The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-28

the Plafic-Sixty Savages KnIed-Twe
White Women Recapturcd-Large Quantity
OF Spells. =,
| REPUBLICAN RIVER EXPEDITION, |
FORT SEDGwicK, @. T.. July lS, 1869.
| Eight companies Of the Fifth regiment OF cavalry
| with two companies Of Pawnee scouts, under com
mand OF Major North, the wnole under the command
OF Major E. A. Carr Of the Fifth Brevet Major Gene
raj United States Army, left Fort Mcpherson, Neb
june Q, to overtake and punish all the bands Of
| Indians who might be found away from their reser-
vatons without proper authority and arrived on the
Republican river June IA. Shortly after going into
camp small party Of redskins attempted to STAN.
pede the stock belonging to the train, wounding two
Of the teamsters. They were pursued, but not
| taken. We followed their trail towards the
Solomon river, but lost 1t during the day.
We secuted large portion OF the country between
the solomon and Republican rivers without seeing
or hearing Of Indians, and, June 49, went into
camp the Republican to receive supplies and re-
cruit our stock, which sadly needed rest.
On July we again took up our line Of march along
the north fork ofthe Republican, and July struck
a fresh trail, and Brewer Colonel Royal, with two
companies OF the Fifth and one OF the scouts were
detached and followed IT, July we camped on the
headwaters OF the north fork and on the following
day were joined by Colonel Royal ana detachment
who reported he had come upon small party, dis
persing 1t and killing three OF their number, and
that larger party was some distance in advance
going In the direction OF the Platte river Colonel
Royal he started having only two days. rations
traced our steps and the following day came upon
the old camp Of Colonel Royal, where we remained
tran appeared to be very fresh We passed several
Of their old camps during the day and the opinions
and was moving Slowly with ges
of stock. We passed the night In one Of their
OLD camps, vi which, It was very evident
hardly gone out. The commanding general ordered
the animals to be ighened much as possible, and
for every ten men ana three days. rations for the
men on pack mules, everything to be ready TO leave
at daylight the next morning, the wagon train to
the command In the morning, In excellent spirits,
took up sharp gait and continued up to one O'Clock
dashing up baess, reporting that he had come upon
their camp about eight miles TO the left and near the
Platte river. Inc command was matted and divided
TO the left and the third following the trail The gait
was now increased to gallop and for eighteen miles
little after caught the first sight Of their encamp
ment and rushed down upon 1t. 1t was most COM
plete surprise. The first lntimation they had Of our
approach was the yell which was given
as we charged the camp The command here
split IN several different columns SO as to be- able to
parties, being towards their ponies, which were
picketed on the surrounding buffs abandoning
In reaching their goal, but many OF them were shot
in the attelnps. Sixty were killed, among whom
were their chief, Tall Bull, the medicine man, and
several other chiefs OF lesser note. Two squaws
were captured aud eight or ten papoOses, varying in
age from one 10 thirteen years; about 100 lodges
all their skins, provisions for the winter, arms
ammunition, and In fact everything they possessed
including about $50 head Of ponies and mules fell
INTO our hands.
TWO German women were with the band. They
had been captured some SIX weeks before in one OF
their fOrays on the Solomon river or that neighbour
hood. one was recaptured, but the other was
Drained with O t0mahawk because she would not
endeavOr to get away with her captOrs The other
was wounded In the abdomen by shot for the same
reason, but not seriously, ana Is recovering very
rapidly
We camped on the battle field that night and early
the next morning the work OF destroying the aDan.
doned property commenced. After the command
supplied themselves with all the buffalo robes they
wished, we burned 200, fifteen twenty tons
OF wheat. lodges, poles, clothing, &c.
Old front1er5lnen say that 1t was by far the most
wealthy band that they had ever seem They were
possessed or nOm needle TO q watch, and from
na to set OF carpenters tools. There ID scarcely
anything one can think Of but what they were sup
piled with ana In abundance, most Of the articles
being new. Some $500 or 5000 in greenbacks and
gold were found by the men, which they very gene
rously gave to the recaptured woman, with more
added, amounting to about 81, 900.
We then took up line Of march for Fort Sedgwick,
where we arrived July II and went into camp, and
we preparing for another Jaunt TO the south
ward about the let OF August.