The General, turnmg to those with him, said im & whisper, ‘I am satisfied they are ponies, the herd of the village, Baduloes are not in the haoit of wear- ing such ornaments as bellsin this country.” The party now returned, and fearing that tho untimely neigh of a horse or some unusual sound might signal their presence to the sleeping savages the column was withdrawn to @ distance, The men were or- dered to stand by their horses and not allowed to build fires or even to stamptheir feet for fear.of de- feating the success of the attack. A small detach- ment of dismount men were left to watch the vil- lage, with instru@@ions to attack immediately should the savages show any sign @ suspicion by issuing from their lodges. General Custer now took his principal’ officers ith him to a point givingan idea of the village. He then explained. to each officer what he pro- posed as a pl of attack. The village lay upon the south bank of the Washita, The Cheyenne lodges were in the centre the Arapaho above and the Sioux below, all ranging along the banks of the stream. ‘The nature of the ground, as it could be indistinct; traced by moonlight, seomed to indicate that the vil- lage was accessible from all points. The General and his ofMicers now retired toa ravine near the column and determined upon the following plan of attack. Four columns, composd as follows, were to atiack*the village from different directions: Right colamn—Companies B and F, Brevet Lieu- tenant Colonel Witham Thompson commanding; Captain G. W. Yates, Liectenaats D. M. Wallingford and F, M. Gibson on duty with column, Right centre column—Breve; Lieutenant Colonel Edward Myers commanding; Brevet Charles Brews- te and First Lieutenaut J. M. Johnson on duty with column. Centre colamn—Companties A.D, C and K, Brevet Major General G. A. Custer commanding tn person; First Lieutenants M. M. Moylan, G. M. Robbins, Bre- vet Major J. M. Bell, Brevet Captain K. M. West, Captain L, M. Hamilton, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel T. W. Weir, Brevet Licutenant Colonel T. W. Cusier, Brevet Captain M. Berry and Lieutenants E. 8, God- frey and Ed, Law on duty with column. Left column—Companies G, Hand M, Major Joe! H. Elitott commanding; Brevet Lisutenant Colonel F. Smith on duty with column, A detachment of sharp- W. Henteen, Lieutenants Owen Hale and H, W. shooters, under brevet Lieuterant Colonel W. W. Cook, with centre colamn, The signal was to be the firing of a shot, or the gray of dawn if beyond hearing. 'The columns took position, and at the preconcerted time every com- mand bezan its appointed offite, As the cavalry came dashing towards the villags Black Kettle broke from his bed of robes and in an instant appeared without his lodge. He bad hetrd the tramping of the horses on the snow. He lpoked around him, and, wiinessing the approachingcolumns, fired his rifle and gave one wild whowp. Each warrior, springing up as if by magic, seized his rife and responded = to ie =6yell «oof = despair which broke from the lips of the chief. Some of the warriors fled io the river and began fighting at the same time, standing waist deep in the water; others topk to aravine near by. The squaws fled toward the high hills south of the village. It was as the centre ¢olumn was charg- ing down the precipitous blutfs vo eross the river and take the village that Captain Hamilton was killed. When struck he gave one convulsive start, stitfened in his stirrups and was chus carriel_ a corpse tor a distance of several yards, when he fell from his horse, striking upon his face, which was from this cause terribly iacerated and disiigured. Colonel Barnitz fell, seriously wounded, while charg- ing with Elifott’s column up the river. AS the fight became general each man picked his antagonist and started for him. It was after this mode of fighting had commenced that Major Elliott, with the Sergeant Major of the regiment and @ handful of men, started down the river after a small band of Indians, During the excitement of the fight the Major was not migsed. Atone time heavy firing was heard at @ distance, which was sup) 1d to be signals to the vi below. When the conftict lulled the question was carried along the line, ‘Where is Elliott? Where ts Elliott?” The onl: reply was that he was last seen cl ing some fugi- tives fleeing down the river. There 1s now no doubt that he and his party struck the approaching Kiowas and Arapahoes coming to tle rescue of the Chey- ennes and were cut off by them. ‘there 1s ho question that each man of this ill-fated band sold his life as dearly as possible and died at his post. For these unfortunate men there was no en of escape. Their alternative was death yy sone friendly bullet or death by the horrible tor- ture which the hellish ingenuity of the savage alone can invent. Before the fight the Osage Indians seemed to have some misgiving ag to thelr own part in the affair. Ttis known , hes. |, and for some cause or other they took it into their heads that our troops would there dictate a peace, and that ten Osage war- Mors, to be given up to ont Cheyennt to be the price of so dishonorable a trinaaction. ‘The Osages, not to pe caught, determined to fight on horaeoack. The chief, Little Beaver, took posi- ton behind the color-bearer of the regiment and followed him, After the fight was over and the victory complete the Osages were probably the proudest of savages. They saw they had mistaken the sincerity of the whites in securing and u'ing their services according tothe Stipulations, After the fight had commenced a party of Osages dis- covered the goes trying to escape, They imme- diately started in pursuit, and, seizing switches, gave tue fugitives a sevgre whipping, elling them irthey tried to cscap2 again they wuld give them another beating, After this exercise of autiority the squaws became exceedingly submissive and made no fur- ther efforts to get away, and have since manifested the test terror of the Osages. While the fight was the thickest a dimt- nutive person closely wrapped in a blanket took refuge — amo the squaws. At the time Lievténant H. W. Smith was charging by, foltowed bya bugler. He orderel the bugler Ot to fire upon the woman. Hardiy nail the words, tailen from his lips than an arrow wasseen to its fight from beneath the blanket of the diminuti figure, taking effect on the right temple of the bugier and ranging around the biade tearing the scalp half the circumference of the head. The wound had the appearance of producti contusion of the skull, but upon examination it was discovered to be merely a larceration of the scaip. in retalia- tion as he rode by, the wound not having dismounted him, the bugier despatched the individual who had wounded him. The diminutive figure was found to be that of an old man and from under his blanket were taken a bow and quiver fall of arrows, A number of squaws also participated in the dght, and were seen tiring with all the energy and precision of warriors. The en- counter beiween Coiouel Benteen ani the son of Black Kettie was at close quarters and quite hot for atime. Colonel Benteea made an effort to capture the young warrior, who responded te these over- tures of humanity by refusing to surrender, and fired several times at the Colonel when but afew yards distant. tis escape was mirsculous, one Dall taking eifect upon tue Colonel's jorse, Killing him. The young warrior male a rushat the pros- trate officer, but was arrested in his nurderous de- sign by being despatched with a pistol. t would be Impossible to euumerdte the hatr- breadth escapes and haud to hand encounters which were liad with the Cheyenne warriors. The appear- ance of the Kiowa and Arapahoe warriors from the Villages below Was an unexpected atterpt at rescuc. The ughting for several hours ensuing was even in- creased in desperation, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Weir was detached with his squadron to encounter the fresh warriors who had now — upon the fleld. The Kiowas and Arapanoes fought with unusual courage, maintaining, however, the customary mode of indian fighting, circling around and making dashes upon vulnerable points. When the savage allies of the Cheyennes saw tha; thetr effort could be Sa avali they took to flight, seeking their own ety. On the morning of the discovery of the first signs of Indians the Usage chief, through the mediam of some superstition, remarked to General Custer that Indians would be seen that day. To the credit of his mysterious prompter the Osage was right, During the pursuit the same day at sunset the Osage chief again said to the Gegeral, through the interpreter, that the signs were farorable, that the sun had gone down covered in a sight haze, which was an oinen always when the went to battle that they would be s or, 'n bis own words, “It was good medicine.” Prior to he fight one of the Osages was in mourning for tle murder of his squaw some months before by a jurty of Cnc Every night and morning he kept up his wail of arte! jen the fight wile all bis com- sented re the Lae! ofr devils rather than human beings, ‘he m rior sat down mumbling over his mournful sir: He was not painted. As soon as the conflict began in earnest an Osage warrior, enne, rushed upon his fallen foe an severed the head fiom the body. With powid wool he took the object to thi a whoop he e mourning wi " of and threw before him, The wi seized the trunkless head and in an in- Asif uymagie the tne ote porrowing walroe was mi wairlor was gave one yell amt, waving the propitiatory sesip in ve one yel wai ma alr, he cast his woes faidoand ai in the thickest of the fray. A few moments after the same warrior was seen standing over the lifeless form of @ Cheyenne warrior. had discov- ered the murderer of his squaw. ing, knife in hand, he was about to take thescalp, discov: ered it had already been taken. Such aa expression of flendish disappointment was probably never ex- ceeded, a himself to fall len; with mpee modic and fearful emphasis he cul |, “Ugh, Uy mt’ Aleta ead ey Eat an pevered' the throat from ear to ear. he stood his whole frame quivering wi Once erect, more he fell upon the lifeless ly, and, completely severing the head from the trunk, now took his knife between his teeth, then claiched the ry head in both hands and ing it high above im dashed it upon the pee at his feet with an imprecation @d 4 ¢onvulsion of his entire frame. During the fight, after the squaws and chil- dren had been beaten back by the Osages, they were placed for safe keeping im a lodge, As the number was considered too yreat for one lodge General Custer directed that they shoud be divided, part to be put in anqher lodge. When told that titey were to be seprated those ‘The remaimer became designated started out. the exit and rashed out until the lodge was quite empty. When they got into the open air and could see their warriors fighting all around them they set ups mournful wail, which was answered by the warriors from the hills, Hitherto the warriors shouted deflance. When they found their fainilies were in possession of the troops their souts were changed to mourning and tyey seemed to reauze fon oe star of Black Kettle’s band of the Cheyennes The very ponies of the village seemed to feel an in- atinctive hosti'ity towards the white man. Repeated efforts were made to take them, but they eluded cap- ture, and when taken struggled violently to be re- leased. AS time was now precious a few squaws Were sent out to bring in what they could catch. ‘The ponies now recovered from thelr frantic efforts to escape. squaws Walked up to them, the anl- mala quietly submitting to be brid'ed and saddied, but displaying aitianos tion to fight whenever a white man came near. About 200 pontes were thus taken and brought in, while over 100 were shot to prevent their being retaken by other Indian bands, Next to the loss of a warrior or a aquaw the savage laments the loss of a pony. ‘The troops had won s great victory. The general commanding the expedition found, after a brief pur- suit, that to overtake the Kiowas and Arapahoes would involve along pursuit. His train was some miles in the rear and, being guarded bya mere handful of men, he feared an attack by the Indians getting in the rear, and as it was a question whether 80 few men could prevent at least the destruction of @ portion of the in, he therefore returned, and found to his satisfaction that though the wagong had made but little progress the train was intact. On the return trip no Indians were seen. They were evidently in great alarm at the just and ter- rible punishment meted out to the Cheyennes. It was anticipated that at least a small party would follow, in order to watch the movements of the column; but such was not the case. Night and morning the prisoners set up their mourning songs, but received no response from warriors lurk- ing about the camp. While thus giving vent to their grief the sister and niece of Black Kettle, who were also taken, passed among the sorrowing party, plac- ing their hands upon the head of each, simultaneous- ly repeating a few sounds. At the first camp on the return, according to custom, the Osages hung their scalps outside their tents and fired several volleys over them. They have a superstitution that sucn demonstrations of hostility drive away the spirits of those from whom the scalps were taken, and that in the event of the neglect of so important a precaution these spirits would come and rob them of their hard earned and ghastly evidences of their prowess. An- other rather singular superstition was witnessed be- fore the column started, Before the fall of the snow the Osages were seated in their usual sullen manner around their camp fire. One of them suddenly espied a few yards off a whirl- wind stirring up sand and sticks. The Osage jumped up and was followed by half a dozen of the warriors, The warriors kicked and struck forcibly at the whirl. wind until {t disappeared, Upon inquiry the war- riors sald the whirlwind was the spirit of an Arapa- hoe warrior who had been killed on the Soloman, and was then on its way south to alarm the tribe of the approach of danger, but they had now driven the spirit away. The Osages having been promised all the Indian ponies they could capture, the niece and sister ot Black Ketue were told the fact. ‘They replied with an air of contempt, “Let them have them; the Osages are poor.’? The deeisive character of the victory and the se- vere blow sustained by the Cheyennes may be judged from the number of “big’ chiefs, war chiefs and head men killed in the “Battle of the Washita.” I learn from the squaws, by means of Mr. Curtis, the interpreter, that the following were killed :— C-1zYENNES—Black Kettle, chief of the band; Little Rock, second chief ; Bu‘falo Tongue, Tall White Man, Tall Owl, Poor Black Elk, Biz Horse, White Beaver, Bear Tail, Running Water, Wolf Ear, The Man That Hears the Wolf, Medicine Walker, Stoux—Heap Timber, Tall Hat. ARAPATOES—Lame Man. Notwithstanding their success the oMcers and men feel deeply the loss of such gallant oMicers as Elliott and Hamilton. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Albert Barnitz ts a native of Pennsylvania. He entered the service of the rebellion in the Second Ohio cavalry. The’ ball by which he received his wound entered the body three inches above and about four inches to the left of the navel, ranged a little upward and emerged about three and a half inches from the spinal column. The case of the stomach has been rup- t but the entrails are unharmed. There are fair chances of his recovery. List of killed and wounded in the Seventh United States cavalry at the battle of the Washita, Indian Territory, November 27, 1868:— KILLED—Major Joel _H. Elliott, Captain Louts M. Hamilton, Be: t Major Walter Kennedy, Corporal Harry Mercer, John McClernan and Thoinas Christie, Company E; Corpora! Wiillam Garrick, E\ 1e Clo- ver, John George and William Milligan, Company H; Corporal James F. Williams and Thomas Downey, Company 1; Sergeant Irwin Vanousky, farrier Thos. les ye ick, Ferdinand Lineback, John Myers, Car- son D, J, Myers, Cal Sharpe, Comyany M; Frederick Stobacus. Wounpep—Captain Albert Barnitz, seriously; First Lieutenant Thomas Ws Custer, slightly; Liecu- tenant Thomas J. March, slightly; Corporal William Eastwood and Mortier le, Company A; Charles Cuddy and Augustus Dela es Company B; ads Zimmer, Company D; Frederick Klenk, Company E; William Brown, Company F; August Mariin and Daniel Morrison, Company a; Benjamin McCasey, Company H; Conrad Strabie aud Hagh Morgaa, coil- 1; John Murphy, Company M. Indians wounded and brought in:— One squaw, in the left knee, One squi in the right hip. ‘One squaw, in the right breast and ranging up- wards through the lower jaw. One boy, in the left thigh. One girl, in the right side. One girl, in the le't forearm. All gunshot wounds. The more serious cases of wounded men and all the wounded Indian squaws and children have been placed in the general fleld hospita! in charge of J. J. Marston, Acting Assistant Surgeon United States Army, and are receiving all the attention the c: stances can afford. General Sheridan, with 1,600 Men, Moves to Fort Cobb—Probability of a Surrender of the Hostile Indians—Troops to Remain. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE Missount, | FORKS OF BEAVER AND WOLF Rivers, Indian Territory, Dec. 7, 1863, Major General Sheridan and staff will leavo hero for Fort Cobb, southwest of this point, 100 miles dis- tant and deeper into the heart of the Indian Terrl- tory. The General takes with him eleven companies of the Seventh United States cavalry, Brevet Major General George A. Custer commanding; the Nine- teenth Kansas volunteer cavalry, Colonel 8. J. Craw- ford commanding; the scouts, fndians and a train of wagons with thirty days’ supplies for the entire command. Fort Cobb was abandoned some time since, but within the past few months it has been occupied by General Hazen and a small force. General Hazon is there acting in the interests of the defunct Peace Commission. Recently a party of the hostile savages visited that point and received sup- plies, which proved a valuable assistance to them in fighting che military arm of the service, here is a bare possibility that the savages will come into Cobb to make peace. If such is their wish the proper person to consummate the transaction is the person who will have brought them to taeir Knees. That person ts General Sheridan. If the savages have not had enough Fort Cobb is as good a point asa centre of operations as this, though rather far from the base as a place to use for that purpose permanently. The troops will operate from that oint if necessary. The trip to Cobb will require ve days, probably more. The weather ia very cold and the drifting snow may impede the column in a measure. For forty-eight hours we have been passing through a norther of unusual severity, and the snow which has fallen lies drifted in_ the valleys, the hills being perfectly bare. Brevet Major Henry Inman, Chief Quarter- master of the District of the Upper Arkansas, will re- turn with a train of several handred wagous to Fort Dodge to-morrow for more supplies. ‘0 compa nies of the Nineteenth Kansas Volunteer cavairy, and Lieutenant George P. Berden’s company of the United States infantry, will act as escort, No changes will be made in the infantry stationed here. Company ©, Tenth United States cavalry, com- man Lieutenants Thomas ©. Lebo ani George Taylor, will also remain here. Letter from General Sheridan to General Sherman—The Attack on Black Kettle’s Band Justified=The Country Fall of Game— Letter from a White Captive. onnegh {From the St, Louls Democrat. The following letters from Major General Sheridan, with the accompanying letter from a white female captive in an Iudian lodge, were received ar teats ‘at General Sherman's headquarters. It will be seen that the recent chaatisement of Black Le gtd HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THR MISSOURI, IN THE FiRLD, Devot ON THR Nort CaNa- DIAN, AT THE JUNCTION OF BEAVER CRE! f 3, Brevet Major General W. A. Nrcro.s, Assistant Ad- wat ming Division of the Missouri, 8t. Louis, lssourl:— GENEKAL—I had an interview to-day through the reter, Mr. Curtis, with the sister of Black Ket- tle, from whom I learn as follows, and which seems to be, after close questioning, a correct statement of the indians who were located in the vicimty of Where Custer had his fight on the 27th uit., on the Washita river, about seventy-five or eighty miles southwest of Fort Cobb and immediately south of the Antelope bills, The Inctans there wereencamped on the Washita as follows:— First, Black Kettie and other chiefs of the Chey- ennes and a small party of Sioux, in all numbering Afty-one lodges. Eight miles down the were all the Arapahoes und seventy addi lodges ot Kiowaas, then the Apaches and Cheyennes; also the Comanches. While thus encamped three war parties were sent out north; one composed of Cheyennes, Kiowas and Arapahoes, went north in the direc- tion of Larned, and the trail of which we crossed in coming down; It was still out, Another party, com- posed of Cheyennes and Arapahocs, which party returned, and the trail of which led General Custer jnto Black Kettle’s village. This party brought back three scalps, one of which was the expressman killed and horribly mutilated just before Fett Fort Dodge. ‘The mail on his person was found in Black pauic-stricken and ke gO many seed owded to 4 Kettle’s camp, Tbe other party was 4 walxed varty, and went out on foot in ihe direction of Lyon, and is still out. About the time the firstof these parties !eft Black Kettle and a representatim of one sub-chief from each of the bands visitedPort Cobb, and a! brought back provisions from Gerral Hazen or some one else there, and while theywere gone, or about the time of their return, tli) last war party was sent out, which is the one fist alluded to as going in the direction of Fort Laned, and whose trail we o . ‘The women are of theopinion that they will all sue for peace at Fort Cot, since the biow received by them on the 27th. The would have come here had the opening there notdeen held out to them, I will start for Fort Sc¢t as soon as the trains ee Doane Pye it Lt Does tar 4 m ansasegiment, of getting lost from the trail while en pute from the Little Ar- kansas to this place, ane the heavy snow storm which reduced and jaded their horses so as to ren- der them on arrival undt pr duty, we should have closed up this ig before tia time. As it is, [ think the fight ts pretty well knoked out of the Cheyennes. Thirteen Cheyennes, two iioux and one Arapahoe ee e makes) great mistake in givin: these indians any consilerable amount nf Yood under the supposition of necessity. The whole coun- try is literally covered wth game, and there are more buffaloes than will lat the Indians for twenty years, and tie turkeys ar so numerous that flocks as large a3 from one to wo thousand have been seen, and the country is all of grouse, quails and rabbits, Herds of anielop‘and deer are seen every- where, and even ran thragh the wagon trains of General Curtis on his mara. ‘The buffaloes here are a eparate band from those ranging during the fall mrth of the Union Paciflo Railroad, where I have sen myself not less than 200,000 in one day, The reservation latd ofifor the Arapahoes and Cheyennes, by the treaty 071887, is full of game and the most luxuriant natura grasses, as reported by Colonel Crawford, of the Sineteenth Kansas, who has just peer through thi, reservation in coming here, Others fauiliar wi the reservation report the same. Black Kettle’s sister repets three white women in the lodges below Klack Ketle’s camp. Very respectiully yours, P, H. SHERIDAN, Major Geneal United States Army. SUBSTANCE OF ANOTHER JEITER FROM GENERAL SHERTAN, In addition anotner letter from General Sheridan has been received at the nilitary headquarters, in which he says te trail of te war party which ‘led General Custer to the Indiancamp was that of a party returning with the scalps of juree white men; among them was that of the courte: killed between Dodge and Larned, and the mail hewas carrying was found in the Indian camp, also themules, of Clark’s train, also photographs and otherarticles taken from the houses robbed ou the Salinc and Soloman, and that of the war party whose tall was crossed by the troops in coming down, wai of this band and Ara- pahoes, and that all the Araanoes took part in the fight, and the Indian wouen, prisoners, say that most of the depredations long the line of the Ar- Kansas were committed by these bands, Cheyennes and Arapalioes. LETTER FROM A FEMALE CA*TIVE TO GENERAL W. B. HAZEN, COMMANDING SOU!MERN INDIAN DISTRICT, FORT COBB, SATURDAY, Nov. 7, 1863, Kind FriEND—Whoever you may be, 1 thank you for your kindness to me aad my chia, You want me to let you know my wshes. If you could only buy us of tne Indians with pontes or anything, and let me come and stay with you until could get word to my friends, they would pay you, and I would work and do all I could for you, If it 1s not too far to their camp, and you are not afraid to come, I pray that you wil} try. They tell nye, as near as I can understand, they expect era tO come and they will sell us to them. Can you find ont by tis man and let me know if it is white men? li it 1s Mex!- cans, I am afraid they would sell us into slavery in Mexico. If youcan do nothing for me write to W. T. Harrington, Ottawa, Franklin county, Kansas— my father. Tell him we are wich the Cheyennes and they say when the white men make we can go home, ‘Tell him to write to the Governor of Kansas about it and for them to make peace. Send this to him. We were taken on the 9th of October on tne Arkansas, below Fort Lyon. Cannot tell whether they killed my husband or not. My nome is Mrs, Clara Blinn, My litte boy, Willle Blinn, is two years old. Do all you can for me; write to the Peace Commissioners to make peace this fall. For our sakes do all you can, and God will bieas you. If you can jet ine hear {rom you again let me know what you think about it. Write to my father; send him this, by. MRS. R. F. BLINN, Tam as well as can be expected, but my baby 1s very weak. THE UNITED SLATES INDIAN COMMISSION. Lecture by Colonel E. W. Wynkoop—His Views Upon the Treatment of the Indiane— Violations of Treaties by the Whites—A Sketch of Black Kettle—Gencral Cullem Deprecates Our Bad Faith with the Ine dians. A very interesting lecuture was delivered last night at the Cooper Institute, on the treatment of the Indians, by Colonel E, W. Wynkoop, late United States Indian Agent. The Secretary read a letter signed by Peter Cooper and others requesting Colonel Wynkoop to give his views on the causes that induced him to resign the office of Government agent for the Cheyenne, Arapa- hoe and Apache Indians, and also the causes that led to the recent troubles with them; and further, they requested his opinion of Biack Kettle, his con- duct and designs, Before he proceeded with, his lecture he read a letter from Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, the pur- port of which was previously published in the BRALD:— LETTER OF COMMISSIONER WYNKOOP. New York, Dec. 23, 1968, To Peter Cooper and others:— GENTLEMEN—Iu response to your first question as to what induced me to resign the office | held as agent of the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians, [ would state that the causes have already been set forth in my official communication to the Depart- meat of the Interior, te which ssomeren has been given, but I have no objection to recapitulate, After hosuuities had been existing fora short time with the Indians of the Upper Arkansas, and particularly with those of my ney, I received an order from the oMlce of the indian Burewu to proceed to Fort Coob, on the Washita river, or to that vicinity, aod congregate at the point. I mightselect such indians a3 were disposed to be frien ily, to subsist and take care Of the same,to act in co-operation with General Hazen, who was detailed by the War Department on special daly of a like pharacter, While en route to Fort Cobb | learued chat the differ- ent columns of troops who were in the field were making that locaiiy their objective point; that a volunteer, regiment from Kansas was march- ing in ‘the same direction, with the ex- pressed determination to kill all Indians they migit meet, under any circumstances. Knowing, if 1 fulfilled my instructions, [was only acting as a decoy to induce these Indiaug to present themselves in a locality where they were \labie to be fallen upon at any moment and murdered, I had nothing left me but to resign the commission I held, or else, by fol- jowtng iny instructions, become an accessory to the crue, Which I knew must be the inevitable conse- quence, under the state of affairs that then existed, of cougregating the Indians at the point mentioned. In regaid to the causes of the Indian war which has exisied atinterva's since 1863, speading alone from my own personal knowledge, { would say, without hesitation, thatthe initiative has in every instance beeu taken by dur own people. Ten years ‘o L was one of @ hoy of seventeen adventurers who started irom the Territory of Kansas to seek their fortunes in the region of the Rocky Mouotains that was then known 4s the Pike’s Peak couutry, now tne Territory Colorado. During our journey thither we passed through numerous bands of Indians, viz., Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahocs, Cheyennes tnd Apaciies; thousands of them were camped along the ‘Arkansas river all the way to the Rocky Mountéins, We were treated hos- pitably vy them and with the utmost kindness. We were the vanguard of ao army of emigrants who were soon to take ion of their hunting apd and it would have been but a simple effort for them to have crushed us at that time they felt so dispased; but, on the contrary, when the nucleus which we formed had gathered to- gether hundreds of at the mouth of Cherry creek, where now stands the city of Denver, and the Indians knew that the su treasures ef these mountains would attract thousands who must necessarily en- croach upon thetr ts, still their intercourse was of the most pacific ter, and as the ‘ation continued to flow in during tho years 1853, '59, '60, 161 and ‘62, I know of no instnce in which the friendly relations existing between the In@tan and the white man were interrupted; but during the year 1863 that country was cursed with the presence of & man in re commander ¢a once was included the Teritory of Colorado, whose position gave him absolute “wa and whose ame is Rg nt with infamy. Colonel 1. his reduced fe the fleld Missever our found that tt was necessary to tain him in the most exalted heli—that of ® commander of a miiit district where troops were not really jequired. He there- fore Goes it was politic jo inaugurate an an 5 a porta: on rence “thats cert “Eunting part y aap tents toward 4 ranche to return to their he ordered a detathment of ae to make an a them. | They naturally de- fended themselves, and the consqyuence was a skir- mish, in which some lives wete lost, and from that arose the cry of an Inilan war. the orders of this monster the then the field to kill all the Indians they might meet. The Indians, in retaliation for the wrongs that had been imposed upon them, nattirally com- mitted depredations whenever they had an opportu. nity, bat after this atate of things had existed jor a couple of months under the tuflueuce of the older and wiser heads of their race, reured from the high+ ways and the vicinity of the settlements and sued for peace. An armistice existed for a short time and thon came the fearin! massa re of Saud creck, wth tue details Of whicu alwost every oue Is jauiliar, Mt ition he haa ever where Indian women and children were tor dored in cold blood by United States troops and their bolies mutilated in the most horrible manner. I will pass from ‘his sick- ening reminiscence to the time when the government first awoke to the realization of the state of Indian a‘Tairs—which attention had before been distracted by our intestine warfare—and the matter appeared of such moment that a committee of United States Senators was appointed to investigate. The com- mittee consisted of Senators Foster and Doolittle and Representative Ross, and their report, to which pantielty has been given, not only shows hat these poor Indians were the aggrieved, bnt that the white man was rapacious in 3 cruelty. AS @ -result of the report of the said committee a Peace Commission was Appointed to treat with these ns, which Commission, numbering ams its members ong such honored names as Generals Harney, Sanborn and Kit Carson, met and neld counott at the mouth of the Little Arkansas, in Kansas, in the month of October, 1865, made such @ treaty as was perfectly satisfactory to the Indians, and which the govern- ment should have sustained; but when the suld treaty was submitted to the United States Senate there were such amendments made prior to tts ratification as spticely changed the face ofthe document. Notwithstanding their knowledge that the government had not fulfilled its promises, tne indians bore bravely up under their wrongs and remained In amity with their white brothers. From the date of the treaty, in October, 1965, up to the spring of 1867 there was no overt act com- mitted by them as a people; but in April, 1867, Major General Hancock maae an expedition into the Indian country, and without just cause de- stroyed by fire a village of 300 lodges of Cheyennes and Sioux, with all the property they contained, leaving their women and children destitute, in a starving condition and without shelter on the open rairie; in consequence of which the band most in- jured became hostile, and good reason had they, in my opinion, to follow the war path. it A commission was again appointed to make a treaty with these Indians, which took place in Octo- ber, 1867, on Medicine Lodge creek, eighty miles uth of the Arkansas river. The treaty then m: Was & good one, did honor to the gentlemen of the commission and was satisfactory to the Indians; but here again was the government to blame for not immediately fulfilling their portion of the requirenents of the treaty, he Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indlan At- fairs unceastngly urged Congress to take some accion in regard to the said docaiment; but no attention was paid to their solicitations and the Indian became wearied and heart-sick in walting, and finally, when the annuities reached him, he was demed what he Most coveted, arias and ammunition, Some of the wilder spirits, incensed at treatment which they sup- posed to be most unjust, started on the war path against the whites; but they were the outlaws of their tribe, and were so declared by those chiefs whom [ saw after they had committed their depre- dations, Their whole race should not have been made responsible for the evil doings of a few, for the head men of thelr trive with whom I hela council considered that these outlaws had done more injury to their own people than to mine, and were williny and anxious to deliver them up to me to be nandet over to justice; but the troops were in the fleld and the Indians in Might before the same could be con- summated, In answer to your question of how the late troubles might have been avoided I would state that not- withstanding the wronzs the Indians had suffered at the hands of Colonel Chivington in the massacre ot their women and children, and also in the de- struction of their village by General Han- cock, had Congress made the appropriation that was asked by the Department of the In- terior to be used in subsisting these Indians the war that is now existing would have been pre- vented. The withholding of arms and ammunition disabling them from procuring game for subsisting thetr families, which game was becoming more scarce every day, and the neglect to supply them with the absolute necessaries of life drove some to desperation. ° In reply to your questions as to my views of the remedy, to me it is a very simple one. Let us when we make pledges to these un- taught savages, who, like children, judge of good faith by performance, redeem those pledges, never fail to fulfil our contracts, and the cure will be complete. It matters but little in which department the indian Bureau may be as it exists at present I do not know how it can be bettered. I have failed to see, 80 far, how the Denartment of the Interior or the orlice of the Indian Bureau has been to blame for any of our Indian troubles; let t 1e sympathies of the people of this great country be aroused for the In- dian, as they have been for the African, and, irre- spective of Indian Bnreaus or Congress, there will be such @ radical change in the condition of the Indian as will be of increditable benefit to him in the future, and consequently to our whole country. Your noble Commission is taking the proper steps to secure this, and if you continue suc- cess 13 certain, In connection I would call the at- tention of your honorable body to the fact that there has never been among the Indians with whom I have been connected—viz., the Cheyennes, Ara- pahoes, Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches—any mis- sionary or instructor whatever, ‘To conclude by answering ee question in regard to my knowledge of Black Kettle, who has recently been killed in the attack upon his village on tho Washita river, [would state that Black Kettle was fifty-six years of age at the time of his death, He was the son of High Back Wolf, once a powerfal chief of the Cheyenne nation, and the particular friend of General Harney, who many years ago took considerable interest in the poy Black Kettle, Upon the death of High Back Wolf, his ‘son Black Kettle succeeded nim, and soon, by means of his administrative ability and wisdom rather than by deeds of prowess inthe field, became a great chieftain. He was not only regarded as the ruling spirit of his tribe, but was also looked upon by all the nomadic trives of the Piains as a superlor—one whose word was law, whose advice was to be heeded. His mnate dignity and lofty bearing, comtined with his sagacity and intelligence, had that moral effect which placed him in the’ position of a potentate. The whole force of his nature was concentrated in the one idea of how best to act for the good of his race, he knew the perce of the white mao, and was aware thence might spring most of the evils that could befa!! his peopie and consequently the whole of his powers were directed toward concillating the whites, and his utmost endeavors used to pre- serve peace and friendship between his race and their oppressors. After the Indian war com- menced in the spring of 1864, which war had been inaugurated by the infamous Chivington, Black Kettle endeavore! to restrain the just resent- ment of his young warriors, and finally succeeded in gathering all of his people together upon the head waters of the Smoky Hull river, far removed from the sectlernents and highways, and from that locality endeavored to commanicate with some com- manding oMicer for the purpose of sneing for peace and letting the whites know that his people bad never desired to be at war; after many failures, his messengers Invariably belng fired upon when approachivg a United States post, he at last suc- ceeded in Communicating with myself, then com- manding Fort Lyon in Colorado; immediately after he delivered up to me four white captives that he had purchase’ {rom other Indians for that purpose, and offered himself and his brother, White Antelope, as hostages for the good faith of his people should we give them peace. An armistice was declared for the time being and Black Kettie, by my instructions, brought in his lodges, his women and his children, located them near Fort Lyon, with the understand. the was under the protection of the United ; then oceurred the Chivington mas- at that time White Antelope, the brother of Black Kettle, was murde and nearly all his relatives killed, his wife receiving ten wounds; with folded arms, exposed to the fire of the troops, he stood until carried by main force off the fleld by his young men; from confiding too much in the faith of waite men he was blamed ca his peopie, who came near putting him to deat! as being too good a friend to the whites; from that time he lost caste and fell from the post- tion of @ sovereign to that of a subject, but he still continued to strive for peace and gradually regained his former influence, until he succeeded in bringing his young men off the warpath, where bed had been terribly avengi the murder of thelr women and children, and finally brought them into the treaty made in October, 1865, at the mouth of the Little Arkansas. After hostilities were again created by the action of General Hancock Black Kettle was once more the bearer of the olive branch, and brought his people to meet the Commissioners at Medicine Lodge creek In October, 1367. After the war that is now — had broken out, and after the country was file wih troops, Black Kettle sought a refuge for his family and ‘9 few of his individual band where he had been led to believe was the point of safety for those Indians who desired to remain at peace, only to meet his death at the hands of white men, in whom he had too often fatally trusted and who tri- umphantly report the fact of tetns peed scalp in thelr possession. I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, KE. W. WYNKOOP. eneral Cullen, late Superintendent of Amat Dacotah, Minnesota, made a brief address giving his views as to the treatment of the Indians. Peter Cooper and Benjamin Totham delivered ad- dresses on the subject, censuring the cruel and un- just manner in which the Indians have been treated, ‘and desiring that they should be treated with justice and humanity. SALR OF Naw ORLEANS Lever Bonps.—The parties who were sent North to negotiate the sale of levee bonds have returned, sad report that they have suc- ceeded bly. This may be true as far as the Soe teaivndaait My noarned, it exceedingly doa ful if jadged of from the standpoint of State 0 Larger reat. or has it that the bonds were sold for anyawo Ry ‘on the dollar, thoughthey are worth oats city at least sixty-four, Between these two rates there is a wide margin for profit to somebody, ‘and the question among financiers ts, who is bene- fited by tt ? It looks @ little sti that bonds which should be worth their face are sold at a little more than half that amount.—New Orleans Times, Tuat MrLtION OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.—The Secre- tary of the Treasury a few days since received a de- spatch from @ special t of the department at Moot tating that he bel certain parties in that section had tn their possession os knew of the secre- tion of about $1,000,000 in goia_ belonging to the late rebel government, and which they were endeavorin; to get out of the country. The Secretary inatrucver the agent to procure an escort and take possession of the property upon suiicient evidence and deposit the game to the credit of the government, Nothing more has been heard upon the subject, and the Sec. retary ig of the opinion tbat there is iittie or no real joundation for the statament.—Washingion Star, WC. bide 5 MEXICO. Improvements in Wexico—A Flighty Bohemfan Sees Things Thet Are Not to be Seen—De- olishing Umnaginative Spocniatione—The Reality—Present Condition of the Country— Chapters on Misfortunes and Hunger—A Mexican Editor on the Situation. MazaTLAN, Nov. 27, 1868, Some flighty and unpledged Bohemian has been writing up Mexico for a journal in the United States and he states, among gther things, that Mazatlan is now supplied with gas, that water works have been erected, that seven acres of new ground for a public park have been made by filling in portions of the great father of oceans, the Pacific; that the port or Lobos, on Lobos island, has been made a port of entry, and that several other great and needed tm- provements have been inaugurated in this portion of the sister republic. We regret sincerely that it is our unpleasant duty to correct the statements of the imaginary knight of the quill who rode on his high horse And saw such wondertul improvements, The great Jupiter himself, the father of gods and men, could not. have rivalled such a magnificent piece of imaginative idealism. Alas! that actual facts should be the very reverse of such imaginings, Decay, and not improvement, is the proper word to express the general condition of the country. But speaking particularly of Mazatlan and the districts surrounding, people cannot but smile at the idea of the metropolis being supplied with gas and water according to the latest and most approved systems. As yet the only gas we have been able to discover 1s that let of at the street corners by speculative gentle- men who are going to do something for Mexico as soon as Mexico will let them do anything for her. Such persons are not only ready to introduce gas, but are able and willing to flood the country with a varied assortment of wooden tiatmegs, washing ma- chines, women's rights doctrines and other fancy notions, besides building railroads, Faaning seen. boats and stages and constructing telegral wires froin one end of the republic to the other, ff talkin were doing Mexico would be the most advance nation on tile face of the earth, instead of bringins up the rear of ail nations wio have the slightes| ciaims to civilization, That this century will see any other gas in Mazatlan than that spoken of is very doubtful; that 13 to say, unless the so-called change of blood and brain people talk about should become an actual fact, And we shall have water hawked abgut on the backs of ass33 for the next generation, is is now done and as has been done for more thana century. If any port be opened to the commerce of the world it will not be the port of Lobos, for that is no port at all, and the writer al- jude: to is probably the only person that has ever imagined making a port of entry there. There are good grounds for believing we shail remain a3 we are for a generation or two to come if present rulers and ownershiv continue, The country is in too poor and impoverished a condition to undertake and carry. out any great reforms. Leaders are too jealous of each other; there are too many oiticelholders; mill- tary men are too much respected anil have the great- eat intuence and power, “Once a soldier and never more @ man,” an old adage, finds a iteral fulfilment here, if not in other countries. Mexico has too many soldiers and too few mechanics and laborers, This condition of society has brought the country to ite present sad state. Mexico 18 undoubtedly in a destitute condition. Poverty is actually the rale and not the exception tn thia beautifel and n .turally rich land. Wherever one travels there squatidness and poverty are pre- sented. The greater part of what little the country produces 1s devoured by officeholders and the army. No people on the earth of the same population as the Mexicans are so cursed with omicelolders. When @ politician once holds offfce here he considers it a life privilege, and to dare remove him, especially if he is powerful in his influence, ts to breed a revolu- tion. To support these vast hordes of officeholders, to support the national army of the republic as well as the armies raised by the State governments, the people are taxed to death. Then security to life and property is so uncertain that People do not take that terest in promoting thelr welfare which would otherwise be the case. They just live, and care for nothing more. And thus they have lived, until their race and their burdens have driven them to the ighways or left them helpless under multary en- slavement, * ‘) Several sharpers have left this city for the United States, with mining shares valued at over $1,000,000, which they intend to geil there. Shares and sharpers oe A aged worthless, Look outfor them in mining circles, Seiior Antonio Vejar, formerly a prominent official here, was lately assussinated near Guadalajara. He was stabbed through the heart, then robved of cloth- ing and watch, afier which the robbers sacked his stock of goods. Deceased was taken to Tepic. The humber of assassinations througiont the country within the last month,ag ee by the news papers, show this criine on the increase. iritualism of a rabid Yankee type has taken hold of portions of the Mexican people, and some of its devotees have aiready committed suicide, A spiritual organ has been started at Guadalajara. Presideat Juarez is filling all federal o(fices on thia ‘coast with his most devoted fo.iowers, ad It is be- lieved that all old oficeholders here are unreliable and sympathize with Gonzales Ortega, General Canto, after having been marched from the city of Durango to the city of Mextco, has been marched back again to the former place, where be wilt be tried for the murder of General Patont. The notorious bandit named Rivers, better known aa Green Devil, has been killed, He was a terror in the State of Durango, Several other bandits are sul on the highways, cuief of wuom is robver Jarado. The latier lately made an attempt to cap- tare Mr. Rafael Martin, Superintendent o1 the Du- rango silver mines, but fatied, Eugene Gillespie has received his exequatur from the Mexican government as United States Con- sular agent for San José and Cape St. Lucas, Lower Callforuia. The stea hip Sierra Nevada sailed to-day for San Francisco, carrylag $50,000 ia 4, 2 aad tifveea pas- sengers. ‘Five thousand dollars in spec 3 stolen on the last trig, and, ft is supposed, sunk at La vas or Guaymas. It has not been discovered, — UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. The Patent Laws—Inlringement—Effect of Ase signment en the Rights of the Patentee— Anssignee. Lewis Moore, Plaintiff in Error, vs, James Marsh and Others.—The plaintiff in this cause was the pat- entee of certain improvements in grain drills. He sold interests at various times to other parties until he had nearly ceased to have the exclus in any part of the country. But up to bruary 25, 1366, he remained sole owner of the patent for Union county, Pa. The defendants tn error made and sold drills of his patent in that county for a period of two years prior to that date, In November, 1880, plaintifl bronght suit in his own name, without jolning his assignee of a haif interest in that county or any other parties owning with him elsewhere, to recover dam- ages for the infringement of the patent by the defend- ants during that pertod for which he was sole owner. The de‘endants objected, by desaurrer, that at the time of commencing his sult the plaint i was not sole owner of the patent either in the county in which the infringement was allegod, or in any part of the United States, and on this pomt the court be- low (Western Circuit of Penusylyanta) sustained the demurrer, and gave judgment for the defendants. The platoti? appeal to this court, and the cause now caine on to be heard, in support of the appeal counsel contended that there can be no doabt that int patentees or assignees of a patent are tenants in common, and that it never was questioned that tenants in common cannot join in an action to re- cover damages for a@ trespass to an estate which, though now belonging to them, was, when the damages accrued were assumed, the sole pro- perty of one of them. Nor is there any reason for exception to this rule in patent cases. Infact, itls believed to be tne everyday pisotice to charge a jury that @ recovery can only had or damages given sloce assignment. No one ever asserted that tho assignment of a aah ie mere operation of law carried with it all 4 to the last assignee. The words “name of the person interested’ used in the fourteenth section ie act of July 4, 1836, mean, it is submitted, “persons interested in the patent at the tine the cause of action occurred,” and not “persons inter- ested in the patent at the time of bringing the suit,’ as insisted 4 detendants in error, and a3 was held below. If it had been the intention of the act to up- set the rule of the common law apon this subject and to provide a statute of descent, by which the dam: should all fall to the last assignee, the in- tentioh would have been clearly set forth in the act. In Dean vs. Mason (20 How., 193), where Mason, one of the plaintiff below, parted with lus interest pending suit, a motion was made to dismiss the bill and also for leave to file a supplemental bill in the name of the assignees. Both motions were denied, and on appeal the Su Court say:—The motion to dismiss the complainants’ bill, upon proof that oy. parted with all their interest In the subject m of the suit, was properly overruled. The aile- tion is that Mason parted with his title in April, accoun' iT its is brought down asa, and the tipo ae refusal of the Circuit to permit a tal bill to be filed by the was, under the circums! @ matter of in the court, and it afords no ground for the reversal of the decree. It is not ieont what interest these ees could have in a suit for an infringe- ment of a nt before their In in this case, the assignment of an interest in the patent. is said that the law relative to assignments ents and the effect of such transfers upor rigiits of the parties finds no analogy tn the princt ples or rales of the common law. the gonoral questions involved the defendants sustain the theory of the court below, and sutinit that the jangtege of the act of 1896 referred to in the paintiit’s wnent ns interested im the patent an! nob aed | io the damages.”