The Montana post., 1869-03-19
FROM GALLATIN VALLEY.
Sioux Indians On the War
Path
Two Men Killed and two
Missing.
A Fight with the Regulars-
Drawn Battle
Preparations for a Campaign
by 200 Citizens and
Soldiers.

EDITOR PosT:-We write you a few
hnsty lines under the excitement of
more Indian depredations. A large par
ty came upon the camp of Meadows
men, where they haxe been herding his
cattle on the Yellowstone, and drove
them from their cabins, killing two men
and driving off the entire herd. Two
others are missing, Sam. Moore and H
H. Noel, who are supposed to be killed.
Friday morning, Captain LaMotte sent
out a detachment from the Post of 30
men, all that could be mustered, under
command of Capt. Cliff and Lieutenent
Waun. About a dozen citizens from
Bozeman, all that could procure equip
ments, followed. On Saturday morning
they came upon the bodies of the two
murdered men. John Mcdonald and
Frank Leonard. No sooner than these
bodies were decently buried, party OF
about 10 Indians made an attack upon
them from an unobserved position. Our
party were somewhnt demoralized at
this sudden onset and retreated. They
fought nearly all day, retreatlng ana
fighting until night>fall, when they
reached the cabins built by the Tefritori.
al Militia two years ago. The last stand
made was one worthy OF note, as the
Indians fought more bravely and deter
ties stood their ground for an hour, ex-
changing shots, until Indians and whites
simultaneously became tired of the
game and separated, each going their
way Four Indians were killed and sew
eral horses killed and wounded. Our
party miraculously escaped without in
jury except the loss of one animal.
The Indians are supposed to be Sioux,
as they are handsomely equipped and
mounted on splendid horses. The party
then proposed to stop that night and
| fight them again to-day. Being nearly
out of rations and ammunition, party
of nine came in last night To procure
them, ana reinforcements if possible. A
severe snow-storm coming up, however.
made it appear rather dubious about re-
ceiving supplies, and fearing an attack
with their small amount of ammuni~
ton, they beat a retreat and arrived
home In safety.
Another movement is contemplated
against them tomorrow, or as soon as
the storm abates. The impression is,
that there are a large body of Indians
in the vicinity of Twenty-Five Yard
creek, and they are "on the fight" II a
party could be raised in the vicinity of
Diamond City to go onto the Muscles
shell below and follow up until they
meet the Indians or the party that is
going out from here, they would be able
TO punish them severely. There is no
doubt but there are Indians in that viz
cinity; and the party here are going out
with the determination TO make CAM
paigu of it, and do not intend return
ing without a fight. There will be
about one hundred citizens and as many
soldiers as can be equipped at the Fort.
They are determined TO punish them
this time, and if the citizens below ever
wish TO do anything, now is their time.
Unless a severe blow can be given them
now by following them to their villages
and destroying them, they will harrass
the valley all through the season and
cause great injury TO the country.
The officers and men at Ft. Ellis have
the disposition to do all in til heir power,
and have turned out all the available
material they have. Citizens are fur
nished with arms, ammunition and ra-
tions in abundance, and even horses
and saddles. But their animals are
very inferior and few in numbers, there
not being over twenty horses at the
post fit for Indian service. Requisi-
tions have repeatedly been made by the
commanding officer and every effort has
been made to make this first class
post, but for some unaccountable reason,
the wants of this portion of the coun-
try are unheeded. 1t is one of the most
essential forts in the Territory, as Gall
latin Valley is the scene of these dep
relations every spring, and the farmers
being scattered, naturally depend upon
the soldiers; but during the present
state of things we must depend in a
great measure upon our own strength,
and now is the time to make united
effort.
ID. w
BozENAN, NJ. T. March Il.