The most graphic Indian story of the Custer fight is told by
Runs-the-Enemy in the chapter on “The Indians’ Story of the Custer Fight.”
Chief Runs-the-Enemy continued:
“A great event in changing my life was marked when I returned to the
reservation and the Government took from us our horses and guns and told
us that we were to live in that place at peace with everybody. The
Government took the best warriors from among the tribe, made them lift
their hands to God and swear that they would be true to the Government;
and they made out of these men policemen who were to guard the Government
and keep the Indians good. When the Government made a policeman of me
they bound my hands with chains and I had to obey them. They gave me
implements with which to till the soil, and raise stock and build a home,
and it seemed to me I must obey every word they said. They told me that
the wild game, now roaming the hills, would soon die off, and that if I
tilled the soil and raised stock and grain, I could get money for it, and
money is what makes everything move along. As I told you, whatever they
told me, I did. They told me to send my children to school, which I did.
I sent all of my children to school, and they came home and all of them
died. They told me if I sent the children to school and educated them,
they would be all right. Instead of that I sent them to school and they
all came home with consumption and died, seven in number. If I had kept
them home, some of them might have been living to-day. Now as to myself:
I am getting old every day; I cannot take care of my stock. My limbs are
weak, and my knees are getting weak; it will not be long until I will go
under the ground. As you look at me now I am old. As I said, I will die
in a little while, but I am not afraid of dying. I have two children
living and I look ahead for them. Although I have done all I could for my
people, I have also helped the Government and done whatever they told me
to do.”
[Map of the Custer Battlefield]