Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-18
REMARKABLE INDIAN FIGHT.
A Thrilling and Hitherto Unpub
lished Report.

From the Chicago Tribune.l
A member of Troop ID, Seventh United
States cavalry, writing to the editor Of
his home newspaper, gives the following
amusing account of the manner in
which General Custar entertained some
Chicago visitors who went out to his
domains for little buffalo shooting
We can assure the trooper that no re-
report Of the battle" which he details
so graphically, was ever offered the
Chicago papers by any Of the f" Chicago
ese." They were too modest for that
One almost equaling it we
witnessed when the festive Chicagoese
were with us seeking that little relaxa.
ton from business cares, which they
found. After days successful chase,
the party found itself about thirty miles
from Hayes, tired and hungry. Selecting
a camping ground for the night, fires were
soon blazing cheerfully, buffalo and
venison steaks roasting and frying
nicely, and oh, what appetites to do
them justice Next came wine and
cigars, with which the Chicagoese were
well supplied, luxuries for the trooper
on the plains generally out Of reach,
but this one time we had them plenty,
and enjoyed them accordingly. The
General wishing to afford his visitors
little amusement during the evening,
entertained them with stories of surprise
and atrocities committed by Lo, until
he had them excited to the proper pitch
for pleasant dreams, which he kindly
permitted them to enjoy until midnight,
when he gave the innocent dreamers
finishing touch. The night proved fa-
vorable, the troopers were divided, al
lowing about forty as an attacking party
and to represent Indians, the remainder
to defend the camp. Everything in read
mess, the party on post loudly chal-
lenged, "Who comes there2" A regu-
lar war-wboop from the attacking party
was the answer received, then volley
from the csrbines, rattling fire
With revolvers, shouting yelling, and
screaming-the attacking party making
use of all the Indian imaginable, and
great deal more. The sleepers were by
this time certainly wide-awake and made
to understand what was the matter--that
they were expected to fight if they ex-
pected ever again to see Chicago. The
brave defenders fought nobly, shooting
high in the air, entreating the Chicago
ese to stand firm, fight for their homes
and fresides, and to fight bleed aud die
for their eountry--never let the stars and
stripes be disgraced by allowing few
hundred bloody Indians to whip us; not
more than ten to one at most, probably
l.. lot tlr. tbn| srnaA for 70 NJ ~
worth fighting for2 Some Of them did
fight, and from them the most danger
was apprehended as they fred at instead
Of over their antagonists, OF course
they were quickly placed under the
wagons to keep them from shooting some
body. During the lull, one festive old
chap was heard bewailing his fate bitter
y: oh, why did l leave my home and
family, friends and business, every com
fort in the world, to come out here and
be scaiped by the bloody Indians2 Oh,
saved2" At this, some one told him to
grab root; but he said he couldn't find
the root. " Fifty dollars to any one
that will take me out of this but there
was no taker. The fight lasted near one
hour. Occasionally some one would
drop, and either crawl away or be car.
ried by few comrades when he would,
of course, be all right and again pitch
in. Finally victory was declared for the
defenders; and then it was the few re-
naming on the list Of wounded received
all the care possible, which meant plenty
of wine. Quite number wished they
had remained wounded, but it was too
late for that. In the morning the
wounded were reported sent to camp,
but some of the inquisitive wished to
know what became o. the killed and
wounded Indians. "0h, they are always
carried off Of the field as soon as they
fall. That settled the matter. Whether
the visitors were informed Of the true
state Of affairs before their return home,
/ never learned. One of them said he
would have an account of the fight pub
lished. ] never had the pleasure Of
reading the account,