The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-11-08
Fr.LAR.n,E, D. r, Oct. 18th, 1865.


Dear 7imes:-You have doubtless ere this,
learned "by lightning" of the return of the
great "Powder River Indian Expedition" to
this point, and the result of the same, but as l
was there, perhaps can interest you for time
upon that theme.
When last wrote you at Powder River. We
were then upon the point of marching for
Tongue River with Gen. Connor, to form a
junction with the right and center column OF
the expedition, establish Post in that region,
annihilate everything in general and Indians in
particular. Well, we went there, that know
of; as for the balance Of the programme being
carried out, you will be able to ascertain from
some especial correspondent" yet it was nc
fault Of the General commanding that no sub.
stantial results we're accomplished in the late
campaign. his orders being disobcyed by officers
commanding in the field, and himself relieved
of the command Of the District, and ordered
to report at this place forthwith, and assigned
to the task of looking after B. Young e. Co.
at Salt Lake. OF one thing we are very Ger
tain, Gen. Conner ,rW fight Indians ION sight,
enforce discipline in his command with both
officers aud men, and show no favors, hence his
unpopularity with the generality of one and
two bar, gold and -silver.leaved gentry. and
even with those who sport an eagle upon either
shoulder. But OF our trip to the Tongue River
country:
Left Powder River about the Goth of Aug :,
and were reinforced two days out, by two com,
paniss of California troops and = company of
Winnebago scouts, making force Of about
500 effective men. As we neared the noun
tans and Tongue River, 'sign' Of the ''Reds"
became more and more fresh. and upon reach
ing the stream fresh trail was found leading
up it, and scout Of Pawnees were sent in
search Of the village. while the command, with
the train in tow, moved on down. At dusk
one Of the Pawnees returned and reported,
"Sioux village-ah. heap Sioux" which was
all the information the General desired, and as
soon ~ possible, himself at the head Of about
800 men with two pieces Of artillery, silently
left camp with 3 days rations in the haversack.
At A. NJ, Aug. 29th, having marched all
night, he had surrounded the village (Which
proved to be Arr,ppahoe, Of about 100 lodges,
and 3 to 500 warrors,) and ere they were aware
of a white man being in the country, charged
their camp, killing and wounding IS to 100 Of
tie enemy, destroying their lodges and winter
supply OF "comnisary." and capturing some
500 head Of ponies; himself sustaining no
serious loss; two Of the Winnebago scouts
killed and several soldiers wounded; none
seriously, however. We now moved down to
tie point agreed upon for the junction Of the
several columns Of the expedition. but none
were there save ourselves, and Ro sign Of the
others were to be found in the country. Scouts
were sent to the Yellow Stone. to "Rose. Bud
Greek, )" and to Powder River, but no trace Of
them could be discovered. The time agreed
upon to form junction had already passed, a
train Of Pilgrims and surveying party that
had followed upon our trail from Ft. Connor,
en- route for Virginia City, were "corralled" by
the Indians upon the head waters Of Tongue
River, and sent to the General for assistance,
which so weakened the command, and no traces
of Coils Cole and Walker being found, he re-.
solved to return to Fl. Connor, find the missing
commands and again 60 in search Of the In
dians. In the mean time scouts were out con-
tinually in search Of the lost soldiers of SAA's
in the wilderness. and succeeded in finding
traces of them in the lower Powder River
couRtry. where they had killed . number Of
their horses, burned wagons. saddles, brides.
&c, aud marched up the stream, apparently in
a very destitute condition. Another party was
sent in search of them, and succeeded in reach
ing the command near Fl. Conner, whom they
found On .oot, ragged IN. without shoss, living