The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-10
Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.
Gen. Harney's Battle with the Sioux


Camp on the Blue Water, Sept. s, 1855.
Agreeable to my promise to keep you advised Of
whatever may be worthy of special note, in the pro-
gress Of the Sioux expedition, have now to inform
you that General Harney's command, which left Fort
Leavenworth abont month since, arrived at Ash
Hollow on the evening Of the I'd instant; at which
point the General ascertained that band of forty
fifty Brule lodges were encamped on Blue Water
Creek "a fine tributary Of the North Platte) about
miles from Ash Hollow -.....- -.
The General at determined to attack the
camp early the morning of the 3D. and in order to
be more sure Of his game, he dispatched the princ-
pal portion OF his mounted force at three o'cock-a
movement which had to be made in the dark, Of
course, and over an exceedingly rugged country 1t
without rousing the suspicion even of the Brues.
General Harvey left his camp, between four and
five O'Clock, A. M. with the infantry portion Of the
command, merely leaving a sufficient force to guard
the train, which remained at Ash Hollow during the
operations. He moved directly uron the Indian vii.
lagos, (Or it afterwards turned there were two)
but before he could reach them the lodges we're all
struck and their occupants in rapid retreat I'D the
valley Of the Blue Water. This, however, was lust
what was expected and desired, for if the cavalry
gained the position assigned it, the Indians would be
brought to a stand, and be compelled to fight. They
hnaily halted and took up position on the bluffs
which skirted the bank Of the stream, within a few
hundred Yards of our cavalry, which had concealed
themselves SO adroity, that the General himself
doubted very much whether they had succeeded in
gaining the place assigned. 1t was for this reason
that in parley which here ensued between General
Harvey and the Brulc Chief, "Little Thunder" the
Generals principal object was to amuse the Indian
until he became satisfied Of the presence of the
airy At last il became pretty obvious from the COM
motion among the Indians that something had been
observed by them that made them uneasy, no the
General at once cut short the parey and opened the
If he u;o 81
ers OF the 9Th infantry. The bluffs were scaled by
these in an incredibly short time and cleared Of the
Indians, who had scarcely left their stronghold be-
fore they found themselves intercepted by the caval
ry, and placed between two fires.
-, The affair was by this time exceedingly lively
The Indians plunged down the bluffs with their light,
s"re-iooted Pones and darted off through the only
avenues not closed against them, being pursued in
most gallant style by the mounted troops who follow.
Cd them or miles, sabreing and shooting large
numbers on the way.
1t is quite impossible, owing to the extent and the
nature Of the country covered by the two parties,
ascertain precisely the loss of the Indians in killed
and wounded; but from observations subsequently
made on the ground of the principal combat the num-
Der killed cannot fall far short of sixty seventy
About fifty women and children were captured and
some sixty ponies and mules taken. As for lodges
buffalo meat, robes and camp furniturss Of various
descriptions, the end has not been seen yet, although
a number of wagons have been employed in bringing
this booty into camp.
have purposely avoided anticipating the official
reports, by mentioning any but that of the
mander of the expedition. The troops engaged were
companies and dragons, Light Company
10th Infantry. These were all mounted and served
as cavalry.
Companies A, c, II, and X, 9th Infantry, com
posed the Infantry portion of the attacking force
The entire loss sustained by the command was four
men killed, three dangerously wounded, slightly
and one missing, Supposed to have been killed OF
captured.)
1t is probable that temporary post will be estab-
lished by the General Ash Hollow after which he
will advance into the Sioux country
Yours, in haste, A SPECTATOR.