Indian scouts, though heavily relied upon for reconnaissance,
translations, and insight into Indian psychology, were usually treated as
outsiders by the army they served (even though many scouts were themselves
ex-soldiers).  Allowed to roam freely during forays into Indian territory,
scouts were rarely subject to laws or rules of behavior.  In battle, some
would rob or mutilate the dead as a warning to Indians considering further
uprisings.  Mostly, scouts served as advance men for columns of soldiers,
and although their advice was often heeded, General George Custer (whose
scouts are shown here in this engraving) ignored warnings of enemy
strength at Little Bighorn.