Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux IndiansKelly, Fanny
History
Narrative of My Captivity Among the Sioux Indians
Kelly, Fanny
Dakota Indians -- History; Dakota Indians -- Wars -- 1862-1865; Indian captivities -- West (U.S.); Kelly, Fanny, 1845-1904
I had a dread of going among strangers, but was thankful for the
kindness with which I was received by this old couple. I was very
tired, and so sad and depressed, that I cared not to ask for
any thing, but the old squaw, seeming to understand my feelings,
considerately placed before me meat and water, and kindly ministered to
my wants in every way their means would allow.
I was with this family nearly three weeks, and was treated with almost
affectionate kindness, not only by them, but by every member of the
little community. The children would come to see me, and manifest in
various ways their interest in me. They would say, “Wasechawea (white
woman) looks sad; I want to shake hands with her.”
I soon began to adapt myself to my new surroundings, and became more
happy and contented than I had ever yet been since my captivity began.
My time was occupied in assisting the motherly old squaw in her sewing
and other domestic work.
There was but once a cloud come between us. The old chief had given
orders that I was not to be permitted to go out among the other
villagers alone, orders of which I knew nothing. Feeling a new sense
of freedom, I had sometimes gone out, and on one occasion, having been
invited into different tipis by the squaws, staid so long that the old
Indian sent for me, and seemed angry when I returned. He said it was
good for me to stay in his tent, but bad to go out among the others. I
pacified him at last by saying I knew his home was pleasant, and I was
happy there, and that I did not know it was bad to go among the other
tents.
The old chief returned, finally, and my brief season of enjoyment
ended. He seemed to delight in torturing me, often pinching my arms
until they were black and blue. Regarding me as the cause of his
wounded arm, he was determined that I should suffer with him.
While in this village “Man-Afraid-of-His-Horses” arrived, and I was
made aware of his high standing as a chief and warrior by the feasting
and dancing which followed. He was splendidly mounted and equipped, as
also was another Indian who accompanied him.
I have since learned from my husband that the treacherous chief made
such statements of his influence with the hostile Indians as to induce
him to purchase for them both an expensive outfit, in the hope of my
release. I saw and conversed with him several times, and though he told
me that he was from the Platte, he said nothing of the real errand on
which he was sent, but returned to the fort and reported to Mr. Kelly
that the band had moved and I could not be found.
Captain Fisk had made known to General Sully the fact of my being among
the Indians, and the efforts he had made for my release; and when the
Blackfeet presented themselves before the General, asking for peace,
and avowing their weariness of hostility, anxious to purchase arms,
ammunition, and necessaries for the approaching winter, he replied:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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