The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-24
THE INDIAN WAR.
Return Of General Clusters
Command.
DETAILSOF THE RECENT BATTLE
Letter from General Sheridan Justifyins the
Attack on Black Kettles Band. :

Return or General Custer from the Battle or
the Washita-The Trophies Of the Fight
The Captives-Additional Details and Inci-
dents-The Death of Major Elliott and Cap
tain Hamilt0n-List Of Indian Chiefs Killed.
Sketches Of Elliott and Hamilton-Thc
Killed and Wounded.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI
In THE FIELD, |
FORK OF THE BEAVER AND Wolf RIVERS, ]. T.,
Dec. ], 1868. ]
Ny despatch OF November 20, forwarded by special
express, has already given an account of the bril-
liant victory won by the Seventh United States
cavalry under Brevet Major General G. A. Custer
over Black Kettles band OF the Cheyennes; 1t now
remains to add those details Of personal herOism and
incidents which form interesting and important
part Of holly contested battle.
Yesterday courier from General Custer an.
nounced that his column would encamp that night
within ten miles Of this point and would be in this
morning. Every one was more than anxious to see
the victors Of the Washita, and it was with con-
siderable impatience the appearance Of the column
was looked for The day was q bright one, and the
temperature materially affected by the moderating
influence OF the sun, gave additional interest to the
anticipated display. Shortly after the sun had
passed Its meridian cluster Of dark and almost in
defnable objects appearing upon the crest OF hill
about mile distant, simultaneously accompanied
with shouts and the firing of musketry, an.
nounced the approach OF the column. The
mules and horses grazing in the valleys
near by hearing these unusual sounds
stampeded from all directions towards camp, as If
by instinct, interpreting these demonstrations OF
triumph for the defiant shouts Of hostility. On the
summit Of the hill the head OF the column halted for
q few moments. Meanwhile General Sheridan, &C
Omp nia nv Prav Rrip liar 7
syth, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel A. J. McGonnigle
and Dr. Morris j. Asch, Surgeon, all Of the STAR and
number OF officers of the garrison here, took posi-
ton in the valley to await the column, hch the
commanding general was to witness in passing
view. At the same time Brevet Lieutenant Colonies
J. Schuyler Crosby and 7. w. G. Moore, OF the sta
were to conduct the column by the proper line Of
march. All the officers and soldiers not on duty
assembled In the vicinity Of the tort to
witness the warlike pageant. The column now
resumed It's march, and as 1t descended the
hill the flashing of sabres and carbines and the
shouts Of the men were in wild counterpart Of the
dreary surroundings OF their departure from this
point about week since. The column was now
within short distance Of the commanding general;
the Indians shouted the band reiterated tne stirring
tones Of "Garryowen" and the troopers cheered.
In response rounds Of huzzas from the troops Of the
advance were the Usage Indian trailers. Before
leaving camp this morning they had arrayed and
decorated themselves IN manner becoming the i'm
porance Of the occasion. Their faces were painted
IN the most fantastic and hideous designs.
About their persons were dangling the trophies
which they had captured In battle. Spears,
upon which were fastened the scaips OF their
iaiien Toe, were sung upon their shoulders; from
their own plated scalp locks ere suspended long
ornaments feathers.
shoulders hung shields and bows and quivers full OF
arrows, while IN one hand they held their rusty rife
animals which the Osages bestrode were decorated
win scalps and strips OF red aud blue blanket AZ
The mead or the baud rode Little Beaver, the ciier,
with c0untenance as fixed as stone, yet III his
bearing showing Indications OF an inward seli-gor
hcalon, which was apparently Kept stirring ana
swelling higher and higher by the eestIculatons and
wild notes oil the war songs shouted by his warriors
intermlngled with whoops and the discharge VI
rifles In moment OF enthusiasm the chief shouted,
sTney call US Americans; we are Osages,n to which
sentiment went up responsive yell OF ap-
provai. Conspicuous In this party was the young
Usage warrior Koonla- Manche (lrotter} IL was
he, under the impulse OF the highest ambition Of
Indian valor, that singled Out the great chief Black
Kettle the terror OF all the Osages, as his victim.
After SCI ere conflict he reached the GROWING pont
oil his EFFORTS, ano bore away the ghasty scalp Of tile
terrible chief as se trophy attaching 20 his
With marx vi special attention this scalp care
fully and Enthusiastically decorated and hung promi-
nentIy among the most sacred POSSESSIONS OF the
young warrior.
Following me Indians were the scouts, led by
California Joe, veteran pioneer OF over forty years.
Joe IS a ilrsutelooking specimen OF humanity, ey-
hbitER an altitude OF six feet, mat OF red whis-
kers hiding two thirds or his face aud long, knotty
head Of hair, well powdered in series OF coats OF
lat, lntermiXed with stray biaies or grass, leaves
ana sticks as the vestiges OF his previous nights
SAUNDERS upon the bosom or Mother Earth.
Joe was suitable dgurenead for this motley band
OF curousy clad, brave, adventurous and rugged
men. Next came General Custer, riding alone,
mounted on magnificent black stallion, and
dressed in short, blue sacS coat trimmed with the
cnlOr OF the service. and 4 iOrcpl with
fur collar aud cuffs; on his head he wore an otter
cap. Mnen General custer came within nifty yards
OF the commanding general he left his position in
the column and dashed up 10 his caef, when warm
and hearty exchange of sautations was made be-
tween the commander and his distn guisied and
successful lieutenant General custer was followed
in the column by the members OF Ills statf arranged
in patoon:-first Lieutenant NJ. Moylan, Assistant
AdJutant General; First Lieutenant ). NJ. Robins;
Irevet Major J. NJ. Bel, Brevet Captain A. II. smith.
After whom came the mounted band.
Next followed the living evidences OF the victory
over fifty squaws and their Children surrounded by
n suitable guard to prevent their escape. These
were mounted on their owl. ponies, seating them
selves astrlde the animals, their persons wrapped In
sains and blankets even their heads and faces being
covered, leaving nothing visible but their eyes, The
mothers had their offspring mounted behind them,
the papoose being visible only by Its dminutive head
peerng up over the back OF the head OF its mother.
As many as three were mounted on some OF the po-
mes. Without sigh, without glance to the right
left, these remnants OF the band OF the once pow
erful Black Kettle followed with all the submission
OF capuves. Following them came the Keen
sighted sharpshootcrs, commanded by Brevct
Lieutenant Colonel w. w. Cook, and following
them the bravest men OF the different companies OF
the regiment, in column by piatoons, under their
proper officers.
ON a separate line OF march from the summit
came the wagon train pouring over the hill In the
lead were the ambulances conveying the dead and
wounded. The train was formed In double column,
and IN the centre were the led ponies.
The regiment moved up tue Beaver about half q
mile from the fort and there went into camp. The
scene during the remainder Of the day that OF
joyous holiday. 0ffcers and men recounted the
perils and hardshps OF the march and the battle
and exhibited the trophies which had been saved
from the burning village. General Custers Sibley
raised LIS coneike outlines in the centres on the e
n hundred yards on were the prisoners. the osages
and the scouts; In 'front.' the long lines Of picketed
horses and the wall and shelter tents Of officers and
men.
Returning now to the operations OF the advancing
column, having crossed the Canadian river General
Custer sent detachment under Major Joel II. Elliott
up tina river to reconnoire for trails and with ORDERS
should any such exhibitions Of the presence OF In
dams be discovered, that courier should be sent
back with the announcement OF the gratifying inteli
gence. Meanwhile. General Custer, with the main
column, would proceed down the stream ana en-.
camp at q distance OF i've or six miles. Hardly had
nsofo nd lie fuf for IN nnvf han