The Republican journal., 1870-03-24

lne indians were completely taken by sur
prise. The majority of them had not even
'iii1G ~; 10 effect their escape from the lodges.
r., Inc scene now presented was one of fri ght-
lul reality. The hide covered lodges were
rlPped with knives by the soldiers and MANY
puiie5 passing through the opening thus
made. laid low the braves within. The up
roar was deafening. The sounds off arms
yells OF the infuriated soldiers, wells and
ueatn- cries OF the redskins, the barking and
howllng OF the Indian dogs, all minSlinp
made the scene one of terrible interest. Anon
kegs ofpowder carefully slowed away in sew
eral lodges would explode and kill the in
mates Here, savage would spring out
WIN rlhe in hand, but only to fall in his
tracks. There, resistance would be made.
put the Well-dlrected shots soon caused the
effort to cease. Several ATTEMPTED to nass
from ono side of the river to the other hnt
the wide circles OF red, with Indians in the
centre. told but too well how vain was the
attempt. Though all was in apparent con-
fusion, still the troops kept in such order that
not one of their shots hurt comrade
REMARKABLE INCIDENTS OF THE FIGHT
Breyet-Major Thompson, while gallanty
ilghting, was attacked by an Indian whom
ne qua not perceive i'll time to prevent him
from holding rifle to his breast The ham
mer fell the gun missed fire and with the
death-ory on his lips, the savages spirit, aid
ed by the Majors bullet, doubtless winged
It's way TO the Indians spirit land
Ihe camp was conquered. The regulars
had wiped their savages foes out completely
The command eneamped for the night on the
scene OF action.
The following morning at early dawn the
Killed were counted. and it was ascertained
that 1917 Indians had been thoroughly quiet
ed, while but few of them had escaped Our
loss was one killed-Private Mckay of Com
pany, Second Cavalry. Wounded-none
One Spaniard, or perhaps Mexican who
was trading with the Indians, was killed with
them.
Among the principal chiefs slain were Bad
Bear, VOLTS Tail, Heavy Runner, Red Horn,
Mountain Chiefs Son, and others equally
prominent, whose names | cannot recall to
mind.
One Piegan Indian, thinking that his
chances for living long time were few, aud
eager to have his days prolonged 10 an indef-
mite period, in fit of desperation killed his
two squaws, and drew their corpses over his
cowardly form. He teigned death, but it
availed him nothing, for soon his spirit join
ed those OF his squaws. Six other of the saw
ages ran over a hill on the right bank of the
river, and escaped from the main command;
but their evil star guided them to Il point where
few soldiers were guarding the captured
herd, and soon these Indians also lay stiff on
the ground
The boldest flight was that of prisoner
chief. Watching his chance. he sprang out
from among his captors, and luckily for him
self, succeeded in making good his escape.
Had the soldiers fired at him, doubtless some
of their comrades would have suffered, for
the reason that the command at that time was
scattered the fight having ended.
Private Mullis of the cavalry fought in such
a desperate manner as not only to attract the
attention of his officers but also that of near
ly the entire command He killed alone, and
unaded by his comrades twenty Indians.
THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.
This was a very rich camp. A large num-
Der of skins, furs, and robes We're stored in
the different lodges but small pox having
been known to prevail in the village at this
time it was therefore deemed advisable to
give everything up to the torch.
This Piegan village has vanished with its
inmates. Nothing now remains to show its
existence save blackened spots where the
lodges and stores We're DESTROYED by fire,
ghastly corrses strewn around, ravens Hit
ting to and fro and cowardly wolves snarl
ing and swapping over their feasts.