Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-16

and on nearing the place were received
by the whole party with cheers. l threw
up NV cap and shouted, and never felt
more excited in my life. These men, in
this out-of-the- place, seemed to me
like party on wide ocean, Tor they GER
tainly were as helpless.
The Indians first appeared on the 18th,
early in the morning, when they were en-
camped on the side of the creek-a party
of about fifteen attempting to run OFT their
horses. Forsyth had been following a trail
for seven days, and finally was led into
this wild country by it. The signs be-
came more frequent and fresh, and the
most experienced men with him predicted
that they would soon fall 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, in
stantly shouted that the Indians would
soon appear in force and advised them to
proceed to q little grassy island in the cen
ire of the dry bed. Forsyth ordered them
there, and they tied their horses to few
scanty scrubs near by. In about five min
utes a very large force of Indians were
seen moving down to the creek by a rayine
about half mile distant, and some also
appeared on the ravine behind. The
get under cover Every man dug for his
life-using fingers, spurs and knives. Be
fore they got any protection, however, the
Indians charged them, about 500 strong,
some of the warriors coming within few
feet, in the most reckless manner.
a close fire with breech-loaders 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,
u flesh wound, and Immediately after i'll
the leg, breaking the bone. Grover, one
of the scouts, gallantly exposed himself in
digging a cover for Forsyth, so IS to get
him away from the balls. The squaws in
large numbers appeared on the hills around
singing songs, laughing, and smoking
pipes, evidently for the purpose of seeing
the warriors take the scalps. A Cheyenne
chief harangued the warriors within hear
ing, and was understood by one of the
scouts to tell the Indians that these men
disturb their peace that they were few
and the Indians many, and that they must
go in boldly and take their scalps.
4 big medicine man appeared about five
hundred yards distant, beating his drum
and shaking his shield, to assure them of
their safety from bullets, by his charms
The Indians, thus induced to do their best,
charged again and again, only to lose large
numbers. About two hundred then dis
mounted and crept along ravines and I'M
der cover to within good rife range, and
kept up a constant fire whenever any one
raised hand or foot. Lieutenant Butcher
was MORALLY wounded in the back, and
the surgeon, DIR. Moore, shot through the
head. Every officer was killed and wound
ed, and about seventeen out of fifty of the
men. The Indians drew off after dark
with the main body, but left enough to
harass them all night. Every horss and
mule was killed in this days fight, and lay
where they were tied Colonel Forsyth
sent two men to seek for assistance as
soon as it was dark enough, and these
men succeeded in getting through the In-
dams and reaching Fort Wallace, and in
bring ing the information that led TO our
expedition.
Toward evening the shouts and songs of
the sQuaws turned into a dismal wailing
and mourning cry for the dead. One Of
them was heard to cry, MY child my
child !" The next day a skrmisling fire
was kept up, and the same thing the next
day but at this time it was evident that the
main body had left, and that a small por-
ton had remained to observe them.
In the meantime, as their rations had
given out, they hal to live on horse flesh,
without salt Or pepper, and when [ reach
ed them, on the 25th the meat had become
putrid. Several of the men told me that
they were unable, for the last twenty four
hours, to keep it on their stomachs. You
can imagine the delight they manifested
Oh the arrival OF our party. Forsyth took
me by the hand and seemed quite affected
should meet III places out of the way and
far apart. He and two other badly wound |
ed men were lying in square hole scoop
cd Gus Ill the sand, within few feet of
their dead horses, which lay around them
in semi-circle and impregnated tho air
with terrible stencil.
[ Immediately selected place near by, |
and had several tents erected, tho wound |
ed men carried over, and the rest removed |
to a more salubrious air. Three dead In
dams were buried by them, but over thir-
ty others were killed, and carried away by
their comrades, and about seventy wound
ed. The savages were evidently badly de-
moralized, and the fight is considered to |
be one of the most desperate in the annals |
Of our Indian wars.
Bankhead arrived with his force twenty
six hours after I did, bringing with him
jwo companies Of the second cavalry, com
handed by no less person than our old |
friend Brisbin. On the 9th we turned to i
Fort Wallace, and arrived there on the
}0th.