The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-22
Two Non.C Ombatauts Killed.
An Episode In the Fight With the In-
dIans OF the Northwest.

Two Indians OF the party who were
engaged in the fight with Custer in the
Northwest, says q reporter, who had
made the diversion from the main body
TO cut of stragglers from the train were
seen making for the "Bad Lands.
They were hotly pursued by the cavalry
and Lieut.. Brush, but under cover Of
the numerous ravines which afforded
them a favorable opportunity OF escape,
succeeded in eluding their pursuers.
Tic Indians arc thoroughly acquainted
with these hBad Lands" and their
ponies are used to climbing them. Ia
such ground they arc moro than a
match for our best American horses.
The two bodies were found by party
Of infantry. They proved TO be the
bodies Of DR.. Honsinger and Mr.. Bali
ran, the cavalry sutler, DR.. Honsinger
was Slot through the body by Henry
rife ball, Mr.. Baliran was killed by
two arrows which entered his back,
coming ont 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 DR.. Honsinger
WAS never known TO leave the column.
Mr., Baliran seldom left it. Or. II. was
the last man in the expedition who
would have been selected rs a victim Of
tLis dangerous habit. His absence
was easily explained. Tho day was one
of intense heat. The Doctors horse had
Ind no water since morning, The river
lay 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 n cavalry guard. There
seemed TO be little danger in going to
the river. He took the chances, rishng
his life to give his horse o drink OF
water. The Indians won the wager.
Mr.. Baliran was in company with DR..
Honsinger, and going to the river for
the same reason. Ono OF our Indian
scouts who could not speak English
met the two rs they were descending
into the valley. The quick eye Of the
scout. had seen tho Indians. He stop
ned tho Doctor, and said: Indians,
Indians" "No, no, said the Doctor;
WtLey arc cavalry, cavalry" The
scout took hold Of their bridlo.reins
and tried to turn their horses back.
They refused to be convinced, and tho
scout left them to their fate. It 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 tho saddle. They
had turned after seeing the Indians,
and tried to climb the bluffs. The
Indians had fired and brought them
both down. Tho Doctor, having the
better horse, had nearly reached the
ton Of the bluff, when the ball overlook
him. Strange to say, neither Of the
party were scalped. The Indians took
Mr.. Baliran's money, amounting to
about 800, and the Doctors watch.
The bodies were not mutilated. Per-
hnps tho sudden departure Of the
frightened cavalryman for assistance
was seen, and their departure thereby
hastened. DR.. Honsinger had served
through the war, and had previously
accompanied Gen. Fremont on some OF
his expeditions. He had been long
time connected with the 9Th Cavalry,
and was greatly esteemed by officers
and metf for his personal and profess
sionnl qualities. BE resided in Adrian,
Mich. Mr.. Baliran was also fayorite
in The cavalry. He has wife and
child in Memphis, Tenn.