Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-10-04
Battle of Blue Water.
MrSETo. on Blue CREEK, NEAR

MiNETp, Oh DLUE OKEfh, MAX 4
ASH Hollow, $50 MILES FROM FT. LARAMIE
September ), 1855. J
DEAR -: am fortunate enough to-day
to have an opportunity tn reply 10 n letter re-
ceived from YOU some time before reaching Fort
Kearny, and flattcr myself that | cannot only
answer it, but can in doing so impart some
very interesting news,
We left Kearny on the 9th Of August, after
having remained there few days to gather up
the troops at that point. and also to lay in 4
fresh supply of provisions for the trip from that
point to Laramie. Our life had nothing inter
esting OF worthy of notice in il until last SUM-
day (September Cd ) when we crossed the Ash
Hollow, famous in Indian depredations in time
past. We were informed 10y men III charge Of
large train that we would find large body
of Indians eucamped near the mouth of Ash
Hollow. We encamped for the night on The
North Platte. I suppose we came into camp
about FIVE O'Clock. We could perceive from the
bluffs above US the Indian eucampmept about
FIVE miles Of After taking everything into
consideration, namely: the various depredations
committed by them, (the Brule Indians,) it was
determined to attack them in the morning
They had sent us worldly the traders, that if
we wished peace, they were willing; but if we
wished to fight, they we've also willing.
The plan was for the Dragons, consisting Of
four companies to cross the river at o'clock III
the morning, and endeavor 10 get into position
behind them; the Infantry TO march at o'clock
under the command of Major Cady, immedi-
atey upon the camp; Gen. Harvey and staff 10
march half.past four, Major Cady 10 wait for
the General before crossing the river Our
plans, being formed the night before, were exc
cuted with plomptness in the morning. Mon
day, the Sd of September, will long be remem-
bered by every one engaged in the attack, and
who was on the field. | went out as yolun-
teer aid TO the Doctor, and therefore was with
the staff; never could have remained quietly
in camp. The Dragons were commanded by
Col. Cook: Bey Robertson commanded one
company, Harry Heth another We had four
companies of Infantry. The Infantry moved
I'D in beautiful style upon the village AS we
moved up the Indians showed signs OF parley;
but, rs we had come for war and not for peace
we paid no attention TO them. As soon as they
saw that, signal was given to their lodges, and
they began to move beautifully in the very d-
rcction Of the Dragons that is, in the position
are thought they would be. The Indians. being
we'll mounted, We're about 10 escape us, as we
thought, when VIC determined 10 talk awhile
with them, so rs TO give the Dragons time 10
show themselves We gave the signal, and the
Chief, Little Thunder, came up to US. We had
a long talk with him, and discovered that this
was the band which had attacked the Mail
Train. While talking with the chief, we per.
ceiyeu great commouon among The Indians,
which showed US plainly that tho Dragons
were near The conference was broken up, aud
tho Infantry were ordered 10 place their rifles
at long range Of from six hundred 10 enc thous-
and yards, and advance rapidly The Indians
ran, of course, TO the hills, and Were in a fine
position to repel an attack of Infantry when
the Dragons showed themselves; then, | can
assure you, dear -, the fun commenced in
reality.
new saw more beautiful thing in NV life
When the Infantry saw the Dragons coming
down in such beautiful style, they gave one
veil which resounded far and wide The In.
diars threw away everything they had in the
world. We supposed we killed about seventy.
You know they carry off their dead 80 rapidly
that il is almost impossible to say with certainty
as 10 the number killed or wounded. We lost
four men killed, four wounded and one missing.
They shot remarkably well. We, of necessity,
killed good many women and children. We
took forty women aud children prisoners, n good
many horses, buffalo meat enough to supply the
whoiecommand for some time. do not suppose
the Indians in this country ever had such per
feet clearing out rs upon this occasion. They
will have cause tn remember Gen Harvey for
long time Ia their route they threw away
powder horns, saddles, aud everything they
had in The world We destroyed everything
that could he found; that is. what we could not
bring away. The Big Chief IL supposed to be