New-York tribune., 1873-09-06
THE YELLOWSTONE WAR.
GEN. CUsTER's OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE
TONGUE RIVER AND BIG HORN FIGHTS.


DEFEAT AND FIIGHT-rHE BIG HORN BATTLE
THE INDIANS AGAIN COMPELLED TO RETREAT
THE LOSSES on EACH sIDE-THB GAAANrRr
OF THE COMMAND.
[FRoM THE sPEcrAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRiBuSFI
MUssEL SHELL RIVER, Montana Ter, Aug 10
The following is Gen. Clusters Official report of bis
engagements with the Indians on the Yellowstone
River. Aug and H. an account Of which has been
tclegraphed to THE TRIBUNE:
HEADQUARTERS BATTALION 7TH CAvALRY.)
PosiPEY's PILLAR. {
YELLOWSTONE RIVER. MONTANA Ang. 10. is'S
Acting AssistGnt Adatdnt General, Yellowstone ErPe-
diti0a.-SR: Acting under the instructions of the
Brevet Major-Genera commanding, proceeded al
o'clock on the morning of the 18th inst. with one
squadron of my command. numbering about % men,
to explore route over which the main colnmn
! could move. Having reached point on the Yellow
stone River, near the mouth Of Tongue River, anh
several miles in advance, and while waiting the ar
rival of the forces of the expedition. six mounted
Sioux dashed boldly into the skirt of timber WITHIN
which my command had halted and unsaddled, and
attempted to stampede our horses. Fortunately
our yedettes discovered the approach OF the In
dians in time to give the alarm. few well-di-
rected shots drove the Indians to safe distance,
where they kept up series of yells, occaslonaly
firing few shots. AS as the squadron could
mount directed Capt. Moylan to move out in pur-
suit; at the same time i moved with Pie troop IN
advance, commanded by First Lieut.. L. w. Custer
Following the Indians at brisk gait, nv
suspicious became excited by the confident bearing
exhibited by the six Sioux in our front whose course
seemed to lead us near heavy growth of timber
which stood along the river bank above. When al
most within rifle range of this timber directed the
squadron to halt while with two orderies, all be-
ing we'll mounted continued after the Sioux IN order
to develop their intentions. Proceeding a few
hundred yards in advance of the squadron, and
keeping watchful eye the timber to NV
left | halted. The six Indians in my front also
halted as if to tempt further pursuit FINDING all
efforts in this direction unayaing, their place anu
intentions were quickly made eyident as no sooner
| was it seen that we intended to advance no
further than with their characteristic hOwls aud
wells, over 300 we'll mounted warriors dashed in
perfect line from the edge of the timber and charged
| down upon Capt. MOylans squadron, at the same
time endeavoring to intercept the small party with
| me. .
| THE SIOUX FIRST ATTACK AND REPULsED.
As soon as the speed of the thoroughbred on which
| | was mounted brought me within hailing distance
of Lieut. Clusters troop, directed that officer to
quickly throw forward dismOunted line OF troop
ers and endeavor to empty few Indian saddles.
! and as the Sioux came dashing forward. expecting
| TO ride down the squadron, line of dismounted
cavalrymen rose from the grass and delivered.
| almost in the faces of the warriors, a VOhey
of carbine bullets, which broke and seal
tered their ranks in all directions, and sent
! more than one Sioux reeling from his saddle.
This check gave time to make our dispositions to
! resist the succeeding attack which We knew our
enemies would make upon us. The great
| pagE tla lnrg al
| tance separating US from the main command aud
the belief Cafterward verified that the woods above
us still concealed portion of the savage forces,
induced Inc to conne my movements, at first, strictly
! TO the defensive. The entire squadron, except the
| horse holders was dismounted and ordered TO hight
on foot. The Indians. Outnumbering ns almost i've
| TO one, were enabled to euvelop MS completely
| between their lines, formed IN sem-clrcle and
| the rive which flowed at our backs Tie
| little belt of timber in which had been
! first attacked formed very good cover for
our led horses, while the crest of second table
land conveniently located from the timber, gave us
an excellent line OF defense The length of our line
| and the number of the enemy prevented MS from
having any force in reserve Every available officer
aud man was on the skrmsh line, which was in re-
| ality our line OF battle. Even the number of men
holding horses had 10 be reduced. that each bora
| holder held eight horses. Until the Indians were
made to taste quite freely of lead they displayed
unusual bodness frequently charging ND To our line
| and firing with great deliberation and accuracy.
Capt Moylan exercised command along the entire
line Lieut.. Custer commanded the center; my Adj
| infant Lieut.. James Calhoun commanded the night,
| and Lieut.. Charles 4. Yernum the left
| A FUTILE ATTEMPT 10 FORCE THE TROOPS PROM
| THEIR POSITION.
The first Indian killed was shot from his pony by
| Bloody Knife the Crow who acted as my guide
| and scout Soon after, Private Charles X. Miller Of
| A Troop 7th Cavalry, succeeded in sending a ear
bine bullet directly through the body Of a chief who
| had been conspicuous throughout the engagement.
| Al the same time it was known our fire had dIsa-
bled many of their ponies, while, owing 10 our shell
| tered position the only damage thus far lnfiictOd
| upon us was one man and two horses wounded, ono
| of the latter being shot in three places. Find
| in9 their efforts to force back line
| unsyailing the Indians now resorted 20 another
expedent. By an evidently preconcerted plan, they
set fire n several places to the tail grass which
| covered the ground III our front, hoping by this
means to force us back to the river and then finish
us at their pleasure Fortunately for ne there was
| no wind prevailing at the time, while the grass
| was scarcely dry enough TO burn rapidly. Taking
! advantage of the dense curtain Of smoke which
| rose from the burning grass the Indians by
following the course of the fame, could often con-
trlve to obtain shot at us at comparatively close
| range; but my men, observing that no danger was
! TO he apprehended from the slowly advancing
flames acted upon the hint given them by the
saYages and by taking positions close to the flames
| could frequently catch an opportunity to send
shot through a break in the curtain OF smoke, and
| in this yay surprised the Indian by the adoption