The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-10-06
Particulars Of the Indian Fight.

In the ST. Louis Republican of the 18th,
we find the following particulars of Gen.
Harney's Indian fight on the plains: ~
Gen. Harvey has signalized his advent in
to the Sioux country by one OF the most gal
liant and complete victories ever obtained
over an Indian enemy. The victory is so
thorough as to strike terror into the whole
of the savage tribes occupying that extended
section of country. Still, there may be hard
fighting to do before they are completely
subdued. As yet, we are without details,
our own letters not having come to hand
But other letters, Immediately from the bat
tie ground, have been received in this city,
from which we gather some of the details Of
the battle.
The engagement took place on the Sd
inst, at the Hills on the North fork of the
Platte. The entire force of the United
States troops who participated in the en-
gagement is stated at four hundred and fif-
ty men. Maj. CADY was in command of five
companies Of the 9th Infantry. Col. Cooke
had command of two companies of the Sec
ond Dragons, one company of Infantry,
mounted, and company of Artillery. The
whole force under the command of General
HARVEY.
The battle commenced early in the morn
ing, and lasted several hours. Gen. Harvey
ordered CoL Cookies command to place
themselves in position some distance in ad-
vance of the Infantry, and so as to come
down with full force upon the enemy, This
movement was successfully performed about
three o'clock in the morning. The engage
ment was then brought on by the Infantry
who attacked and drove the Indians in the
direction of Col. Cookies command. They
were of course ready and eager for the fray,
and commenced a desperate attack upon the
enemy. They soon routed them, and run
ming fight followed for some ten miles. At
a point of rocks, a portion Of the Indians are
said to have made stand, and to have fought
with great desperation. But they were
completely routed-having seventy or eighty
men killed, and fifty women and children ia
ken prisoners They suffered also the loss
of all their camp plunder-a large amount Of
dried buffalo meat, their lodges, and fifty
horses. The Indian women, it is said,
fought furiously. .........
On the part of Gen. Harney's force, five
or six were killed, and as many wounded
No officers were among the killed.
The Indians who were concerned in this
battle were the Brule Sioux of the Platte
the same who were concerned in the massa-
ere of Lieut.. Grattan's command, near Fort
Laramie, and the murder of the mail party,
and who have frequently detied the United
States to meet them in battle. Among the
papers found with them, were the way bills
of the mail which they had captured.
The letters speak of the engagement as a
very gallant and well conducted affair, as it
undoubtedly was, to be successful in killing
so many of the enemy and the capture of
their women and children.
This war will not end here. The Indians
will not be satisfied with single engage
ment, though the result has been most dis
astrous to them. 1t is not probable that
they will again risk a general engagement,
but their policy will be to annoy and harrass
our troops, by inviting pursuit into distant
and inaccessible portions of the country, and
there giving them battle. But they will find
Gen. Harvey, and the forces under his COM
mand, ready to meet and chastise them at
any point and under all circumstances.
We hope to receive full accounts Of this
battle by to-day's mail. All that we have
stated is from an authentic source.