party halted and took a good look at
the fort. After a confab among themselves, they seemed to think some
sort of defiance had been shown them, and a warrior aiming his gun at
the fort, fired. The ball struck on the parade-ground, but did no harm.

The Indians then went into camp, but went off next morning for Red
Cloud's camp, which it is thought was not far off. General Smith soon
after gave up the post, as ordered to from Washington; and in like
manner Reno and C. F. Smith were abandoned, and the troops marched down
to Fort Russell. The Indians did not attack the troops, but followed
and stole stock when they could. No sooner were the forts abandoned
than the Indians came in and set fire to the buildings, destroying
property that cost the government over half a million dollars. They did
this lest the troops should come back and occupy them again. But the
giving up of these posts gave the Indians a false idea of their power,
and they thought the government did it from fear.

Many of the Sioux now actually believe that their nation is more
powerful than the United States, and Red Cloud a greater warrior than
Grant, Sherman, or Sheridan. One of Red Cloud's party said, "If you are
so strong and have so many warriors, why did you not keep your forts on
the Powder River?" The delegation to Washington will go back and tell
the people not how many men, women, and children they saw, as evidence
of our power and greatness, but how many horses, soldiers, guns, and
corn they saw. For thus they estimate the power and glory of a nation.

Red Cloud won great glory among all the Indians on the plains by his
skill in manoeuvring in getting us to give up four hundred miles of
rich territory, pulling down three forts, and retiring back to the
Platte River. No chief since King Philip or Red Jacket has achieved
such a feat and a reputation as Red Cloud.

On account of repeated acts of hostility on the part of the Sioux, the
government refused to trade with them at the posts, or have traders
sent among them. They need powder and lead, etc., but it would be used
to kill our people instead of game,--they allege it is needed, for now
it is more scarce.

Red Cloud came into Laramie and Fetterman several times to get leave to
trade, but at last he said "he'd go to the Great Father at Washington,
and not treat with understrappers, with whom he will in future have
nothing to do." About the middle of April he left his hunting-grounds,
and o