The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-07
THE INDIAN WAR.

Particulars of General SuIly's Last
Battle with Five Thousand Indians.
A correspondent of the st. Peul Press gives the
following account of General Sully's battle with
five thousand Sioux
general Sully was ordered TO cross the coun-
try from Fort Rice 70 some point on the Yellow
Stone. In making the raid upon Unkpapa Camp
he lost nine days time and used up an equal
number Of days rations. He had neither the
time nor rations TO follow the route he had laid
down, which touched the Yellow Stone at the
month of the Big Horn river. His guides, all
Indians belonging to tribes that live in The north
west, were called together by the General, and
each requested 20 give his opinion to the route
to be taken. One Indian, Blackfoot Sioux, said
he could take the expedition to the Yellow Stone
in ten days; that we would have 70 dig roads and
chop timber, but that we could get through. All
the other guides said the General must go around
the head-waters of the Little Missouri, and that
II would take two weeks 70 make the trip. Gene
raj Sully was therefore obliged 70 take the lead
of the Backfoot Sioux, or abandon the opening
of route to the yellow Stone.
"Just at dusk, August 6, the picke.s directly
opposite our Minnesota Brigade commenced
firing and fell back 10 camp. party of Indians
Immediately took possession OF the overlooking
hill, examined our position, and refused TO leave
until Lieutenant Whipple had given them the
benefit Of his 6-pounders. The pickets kent up
continual fire during the night, doubtless at
imaginary warriors. Dawn found the entire
command ready for an attack The general inn
preston was that the day would give rs a fight
with the same Indians we had met and
debated before. This rough country gave the
Indians every advantage. Our train had but a
single track the Indians knew the country, and
It seemed as though they had selected this pass
as the ground where they would ayenge their
former loss and defeat.
General Sully gave our brigade the advance,
and disposed The force rs follows Tive compa-
mics 2d Cavalry, ii and G, and two companies 9Th
Infantry, under Major Rose az advance guard
a "A ltsgyo and Qf. Ipsa
guarded the train on the right and left; lst Bri-
gade TO Sllow the I'd with strong flank force
and heavy Tcargu1rd. The advance had proceeded
about two miles when three or four hundred
Indians dashed over KNOLL drove back the
scouts, ana made an effort 10 stampede the horses
Major Rose was too quick for them; he imme-
diately dismOunted, deplOyed his men, and drove
them from their chosen ground. As soon as the
hrst gun was fired the hills on every side were
covered with Indians. The train now corralled
between too high blntis, and was advanced a mile
al time until we got out of the broken country
We marched ten miles and corralled for the
night beside small lake.
"The Indians seeing the Idaho train in the rear
began 10 pass around from the front General
Sully ordered Colonel McLaren, with Companies
ID and Of the I'd Cavalry, and Company T. Of
the Sth Minnesota Infantry, to take possession of
a high range Of hills on the left and Colonel
Rodgers, Of the 9Th, 10 occupy high ridge on
the right Both ridges were taken, and the
Indians driven OIL. In returning 10 camp, one OF
Meiaren's companies Company g, Captain Nix
got too far away from his supports, and was
attacked by a large force. lie Immediately
occupied a cove In the side hill, which was pro-
tected on three sides. Colonel McLaren, seeing
the perilOus condition In which the company was
placed, ordered 70 his relief Company II, ID
Cavalry, and about twenty scouts with them, and
one gun of Captain Jones Sd Minnesota Battery.
Captain Mix was saved from utter rout. Lieu.
tenant Colonel Rodgers, commanding the Bth
Minnesota Infantry, drove the Indians on the
right.
"Ihe LIST Brigade had a lively time in the rear
the Idaho train OF emigrants. Next
morning the Indians could be seen on every side
md seemed TO be preparing for a second fight
General Sally ordered the train forward, the Sd
Missouri Battery in the advance. After the
rain had about left camp, the Indians, in great
orce, made a dash upon the rear. Colonel
Thomas was ready and met them with two
lowitzers and six companies, and a sharp slir-
nish ensued. The Indians, seeing we were ready
{ every point, gave Up the hght and loft. Abou 4