The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-12
THE INDIAN VAR.
Detailed Account of Forsyth Fight OF
the Delaware Fork.

the Delaware Fork.
The New York Herald Fort Wallace (Kansas)
correspondent writes on the 3d tnst.-
The opening of the present Indian war has
been attended by one OF the most daring,
yet characterized our Indian hostilities. Sur
rounded by vastly superior numbers, without
food and shelter, miles awe away from succor;
merciless warriors OF the Plains were defeated
by little band who knew their only chances
contesting with him the need of victory. The
expedition of Colonel Forsyth and his trusty
band will ever be remembered, and the annals
of the frontiers will not fail to record their
almost supernatural bravery.
Speaking of the fight with the Indians on
the island, In the centre of the river. at Della
ware Fork, he says:-The scouts gained tue
ployed for the purpose Of protecting every
point.
moments broke the stiffness of the Island AS
the savage line came within range the quick
rifles of The scouts picked their men. Suddenly
a wall of fire rose between the savage host and
fell to the dust. Furiously the ssvages yelled
quivered, and for moment astounded az
the opposition. halted. and in an instant
scouts the savage dead and wounded were
lying. During the charge the Indian sharp
which fortuu ately were fired high, or the havoc
would have been certain defeat to the scouts.
In this ordeal OF IRE and confusion the little
first person hit was Colonel Forsyth ball
striking him 81 in the upper IpPer part p Of & the Leg He
later ball struck the lower part of the left leg
a short distance below the knee. producing
compound fracture and breaking the bone He
coolly said. II am shot again, and my leg is
broken" Apparently in the same volley Lieu
passing through and fracturing the spine, from
which he died. DR.. Moore was shot In the head
and & died three days afLer. - sos .ro
moItslly. The Indians notwithstanding their
losses, were bent upon another attempt Colonel
command, giving his orders through Aoner s.
Grover, or. as he is known among his comrades,
and % deter@ination % tted him FOR the desperate ]
work still to be executed; Orders were given
by digging rife-pits. Butcher and jack.kntves
were used. Grover. after digging a place for
Colonel Forsyth into it, Here the Colonel re-
mained, suffering from his wounds, but con-
executed by his trusty scout Grover.
THE ATTACK RENEWED AND REPULsED.
The men were pretty we'll covered behind the
little sand hills they had thrown up, when the
isisnd. The savage leaders made the same
efforts at melting the young warriors to ami
Encouraging S words. The chief. from an sieva. Is
iion near the island where he could be seen
checked his horse, and with bearing Of au,
addressed his warriors. young warriors" said
he, I'VE are many and the whites are few. The
white bullets are almost all gone. Au now
that Is needed is one mofe big run to bring the
whites imp
The old man whooped at these words of the
chief When partial quiet was restored, Grover,
understanding the language and what the chief
said, shouted to the chief, "Hello, old fellow,
what do you think now? This is pretty tough
amt it ?' The chief somewhat surprised. looked
in the direction of the island and replied, you
speak right straight" meaning that the scout
was correct.
At ii O'Clock the savages were again ready
and with shouting and brandishing of weapons
dashed upon the island The men, better pro-
tected, were enabled to fire with greater preci-
sion. The Indian line again reeed, and the
warriors dashed back sullenly out of the reach
mediately, but in neither did the savsges dis
play that determination evinced in the first
They were evidently badly crippled. The scouts
number killed.
Failing to accomplish their purpose, the
| savages commenced firing upon the horses and
mules lied to the trees. This was question
| OF time, as 1t was dangerous to get within too
close range, for fear OF a bullet from the island
| Early in the afternoon the last animal was shot
| down, and as he fell q young warrior jumped
| up and shouted with an air of satisfaction and
| In good English, "There, their last id horse
| is gonep'
Between and O'Clock a large body of the
| Indians renewed the attack in their own style
of warfare, riding arou nd the island In q circle
| each time coming nearer, and firing or drop.
! ping themselves behind their horses as oppor.
| iunity or necessity seemed to dictate. This
| was the last hostile demonstration in force for
| the day. Firing from the sharpshooters, how
| ever, was kept up until o'clock in the evening