National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-09-19
Two Non.Combatants Killed.
An Episode In the right with the 1a-
dians OF the Northwest.

Two Indians Of the party who were
engaged in the fight with Custer in the
Northwest, says n reporter, who had
made the diversion from the main body
to cut off stragglers from the train were
seen making for the " Bad Lands.
They were holly pursued by the cavalry
and Lieut.. Brush, but under cover OF
the numerous ravines which afforded
them favorable opportunity OF escape,
succeed, IN eluding their pursuers
The Indians are thoroughly acquainted
with these "Bad Lands" and their
ponies are used 10 climbing them. In
such ground they are moro than n
match fer our best American horses.
The two bodies were found by n party
of infantry. They proved to be the
bodies of DR.. Honsinger and Mr.. Bali
ran, the cavalry sutler, DIR. Honsinger
was shot through the body by Henry
rifle ball. Mr.. Baliran was killed by
two arrows which entered his back,
coming out through his stomach. Ever
since we left Fort Rice, in spite of the
order prohibiting struggling, many of
the men had been in the habit of cut
ting loose from the train, to hunt game
or moss agate, wandering from half q
mile to two miles but DIR. Honsinger
was never known to leave the column.
Mr.. Baliran seldom left it. DIR. II. was
the last man in the expedition who
would have been selected as victim OF
this dangerous habit. His absence
was easily explained. The day was one
of intense heat. The Doctors horse had
l.. a., c,n Tho
Law only mile away. The train would
evidently camp on the river bottom.
Gen. Custer, he knew, had gone on
with his soldiers. A couple of miles
back along the river was the surveying
party with cavalry guard. There
seemed to be little danger in going to
the river. He took the chances, risking
his life to give his horse n drink of
water. The Indians won the wager.
Mr.. Baliran was in company with DIR.
Honsinger, and going to the river for
the same reason. One of our Indian
scouts who could not speak English
met the two as they were descending
into the valley. The quick eye of the
scout had seen the Indians. He stop
ped the Doctor, and said: "Indians,
Indians" No, no, said the Doctor;
"they are cavalry, cavalry" The
scout took hold of their bridlereins
and tried to turn their horses back.
They refused to be convinced, and the
scout left them to their fate. 1t must
have been soon after that the Indians
were upon them. The nature of the
wounds showed that both men must
have been shot in the saddle. They
had turned after seeing the Indians,
and tried to climb the bluffs. The
Indians had fired and Drought them
both down. The Doctor, having the
better horse, had nearly reached the
top of the bluff, when the ball overlook
him. Strange to say, neither of the
party were scalped. The Indians took
Mr.. Balirans money, amounting to
about 500, and the Doctors watch.
The bodies were not mutilated. Per
haps the sudden departure of the
frightened cavalryman for assistance
was seen, and their departure thereby
fastened. DR.. Honsinger had served
the war, and had previously
Gen. Fremont on some Of
his expeditions. He had been long
time connected with the It'll Cavalry,
and was greatly esteemed by officers
and men for his personal and profess
sional qualities. He resided in Adrian,
Mich. Mr.. Baliran was also favorite
in the cavalry. He has n wife and
child in Memphis, Tenn.