Lakota Flower (21 page)

“That’s a shame, a real shame,” Cloud Chaser muttered as two soldiers entered the store and began looking around for wanted items. “I best be going. I need to get my horse reshod over at the fur company’s smithy. I’ll be here a day or two, so I’ll be back for supplies before I ride out. Good seeing and talking to you again.”

As he left, Cloud Chaser concluded that Ben was right: it wouldn’t matter to Harney and the army that most of the charges against the “Sioux” had taken place last year after Grattan’s unprovoked and lethal assault on the Brules and that recently no attacks had occurred at posts, homesteads,
or companies; nor had any stages or wagon trains been attacked. No raids, his keen mind corrected, except for yesterday’s theft, which may have been in retaliation for Harney’s lethal and cruel assault on the Brules downriver. It also wouldn’t matter that some bands—like Red Cloud’s—were camped near Fort Laramie to assert their peaceful intentions, and for protection against the army’s unjustified retribution on them. He was aware that a few of the smaller bands were still hunting on the vast stretch of grasslands, but most were scouting for or setting up their winter camps at prechosen sites.

At least, Cloud Chaser sighed in relief, his wife and son had Bent Bow and Wind Dancer to hunt for and defend them during his necessary absence from home. For now, they were safe, since General “The Butcher” Harney was far from their location. He could not envision—nor did he even want to try to imagine—his existence without them to share his life, but he knew beyond any doubt it would be a dark and cold one if his beloved Dawn and Casmu were lost to him forever, just as his father had suffered agony when Winona was lost to him for two years. He also knew with absolute certainty that he would fight Harney and any number of soldiers or other foes, even to his own death, in order to protect them from harm.

Cloud Chaser looked upward and sighted an eagle after a large shadow traveled across the ground before him. The majestic bird made him think of his younger brother. He hoped the impending conflict would not cause problems for Caroline, as a few among them like Two Feathers might blame all whites for it and try to create hostility and rejection toward her. With good luck and hard work, perhaps she was earning acceptance and respect from more Red Shields during their absence, as the genial and obedient female already had made friends with many members of their band. He assumed that little would please War Eagle more than for Caroline to become attainable to him. Knowing what it was
like to win the woman one loved and desired, he hoped War Eagle was victorious in that enormous challenge.

He could not help wondering if his brother’s party had found the surviving Brules by today, and he prayed they were safe and alive. For now, he needed to get his horse shod to support his false identity and story. Besides, his mount was not an Indian pony and truly did need to have its iron shoes changed. That duty had not been done since last year, but the cherished animal had been neither trained nor used for swift and surefooted buffalo hunting, only for riding. After that responsibility was handled, he would seek a secluded spot at the bluff’s base and near the river to camp for the night where his horse could graze and drink, and he could keep an eye out for Red Cloud. He worried that if he bumped into that well-known chief and Red Cloud showed recognition of him, it would damage his pretense. He had to keep alert to make certain their paths did not cross there…

Almost two days later, Cloud Chaser observed in neartrepidation as General Harney and his massive force of men and wagons approached that setting. It looked as if soldiers stretched out in multimen lines into the vast forever. He realized his heart was thudding, he was staring wide-eyed, and he was breathing fast at he watched the galloping throng cover the distance between them and their destination. He had to admit, this was the closest to panic he had ever come, and that reaction shocked and dismayed him. He had seen this group of bluecoats in Blue Water Canyon and camped at its mouth, but they had been scattered out in those places and had not looked as countless and formidable as they did riding as one unit. Watching them in this manner revealed their imposing size and power. He did not want to imagine that horde swooping down on his people’s camp and using their new long-range rifles and canons, which could take down warriors before the Red Shields could get close enough
to fire arrows or fling lances or swing war clubs. Even with the Great Spirit’s help, he worried, how could they battle and defeat such a large and mighty swarm of murderous beings?

Cloud Chaser focused his now narrowed gaze on the detested leader who rode at the front of the seemingly endless multitude. Harney’s white beard, mustache, and hair implied he was advanced in years. Yet, the encroacher appeared tall, sturdy, and vigilant; and Cloud Chaser knew from the massacre at Blue Water Creek that Harney was smart and had no qualms about the sex or age or how-to of the targets he slaughtered. He wished the raiding party had not stolen horses there yesterday, as it would only enrage the heartless beast when he learned of that daring incident, but that reckless event could not be recalled.

After the first line of soldiers reached a row of buildings that included the Post Trader’s Store, Magazine, and Bedlam Bachelor Officers’ Quarters, Cloud Chaser saw them veer left instead of riding to the enormous parade ground. From where he was camped and studying their commander in the forefront, he felt as if he was staring at the epitome of The Enemy, the embodiment of Evil, and perhaps the controller of the Lakotas’ fate. Those perceptions made him cringe in dread of discovering if they were accurate. He wished he could use the field glasses to see Harney’s expression and gaze up close, but exposing them might bring unwanted attention and suspicion.

Help us, Great Spirit, for we are as a fawn being chased by a grizzly. If we are to escape his sharp teeth and claws and not feed his large hunger for our lives and lands, You must guide us to the path of safety and wisdom. Remove this fear and doubt from my body, for I must trust in Your will.

Cloud Chaser saw the throng ride to a large open space to the rear of the scattered structures of the fort. After they dismounted, the men began setting up their tent encampment there. He saw Major Hoffman, whom he recognized from a past scouting visit, waste no time going to greet the new arrivals. He assumed Hoffman invited Harney to his office to
talk away from the noise, dust, and sun’s glare, as the two men headed in that direction, a location Cloud Chaser remembered well. He had sneaked inside last year to take the fort’s three-page double of the Laramie Treaty and letters from or replicas of those to important people so he could copy them to read that information to his people. Afterward he had returned those items to what was then Lieutenant Fleming’s office, who had been removed as commander ensuing the Grattan fiasco. He put aside those thoughts to observe again.

He saw groups of men tending horses, fetching water, and taking wagons toward the Laramie Mountains to cut and haul in wood for cook fires from an abundance of pine, spruce, and other trees growing there. He knew that somewhere in the crowd was Caroline’s brother. Yet, it was doubtful he would encounter David and, if a chance meeting occurred, it might not be wise or harmless to slip him a message about his sister. That was a decision to make at the time of the incident. Even so, he would prepare a note that revealed she was alive and safe and would contact him as soon as possible. For now, he must focus on carrying out his crucial reason for being there.

Shortly before dusk and after people appeared to be settling down following a long ride for the newcomers and a busy day for most there, Cloud Chaser walked his horse to the sutler’s store to see what he could learn. He left the sorrel at the hitching post and went inside to find the man alone.

Ben looked up from his closing tasks, grinned, and said, “Good to see you again, Chase. Lord come Sunday, this has been a wild day.”

“I saw all the commotion from my campsite near the river. I guess you weren’t talking too tall when you said Harney had a big force coming with him. Maybe they’ll stir up some business for you while they’re here.”

“I surely can use the sales, ‘cause they’re gonna be down low after Harney takes off on his ‘Sioux Campaign,’ that’s what he’s callin’ it.”

Cloud Chaser leaned against the counter. “What did you hear?”

“Plenty, but from the usuals around here. Seems Harney is keepin’ his boys close to their encampment. I guess he don’t want ‘em minglin’ with the friendlies around here and goin’ soft on Indians. He was sure hot in the temper about them stolen horses on Monday. Him and Major Hoffman and Agent Twiss, and some others rode over to Red Cloud’s camp this afternoon. Charlie and Jim told me he spouted them same orders we already know about. He told ‘em all friendlies should stay out of their territory and avoid any hostiles whilst he’s chasin’ ‘em down so they won’t git mistook for the enemy and git shot. He sent out braves from Red Cloud’s band to take his messages to their allies. He said the Brules—Oh, I guess you ain’t heard about the fracus down the road yet. Have you?”

Cloud Chaser faked ignorance and shook his head. “What happened?”

“Old Harney took on Spotted Tail’s and Little Thunder’s bands over near Ash Hollow last week and near wiped ‘em out. Some got away, ‘cludin’ them two chiefs, so he’s eager to git the rest. I heard his boys took down women and children durin’ the fight, if you can call a surprise attack with more men and better weapons a fair fight. They even kilt babies in their mamas’ arms, and captured a whole bunch more of ‘em. Sent the lot to Fort Kearny to be held there until they’re wagoned on to Fort Leavenworth.”

Ben grabbed a quick breath before continuing. “I sure am glad I ain’t no soldier and had to obey them sorry orders. No mama’s son should be forced to kill women and surely not children and babies. Anyways, Harney said the rest of them Brules and whoever else has been in on them raids and was in on Grattan’s Massacre has to surrender within two weeks.
If they don’t, he’s gonna find their camp and attack every poor soul in it, just like he did on Blue Water Creek. He said if any of the other bands are hiding those guilty ones, he’s gonna attack them too. Fact is, he’s plannin’ to attack any camp he thinks is hostile. Lord only knows how he’s gonna judge who’s good and who’s bad, ‘specially since he’s got it in his head all Lakotas are bad. I doubt even Red Cloud, and that chief’s a good talker and well liked in these parts, even Red Cloud won’t be able to change his mind. From what Charlie and Jim told me after that parley in the Bad Faces camp, Harney’s plannin’ on ridin’ right into the enemy’s mouth and out his tail and yank out his heart whilst he’s doin’ so. Onest he invades ‘Sioux country’ as he’s callin’ it and tries that trick, a long and bloody war is sure to get started. I’m abettin’ you agree with me on that.”

Once more, Cloud Chaser experienced those unwanted sensations of near panic and soul-trembling intimidation as he realized that massive army’s march would include the Red Shield camp, which would imperil all of his loved ones. His beloved wife and son and family … To think of the same type of vicious assault he had witnessed last week taking place on their camp flooded his entire body with hatred for Harney and his blindness to right and wrong, to good and evil. He took a deep breath, exhaled the spent air, straightened, and said, “You’re right, Ben; such a challenge would make war inevitable.”
But what can I do to prevent it? What can even the Creator do to prevent it?
He had no answers…

Late in the afternoon of the following day, Cloud Chaser went to check the southwestward location downriver where War Eagle and the others were to come and wait for him after completing their task. Finding they had not arrived and knowing two patrols had galloped out this morning but toward the east and the north, he prayed his brother and friends either had caught up with the Brules or were still tracking their fleeing allies and that all of them were hidden and safe. Although he wished for the Brules to survive, he hoped they did not seek a haven with the Red Shields, which was certain to endanger his people and camp if those guilty of crimes were found there. If the remnant of Harney’s attack tried to seek refuge among them, surely his father and the council would convince them they must leave. Since he could not give advice from that distance, he pushed aside the troubling thought and returned to the fort to see if Ben had learned anything new today.

Cloud Chaser looked eastward as he saw one of the patrols galloping up the road, kicking up dust and making a lot of noise as the soldiers neared their destination, no doubt in a hurry to obtain rest and nourishment. After they bypassed
his location and rode into their huge camp, he went into the store and was elated to find the genial sutler alone again, but busy putting out more items from his stockroom. “Evening, Ben. Hope I’m not intruding on your time too much these days while I’m resting up before leaving. I just got back from giving my horse some needed exercise and thought I’d stop in to talk before I make camp and eat and grab some sleep.”

“You’re no bother at all, Chase, and I can use some rest for a while. Fact of it is, I enjoy jawin’ with you. It’s about the onliest time I can speak my true mind around here. What little I got of one,” Ben added and chuckled.

Then, he waxed serious. “With all that’s goin’ on, it would seem like I been out in the prairie sun too long or I’m bedamned if I say anythin’ bad about Harney or anythin’ good about the Lakotas. Fact of it is, I’ve traded with plenty of ‘em over the years since I came here, even Brules, and never had no problems. They learned fast. After they sold their furs and hides over at the big man’s company, I give ‘em fairer prices on goods. I surely do hate to see Harney and his boys slaughterin’ most of ‘em. If the army and government treated ‘em only half as fair as I do, wouldn’t be no trouble in these parts and we wouldn’t have no war starin’ us down the throat.”

“I agree with you, Ben. I know some of those Brules and their friends have done some bad things, but it doesn’t justify challenging and punishing all Lakotas for those raids and killings. I’m like you, I’ve met and dealt with plenty of good men among them. They’ve never shot a single arrow at me or stolen anything from me. It’s gonna be—” Cloud Chaser halted as he heard boots approaching on the store’s porch. He and Ben turned and looked in that direction. He concealed his surprise and elation as a soldier entered the door and walked toward them.

“Can I help you with somethin’? I’m the owner here. Name’s Ben.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ben. I’m David Sims.”

Cloud Chaser saw David smile as he extended his right arm and shook hands with the sutler before relating his intention for coming there.

“I want to purchase writing supplies: paper, two envelopes, and a pen and ink or several pencils. Do you have everything I need here?”

Cloud Chaser watched David pause for Ben to nod.

“If I pay extra, can you post and mail a letter for me after it’s written? It’s personal, so I don’t want to stick it in my company’s mail pouch.”

Cloud Chaser deduced from David’s speech and behavior that the man was about his age and was educated and possessed manners. He had sandy hair, no visible scars, and was good-looking to a woman’s gaze. His eyes were darker blue than his sister’s and their color was enhanced by that of his uniform, one still dusty from today’s duties. He noted that David did not give a military rank when introducing himself and appeared a little nervous about being there or about his purchase…

Ben told him, “Won’t be no trouble at all, and no extra charge for mailin’ it for you. I’ll git what you need. You just wait here awhile.”

“Thank you, Ben; that’s very kind of you.”

As Ben went to fill David’s order, Cloud Chaser seized an opportunity to glean facts. “You’re one of Harney’s men, right?” He watched David half turn and look at him before responding.

“That’s correct, stranger.”

Cloud Chaser tried again to illicit information. “What you troops did down Ash Hollow way has folks in this area plenty worried. Name’s Chase Martin,” he said as he offered to shake hands, and David accepted the gesture. “Does Harney realize a massacre like that will stir up the Indians against all whites? I mean, killing women and children, destroying their winter supplies, and taking some prisoners. It’s
been mostly peaceful around here since the treaty in fifty-one, but he’s challenging them to war. What man of honor wouldn’t do all he could to protect his family, home, people, and lands? In those ways, Indians aren’t any different from us whites. Yep, what Harney did to those Brules and their friends has us locals worried plenty.”

After he saw the sutler close and the lock the door, David said, “It has me and some of the others worried, too, but we had to obey our orders. Most of us didn’t mean to hit women and children, but they got in the cross fire or we couldn’t tell their sex and age in hiding or at that distance. I surely do hope and pray none of my bullets were to blame for such deaths.”

Cloud Chaser was pleased by David’s admissions and feelings. He read distress in the man’s gaze and detected it in his voice and mood. Although he knew David had spared Brule lives, he perceived that Caroline’s brother felt guilt and anguish over that tragic incident. Perhaps if he didn’t probe too hard and too fast, he could extract more information about Harney and his plans, and David himself. “Did you ride in from back East with Harney?”

“No, I was at Pierre under Major Cady until we were transferred to Kearny in June and the major was put in charge there. After General Harney arrived last month, you could say he confiscated us to help in his campaign.”

As he set three metal cups on the counter and filled them with hot coffee, Ben motioned with his head for them to take one while he joined in on the talk. “We heard Harney built a fort at Ash Hollow and named it for Grattan. I doubt it’ll sit well with the survivors of his attack last year to have anythin’ in their territory with his name on it. I also doubt it’s sittin’ well with ‘em about the tradin’ post at Pierre becomin’ a fort a few months back. Seems to them the army’s tightenin’ its grip on their assigned territory. I guess a big show of superior power and numbers is supposed to scare ‘em into
doin’ whatever the army and Harney have to say. I’m afraid Harney and a lot of innocent folk are gonna find out them Indians don’t scare easy.”

David said, “I confess I don’t agree with how the general handled the assault at Ash Hollow, but in his defense, he was obeying orders, too. He was commanded by his superiors and the leaders in Washington to ferret out the Indians guilty of raids, and killings, and the massacre of Grattan and his unit. We found letters from a mail robbery last November and items belonging to Grattan and his men in those joint Brule camps we attacked. Doesn’t that prove those were the culprits we were after and they were responsible for those crimes? Harney ordered them to surrender, but they refused.”

Cloud Chaser refuted in a genial tone, “All it proves is the Brules kept those soldiers’ possessions after they defended themselves against Grattan’s reckless attack.” He could not argue the point on the mail raid, as most knew or suspected Spotted Tail was to blame. He delayed more talk on that matter to relate the facts about the treaty four years ago, who had and had not been present, what it was supposed to achieve, the assignments of territories to friend and foe, the promised annuities and vows of nonencroachment, and how the treaty’s terms had not been honored by the whites.

He explained about the three different branches, many tribes, and numerous bands of the Dakota Nation; and pointed out that one band should not be punished for another’s misdeeds, nor should the entire Lakota branch be held accountable and punished for the crimes or retaliations of a single or several allied groups. He went on to disclose what happened the day of Grattan’s attack on Brave Bear’s camp, who was involved, and why that incident was critical to both sides. He noticed how attentive and uneasy David was about that news, and he was glad it troubled the man.

“Ben and I have lived here for a long time and we’ve learned a lot about the Lakotas, what most whites call the
Sioux. I told you all of that so you’d understand what you’re facing out here, ‘cause Harney hasn’t taken the time to get any hard facts on these people and this territory or what’s really been going on here. I guess enlisted men aren’t allowed to read officers’ reports. But we know for a fact—don’t we, Ben?—that conflicting information was sent in. Our leaders in Washington just chose to believe the ones that blamed the Indians. That’s a real shame, David, a deadly mistake.”

“I suppose you have a valid point, Chase, because some of the officers don’t agree on what or how it happened at Ash Hollow. Lieutenant Warren, he’s a topographical engineer traveling with Harney, said it was unnecessary slaughter. He told me some of the Indians sought protection in the bluffs, but ‘seven women and three children were found dead’ in one cave alone. After the melee, I saw children shot in the back, head, arms, and knees. One girl even had bullet wounds on the bottoms of both feet. I saw dead mothers with dead babies in their arms. But I have to tell you, Colonel Cook, Engineer Warren, Doc Ridgely, and others tended the wounded.”

Between sips of cool coffee, Ben remarked, “Sounds to me like those Indians never stood a chance against them new long-range rifles we heard you boys were usin’. I doubt them Indians could get close enough in most cases to land an arrow or throw a lance or knife at you boys. Sounds like a one-sided battle to me. That Warren called it right: pure slaughter.”

Cloud Chaser witnessed how that dark truth affected Caroline’s older brother. The man took a deep breath, lowered his gaze, and slowly released the spent air. It appeared to Cloud Chaser as if David needed and wanted to unload or at least lighten the heavy burden he was carrying. If David possessed an evil heart and mind, Cloud Chaser reasoned, he would not be feeling guilt and shame. Those, he decided, were good signs.

David lifted his head and gaze. “An interpreter said the
Indians are calling the general ‘The Butcher’ and ‘Squawkiller.’ I suppose if I’m honest with you two and with myself, he earned those names on Monday. I saw with my own eyes when Chief Little Thunder held up a white flag and came out with others to talk, but the general thought it was a trick and wasn’t in the mood for mercy or peace.”

Cloud Chaser asked, “What were the death and capture counts?”

“A hundred and thirty-six killed in Little Thunder’s camp. At Spotted Tail’s, eighty-six, mostly women and children. I heard one of the casualties was the chief’s wife and another wife was captured. We captured seven wounded warriors and took about seventy women and children prisoner. The two chiefs and some warriors fled with the rest of the women and children. Harney ordered the dragoons to pursue them, but Steel’s company came back empty-handed after chasing them for six miles or more. Afterward, Cook reprimanded Heth for his failure to prevent the Indians from getting past his line of assault because Heth was positioned at the north end of the valley. Harney sent the prisoners to Fort Kearny, but they’ll be heading on to Fort Leavenworth soon. Probably some of them won’t make it there alive because they were seriously wounded. The day following the battle, Harney sent units to their camps to confiscate anything valuable or useful and had the rest of their belongings burned in a huge fire. If any of them return, they won’t find anything left.”

Ben asked, “What about the general’s force? Any dead and wounded?”

“Our side sustained seven serious wounds and five dead. The injured were sent to Kearny, and the dead were buried near the river. There’s one man unaccounted for; he could have deserted during the attack. Lord knows I was tempted to do the same because of such unwarranted atrocities.”

Cloud Chaser saw how shocked David was about voicing that admission aloud before the embarrassed man rushed on
to excuse his outburst, or perhaps to explain the motivating feelings behind it.

“It’s hard for a man of honor and decency to accept taking part in such repugnant and cruel events. Even if I weren’t bound by my sworn oath to obey orders, I couldn’t have deserted because I would have been hunted down, arrested, and executed. I suppose I should hate the Indians and not mind attacking them because they abducted my sister while she was en route to join me at Kearny. At least that’s what the army believes. I have to stay alive to find her and I’m praying she’s safe out there somewhere.”

“What do you mean by the army thinks she was taken by Indians?” Cloud Chaser asked.

“As I told you earlier, I was assigned to Major Cady at Fort Pierre, but we were shifted to Kearny in June. After our parents died and bankers took over the family property, my sister left Georgia to join me at Pierre. Since she was en route west, I couldn’t contact her about my transfer. I told the officer left in charge at Pierre to relate that news to her upon her arrival. Caroline left Pierre on August first under the escort of the last troops being relocated to Kearny. They never reached the fort. Major Cady sent out a search patrol that tracked the wagons to a grassland site a few days out from Pierre. Then, it was as if the ground opened up and swallowed them. The wagon and horse prints just stopped and the patrol couldn’t find any sign of them anywhere in the area, and they searched in every direction. All they saw were thousands of buffalo tracks and new grass from recent storms; I suppose those things obliterated any trail the enemy made. Major Cady believes the Indians attacked, stole everything, killed the soldiers, and captured my sister; then, stampeded buffalo back and forth to destroy the evidence of their crimes. Something happened to that troop because men, wagons, and cannons just don’t vanish like morning fog after the sun rises.”