The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians, by Fanny Kelly This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians Author: Fanny Kelly Release Date: November 08, 2020 [EBook #63673] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 Produced by: D A Alexander, Robert Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE OF MY CAPTIVITY AMONG THE SIOUX INDIANS *** NARRATIVE OF M Y C A P T I V I T Y AMONG THE S I O U X I N D I A N S. BY FANNY KELLY. WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF GENERAL SULLY’S INDIAN EXPEDITION IN 1864, BEARING UPON EVENTS OCCURRING IN MY CAPTIVITY. C I N C I N N ATI : WILSTACH, BALDWIN & CO., PRINTERS, N o. 143 Race S treet, 1871. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by FANNY KELLY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. STEREOTYPED AT THE FRANKLIN TYPE FOUNDRY, CINCINNATI. DEDICATION. TO THE Officers and Soldiers of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, For their Persistent and Daring Efforts to Aid my Husband in effecting my Rescue; and to the Officers and Soldiers of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, For Kindness shown me after my Ransom and Return to Fort Sully, this Narrative is Affectionately Dedicated by THE AUTHOR. INTRODUCTORY. The summer of 1864 marked a period of unusual peril to the daring pioneers seeking homes in the far West. Following upon the horrible massacres in Minnesota in 1862, and the subsequent chastisements inflicted by the expeditions under Generals Sully and Sibley in 1863, whereby the Indians were driven from the then western borders of civilization, in Iowa, Minnesota, and the white settlements of Dakota, in the Missouri Valley, the great emigrant trails to Idaho and Montana became the scene of fresh outrages; and, from the wild, almost inaccessible nature of the country, pursuit and punishment were impossible. I was a member of a small company of emigrants, who were attacked by an overwhelming force of hostile Sioux, which resulted in the death of a large proportion of the party, in my own capture, and a horrible captivity of five months’ duration. Of my thrilling adventures and experience during this season of terror and privation, I propose to give a plain, unvarnished narrative, hoping the reader will be more interested in facts concerning the habits, manners, and customs of the Indians, and their treatment of prisoners, than in theoretical speculations and fine-wrought sentences. Some explanation is due the public for the delay in publishing this my narrative. From memoranda, kept during the period of my captivity, I had completed the work for publication, when the manuscript was purloined and published; but the work was suppressed before it could be placed before the public. After surmounting many obstacles, I have at last succeeded in gathering the scattered fragments; and, by the aid of memory, impressed as I pray no mortal’s may ever be again, am enabled to place the results before, I trust, a kind-judging, appreciative public. v vi CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page Early History—Canada to Kansas—Death of my Father—My Marriage—“Ho! for Idaho!”—Crossing the Platte River—A Storm, 11 CHAPTER II. The Attack and the Capture, 19 CHAPTER III. My Husband’s Escape—Burial of the Dead—Arrival of the Survivors at Deer Creek—An ill-timed Ball, 28 CHAPTER IV. Beginning of my Captivity, 37 CHAPTER V. Plan for Little Mary’s Escape—Tortures of Uncertainty—Unsuccessful Attempt to Escape, 45 CHAPTER VI. Continuation of our March into the Wilderness—Suffering from Thirst and Weariness—Disappearance of my Fellow-prisoner—Loss of the old Chief’s Pipe, and its Consequences to me—A Scene of Terror, 49 CHAPTER VII. Powder River—Another Attempt to Escape—Detection and Despair—A Quarrel—My Life saved by “Jumping Bear,” 62 CHAPTER VIII. The Storm—Arrival at the Indian Village—The old Chief’s Wife—Some Kindness shown me—Attend a Feast, 72 CHAPTER IX. Preparations for Battle—An Indian Village on the Move—Scalp Dance—A Horrible Scene of Savage Exultation—Compelled to join the Orgies—A Cause of Indian Hostility—Another Battle with the White Troops—Burial of an Indian Boy—A Hasty Retreat—Made to act as Surgeon of the Wounded—Mauve Terre, or Bad Lands, 92 CHAPTER X. Mourning for the Slain—Threatened with Death at the Fiery Stake—Saved by a Speech from Ottawa— Starving Condition of the Indians, 106 CHAPTER XI. Meet another White Female Captive—Sad Story of Mary Boyeau—A Child Roasted, and its Brains Dashed out—Murder of Mrs. Fletcher—Five Children Slaughtered—Fate of their Mother, 112 CHAPTER XII. First Intimation of my Little Mary’s Fate—Despair and Delirium—A Shower of Grasshoppers—A Feast and a Fight—An Enraged Squaw—The Chief Wounded, 120 CHAPTER XIII. Arrival of “Porcupine”—A Letter from Captain Marshall—Hopes of Rescue—Treachery of the Messenger— Egosegalonicha—The Tables Turned—Another Gleam of Hope—The Indian “White Tipi”—Disappointed —A White Man Bound and left to Starve—A Burial Incident, 129 CHAPTER XIV. Lost in the Indian Village—Black Bear’s White Wife—A small Tea Party—The White Boy-captive, Charles Sylvester—The Sun Dance—A Conciliating Letter from General Sibley—A Puzzle of Human Bones—The Indian as an Artist—I Destroy a Picture and am Punished with Fire-brands—A Sick Indian, 136 vii viii CHAPTER XV. Preparing the Chi-cha-cha, or Killikinnick—Attack on Captain Fisk’s Emigrant Train—Fourteen Whites Killed —A big Haul of Whisky—A Drunken Debauch—I write a Letter to Captain Fisk under dictation— Poisoned Indians—The Train saved by my Clerical Strategy, 147 CHAPTER XVI. Scenes on Cannon Ball Prairie—Reflections, 154 CHAPTER XVII. A Prairie on Fire—Scenes of Terror, 159 CHAPTER XVIII. Last days with the Ogalalla Sioux—Massacre of a Party returning from Idaho—A Woman’s Scalp—A Scalp Dance—Suspicious Circumstance—Arrival of Blackfeet Indians—Negotiations for my Ransom— Treachery, 164 CHAPTER XIX. Indian Customs, 175 CHAPTER XX. An Indian tradition—Arrival at the Blackfeet Village—An offer to purchase me indignantly rejected—A Yankton attempts my Capture, 191 CHAPTER XXI. Appearance of Jumping Bear—I prevail on him to carry a Letter to the Fort—A War Speech—Intended Treachery—Resume our Journey to the Fort—Singular Meeting with a White Man—“Has Richmond Fallen?”—Arrival at the Fort—I am Free! 199 CHAPTER XXII. Retrospection—A Border Trading post—Garrison Hospitality—A Visit from the Commandant of Fort Rice— Arrival of my Husband—Affecting Scene, 212 CHAPTER XXIII. Sad Fate of Little Mary, 218 CHAPTER XXIV. What occurred at Fort Laramie after my Capture—Efforts to Rescue—Lieutenant Brown killed—Reward offered—It is the Means of restoring another White Woman and Child—Her Rescuers hung for Former Murders—A Letter announcing my Safe Arrival at Fort Sully, 223 CHAPTER XXV. Supper in Honor of our Re-union—Departure from Fort Sully—Incidents by the way—Arrival at Geneva— Mother and Child—A Happy Meeting, 228 CHAPTER XXVI. Elizabeth Blackwell—Mormon Home—A brutal Father—The Mother and Daughters flee to the Mountains— Death of the Mother and Sisters from exposure—Elizabeth saved by an Indian—A White Woman tortured —Rescued Children—The Boxx Family—Capture of Mrs. Blynn, 238 CHAPTER XXVII. Move to Wyoming—False Friends—The Manuscript of my Narrative taken by another party and published—I go to Washington, 250 CHAPTER XXVIII. General Sully’s Expedition, 255 Poem to Mrs. Fannie Kelly, 268 Certificate of Indian Chiefs, 270 Certified Copies of my Correspondence with Captain Fisk, 274 ix x Statement of Lieutenant G. A. Hesselberg, 279 Statement of Officers and Members of the Sixth Iowa Calvary, 282 THE CAMP. CAPTIVITY AMONG THE SIOUX. C H A P T E R I . EARLY HISTORY—CANADA TO KANSAS—DEATH OF MY FATHER—MY MARRIAGE—“HO! FOR IDAHO!”— CROSSING THE PLATTE RIVER—A STORM. I was born in Orillia, Canada, in 1845. Our home was on the lake shore, and there amid pleasant surroundings I passed the happy days of early childhood. The years 1852 to 1856 witnessed, probably, the heaviest immigration the West has ever known in a corresponding length of time. Those who had gone before sent back to their friends such marvelous accounts of the fertility of the soil, the rapid development of the country, and the ease with which fortunes were made, the “Western fever” became almost epidemic. Whole towns in the old, Eastern States were almost depopulated. Old substantial farmers, surrounded apparently by all the comforts that heart could wish, sacrificed the homes wherein their families had been reared for generations, and, with all their worldly possessions, turned their faces toward the setting sun. And with what high hopes! Alas! how few, comparatively, met their realization. In 1856, my father, James Wiggins, joined a New York colony bound for Kansas. Being favorably impressed with the country and its people, they located the town of Geneva, and my father returned for his family. Reaching the Missouri River on our way to our new home, my father was attacked with cholera, and died. In obedience to his dying instructions, my widowed mother, with her little family, continued on the way to our new home. But, oh! with what saddened hearts we entered into its possession. It seemed as if the light of our life had gone out. He who had been before to prepare that home for us, was not there to share it with us, and, far away from all early associations, almost alone in a new and sparsely settled country, it seemed as though hope had died. But God is merciful. He prepares the soul for its burdens. Of a truth, “He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.” Our family remained in this pleasant prairie home, where I was married to Josiah S. Kelly. My husband’s health failing, he resolved upon a change of climate. Accordingly, on the 17th of May, 1864, a party of six persons, consisting of Mr. Gardner Wakefield, my husband, myself, our adopted daughter (my sister’s child), and two colored servants, started from Geneva, with high-wrought hopes and pleasant anticipations of a romantic and delightful journey across the plains, and a confident expectation of future prosperity among the golden hills of Idaho. A few days after commencing our journey, we were joined by Mr. Sharp, a Methodist clergyman, from Verdigris River, about thirty miles south of Geneva; and, a few weeks later, we overtook a large train of emigrants, among whom were a family from Allen County with whom we were acquainted—Mr. Larimer, wife, and child, a boy eight years old. Preferring to travel with our small train, they left the larger one and became members of our party. The addition of one of my own sex to our little company was cause of much rejoicing to me, and helped relieve the dullness of our tiresome march. The hours of noon and evening rest were spent in preparing our frugal meals, gathering flowers with our children, picking berries, hunting curiosities, or gazing in wrapt wonder and admiration at the beauties of this strange, bewildering country. Our amusements were varied. Singing, reading, writing to friends at home, or pleasant conversation, occupied our leisure hours. So passed the first few happy days of our emigration to the land of sunshine and flowers. When the sun had set, when his last rays were flecking the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, gathering around the camp-fires, in our home-like tent, we ate with a relish known only to those who, like us, scented the pure air, and lived as nature demanded. At night, when our camp had been arranged by Andy and Franklin, our colored men, it was always in the same relative position, Mr. Kelly riding a few miles ahead as evening drew near to select the camping ground. The atmosphere, which during the day was hot and stifling, became cool, and was laden with the odor of prairie flowers, the night dews filling their beautiful cups with the waters of heaven. The solemnity of night pervaded every thing. The warblings of the feathered tribe had ceased. The antelope and deer rested on the hills; no sound of laughing, noisy children, as in a settled country; no tramping of busy feet, or hurrying to and fro. All is silent. Nature, like man, has put aside the labors of the day, and is enjoying rest and peace. Yonder, as a tiny spark, as a distant star, might be seen from the road a little camp-fire in the darkness spread over the earth. Every eye in our little company is closed, every hand still, as we lay in our snugly-covered wagons, awaiting the dawn 11 12 13 14 of another day. And the Eye that never sleeps watched over us in our lonely camp, and cared for the slumbering travelers. Mr. Wakefield, with whom we became acquainted after he came to settle at Geneva, proved a most agreeable companion. Affable and courteous, unselfish, and a gentleman, we remember him with profound respect. A fine bridge crosses the Kansas River. A half-hour’s ride through the dense heavy timber, over a jet-black soil of incalculable richness, brought us to this bridge, which we crossed. We then beheld the lovely valley of the prairies, intersecting the deep green of graceful slopes, where waves tall prairie grass, among which the wild flowers grow. Over hundreds of acres these blossoms are scattered, yellow, purple, white, and blue, making the earth look like a rich carpet of variegated colors; those blooming in spring are of tender, modest hue, in later summer and early autumn clothed in gorgeous splendor. Solomon’s gold and purple could not outrival them. Nature seemingly reveled in beauty, for beauty’s sake alone, for none but the simple children of the forest to view her in state. Slowly the myriad years come and go upon her solitary places. Tender spring-time and glorious summer drop down their gifts from overflowing coffers, while the steps of bounding deer or the notes of singing birds break upon the lonely air. The sky is of wonderful clearness and transparency. Narrow belts and fringes of forest mark the way of winding streams. In the distance rise conical mounds, wrapped in the soft veil of dim and dreamy haze. Upon the beaten road are emigrants wending their way, their household goods packed in long covered wagons, drawn by oxen, mules, or horses; speculators working their way to some new town with women and children; and we meet with half-breed girls, with heavy eye-lashes and sun-burnt cheeks, jogging along on horseback. I was surprised to see so many women among the emigrants, and to see how easily they adapted themselves to the hardships experienced in a journey across the plains. As a rule, the emigrants travel without tents, sleeping in and under wagons, without removing their clothing. Cooking among emigrants to the far West is a very primitive operation, a frying-pan and perhaps a Dutch oven comprising the major part of the kitchen furniture. The scarcity of timber is a source of great inconvenience and discomfort, “buffalo chips” being the substitute. At some of the stations, where opportunity offered, Mr. Kelly bought wood by the pound, as I had not yet been long enough inured to plains privations to relish food cooked over a fire made with “chips” of that kind. We crossed the Platte River by binding four wagon boxes together, then loaded the boat with goods, and were rowed across by about twenty men. We were several days in crossing. Our cattle and horses swam across. The air had been heavy and oppressively hot; now the sky began to darken suddenly, and just as we reached the opposite shore, a gleam of lightning, like a forked tongue of flame, shot out of the black clouds, blinding us by its flash, and followed by a frightful crash of thunder. Another gleam and another crash followed, and the dense blackness lowered threateningly over us, almost shutting out the heights beyond, and seeming to encircle us like prisoners in the valley that lay at our feet. The vivid flashes lighting the darkness for an instant only made its gloom more fearful, and the heavy rolling of the thunder seemed almost to rend the heavens above it. All at once it burst upon our unprotected heads in rain. But such rain! Not the gentle droppings of an afternoon shower, nor a commonplace storm, but a sweeping avalanche of water, drenching us completely at the first dash, and continuing to pour, seeming to threaten the earth on which we stood, and tempt the old Platte to rise and claim it as its own. Our wagon covers had been removed in the fording, and we had no time to put up tents for our protection until its fury was exhausted. And so we were forced to brave the elements, with part of our company on the other side of the swollen river, and a wild scene, we could scarcely discern through the pelting rain, surrounding us. One soon becomes heroic in an open-air life, and so we put up what shelter we could when the abating storm gave us opportunity; and, wringing the water out of clothes, hair, and eye-brows, we camped in cheerful hope of a bright to- morrow, which did not disappoint us, and our hundreds of emigrant companions scattered on the way. Each recurring Sabbath was gratefully hailed as a season of thought and repose; as a matter of conscience and duty we observed the day, and took pleasure in doing so. We had divine service performed, observing the ceremonies of prayer, preaching, and singing, which was fully appreciated in our absence from home and its religious privileges. Twenty-five miles from California Crossing is a place called Ash Hollow, where the eye is lost in space as it endeavors to penetrate its depths. Here some years before, General Harney made his name famous by an indiscriminate 15 16 17 18 massacre of a band of hostile Indians, with their women and children. The Attack and Capture of Our Train, July 12th, 1864.