Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-25
ELEGR A PHI.
SPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETrE.l
Fight with the Indians.
MUSsEL SHELL RIVER, Aug. ~,

via FoKr BENTON, MONTANA, %.
The abundant preparation which the chow
stone expedition made for the reception Of the
indians has been fully justified. August ,l'h
General Custer with Bloody Knife and squad
ron had been detailed by General Stanley to
go on several miles 10 advance OF the wagons
and look up the road. Having gone about ten
miles ahead they halted and plckcted their
horses in the woods by the river 10 wait Tor the
train. I've hjurs attcrwa,d six Indians APP
pcarcd III the PLATO aud made demonstrations
toward the camp. 4 di>moun.ed line OF sklr-
mShers were thrown out and the horses sad
died The ludiaus We're easily driven oil, Tut
proved the dccoy OF a large party in the neigh
borhuod waitln. iu ambush Tor the cavalry
Finding the l,lSe failed, Indians to the number
of three hundred Boldly rode out, and advanced
on the grove occupied by the cavalry. General
Custer had only Que squadron Of eighty men
under command of Captain Maylew. The men
again dismounted and formed sklrmlsh hnc.
The Indians also dismounted and formed hue
in semi-circ!c around the cavalry, who had
the river at lhcir backs. \ rapid ilring Was
kept up at distance of four hundred yards
General Custer deferred charging, hoping the
main command would soon come up and assist
10 capturing the lDdlans After three hours
fight his ammunition gave out lie theu
charged the Indians, who preclpltateIy lied,
dropping many Of their equipments. Alter re,
trcatlug several miles they took to the bad
lands. One uau slightly wounded IN the arm
and cue horse wounded formed the extent oil
Clusters loss. While the fl .ht was going on
several Indians left the war party III search OF
stragglers from the train, and coming upon Dr.
IIuusiu~cr, veterinary surgeon, aud hlr. Balar'
IN. cavalry >ultcr, who were less than mile
from the c,iumn. they killed them and took
their clothes and yaluab'es. Private Johu Ball,
vi the cavahy, while out hunting, met slDllar
fate. La this ii In two Indians were killed and
several wounded. They lost several ponies.
General Stanley directed Geueral Custer to
take the cavalry. numbering four Hundred and
fifty men, and follow the trail, and ii possible
ovrr,akc and punish the Indians. Gen. Custer
left on the night of the Sth. On the morning
of Aug llth. at daylight. he was attacked by
about cigilt hundred Indians who came down
10 tie river AMI fired on lis camp. The firing
was returned for Two or three hours, both par.
ties using trees a. cover. y party Of three hun
drc;t Indians then crossed the river above and
below The camp aud endcavorcd to gain the
butts in the rear Men dismountcd and post.
eli on the bluffs received them bravcly The
Indians behind the ridges kept up Calling fire
un;ll Custer orlcreda change. The men them
mounted and pursued them hoty for eight miles.
Just al this time the train cane up and opened
Oh the Indians across the river with artillery. \
few shots disposed Of them ami ended the fight.
Tins battle which took place within two
miles Of the Big Ilorp, was fierce one. Gen.
Custer and Adit;tant kctchan had their horses
Slot uud3r thea, Lieutenant Rradcn was
badly shot in the thigh, private Tuttle
General Clusters orderly, was killed and
twenty soldiers were slightly wounded. The
lndian loss is estimated BY General Custer,
at forty k;.l1d and wounded. The Indians
were we'll armed with heavy rifles and had an
abundance vi ammunition. Some were dressed
III cotheS procured at the agencies. These
were naiuij lncalapaS, supposed to DC under
command Of Sitting Bull, and are also sup.
posed 10 Hayc received thvir supplies from
Fort pcvk, Oh the MISSOURI. The expedition
arrived III Pompeys' Pillar on the 18th, and
reached Nu,scl Shell, 40 miles from Fort
Benton, on the Iyth, ard is now homeward
bound. General Stanley expects to reach Fort
Rice BY the Ist OF October. The health Of the
collrand i. good. Lieut.. Bradcn is getting
IN