Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-10-30
FOrsythps Indiana Inter--
estiuU Description of tt.

DottfU l(CoCf ftfPOtOb W 70.
The Philadelphia North American prints
letter dated at Iort Wallace, Kansas, Oc-
tober LIST, from Lieut. Col. Carpenter, VINO
went to the relief of Col. Forrest, when,re-
Gently attacked aud surrounded by Indi lbs
upon an Island in "Bob Tail Creek" First
describing his search after Forsyth's party,
its exact whereabouts being unknown, and
on their arrival in the vicinity of the creek,
he proceeds to say:
In the centre of The creek / observed a
little grassy place or island, with a few
trees on 1t, and some objects which appear
ed to be moving. The guide pointed TO-
wtrds them and assured us they were For
syth's men We instantly rushed foaward,
aud on nearing the place were received By
the whole party with loud cheers. l threw
up my cap and outed, and never felt more
excited in my life. These men, in this out
of.the way place, seemed to me like party
on wide ocean, for they certainly were as
helpless.
Tho Indians first appeared on the l7th,
early in the morning, when they were en-
ca nped on the side of the creek---a party
OF about ftteeu attempting 10 run Off their
horses. Forsyth had been following a trail
tor several days, aud finally was led inte
this wild country by it. The signs became
more frequent and fresh, and the most ez.
perienced men with him predicted that they
| would soon TALL upon large village. When
the Indians ran off the four or five head Of
stock on the morning Of the 18th, an old
scout, named Sharp, Instantly shouted that
tie Indians would soon appear in force and
ADVISED them 10 proceed to little grassy
island in the centre Of the dry bed. For
sJth ordered them there, and they tied their
horses 10 few scanty scrubs near by. In
about five minutes very large force of In-
dlans were seen moving down the creek by a
ravine about half mile distant, and some
also appeared on ravine behind. The shout
was raised to dig 10 the sand and get under
cover. Every man dug for his lfe--usiug
fingers, spuIs and knives. Before they go;
any protection, however, the Indians charg
ed them, about 500 strong, some of the war
riois com ny within u few feet in the most
reckless manner.
A close tire with breech. leaders caused a
number TO fall from their horses, dead and
wounded, and forced the rest to turn back
This gave the party time to dig their holes
deeper. Two men were killed about this
time. Forsyth was shot in the right thigh,
flesh wound, and Immediately after in the
leg, breaking the bone. Grover, one of the
scouts, gallantly exposed himself in digging
cover for Forsyth, so as 10 get him away
from the balls. The squaws large num-
bers appeared on the hills around, singing
songs, laughing, and smoking pipes, evident
~ Tor the purpose of seeing the warriors
take the scalps. Cheyenne chief har-
rangued the warriors within hearing, and
was understood by one of the scouts to tell
the Indians that these men had dared to
come into their country and to disturb their
peace that they were few and the Indians
many, and that they must go in boldly and
take their scalps.
big medicine man appeared about five
hundred yards distant, beating his drum
ana shaking his shield, to assure them of
their safety from bullets, by his charms. -
, me Indians, thus induced to do their best
charged again and again, only to loose large
4 huhoers' About two hundred then dis
= mounted and crept along raviues and an.
, der cover to within good rife range, and
r kept up Constant fire whenever any one
, raised hand or foot. Lieut.. Bucher was
4; horta,ly Wounded in the hack, and the snr
geon, Dr. Moore, shot through the head -
r Every orlcer was killed or wounded, and
r ABOUT Seventeen out Of 6fty of the men -
) rue INDIANS drew off after dark with the
r lns'u D"dy, hut left enough 10 harrass them
ai, night. Every horse and mule was kill.
/ gu III Ibis DAVIS fight, and lay where they
' :" se' X for assistance as soon as IL was dark
: enough, and these men succeeded in get
$ I,pg agg through the Indians and reaching For,
= ua'lacc, and in bringing the information
: '"n, m led to our expedition.
e -, loward evening the shouts and songs q
b tn7 squaws turned into dismal wailiug and
h ln"urnirg cry for the dead. One of then
q ,wT's heard to cry, "My child my child ?
= ne next day a skirmishing fre was KEEP
: up, and the same thing the uext day, bu
}. q. this time it was evident that the main
!, oody had left, and that a small portion had
u iemained to observe them.
a In the meantime, as their rations bad
/ gwen out, they had to live on horse flesh
y without salt or pepper, and when | reached d
# them. on the 25th, the meat had become
!, putrid. Several of the men told me thai
r they were unable, for the last twenty y-fouI
a hours, to keep It on their stomachs. You
h can ina CINE the delight they manifested OIL
h the arrival of our party. FORSYTH took me
t hv the hand and seemed quite Affected
Il He told me that 1t seemed fated that we
n should meet IN places out Of the way and
l. far apart He and two other badly wound
q ed men were living In sqnare hole scoop
G ed ont IN the sand, within a few feet of thei
g dead horses, which lay around them In
d semi-circle, and impregnated the air with I
Is terrihle stencil.
" I Immediately selected place near by
Y and had several tents erected. the wound
n ed men carried over, and the rest remov
n ed to more salubrious air. Three dear
d Indians we're buried hv them. but owe
q thirty others we're killed, and CARRIED
4 away by their comrades, and shc ~ sevent!
# wounded. The savsges we're evidentl,
a badly demoraIized and the fight Is con
Sidpred 10 he one Of the most desnerate II
the annals of our Indian wars.
Bankhesd arrived with his force twenty
q six hours after did, bringing with him tw,
o companies Of the second cavalry, comman
G ded by no less a person than our old frien'
!. Brishn. On the 9th we tnrned 10 For
N Wallace, and arrived there on the 30th.
m THE TFsr OATH-INPoRrANT DFcIsIoN. -
Neio York, October 22.--The Court OF An