and that the Great Father is the Indian's friend, and the
Indian's protector."

RED CLOUD'S JOURNEY.

The following piece of history is compiled from all that I could learn
about a journey, which will be worth preserving, if only the results
prove to be a lasting peace, as we hope and pray it will be.

In 1866, in searching for a short route to Montana and Idaho, the
government took possession of the Powder River and Big Horn country,
along the mountains, where gold is said to abound. A regiment of
soldiers was ordered, under Colonel Carrington,--the 18th Regulars,--to
open up a road and build forts for protection.

He went up by Fort Laramie, an old trading-post, situated on the North
Platte River; from there he laid out one that shortened the distance
from Omaha to Virginia City, Montana, three hundred miles. The colonel
founded three forts, one on Powder River, one at the crossing of the
Big Horn, and one on Tongue River. They were named Fort C. F. Smith,
Fort Reno, and Fort Phil. Kearney,--after distinguished generals. These
cost about six hundred thousand dollars. As soon as it reached the
Indians that their country was to be occupied by the whites, Red Cloud
claimed the whole portion all along the Big Horn Mountains, and sent
word to them that the Indians would kill all they met. Notice was sent
to the government that if the soldiers did not withdraw north of the
Platte, he would declare war. Of course no attention was paid to this,
and the colonel went on to open roads, strengthen posts, and patrol the
country. Some skirmishes took place between small bands of Indians and
parties, but no fight of much account occurred till fall.

In October it was said that Red Cloud had given orders for all the
Sioux to meet and prepare for war, and next month it was reported he
was marching at the head of three thousand warriors. This the
government as usual was slow to believe, and gave no heed to it. But
early in December the Indians became troublesome along the Powder River
country, and Red Cloud's policy was seen to guide them. The wily chief
had planned the movement so as to strike a hard blow and capture Fort
Kearney, and murder the garrison.

PHIL. KEARNEY MASSACRE.

Red Cloud collected all his warriors near the fort, and concealed them
in the hills. Watching his opportunity, he surrounded and attacked a
small party sent out against him from the post. As he expected, when
the attack was made k