Some did I’m sure - no doubt about that. James Butler was one. He was found totally by himself amidst a pile of shell casings from his .45-70 carbine.
Indians also might have said that they fought bravely in order to placate to the narrative and out of fear of retribution. Imagine them saying they were all cowards as they turned themselves in later that year?
“Indians also might have said that they fought bravely in order to placate to the narrative and out of fear of retribution”
After what they did to the bodies after they massacred them you really think they thought they wanted to placate? I doubt it very much.
The Indians were sincere in their praise of the troopers.