Page:A Brief History of South Dakota.djvu/89

Rh but in the darkness of the next night the entire nation abandoned their villages and escaped to the prairie, and though Leavenworth sent messengers after them with assurances of kindness and fair treatment, they could not be prevailed upon to return.

Having exhausted his provisions, Leavenworth was compelled to return to Fort Atkinson. His was the first general military movement in Dakota, and, while little was accomplished, it was really a very brave thing for Leavenworth to venture thus into a hostile country for the purpose of upholding the dignity of the American nation.

One circumstance connected with this Ree outbreak should be borne in mind. Immediately after the massacre, and when it had been determined that Ashley could not go forward up river but must retire, he felt that it was most necessary that a messenger should be sent to Major Henry, who, it will be remembered, remained the previous winter on the Yellowstone. He called for a volunteer to carry this message, and the only response was by Jedediah S. Smith, a boy eighteen years of age. It was a most dangerous undertaking. The entire party were gathered on the deck of General Ashley's boat, the Yellowstone, when Smith received his commission. There, among the dead and dying men, the boy, who was a Methodist, knelt down and made a most eloquent prayer to Heaven for guidance and protection. He was successful in reaching Henry, and at once returned down the river to St. Louis and was back at the Ree town in time