The New York herald., 1868-12-08


The stiffness OF this bright sabbath morning was
enyened by the unexpected tidings OF decided
victory over powerful band OF hostile savages on
tie hanks OF the Washita river at about seventy 1--we
miles distant from this point. General Sheridan as
already announced in previous despatch, arrived
here on the evening OF November 81 With his
Characteristic energy, without moments delay he
commenced surveying his resources and inspecting
his troops. The only available mounted men at
hand were the eleven companies OF the
seventh United States cavalry. commanded by
Brevet Major General George A. Custer, Lieutenant
Colonel Seventh United States cavalry. The General
al once ordered this command to be put In condition
TO move immediately November % was therefore
busy day. Thirty days. supplies were drawn and
loaded as compactly as possible upon wagons
Horses were web fed and officers and men, discard
Ing all surplus clothing and baggage reduced their
wardrobes TO what they could carry with them on
their horses. At three O'Clock on the morning Of
November 2S the notes OF the bugle sounding tire
reyeile aroused the trooper from his slumbers Boots
and saddles followed in quick succession and after
hasty and q frugal meal the call to horse announced
that the time for the departure OF the column had
arrived. IL was just before the gray OF dawn when
officers ana men mounted and formed in line. Again
tue buge notes heard and by ours right the line
trokc into column and again the bugle note sounded
its last blast In response the dark forms or horses
aud riders could be seen moving forward. The
morning was terrible one. For twenty-four hours
the snow had been falling in large lakes, accompa-
MED by a fierce norher. ON this morning the clouds
were as dense as ever and no signs OF an abatement
OF the storm were visible The snow was now twelve
inches deep. Despite this unpromsing exhlbi-
ton OF the elements, when the time arrived the
column moved out OF camp, leaving their camp fires
0nd the few comforts OF the field to brave the In
clemency OF storm and wind and the inhosptaty OF
north fork OF the Canadian river through dense
timber and underbrush, the column moved along
this point 1t headed In southwestery direction.
towards the Antelope Hills. Although for the first
two days no foe was seen more potent adversary
was encountered in the ptiess conflict OF the ele-
ments. Wet and cold without murmur the officers
ana men pushed forward as II by intuition seeing
the brilliant achievement which lay before them.
On the morning OF the 26th inst the advanced par
ties OF the column announced an Indian trail dis
tnctly marked in the snow. The hostile party it
Although some snow mad since fallen the trall was
pronounced scarcely twenty-iour hours old The
point at which the tran was discovered was at the
intersection OF the Texas boundary line with the
main Canadian river, and tending in southeasterly
direction. These indications o. the presence OF Indi
ans induced the general commanding TO disencum-
Der himself Of all unnecessary baggage or supplies
and blankets as were needed, and without tents, the
Column set out in pursuit. At nine O'Clock the same
night, after an unparalleled march, the column was
hated but for single hour for relreshment and rest
The march was again resumed. With the grateful
light the moon which made itself apparent through
the overhangng Clouds the troops were enabled
to move with certainty OF retaining the trail. TWAS
hali-past Ole O'Clock on the morning OF November 27
when one of the Indian Usage traiers returned re.
porting an Indian village within less than mile dis
tant, The stiffness OF death reigned. The snarng
wolves aud the accustomed wild sounds OF the savage
surroundings alone disturbed the silence OF the
morning. The hostile Indian, unaware OF the
presence OF danger slumbered within his lodge. TO
prevent alarm in The darkness the column was coun
termarched and moved Off at q greater distance to
make the necessary disposition OF the troops and to
avoid any confusion which might prematurey arouse
the savages or lead to an engagement before every
tang was ready. The position was carefully recon
noitred In order TO surround the village General
Custer divided his column into four bodies OF equal
strength. The first, composed or three CON-
panies, commanded by Major joel II. Elliott,
was to take position in a timber below the village.
The second, under Breyet Lieutenant Colonel Myers,
was TO move down the Washita and attack In the
timber from above. Breyet Lieutenant Colonel
the crest OF the hill north Of the village The fourth
column was to make direct charge upon the village
me dawn OF day was the unfailing indication Of
still undisturbed village, the various columns
awaited the first appearance OF the rst finger or day
upon the dial OF the heavens. As If aware by In
snct OF the approach OF danger, several Indian dogs
could be heard barking. The inmates OF the lodges
probably supposing this to be in response to the
sharp howls OF the prowlng WOLF gave no heed TO
the noise without. The village was situated
ia a bend In the Little Washita the banks OF which
on the opposite side were high and precipitous.
The surroundings were those OF heavy timber. The
sllent stream nowng along by the village acted as
raj ramparts on the other The lodges were visible
merely as so many dark concal looking objects. In
their midst was the lodge OF the famous chief Black
Kettle. As the evidence or rank, his lodge was
black and ornamentcd on the exterior In the highest
style OF Indian art and as became so great and pow
eriul chietan. Tie stores OF the village, the herds
and all that appertained to Indian afiuence could be
aeen 0icers and men had been standing IN the
enew for hours, the air cold and freezing, each hold
lna his horse and awaiting the signal to mount and
enter the conflict.
with tne machinery Of the universe, moved on. AZ
length the moment OF action had arrived. The rays
or the approaching sun had barely Shot its Hrs. m
dlcalions OF dawn than the quiet OF the scene was
suddenly rent by tho sounds of martial array The
bugc sounded the charge, and the unusual tones or
the instruments, hitherto unieard in these remote
rccesses. gave forth the nspiriting harmonies OF
"Garry Owen.n From all sides the trooper, led by
ms superior officer, fastened TO the vortex Of the
nay. This unexpected display was like an appatl-
ton to the sleeping inmates or the lodges. If all the
Internal spirits OF the Indian IIades had suddenly
started upon them the surprise and fright could not
have been greater. The warriors looking from their
lodges behcld the unlocked iof cause OF alarm and.
and arrows In haud, and In state OF perfect nudI-
ty-to the first dcfensibic object and opened fire
upon the charging columns. The attack was
simultaneous. From the left bank OF the river
column charged down a precipitous height. dashed
into the now troubled waters OF the Little Washifa
and struck FOR the village. In ravines and under
deadly fire. Tho women and children, as II inspired
with the courage Of warriors, took up arms and
troops now took position for the more necessary
work OF stopping the deadly fire kept up by the
warriors on tie hill. Amid the burning OF lodges,
Che crack OF the ride the whirring OF arrows, the
wild whoop OF the warrior and the mournful wall OF
the women the struggle lasted for several hours. To
lend further ercencss 70 the scene, from the lodges
nv Intervals the dctonatious OF the explosion ol
pcwder reminded the troops OF the benevolent
efforts OF phanthroptss to s0oth the savage breast
sni aid them IN the slaughter OF innocent white
men women and children.
The alarm OF the fight was carried to nei0hbor-
an viii a. Ardpdl0e4,
miles distant. The former under their chief, 'Sa-
tanta and the latter under Little Raven, th their
warriors came TO the rescue 0 tue Cheyennes. IN
vcsting the troops on all sides. Detaching small
party fight was at opened upon the fresh war.
sxanpled braverr IN hopes OF suceoring their allies.
but TO no avail The discipline aud bravery OF the
srooys oyercame their fruiless sn0rts, and In the
supreme Impulse OF sesl.presefha10n lie h0stle re-
sniorcemcns led 10 ther villages 10 save them
selves their families aud teif possessions from the
inevitable doom OF the Chcs enhes. The detachment
tanrannd me ratrnA.nr all.es until the