INTRODUCTION. li 



allies of the whites, have acquiesced in these encroach- 

 ments, or restricted themselves to remonstrances to their 

 agents. 



INDIAN ATROCITIES AND WESTERN REPRISALS. 



In order to attain a true knowledge of the North 

 American Indian, it is necessary that he should be de- 

 scribed as he really is 



A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, 

 Incapable of pity, void and empty 

 From every drachm of mercy. 



One of his most striking characteristics is the ferocity 

 and cruelty which he displays against his enemies, be they 

 red or white. It would be as true to depict the tiger as 

 quiet and docile, as to represent that the Indian has one 

 particle of consideration, feeling, or mercy towards either 

 his enemy or captive. 



The atrocities committed by the Indians against the 

 whites in the various attacks which they have made on the 

 emigrant trains and their capture of white women, or 

 their raids on the settlements, are so horrible that they 

 cannot well be described. Colonel Dodge in his book 

 has given in the 36th and 40th chapters a few instances. 

 The Indian records teem with these barbarities, and the 

 western man, knowing from past experience the treatment 

 which he and his family will receive at the hands of 

 the Indians if captured, always, if he has the oppor- 

 tunity, makes arrangement to kill himself, wife, and 

 children, rather than any of them should fall into the 

 hands of Indians on the war path. Even officers of the 

 United States have not disdained when engaged in Indian 

 warfare to carry with them a small pocket Derringer 

 pistol, loaded, to be used in the event of capture as a 

 dernier ressort, so as to escape by self-inflicted death the 

 torture to which captives are invariably subjected. 



