The Indians said they were very brave and fought ferociously.
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?