17 



ing the river with my party, I found less than forty lodged 

 by actual count, and ascertained that all or nearly all of these 

 were Ogallalas, belonging to Red Cloud's band. During the 

 next ten days, moreover, I repeatedly crossed the great northern 

 trails leading to the Black Hills, and ascertained beyond a doubt 

 that no considerable body of Indians had recently passed over 

 them. For these reasons, and others which I deem equally con- 

 clusive, I believe the thousands of Northern Indians officially 're- 

 ported at this Agency to be a myth. 



The number of Indians actually at Red Cloud Agency, when I 

 was there in November last, could not have been more than 1,200 

 lodges, or 8,400 individuals. Judging from all the information I 

 could obtain, I doubt if this number has been exceeded within 

 the last two years. Some observers, best qualified to judge, 

 placed the number lower, and among these was Jules Ecoffe, 

 of Fort Laramie, whom I have known for several years. He 

 was with me at the Agency, acted as my interpreter in one 

 council, and is personally acquainted with nearly all the Indians 

 there. The statement of the Agent, that, on October 1st, there 

 were at the Agency over 15,000 Indians, no disinterested person, 

 familiar with the facts, believes for a moment, especially as at 

 that time the wilder Indians had not commenced to return to 

 the Agency for the winter. 



III. Issue of Annuity Goods. 



I was present at the Red Cloud Agency at the annual issue of 

 Annuity goods, November 12, 1874, and personally observed 

 nearly all that were delivered. I saw the entire issue of blankets, 

 and carefully examined the quality of those delivered. The num- 

 ber of bales of blankets I did not count as they were issued, but, 

 soon after all were given out, my attention was called to the num- 

 ber of these by the chief Red Dog, who stood near me in the 

 warehouse during the issue. He strongly asserted that the issue 

 was fraudulent, and that the number of blankets issued was much 

 less than the Indians were entitled to ; and that the number is- 

 3 



