The New York herald. [volume], July 13, 1876, Page 2, Image 2

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f IN CROOK'S CAMP. |
I I
Realizing the Significance of the \
Battle on the Rosebud.
' I
INEXCUSABLE BLUNDERING.
?
The Sioux Informed of All j
Crook's Movements.
!
S7%/r >. . I
j
A Map and Topographical Descrip- i
tion of the Field.
THE FIGHT ON THE LEFT OF THE LINE
Exciting Incidents of the Battle?The
Valor of Whites and Reds.
A PERILOUS RETREAT.
? ?
Barbarities by the "Friendly" Indians on the |
Body of a Sioux Warrior.
CROOK'S FORCES HASTILY EQUIPPED
Effect of Rumored Peace Movements
Upon the Commander.
A STRANGE HUNT FOR GOLD.
Sioux Spies Watching the Camp
on Goose Creek.
#
HAVE THE SUM ATTACKED AND CROOK AWAY?
Military Camp on Ooosh emu,)
Wyoming Territory, June 22, 1S7& )
Tho batllo of the Kosobud Aitlfc, on June 17, was of
greater importance and significance than at that time
appeared to the persons engaged In it, not exceptiug
lUe brigadier general commanding. In the haste of
despatching my telegram and letter shortly afterward
J was unable to embody in them all the details, which
jbrui either integral or concurrent parts of it and are
(essential to Its complete comprehension. A brief reView
of the scout, weaving together the odd
ends of narrative, will ho proper and interesting,
illustrated by the accompanying maps,
carefully prcparod with tbo assistance of Lien
tenant Charles Morton, of Colonol W. B. RoyaP's
tun, whore Intrepnl presence in the most dangerous
portion of the Held qualifies him lor the task ol
sketching its natural features. It was there that Captain
Henry's battalion and Captain Andrews' company
of tho Third cavalry bore the brunt of the boldest and
most destructive sullies of the Sioux, without tho support
from the main portion ot the commaud, most of 1
the time unengaged, which thoy sorely needed, until
too lata to prevent the sacrifice of nine soldiers who |
were tilled and nluctoou who were wounded. All of j
the losses were sustained on tho left excepting the disabling
of tbreo lulantrynieii by chauce balls on the
high olufl in the middle of the field.
1-l.AN or TIIK SIOI X ATTACK.
The bivouac ol June 1G must have been under tho
obaarvatlou of the .Sioux spies from evening until
looming. A hollow square, marked by the lints of
burning piles of cottunwood taguts lit by the soldiers,
exposed the position of each us he lay on his arms in
tired slumber. Pickets were statioued on the surrounding
hills, but their presence would not have prevented
the enemy troiu creeping through the dark
canyons, which intersect the ridges and approaching
-* within bowshot of tho tiros. Their forbearuueo Irom
attack signified a feller purpose. The discovery of a
deserted wicky up, lately occupied, as tho halt-burucd
bnll'alo meat lying on the ashes showed, roportod by
the Crows on the previous day, was a sign that they
wore warned ut tho approaching lorco. U is probable,
Indeed, Unit tlicy had watched the whole progress of
the Ititli of Juno, and that every warrior lu the village
on the Koscbud oleum <1 Ins i:uu uud Ailed his belt with
cartridges in the evening, expectant of uu onslaught !
upon tho while soldiers on the next day. There Is no j
doubt that a deliberuie attack was meditated. Tho
Indiau.-i conceived that by occupying the strongest !
positions in tho region through which the udvauco ;
would lay, hud It been continued, they would be able
to surround tho whole command, and perhaps atinihi
lute it be lore it could have extricated itself from the
natural trap If any portion of It had escaped they
eould have harassed Its retreat until it had reached
i'ort Ketteruian, through a distance of 22fi miles There |
Is reason to believe tbal they hud at the commcnco- I
incnl of tbc tight a preposterous confidence in their j
own strength and superiority as warriors, tho result
of the precipitate withdrawal of the expedition of |
last winter from their country. Tho villago near j
which the I utile of llic 17th occurrod doubtless !
contained nearly ull the lodges belonging to
Bitting Bull's band, although it 11 believed that a j
smaller one exists nour tho mouth of tho Tonguo i
Klver. i
Till SIOUX TIIKKMOI'TL.IC
Long ago a Irontlcr scout named Hank Clifford, who I
%ad takcu a a?iuaw (rum the Siuux nation, said that tie I
had olteu board thorn dorlaro that il ever tho uutagou- I
Itin between them and the whites grew to a tiual strug
gle there was a country In the north where
they could take refuge and could hevcr be conquered
or dialodged. They would wait there to receive the
forco cent against iheui, and could hope to destroy it
bclore it could escape. Ibis region tney described as
extremely rough, whero steep ridges, precipices and
aoep canyons lormed a chaotic surface upon which tho
force first In possession could tight successfully three
times their own number. CliOord believed that it was
the Koscbud Mountains to which they referred, as they
are nearly nnpregnablo to an invader. On the m< ruing
of the second day alter leaving the supply camp ou
tiooso Creek, tho command halted to rest in the valley
?r tho Kosebud. It was then only in the foot hills ot
tho mountains. Had the Crow scouts performed their
duty on the previous night they would have been
pasted Id darkt.eas, lor bad General Crook known of
the proximity of ttio Sioux Tillage, tho Kicbtnood or
bis hopes, be Mould havo ordered forced tuurcn ,u
order to eOect surprise.
tub PIMT aus&
The Sioux having watched the bivouac through their
spies until morning dawued, and see tig tbe
oroparattons for the march, concluded that tbe
troops would more toward their tlr<>nguold dur tig
tbe day. They massed tbeir warriors uii the lolty
crests commanding a deep and narrow canyon, two
tides distant Iro.u the stream , but which is tho key
f the descent into ill broader valley below, where
ititioublcdly stood the 800 tepees of Sitting Hull's
mud. There acre at least 12,500 of them. They ex
tcctcd a gieat victory, s harvest of whito scalps and
heir freedom from dependence on the Great lather,
fhe day was bright end keen, a perfect calm p rvadctg
earth and air. and the dark pine bluffs in the north,
tt tho near extremity of tbe Rosebud Mountains,
Muted like smouldering tinl.ur-, a murky haze en
reloplng them, lite command had marched but ten
alios, when, about eight o'clock, a Crow reported to
Ueui-ralCrook that be bad seen tbe Sioux herding their
ponies uu the hills, and that their village niuat there
lore be near. The scouts were ordered to go again
spun the uplands and endeavor to espy the topees of
lilting Bull Meanwhile all tbe animal* were unsaddled
Hid allowed to grass. Tbe greatness of tba impending
NEW YORK
THE B A
Topographical Sketc
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, ri danger
wu not surmised, and the intention of the
commander was to await, concealed in the valley, more
definite information, and then to move forward. Suddenly
rapid shots fired beyond the first rim of hills
which confined tbe view were heard; but it was for the
moment supposed that the friendly Indians were
chaslug buffalo. Bui goon those who were reconnoitring
rode back rapidly. Tbe Sioux were
THKOXUIMU TUK HKIUUTS,
represented on the map by the letters S S, and at
least 600 of them wero charging down from the lofty
plateau, pursuing tbe Crows, who were at that moment
in Imminent danger ol being surrounded. Uood Heart
was chased apart from his brother warriors by two
Sioux braves. He turned about and pulled tbe foremost
trom Ins pony, killed and scalped him, and then
galloped on into the valley. Kane's company of
iufantry was dismounted, and took the position indicated
on the map by K, pushing tho Indians hack
to the higher point, S S if, which they held for
twenty minutes, receiving and nnswcring his are.
Captain Mills' battalion charged, and they again retreated
to another point of vantage. S S 3. By this
tttuo Colonel Koyall's lino, indlcntod by K, on the left,
had been discovered by these Sioux as it advanced, aud
they directed against it an obllquo fire which he
retreat waa inevitable, bad ordered them
to tuuui.1 and chard* back acron the
hollow. An Infantry line bad bet n tardily advanced
to the areall protuberance at I, to cover the low ground,
but it* volley* did not check tbe uuaet until 200 Indiana
bad reached the rear of the cavalry aud surrounded
tbe uniucky rkirmiahera of Vroom a co upany,
who held the last creac liere the Snakea, led by Cotgrove
and Louietanl, performed a gallant feat by
charging tbe Sioux end diaperaiog them
wnar miuut mats atK.x.
The prolonged expoaure of the 1*11 of the command
/ /
silenced at Intervals as long as ho held the position
reached by bis farthest advance.
MILLS' KKOONII chauuc,
represented by U, turccd them away from S S 2, and
meauwbtle the cavalry on the left turned its attention
to the dislodgcmcnt of the enemy in Its front, S S 0.
l.iculenani Foster, with eighteen men of Company I
of the Third cat airy, had half an hour before made u
brilliant dash alter a parly of Sioux who were seen on
the lull dank running away with some pomes belonging
to the Crows. He followed them at a switt gallop
In the direction of the line F, drove them from tho
elevation ludicuted by U, and dismounting at F F
gave them several volleys. Seeing himsell so fur separated
Iroui his battalion, he luruvd to rejoin it, and Instantly
a horde of Sioux seemed to spring up around
htm. His platoon was subjected for a lew moments to a
terrible tire Iroui two sides, uud na they put spurs to
their horses Ihe Sioux charged alter them, close upon
their heels. They came at full gallop down the steep
slope at F F F, wnere the men of Captain Audrcws"
company, by covering ineir rear wnu a uoi ore lurucu
back ibclr pursuers.
Till illsAHTKOCS KSTRkAT.
Following Lieutenant Foster the Sioux bad bid be.
bind rock* ou tho lull, while at the sauie time the
withdrawal ol Mills' and Noyce' battalions ott the
right to march on to the village bad yielded '.o tbem
the high treat which they had abandoned (S S 2),
and thus Iroin two sides they commanded all the
knolls in tho rear of Colonel Koyrali's line. Skirmishers
were deployed to the left and dislodged the enemy,
so as to rendor a continuation of the advance feasible;
but at the moment when the order w as about to be given
Uenoral Crook's command to fall back was received.
No sooner was the movement begun than the Sioux
commencing charging 1mm the Iront and rignt, wlnle
In retiring trom the highest point we had gained the
line was exposed more and more at every backward
step. They imined.ately regained the crest we bad
captured from them and the ledges on the left. At
tho tame lime they could be seen dashing along the
paiiaadc (P) luto the valley of the stream, in the rear.
As we reached and held the ridge marked C they not
only poured an enfilading fire trom two aides, but.
riding down the tide hill, and lying concealed in the
ravines below, C C, Ibey obtained the nearest range
they had yet had
THK LAST Sll'VI CHAR OB.
Meanwhile, as the line still, in obedience to Its orders,
yielded slowly, exposing to a Hank fire the led
horses in the rear, theaioux made a grand ruth trom
the head of the hollow. H H, and its foot at the same
time, and the hullets showered thick and last from
every point of the compass, save only that of the east
end of the ridge, where the main portion of the coramaud
was parked out of range. Tne object of this
double charge was to capture the horses of the cavalry ;
?.?ii I^Alan*! Wnvall ftaoi t\p thai a Dreimitain
HERALD, THURSDAY, JI
JTTLE OF
ih. of the Scene of Gene
J une 17
ATEAU,
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p ? 5? Mile
r I I- - without
assistance wbb the disaster ot the day. The
moment It was sheltered the enemy seemed to recognize
their repulse, and disappeared. There is no doubt
that II Colonel ltoyall hud been permitted to continue
his advance, and hud beou supported on the right, he
would have won the abrupt palisades which enclose
the hollow on the west, and his line would naturally
have gained the other when ho reached the ground
from which the euoir.y would then havo been driven.
The railing back of the Sioux may be partly attrib.
uted to the failure of their ammunition. Several ot
them, after having wounded soldiers in their final
charge, omitted to sculp them, but merely stooped over
from their ponies and cut loose their belts, which .were j
I loaded with cartridges, and rode off. j
The demoralizing retreat on the left was a trial to the
stoutest courage, and It is tlie barest justice to the otU- 1
cers Involved in It to say that they displayed lortitudo
and personal unconcern worthy of exposure to a nobler <
enemy. I
after the battle.
Officers who revisited the scone alter the firing had
ceased say that the distance from the last slope held by ^
the skirmishers to the crest whero were headquarters?
(H)?was more than a uitle. The point on the bunk o'
the creek where the rest took place in tho morning is ,
marked on the map by the letters 15 B. On advancing to ,
the eulranco to the chaotic low land lying north ot tho <
battle Held and again rotroating to the valley a bivouac (
was made here lor the night. There wrs gloom In almost (
every mind, caused by the loss of ten bravo lelluws and
tho Incompleteness of tho victory. ,
In the evening 1 gave a courier a despatch which he |
engaged to carry to Fort Kctterman. About midnight,
however, bo came hurriedly back into camp, and said
that he had becu pursued by the Sioux and hud wan- ,
Uered so near their village that lie hail heard llio squaws .
mourning over their dead. He was completely scared,
and nothing could induce tiuii to make another start.
A soldier told a story of having blundered iuto the
Sioux village while riding with two friendly Indians
who were following their captured ponies. It was not,
however, croditcd.
The Snakes, notwithstanding the eight scalps which
they had won, mourned with direful wailing for the
death o( one of their tribe, although he bad come to
tlie war in the band of the Crows. They buried bim
carclullv in the bed of the stream, and then drove
their ooir.es over the body, so that the Sioux might
not suspect tbo grave, seeing the hoof prints in the
mud.
a 8ava0k spectacle.
On the morning following tho fight, as the
column was moving from the place of bivouac,
tlicra suddenly nroso among the
red allies a singular excitement. One of thein
had ridden up to a dark object lying beside the stream
and sat and gazed at It, and alter others had joined
him, they ah chattered as wildly together as the
Mouth American monkeys when they discover the propinquity
of a snake. After gestures and yells they dis- i
mounted and brandished kuives. Approaching thetn, I
beheld lying ou the fresh, dewy grass, under iho
gcntlo shadow of a stooping willow, the nioet horrible
ooject that could moot tho eye. k dusky human lorm,
nude and blood-bosmesred, was writhing under the
knives of the merciless victors. - This object was a
Sioux who, in the latter part of tho tight, hud been
wounded by a Snake, scalped and left for dead. In
tearing tho tuft of raven hair from his head a portion
of the bono, fractured with a stroke of the tomahawk,
had clung 10 the flesh, and the brain was laid b.ire.
And yet. In the morning the savage was
till alive, and hearing tho tramp of
boreea and believing his tribe bad
beaten the whites, he hud crawled out of the gully in
which he lay and called. "Minnel'' (water) to a Crow
who had passed and who he undoubtedly thought was
a Sioux. The Crow turned, aud his laco kindled with
a fearful Joy. Six shots were flrod? Into the prostrate
figure The heed end limbs were severed trom Iho
i body end tbc flesh hacked and the hones hewn until
| there was nothing about It recognizable as human,
lniamies loo ehanu'ful and disgusting for record com
plclod the ghastly climax of honor. It was an illustration
of the fiendish ferocity of all the Plains Indians
toward their foes. Tho Sioux practise even
more refined barbarlt.es, torturiug their victims tu
the most exquisite manner and making them more |
dreadful by deferring, by every art In their power, |
I the welcome relief of death
scasr.s or roicura ixdiax strive.
I In returning to the quartermaster's camp the commn
I passed through the southern apur of the P.oeebud
i Mountain* and bivouacked in a narrow gorge at the
headwater* of the Little Tongue River. Deer, buffalo,
, bear and elk fled before ue. On the same dey the
j horses wete allow J to reel at the foot of e lofty com 1
-i
JLY 13, 1876.--WITH SUP]
ROSEBUD
ral Crook's Encounter
. 1876.
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;al butte, which overlooks a magnificent landscape
oward every point of the compass. The Crows gathered
on the summit, and, forming a close circle, performed
a war dance urouud their bloody trophies, varying
their monotonous music by flriug their guns at a
icalp suspended aloft on a willow pole. The emtncnco
was the scene many years ago of a lotig-contostcd battle
between the Crows and the Blackloot Algonqutns.
Those of the latter who were engaged were surrounded
ou the butte and all of them killed. Through the
valley lying northwest of this point a stream,
called by the Sioux tho Rotting Grass,
takes its course. It oucc ran red with the
blood of both Dakota* and Ahsarukos, when the
former were routed by tho latter, tin the southern I
(IiIk nf ll,? lln^hnil II r.ni.t!,lna tho nrntnalnn nf wild
Dowers 01 every hue is wonderful and renders benuti- J
!ul the otherwise barren plateaux. Reuching the valley
oi (loose Creek, the quartermaster's camp was found
to have been unmolested by the Sioux. It was re- ^
moved from a tributary to the main stream southward, ^
and, subsequently, still nearer the mountains whore t
the eommand now rests. ,
PCTIMK or TUt CAMPAIGN.
The supply train departed lor Fort Fetterman June
20 to bring back provision and ammunition for another
aid more important scout. Captain A. H. Ntckorson,
ben oral Crook's aide, was sont to sccuro tho services
of a band of Pawnee scouts if possible, and. also, to
organizo a forco ol 200 half-breed Sioux, who havo
volunteered to fight against their kindred. LouisRichards
has been despatched to the agencies in No"
braska on this mission. Five companies ol iuiantry
Irom their station in Utah and two companies
of cavalry irom the military dis"
met of the ltlack Mills will rciulorco the expo lition
bcloro the next movement General Crook believes in
tho clllcieiicy ol intautry In operating against the
Sioux and intends to put It to the proof.
SO MEWS VltOM TKRKY.
Nothing has yet been heard in this column from General
Terry's force; but It is probable that it is at no
great distance Irom the Tongue River, if a portion of It
is not indeed ascending it on a steamer. Smoke has
been seen In that direction 1 iko that pulled from coal
furnaces, and as a vessel was to be sent up the Yellowstone
with stores It Is not improbable that an attempt
has been made to ascend the smaller river, alao, so as
in minrnarli nnarur the field of operations.
The Suakes, with tho exception of two braves who
rare (or ono ol their wounded, left us two days ago,
but expect to return stronger in numbers with their
old chief Wnshakee at their head.
crook's camp after the retreat?waiting
for reinforcements absurd peace talk?
rumors of custebs f1uht?crook to go
gold hunting?stories of the rosebud
battue.
Cloud Pit ax Carp, June 2", 1873.
The four days spent in active campaigning, from the
loth to the 19lb, have been succeeded by a dead calm,
which tho latex arc not likely to terminate before July
10. when the supply train of the Ulg Horn and Yellow.
ilooo expedition is expected to return irom t ort l-eltcrtnan
with fresh sinews or war. As in their contrary
moods, however, the fate* are very enigmatical,
there may even then he no advance. Rumors reach
us here, at the outskirts of the populous world, of the
Influences made to work at Washington to force a negotiation
lor peace upon the Sioux. To us the phrase has
a ludicrous sounding, as we bavo certain knowledge
that no people ever were more nerved to desperate war
or l"?s open to soft seductions ol pacific benevolence
than they who await the sol tiers of the United states
with the bold spirit and prowess wnlch thoy showed on
the 17th ol Juno In the Rosebud Hills. Unless they
were injured by the Are of General Crook's command
In the battle of that day much more se- i
verely than we couceive It is preposterous ]
to prate of counselling with Sitting Dull
or any of his breoth-clouted minions. Should this
campaign ho cneoked at Its beginning by a Congress
bent upon petty economy It will cr.tall upon Its sue
ccssors within the next lew year* the necessity of ap
propriatlng tunds lor still more expensive equipments
than those now in the field, while it will merely procrastinate
the inevitable taming which the Sioux must
undergo before the frontiersman can be safe from
murder and rapme. The coming ol despatches from
Fort Fettcrtnan will be awaited with peculiar inte'ert,
as they will probably indicate whether the next movement
of the army ol the Itig Horn will he forward or
reirogade. In the latter event you may look lor loaolenl
ouirages by tho Sioux at every ranch west of
the lork of the Pintle or Nebraska River. Nothing
exists to prevent them lrum wrecking trains on the
PLEMEOT.
CREEK. "
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toux Indicated by* "
DOTS 1'
NDLY INDIANS BY ;
CROSSES.
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L'iiion 1'aciflc Railroad and butchering the passengers, c
tad the tact that their arms have been tell ou theCacho p
! Poudre, la Colorado, and near tho Republican Kiver
lignifies the audacity which puorllo mcasares of retrlbutioa
inspire. ' u
I
proportions or THE was. i ?
Two couriers coming from Fort Ketterman have j a
reached this camp within three days. The first was ' 1
tccoinpaiiiod by Lieutenant Schuyler. of the Filth cav- | r
ilry. who acts as one ot General Crook's personal stair j G
u the Held, Captain Azof H. Nlckerson having gone | (1
with the quartermaster's trnin to Fort Felteriuan on j ^
illlcial business connected with preparations lor the | 1
text advance agansl the Sioux. From cominunica- I "
.ions brought by these men we have learned or tho v
presence ol Lieutenant General Sheridan at Fort I.ura- P
nlo, alter rolurnlng troin a visit to the Indian agon- v
:ies on the White River, by which he doubtless in- 8
ended to obtain personal knowledgo or the true loin- 11
per ot those Sioux who still cat ot the government
provender, aud ol tho real number who have gouo to 0
the north to fight the battles of their race under the P
:hiefulusnlp of Sitting Hull. The movement or the P
Filth cavalry from the military department of tho
Missouri to share In the Sioux war, of
wutcu i Rave uu anucipaiory announcement
a month ago, Is of great Importance.
The regiment Is Justly celebrated for its
record of wariarc against the Apaches in Arizona. It
is now commanded by Major Carr and will movo Iroin
Camp Robinson northwestward along the Grand Tepee
trail leading into the bunting country lying between
the Little I'owdcr and Tongue rivers. 11 a strong blow
is struck by any ol the three columns expected to operate
near the Yellowstone River nnd tho Sioux in dismay
try to Dud reiuge at the agencies, fictitiously call*
iug themselves peaceable, tbey will naturally throng
this old route. U nless they lay down their arms nud
sue lor pcaco In such earnestness as has never yet
characterized them they will bo obliged to figbl Major
Carr's force and will gutter a terrible rout Let the war
continue and reach this pass and tho oilieo of the Commissioners
of l'eacc will bo of great utility, both to the I
red men and tho white. Otherwise it will utterly lail
of settling the old question aud will end in the Sioux
mockiug the pretensions of tho Great Father to tho
rights ol guardianship over a vanquished people.
THE 8IOCX ARK STII.L CM'OXQL'KRKD,
differing In this respect trom all other of the aboriginal
tribes, save tho Ules, who are now, Indeed, much
reduced from their ancient pride and strength. Doubtless
most of the reports of the number of tbclr warriors?which
must perforce bo taken from tho estimates
of their uuoducatcd mongrel relatives, the half
breeds?are exaggerated; but there are more of tbgm
now engaged in hostilities than there aro soldiers to
repress them. If i parity is had they will be more
baughty and arrogant than ever, w hile it Is Impossible
that the governnu'Ut can accede to the demands which
they will make as conditions of a treaty. Miouldtbo
Commissioners go to the Red Cloud and Spotted Tall !
b^cucics iu uciiwuniB vu?:y uuuut, i?viure liic miiunrv , "
hsvo niailo further progress, communlcalo on an antic- J '
able footing with the clue fa who alono represent the be I- | 1
ligerency of the nation. And if tuoy venture further ! 1
north to carry the olive branch even to bitting Bull's I '
Tillage they will endanger their lives mid may bring \ '
the troops who escort them into uultnown ambu?caile>, I 1
for which the country is naturally favorable. ' '
The preparations made by Little ltig Man and Ills
choice followers last autumn fur a massacre should
warn Senator Allison against a negotiation far moro 1
Impracticable than was then attempted.
A TltKATY COXSTRCCTKD OP KXPKDIKNTS
will be of no value unless it bo to the ''Indian King,"
who may hope to gain a shadow of a title to the richest
valleys of the Black Bills, without concern tor the
efficiency of their peace-patching. This suggestion '
present legislative movement.
rcmokii or cl'stkh's rioHt. ; ,
A rumor ot a battle between tho hostile Sioux and
the lorco of cavalry commanded bjr General Custer, of j <
General Terry's column, has reached ua. It cauie from !
the Ked Cloud Agency, by tray of Forts I,aramie and :
Fetterman, brought thither by the frlnnuly Sioux,
"Hand," who last year served the Hshalp as a courier.
He was told the news by a runner from the band of
Sitting But), who said that many wore killed on both
sides, and that neither won an advantage.
The cavalry before the battle had captured a lew topees
which stood detached a few miles Irom the mmn vil
lage. St tne of the inhabitants escaping alarmed Sitting j
Bull, and he advanced with ?0u warriors to avenge tho J
aggreasion. It it nrobuble that if there was a light its
true details are already known to the readers of tho [
KrtLLB through the telegraph Hue from Fort Abraham
lucoln.
Till SAM K siocs.
It is the opinion ol Frank Gruard that the Sioux who
ughi with General Terry's cavalry were among those
to opposed the progress of General Crook's column
ito the lto-ebud Mountains with so tnuch valor.
ixcidkmts or riis Rosxurt> kiuut.
Gossip and comparison of observations regarding the
igageuient ol June 17 are not yet done. Ithasal>ady
Dccn louglit over a thousand times by the light
1 the cstnp fires, and the lines of advance and retreat
larked as often In the ashes with rudo gravers of col
mwood laggots. N'ouo of tho half-breed or lndlai
.outs who were Willi us were sole with certainty U
:cognizc the chief warriors of the enemy; butac!rcutn>
ance ol souio tangibility favors the surmise that onelitem
was Crazy Horse. His dress is well remem'
ored by Frank Gruard, as well as the appearance ol
is iavorile war pony. In the heat ol tho action the
mux, who exhibited tho greatest daring and seemed
) exerci.se most influence over tho other braves, poe.
ssed all the peculiar marks of distinction described
y Frank. Noticing his proininenco and audacity,
njor George M. Itandall, the daring chief of ine scouu
irected several of his Crows to turn their Qre against
mi. This aticutiou he seemed to dofy, and rods
armlestdy among the bullets. Just helore the close
f the light nuoilicr chief was seen to fall, and thereIter
there was litllo more ilring.
a NAKBOW kscapk.
I.leuienant John G. Bourko, aidc-de-camp, in a charge
lado by the friendly Indians, advanced close to a creel
eld by ilio Sioux. Alighting to have the girth of UU
iddle tightened, while the Crows rollred, be was
amed by Major Kundall, in riding back, to meunt
nd follow. A moment later tho Sioux rushed
round him, and his orderly received wounds
i both his arms at once. The lieutenant was in
ic suddlo in an instant, and his orderly, supporting
imsclt in the stirrups despite tho sudden flow of blood
om his wounds, dashod back with him through the
barring Sioux into our lines. The unconscious rashes
of tins escape would doubtless adorn a rotnantio
ile, but would rather become an aid-de-carap in closely
Helming the person ol Ills general than In making a
soless and loolish exhibition of bravery, the comlonesl
of uiauly qualities.
DKSCRIITIOX OP CAMP.
This ramp is located under tho knee of the Big Hon
[ountutns?that is, under the shadow or the lessei
mgc which forms their eastern rim. So close are w?
> the steep crags, streaked with black belts of timber,
iat the splendors ol the icy pinnacles of tho mats
liain are always hidden. Since returning to Goosi
reek tho site of tho camp ^hns boon three times
hanged, at short intervals, in order to allow
ic pack and saddle animals new pasture,
he s.mo course will be followed until the supply train
rings an Instalment of forces. The tents bore art
ranged along tho verge of two plateaus, north and
>uth of the stream. Unbroken grassy billows stretch
ir ruilos under tho oyo, clothed in yellowish groei
lrf, grutclul to tho palato of ruminant beast Tht
icuutain sides, where tho rock has not lost Its mellow
rcss of marl, wear a brighter and richer green, gleamig
through tho shade of thinly grouped pines, which
a distance look like mourning pins stuck In a ragged
jsbion. Trie aged granite looms gray and gaunt In sharp
mlemcnts and solid buttresses. Great canyons gape
i the stern wall, and impetuous torrents rash down
oin the fields of Ice and snow beyond with a resoundig
roar, babbling to tho clouds ot tho glory of those
eights, wrapt in tho sweet serene heavens, whorl
rey were born and slept until tho gaze of the
letting sun stared them Into liquid wako*
lines*. Cottonwood, thorn, willow, plum and
berry trees group over them after they enter
ie plain, and the oeep pools flash with the lamont
flame from tho burning gills of the trout that lurk
1 their shadows. A foaming, snowy cascado is at tb?
loutli of the great canyon from which Goose Creek
merges, around which towor vertical walls of sand<
tone and carboniferous limestone 2,000 feet, the appei
dges of the upturned strata splintered into Irregular
innaclcs by storm and convulsion.
1DLKNKSS IX CAMP
i the most irksomo experience in tho world, u tho
hrouiclcrs of war have olttimes remarked, but
i is especially so 200 miles from tho teleraph
and 300 from tho railroad. Isolation is
icarly nscoinploto here as within the walls of a prison,
,3 complete us it was iu St. Helena for tbe conquoroi
if Austorlitz. We are girt round by a waste of unteunted
plain anil mountain, which lias no voice; be by
he ever talkative sea. Never Napoleon was more
est less than is the Ifrigadier General commanding this
\pcdition during the present Inaction. It is unoubtedly
due to thu too hasty organization
loioro leaving tno rendezvous, caused, I believe, by
lie reasonable fear that unless the forces were speedily
u the tleld the friends of peace, hypocritical or otherrise,
at Washington would put a check upon the camaign.
The movement toward the Sioux village was a
enturo which could only be succcsslul In tbe event of
urprising the enemy. Provision was uot made for a
anger absence trom tbe base of supplies than a week
t the utmost, aud the foreknowledge of the Sioux was
n cflectual check, as it would havo bceu folly to have
mrsucd them with only the supplies which were
tacked upon tho riding animals.
TUX NEXT MOVEMENT.
The preparations for the next scout will be much
uore complete. Tho strength of tho fighting force will
>e much augmented. Five companies of the Foureenth
infantry bavo been orderod frotn their stations
n Utah to this camp, and their accession will raise the
>cdcstrian arm of the expedition to nearly the dignity
if a regiment. Two additional troops of cavalry, com- ^
>auy K of tho Second, Captain Teddy Kgau, and com>&uy
K of tho Third, Captain Gerry Russell, will probibly
Join us. A company of l'awneo scouts, 200 Utea
ind 200 Shoshones, with as many Sioux half breods as
vill volunteer under the leadership of Louis Richards,
vill form a strong Irregular forco clflcient In aiding
he oilorts of the regular troops, protecting their flanks
iud seizing plunder. Not much confidence is felt in
he return of the Crows to tho Bold. They grow very
tmld after the battle of thu Rosebud Hills, declaring
,hat they had never bctoro secu so many Sioux at one
imc as were there in action. There is no doubt that
.heir fear had rospectable ground a In warfare one
Jrow is so brave aud dexterous that his prowess la
iqual to that of two Sioux; but now tho whole force i
>( the government In tho Hold is greatly oetnumbered
jy that ot the enemy, who are excellently armed and
nouuted, and bave the advantage always possessed by
lefender* of a country against Invasion. II the Crows
oturu lo tbo contlict witb a rclnrorcomout ol those
,vbo until now have remained at homo, the wbola
lody ot scouts will comprise about scvon bunIrcd
men. The column will be accompanied
iy a mule caravan, loaded with rations and animunlIon,
and it will probably beleaguer the Sioux as long
is tbeir lorlitude and the supply of these holds out.
Connection will bo estubtuned with the steamer
loscphtuc, suppo od to bo at present moored in the
k'elluwstono or tbo Tougue River, laden with tnunldons
or war. If the Sioux are drawn Into another
general engagement in the north tbo other two collmns,
under Generals Terry and Gibbon, are expected
o co-operate with General Crook'e In dealing a last
ind crushing blow, alter which pcucclul negotiations
will be tu order. There It rnncb probability, how?vor,
in tbo supposition now entertained by many tn ^
ibis camp, that during the delay to which this columh
is subjected General Terry mav hare advancod southward
to the country from which it rctrcatod on June
19, and be now Untahtng tbo campaign in a lew decialre
movements. 4
Tnt MYOTKRY or TUB XOlSTAlXS.
To brenk tbo monotony of waiting lor supplies, General
Crook proposes with a party to cross the eastern
rlnge of the Big Horn Mountains to explore the docp
vulleys beyond in search of the rumored indications oi
gold, which .-coots and trappers have long been so lond
ot depicting in tbeir talcs. Two companies of hard)
and experienced Montana minora have been engagod tn
examining tbo bottoms of all tho streams on the eastern
slo|ie stneo April, without finding a flake of tbo
yellow metal. One ol them has been for a month en
o?iu|nu v>i vuc v/1 mmj foinaii a 10 rg 01 me Powder
Kivcr, about which tbo soldiers who lotmerly garrisoned
old Fori* Reno ao<l l'hil Kcaruey bava narrated
uinny marvels. Hut the result of tboir researches
it simply to confirm tho existence on tbe frontier of
powerful prochvitv for ly.ng. If there is any gold la
tho Um lloru region it can probably bo found only la
those ravines .ind valleys which drain the snowy or t,
central range, whose core is of azoic or metamorpbio a
rock, into tho ltig Horn River. Tho excursion to f V
bo conducted by General Crook will undoubtedly be eg- w
citing, us it will penetrate tbe most sacred haunts of '
gums and afford magnificent vlows or acanery which
has been prououueed by tho tow dartng wandoroza