The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-20
THE INDIAN VAR.
Sheridan to Take the FieId-A Fight with
the SaVages at Big Coon Creek


Advces from Fort Hayes, Kansas, to Nov IA,
give the following informatlon:-
This post has been unusually lively to-day,
and everything bears the appearance OF war in
earnest. Tomorrow being the day fixed by
General Sheridan for his departure 10 the front,
south OF the Arkansas, to take commaud in
person Of the operations OF his columns against
the hostile savages, Company G, 10th UBIted
States Cavalry, the scouts, orde rlies Indians,
baggage, headquarters, trains, and extra horses
were sent ahead, giving them one days start of
the General and his staff, who will leave to-
morrow Sunday, overtaking the train at the
North Fork Of the Pawnee, about forty y-eeht
miles on the way.
Lieutenant William j. volkmar, of the 9th
United states Cavalry, having returned here
from Fort Dodge, reports an encounter with
Indians on Big Coon creek. On Novem Der 2,
Br2vet tLeUepant-Colonel F. W. Benteen, Cap
tain of the 7th United States Cavalry, and
Lieutenant ". J. Volkmsr, of the 9th United
States Cavalry, received orders 10 proceed with
o detachment OF recruits and largo number of
fresh horse to the 7th Cavalry IN the field.
Lieutenant Chancellor Martln, of the 81 United
States Infantry, and wife were also present,
taking this means Of reaching Fort Dodge, to
which post Lieutenant Martin had been ordered.
A large train ol wagons were also under escort.
The first day after leaving Fort HarKer,
q party of fifty hostile savsges were encoun-
tered by the rear guard of the column,
which had been ordered back four or i've
miles to pick up several stray horses. The
Indians fed, making a detour OF the column.
No more was seen of the savaJes until the
afternoon of the 9Th inst. 1t was nearly sunset
when, as the column was about to 60 into camp,
near Big Coon creek, the advance guard of ten
men, under Sergeant Ryan, struck party of
fifty or sixty savages lying in Iaviue under
cover, apparently awaiting az opportunity TO
make dash upon the column. As soon as the
Sergeant discovered the savsees he dismounted
the guard and gave them a voIley. At the same
time Lieutenant Volkmar hastily formed the
train 10 double column, with the led animals in
the centre between the lines of wagons. The
ambulance containing Mrs. Martin was likewise
placed between the wagons, Lieutenant Martin
Joining the skirmshers with his rifles. AS
soon as the attack commenced Colonel Benteen,
with twenty mounted men, started IN pur-
suit of the Indians, who we're circllng around
the train, after the usual mode of Indian
warfare, the object of the savages evidently
being to occasion stampede OF the animals.
While this diversion WAS being made by Colonel
Benteen, Lieutenant Volkmar, who had posted
q line OF skirmishers the TANKS OF the
column, moved forward to the site selected for
the camp. During the engagement Mrs. Martin
conducted herself in manner worthy OF the
profession OF her husband, sitting smilngly in
the ambulance, pistol in each hand, ready for
any emergency. Night coming on Colonel
Benteen discontinued the pursuit, and although
the Indians lowered about the encampment
during the night they were afraid to make an
attack, as every precauton had been taken to
prevent q surprise. The next morning. the
column resumed its march, the Indians still
being in sight, but keeping at distance. With
out further event the train reached Fort Dodge
in safety on the same day, Saturday afternoon.