Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-01-08
Miscellanu.
Gen. Custar's Battle with the In
dians.

Under date of Nov. 30, Indian Terri
tory, correspondent of the Tribune
gives the following account of the battle
with the Indians
at was what the Boys in Blue call
nice little fight. We had surprised
Black Kettles band in their village
We had marched for days through sage
weeds, woods, morass, and sand, tedious
ly, perseveringly. We had faced the
pelting storm of snow, wading wearily
through its increasing depth, from its
first fall and had taken brief snatches
of sleep upon its soft, cold bed at night.
We had finally abandoned our train and
supplies, and had marched all day on
the enemy s trail ; and, turning our backs
upon the setting sun at night, steadily
and vigorously pushed on; at times
nearly falling from our saddle with sud-
den sleep. 1t was after midnight, when
two Usage Indian scouts in the advance,
announced that they smelt the smoke of
wood fire, fire which we came upon
after going about mile further. Around
it were traces of Indian boys who had
been herding ponies. On we pushed
again, the crisp, frozen snow rustling
softly under the horses feet, and our
long, dark column winding through the
valley like huge black monster. Not
voice could be heard. Ten miles more
were passed, and the scouts, who were
ascending elevated ground, suddenly
wheeled their horses and quickly moved
to the rear, reporting that ponies were
grazing nearly mile ahead of us, and
that village was doubtless in the woods
beyond, which skirts the stream in the
valley. Strict silence was observed, but
no white men who looked, could, by the
utmost straining of the eyes, see living
object where the telescope vision of these
Indian scouts had discovered so much
Soon night-glass verified the presence
of the animals. The officers were assem-
bled by Gen. Custar, and all cautiously
crept up to the crest of the hill overlook
ing the valley below, and the surround
ings were carefully noted. 1t was mo-
ment of exultation, and the Generals
enthusiastic instructions were quickly
and eagerly given and received. The
hour was now about 2 o'clock A. M
Quietly the squadrons marched around
to their respective positions, and there
rested for the signal of the first gray
tints of morning. 1t came at last; and
as the band struck up Garry Owen, =
the platoons swept down with yell from
every side upon the doomed village
The savages sprang into bitches and
holes, and behind trees and bushes, and
opened raking fire from every direction
with bullets and arrows. Some fled with
the terror-stricken squaws and papooses
fighting as they ran. These strove hard
to reach the ponies to mount; but very
few succeeded in doing SO. Sharp and
loud rang the rafting carbines, echoed
back by the hills and bluffs on every side
Swift and sure rode the troopers, whose
lines soon extended across the valley, fu
riously tearing after the flying enemy
many of whom bit the snow-miles be
yond their village, where their bodies
were not afterward seen nor counted
Two platoons were dismounted to figh
to better advantage among the bushes
Gradually all the Indians were hunte'
from their cover like wild animals who's
escape is cut off, and the fire slackened
One hundred and three bodies were foun'
around the village proper, but man
wounded escaped. A few of the squaw
took part in the fight, using pistols
Others were spared, except those who ha