Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1872-08-22
JdE INDIAN War.
Attack ON the MFR. n. surveying
Party.
One White Man Killed and Four
Wounded.
The Fight lasts seven Hours,
The sayages RepuIsed!
Thirty Indians Killed!

piH0S SOout Til ct VEGAS SaHCe rs Ill EScOFg 70
the North Pacific Railroad surveying party.
was attacked on the moruing OF the 18th inst.
at the mouth Of Pryor's Creek, about 100
miles f,Om Bozem2n, by band OF Sioux In
dians. yari0uslY estimated from 400 to 700
strong. The party were encamped in the
nat near the creek, and the attack was made
from the bluffs Of about half past 2 o'clock,
while the most Of the men were asleep. As
soon as the alarm was given the men were
reused to action. and the fight commenced,
and lasted till about o'clock, a. M, when
the Indians retreated. Capt. Ball says the
light was one Of the most determined he ever
witnessed with the Indians, who fought with
logged determination, and made several at
tempts to break into the camp, but we're re-
pulsed on every attempt. The loss on the
part OF the expedition is: One killed and
four wounded, viz: Sergt. Met laran, Co. G,
shot through the head and instantly killed; Pri-
vate Ward, Co. L ID Cav, shot through the
eye, the shot coming out at the ear Private
Cox, Co. F I'd Cav, shot through the bowels;
a private of the 7th init, name unknown,
wounded in the leg; and an attache of the
surveying party, named Francis, shot in the
back.
The Indian loss is estimated at about 80,
but as. In accordance = with Indian tactics,
the killed and wounded were carried off as
fast as they tell, 1t is impossible to give cor
rect figures. One of the chiefs was killed
and his body captured before the Indians
could get away with it, and, after the fight,
thirty-two Inuian horses were found killed on
the field, and numerous trophies, lett behi!.d
by the savage, III their hasty retreat, were Sc
curee: by the troops.
Thus early has the campaign opened. and
the Indians have commenced their opposition
10 the advancement and construction OF the
North Pacific Railroad, and from the reports
We have received of their conduct in the late
fight, it is apparent that they will prove to
be formidable foe To contend with. They
haye commenced operations even earlier
uhaD was expected; it was not generally sup
posed that any hostile demonstrations would
be made until the party had crossed the Big
Horn river, and probably the force engaged
is but small portion Of that That can be
brought to operate against interpolation in
as an Indian fighter is well established; his
GOODNESS and courage have more than once
been tested; but the mere handful Of men
composing his command are totally made
quate to the task OF proceeding through q
country infested with hostile savages. thor
II
aticn to resist the accomplishment OF the
work which the expedition he protects has
in hand. One thing is patent-if the small
force OF Indians engaged in the late contest
in number not exceeding 7OO-are able to
make seven hours fight against troops but
little inferior to themselves. numerically,
they certainly can surround and annihilate
them by concentration of forces. And this
accomplished, what il to prevent them pur-
suing their victorious career through the very
heart of our settlements.
This valley is now left almost entirely UNI
protected; the troops are absent. aud will
probably have all they want to do to protect
a hume rous and savage foe il
known to be within hundred miles Of this
place, aud it is necessary that some steps be
Immediately taken to guard against the iul-
pending danger.
There are over eight hundred needle-guns
with ammunition at Virginia City; let our
citizens take immediate steps to procure
supply at this pace. so that in case OF an in
vasion we may not be entirely unprepared to
defend our homes against the savage incur
sonists, and let other measures be adopted
to secure the general safety. Zone ounce Of
prevention is worth pound OF cure" SO let
action be taken AT ONCE.