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.
Immediately after Mr. Kelly reached Deer Creek, at the time of our
capture, he telegraphed to Fort Laramie of the outbreak of the Indians,
and the capture of his wife.
Colonel Collins, of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, commandant of the
military district, ordered two companies, under Captain Shuman and
Captain Marshall, two brave and daring men, to pursue and rescue me,
and chastise the savages in case of resistance.
But the distance of one hundred miles lay between these forts, and
they only arrived on their way too late for rescue. They continued
their march, however, and after an absence of three days returned
unsuccessful.
Sad to relate, a young and daring officer, Lieutenant Brown, of the
Eleventh Ohio Volunteers, fell a victim to savage cruelty in my
behalf, for with a view of prospecting the neighborhood, he, with Mr.
Kelly, left the main body with a small squad of men in quest of the
Indians.
Coming suddenly upon a band of warriors, in their encampment, the brave
Lieutenant indiscreetly ordered an attack, but the men, seeing the
futility of opposing such numbers, fled, and left Mr. Kelly and the
officer.
Becoming conscious of his dangerous situation, he feigned friendship,
addressing them in the usual way, “How koda?” which means, How do you
do, friend?
But they were not to be deceived, and sent an arrow, causing him to
fall from his horse, and the effects of which caused his death a few
hours afterward.
He was immediately reported dead, and with all the speed the men could
command they pursued his murderers; but the fresher horses of the
savages carried them off beyond their reach, and the soldiers were
compelled to return in disappointment.
Brave young man! the ardent friend of Mr. Kelly, and the husband and
father of an affectionate wife and child, stricken down in his early
manhood, we would humbly lay the wreath of “immortelles” upon thy
lonely grave.
After several expeditions in like manner which proved unsuccessful, Mr.
Kelly offered a reward of nineteen horses, the money value of which was
deposited with the commander of Fort Laramie, and it was circulated
through all the Indian villages, that upon my safe delivery the reward
would be paid.
Every effort possible was made by my husband and his brothers to
procure my rescue or ransom. No money or efforts were spared, and the
long days of agonizing suspense to them were worse than death.
The reward which had been offered for my ransom was the means of
rescuing another white woman, a Mrs. Ewbanks, and her child, held by
the Indians.
The Indian Two-Face and his son, having a desire to enhance their
fortunes, paid a few small sums to the other Indians who claimed her,
and, taking her with them, set out for Fort Laramie.
When they arrived within a few miles of the fort, the prisoners were
left with the son and some others, while Two-Face preceded them to
arrange the terms of sale.
The commander agreed to the price, and on the following day Mrs.
Ewbanks and her child were brought in—the Indians thinking it made no
difference which white woman it was. This was several months after my
capture.
Instead of paying the price, the commandant seized and confined them
in the guard-house, to await trial for the murder of the ranch-men and
the stealing of women and children. The testimony of Mrs. Ewbanks was
proof sufficient. They confessed their crimes, and were executed in May
following.
In crossing the North Platte River, five miles below the fort, Mrs.
Ewbanks had suffered intensely, her child being bound to her back, and
she holding on to a log bound by a rope fastened to the saddle of the
Indian’s horse.
The chief passed over easily, but mother and child were nearly frozen
to death by clinging and struggling among masses of broken ice, and
protected only by a thin, light garment.
Mr. Kelly sent deputations of Indians with horses, to the Indian
villages, with letters to me, which were never delivered. They were not
true to their trust, but would come to see me without giving me the
messages, then return with the declaration that I could not be found.
He would furnish a complete outfit for an Indian, costing about four
hundred dollars, and send him to find me; but the Indian cared only for
the money; he would never return.
Having despaired of accomplishing any thing further toward my rescue
at Fort Laramie, he left for Leavenworth, to obtain help from citizens
there, to get permission of the commander of the division to raise an
independent company for my release.
There he met with his brother, General Kelly, who had just returned
from the South, and had received a letter from me, acquainting him with
my freedom.
Mr. Kelly would not at first be convinced, but, after being shown the
letter, he said, “Yes, I know that is Fanny’s writing, but it can not
be possible,” and by daylight he was on his way to Dakota.
Who can tell his varied emotions, during that long and wearisome
journey, when, at the end, hope held out to him the cup of joy which,
after the long suffering of months, he was about to drink. Let only
those judge who have been separated from the dearest on earth, and
whose fate was involved in mysterious silence, more painful than if the
pallid face rested beneath the coffin-lid.