The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-10-19


to say, but presume not. The hat might hav,
been lifted from the head OF the wearcr by tn,
sudden uprising Of the hair but / more thinl
1t was caused by the current of air which alway,
geathers when an object is going with srca
speed. The canteen was empty, and the prop
erty of your correspondent, the loss of shicl
was trifing to what it would have been had il
| but just left the commissary.
Alter the road had been completed, the ex
| petition started on its perilous and tortuou.
way. Beset by Indians on every hand, 4 horses
! having been shot before leaving camp, with an
, emigrant trim Of over 80 wagons, the thing
| looked bilious. No one but with the cool
head, steady nerve and the never-say can t dis.
position Of General Sulley, would ever have
undertaken the JOB. Our battallicn (7th), with
Captain Minors company of Dakota Rang ers,
were rear guard. and company C, Capt Aims.
worth, and two other companies which do not
remember, at the 9th, were advance guard
The moment the advance left camp, the battle
commenced. Companies were dis,nounted and
deployed as hankers, to protect the tr.ir, so
that there was one continuous line of skirlnish-
ers on each side Of the train, who made good
use OF their long-range riAcd muskets and
sharp-shooting caibines, while the two batteries
made the gulches dangerous hiding places for
a concealed foe. -.a.... =. t0--.7'
But still we were menaced in front, flank
and rear, which kept the whole command busy
to protect the train, which was forced to pro.
coed very slowly on account OF the roads, which
were hily and rough. Often tic, painted devils
would collect on ridge, out OF reach of our
guns, and dance, shout and give us specimen
Of their agility by bounding like deer. and per-
forming other feats similar to those in our for
mer fight. In this manner we worked out of
the "Bad Lands" and darkness put an end to
the contest. many brave paving the penalty
of his life for his brnvado Captain Minor and
his company of Dakota Rangers. deserve great
credit for the services they rendered in protect
ing the train that day. He is as fine a speci-
men Of a man as you would wish to see, and
as an officer, he is a second Marion. while as
Indian fighters, his men are without their equal
All did well-nobly, bravely, and acted we'll
their part, but the changers" have an unlimited
license to fight as they please Our guide was
known by his enemies and shot through the
shoulder. The ID brigade had 2 killed and
few wounded
Before daylight the next morning, our break.
fasts were cooked and eaten, ard rs soon as It
was light, Indians were to be seer on every
side of us and much more numerous than the
day before. Skirmishing parties were sent out,
the batteries were opened and everything got
in readiness for going ahead. The country
now was the best calculated for Indian fighting
that We had yet. seen. Our road RIM immedi-
ately through the middle of broad gap, filled
with hillocks, each one being distinct aud sepa-
rate from the other, so that warrior being on
the top OF one, u few steps would throw him
into sheltered position until he could gain a
new point. Better fighting ground for an Indian
could not possibly be found. and to make their
position more secure, high ridges fanked either
side OF the pass, the gorges being filled with
thick and impenetrable growth of bushes. from
which they would fire at US with impunity, their
''leaden messengers" frequently whisking in
too close proximity to our heads to make it
agreeable.
I'VE steadily kept on our course until about
noon, when We were left to pursue our way
undisturbed, but few of our enemy being
left, and they at distance, to watch our
motions. We soon struck their late camp on
an open prairie, with creek of good water
near by. 1t must have been a large one, for it
extended for nearly two miles and had been
moved within day or two, probably while we
were fighting them. This time they took
everything with them, thus fatty ,eluding our
e-asp the second time. To follow them would
have heen madness, for they could travel with
their trdpo,s trains much faster than we with
our cumbersom mule and OK teams worn, down
with nearly 900 miles havel, good part of
the way without grain, and our supplies nearly
exhausted.
since coming to the "Bad Lands" grass be.
came scarce, and the next day after our Indian
friends lett us, there was none at all not
spear, not sign OF vegetation more than could
be found in freshly plowed field For three
days our animals had but scanty pick OF grass,
and this day we must travel over 80 miles
fortunately it was warm without being hot, or
every animal would have persisted. About
noon we came to some pools Of alkai water OF
which our Vanishing horses drank freely, the
men filling their canteens with the SINE But
long before noon, horses, mules and oxen be.
gan to give out, those able to walk being led
or driven, and those that could not were shot
have no wayo OF ascertaining how many were
lost that day, but it; win figure considerable
over hundred horses besides several mules
and oxen. 1t was sometime after dark when
we made camp, and to hear the cry OF the poor
mules and see the sad look of the horses when
they were picketed out with nothing but the
dead, dry stt.bs of what had once been roots Of
grass to pick, was affecting. Not a kernel of
corn, many OF us giving our faithful animals
our rations of stack which was greedly re.
ceived with plaintive whimper; and again
alkali water. worse than ever, but we were
forced to use it. aud from the effects of it many
OF our men and animals have paid dear for the
temporary elef given. : t1f
The next day was cool. with fresh breeze,
and small patches OF grass, and early evening
found US in camp on the baHks Of the Yellow
stone, and three steamers waiting our arrival,
with supplies. The broad valley, with the
pure stream rolling TRANQUILITY along, inspired
US all, and even our animals seemed to be in.
possessed with the knowledge that
we were at our journeys end, and gave vent to
their feelings by a loud neigh from our horses
and a boisterous augh .e.augh! by their less re.
fined relatives. ! must close this "conden.e ed
letter, and in my next tell you about the valley
OF the Yellowstone, what became of our Idaho
friends and what we saw at Fort onion.
az ~ = Major JONES.
Sept. 81 This morning three Indians ran
off three horses within gunshot of the pickets.
Capt. Wolfe, Of Co. I, of the 9Th. and three
men pursued and were drawn into an ambus.
cade and Sergeant Alfred Murphy, of Co. l.,
9Th, son of Rev. Geo Murphy, OF Jacksonville,
Chckasaw county, formerly of West Union,
was killed. The Others made thei- escape.
Sept 26.-On our arrival here detachment
from each company in the LIST brigade was sent
out to rescue Captain Fisk and company of
Idaho emigrants, consisting of 2OJ wagons,
who were surrounded by lndu,ns and several OF
their men killed. They were correlled about
$50 miles from here and were intending to de.
fend them2elves until reinforcement could be
sent from here We have been waiting here
ever since the 9Th to hear from the expedition.
before starting down. We have just heard
from it.. J tits 10 miles from here and coming
in. We will start day-after Tomorrow An
Indian was killed to-day inside Of our icket
lines. :, n IA s.sa a asrgfs~ -
We.hsve the news byiast nights mail Of the
taking Of Atlanta and, the nomination of Nc.
Clellan. Bully news. Don't let us give up
the campaign without taking Richmond and
the ''rail splitter" Capt. Ainsworlh is sick
and has gone below on a boat MAJOR.
WIN. H., HANDING the forlncrt host of the
American House, placed the following upon