The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-12
TEE INDIAN WAR.

savage Warriors Try % Run Down the
Party-Dnxing Of the 6coats-Thc Indian
Women Chant Victory and Their Songs
Turned 70 Mourning-The indiana Lay
siege 10 the scoufs-suhersnss Of the
Wounded-The Men Live Putrid Meat
Tao Relief.
FoRr WALLACE, Kansas, Oct. 8, 1858.
The opening OF the present Indian war has been
attended BY one OF the most daring heroic and
decisive expeditions which have yet charac-
terixed our Indian hostilities Surrounded by
vastly superior numbers, without food and shelter,
miles away from succor starving wounded and sick
the proud and mercless warriors OF the Plains were
defeated by little band who knew their only chances
Of life were In looking death in the face and contest
ing with him the need Of victory. The expedition
Of Colonel Forsyth and his trusty band wiz ever be
remembered, and the annals OF the frontiers win not
fail to record their almost supernatural bravery. As
NO detailed account has been given Of this he
r0ic achievement I win tell the story from
the scouts themselves, who are now lying here re-
covering from their fstigues and preparing for
another hunt after redskins.
THE SCOUTING PARTY AND IT'S DEPARTURE.
During the latter part Of August General Sheridan
determined that q thorough scout OF the country
lying towards the north, between the Smoky Hill
and the Republican Fork, should be made in order
10 detect the movements Of the large body OF Indians
who had committed the depredations and massacred
the settlers along the Solomon and the Saline For
This purpose he directed that body OF scouts
should be organized. Between forty and ffty picked
men were selected. Most Of them were old frontiers
men and many veterans Of the late volunteer army,
somo coming from forts Harker, Ellsworth, Hays
ana Sheridan, and few were men who escaped the
massacre on the Solomon and the Saline. No
better body OF men, In view OF the hazardous
duty, was ever coliected-hardy muscular men,
accustomed to every variety Of exposure and
hardship, and q majority dead shots At the earnest
solicitation Of that gallant young officer, Brevet
Colonel George A. Forsyth was appointed to COM
mand the party, and was accompanied by Lieutenant
Fred b. Beecher Of the Third infantry whose repu-
tation az q scout was unequalled In the army. The
command % organized comprised forty-six men.
/ the name which the party assumed was the Solo
mon Avengers, In allusion to the massacre on that
stream. On August q the party LEFT Fort Hays, the
point at which they were organized, and moved di.
rectly north, crossing Big Greek, the muddy branch
u Solomon Fork and Prairie Dog creek, striking the
Beaver creek and thence south to Fort Wallace.
During the entire journey no Indians were seen, al
though several old trails and abandoned camps were
discovered. The country was filed with game and
the bua0 roamed over the plains In vast herds, and
gave no indications that they had recently been
= Al Fort wallace, this point the party rented and
with the same Officers and men, again started. 1t
was on the morning OF September 10 that they
Sheridan the terminus Of the Union Pacno RSway
the Southern road. But few days before desult0ry
band Of Indians had visited the vicinity Of sheridan
trail OF this party which led TO the north was fol-
lowed for distance OF thirty miles, but the Indiana
e esst old gay III
the same night on Fleetwood creek.
GETTING ON THE TRAIL.
NJ TAA TN
discovered moving towards the settlements, but
were considered not worth following. Forsyth
he crossed that stream, discovering recsnt trail
and the same night caped on the north FORK OF the
The next day, September H. the course was due
north, following the windings Of the north fork,
and by night again struck the Republican. The
lowed for three days reaching the Delaware foTk Of
the Republican-also called Bobtail Deer creek.
During this time no Indians were SEEN but the midi
they were approaching the Indian camp The trail
was broad and freshly made, and the plain was COW
SUDDEN APPEARAECn OF THE REDSKINS.
n o. e.
she shouts OF "Indians Indians were given by the
men. The scouts were Immediately ordered TO pre-;
pare for action. About twelve Of the savages rushed
sSsir blankets. with the Intention q creating
driven on The remainder were seized and retained
me scouts, after some brisk nring, drove the saw
hack Orders were now given to sad
was entirely complied with the whole vicin;
ny Of the place suddenly swarmed with Indians
posed. The valley was covered with high grass,
der cover OF which the sharpshoOters OF the Indians
enabled with safety
the middle OF the Delaware fork about twenty rods
distant was an island formed by the channels OF the
majority Of the Plains rivers At this season. one chan
nsl was perfectly dry and the other had but narrow
thread Of water but few inches N depth running
m open space for some distance around II, and
under any circumstances OF stealth the savages
could not get within twenty rods OF tho position
There was But one thing to be done and that was
posed ground and retire to the island. The order
was given, 30 closely had the savages pushed their
advance line and SO hurriedy was 1t necessarily ex-
ecuted In order to avoid being Overpowered or cut
on, that the few rations the men had were LEFT on
the ground Of the old camp also about thirty pounds
Indians appeared these few supplies, the last that
we've on hand, were about 70 be distributed, and the
intention was 70 push on regardless Of this threaten
accomplishing something. The Indians captured
these supplies and also panier containing all the
medical supplies with the party.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLIGHT
Upon reaching the island the scouts tied their
horses 70 few stunted trees on the island. The
island, while few to positions along It's edge.
When the savages discovered themselves foilod In
fighting upon their own ground ESQ young warriors
were dismounted 70 act a. sharpshooters, while at
least 500 veteran warriors under the direction OF one
Of their bravest chiefs made preparations 70 attack
the island The mounted savages, their faces daubed
with war paint disrobed themselves OF oil useless
trappuRs; their bodies were bare 70 the waist their
lo4gngs and ciout about their lons alone covering
their nakednees; shields and arrows and quivers
were fastened TO their persons; and, their ree In
hand, they formed for novel experiment In their
system OF warfare-s direct charge. The old
chief - their head turned to address the savage
band. the old men urged the young to
deeds Of valor; the big medicine man, who
held the tribe under the infatuatioi that
he had the power 70 charm their lives, rode about
the field, beating his drum, exclaimlug that 1.-THE
White mans bullets swould melt before them.n So
confident the savages OF the capture or tho be-
leagured hand that the women and children were
brought down 70 zee the conflict and began their
chants Of victory. Some danced hideously upon the
surrounding hills; others crowded closely upon thu
rear Of the warriors, ready to follow them In the
work Of blood and spoilA
These we're bresthless moments on the island. The
dag bright and cheerful. More than 700 savagea