Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-11-10
Indian Battle at Ash H0iiOw-A Thrill
ling Narrative, by one who saw IL.

ling Narrative, by one who saw IL.
A Syracuse paper prints the following
letter, from an officer under General Har
ney, giving an authentic account OF the
great battle with the Sioux Indians, in the
"far West" Territories, in September, an
imperfect report Of which has been here
tofore published:
CAMP ON BLUE RIVER CREEK, !
100 miles west of Kearney, Sept. 6. )
We arrived for the second time at Ash
Hollow, on the I'd of September, and
found by signs that the Sioux were no,
far off. We sent out spies that highland
found that from 300 to 400 warriors were
on Blue Water. FIVE miles north OF the
Hollow. Accordingly, we started at two
o'clock on the morning of the 81. with
four companies of mounted men. and com
panies A, H. and K, OF the 9Th infantry,
on foot. We arrived near their camp
Just at daylight, which was in valley
between the hills and The Blue Water RI l.
ming through the centre, the most lovely
place | ever saw. The Infantry were
placed in their front, and we in their rear.
They were ready for us, having esPled
our movements in the night, by their
watches. They came out,and their Chlei
talked some time TO General Harvey.
But il was no use-General Harvey said
that he came there to whip them, and that
they must fight. All this time the young
warriors were daring US on, shaking their
lances at US, &c. As soon as the sun
was up the charge sounded loud and
shriIl, and at them we went, hammer and
tones. They were nearly all naked, and
fought like devils.
In about ten minutes we started them,
and with hellish yell they started, heller
SHELTER. The footmen, with their MIME
rifles, brought them down fast, and the
dragons and mounted artillery all joined
in the charge, and kept it up IN noble
and gallant style. The commencement,
charge, and from the first fire to the last
was over four hours, and not a tree nor a
bush in the way. After the battle we
counted over ninety dead warriors, besides
the dead they carried off. Ii is estimated
that hundred and sixty at least were
killed, and some say over two hundred
were slain. We lost but five killed, viz
Fitzpatrick and Carroll, Co. G, 4lh arti!-
lery, Capt. Pink, and privates LyaIl and
Mcdonald, of Co. X, ID Dragons. Also
IL wounded in the Dragons. | don't
know how many of the infantry were
wounded. Sergeant HeaIey, OF Co. G, is
wounded in three places. Sergeant Kit
lass horse was shot in three steps from
me; in short, it was hot and desperate
fight We took over 5000 pounds of
dried buffalo meat, 10 lodges, 40 ponies
and mules, 80 squaws, and raft of chill
dren. We are here now near the battle
ground, and have so much plumber, taken
from the Indians, that we can't move yet.
We 20 TO Fort Laramie, and expect anoIh.
er fight soon; God prevent ii, for there is
no fun in il-hut if it must come, let 1t.
We also lost several horses, killed and
wounded. The dragons numbered 1879,
and infantry ITO, in all $50 men, to over
400 warriors, all well armed with rifles
and bows.
We are nearly naked for clothes, shoes,
&c. don't know when we shall come
home; think aboutlhe middle OF October.
Ii is very hard tramp. | have suffered
some, and the duty of the men is very hard.