| Summary: | Author Andrews, like the great Nez Perce Chief Joseph, believes in letting the people be heard -- the people who saw and knew the Indian of the vast Northern Plains. To them, the white settlers who were caught between an inept government policy and the bewildered Indians, he dedicates this book of eyewitness accounts. In 1868, army wife Margaret Carrington accompanied her husband's troops on a journey to Ab-Sa-Ra-Ka, Land of the Crows, and wrote of her experiences. Scout and trader George E. Bartlett tells the true story of the Wounded Knee massacre of Big Foot's band of Sioux and gives his views of the famous Red Cloud. Teamster Albert M. Holman gives a moving account of the rigors and tragedies on the 1300-mile march of 15 ox-drawn wagons from Niobrara to Virginia City in 1865. The Freemans, Dr. Bancroft, J. Sterling Morton and other pioneers speak with telling understatement of their harrowing and enlightening experiences. Included also is photographer David F. Barry's notable interview with Chief Gall who led the Sioux forces against Custer. And should the reader be skillful with a knife, he can find a use for his talent in Everett Ellis' instructions on how 'To take a scalp'. Many of these stirring events, recounted in the simple manner of plain people who took bravery with their buffalo meat breakfasts, are printed here for the first time. Ralph Andrews searched and researched until he found the manuscripts and personal stories that best expressed the people's views on the Indian.
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