Through Butler and Hyde, comes a story, evidently of Indian origin, that the Indians were furious at certain white officers and soldiers, for taking young Indian girls into their tents, and keeping them there all night. It seems doubtful that there was any truth to the story, for the reason that there were a number of white women in the party, that were being taken out of the danger zone and among them were the wives and families of Captain Fouts, and Lieutenant Triggs. It is not prob-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

able that they would permit such conduct as that alleged.

Furthermore, there had been a recent execution of some bad Indians at Fort Laramie, for their criminal treatment of women ; and among those martyr women being escorted to safety, were Mrs. Eubanks and daughter and Miss Roper. Under these conditions it is not likely that any soldiers, no matter how evil might have been his reputation, would be guilty of the alleged disreputable deeds.

On the morning of the fourteenth, the advance guard started at five o'clock, the idea being to cover the eighteen miles to the meadows near Fort Mitchell for the next camping place. The wagons were strung out for a mile or more, when rapid firing was begun by the Indians upon the rear guard. Captain Fouts had ordered that no ammunition be distributed, fearing that some hair-trigger individual among the soldiers might become excited and shoot, and thus set off an unpremediated battle.