Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-08-26
BLOODY KNIFE.
Indian War on the Yellowstone.
The Exploring Expedition Attacked.
A Series of skirmishes, I'm which Gus
tar Resorts to Indian Tactics.

4 I q
A Series of Sktrmishes, I'm which Gus
tar Resorts 60 Indian Tactics
NEW YORK, Aug 25.-The following
dispatch is published this morning. 4,
| Muscle Shell RiUer, dug. 19.-The album
dant reparation which the Yellow Stone
expedition made for the reception of the
Indians has been fully justified. The pre-
diction of Bloody Knife that We should
meet the szvages in the vicinity OF Tongue
river proved correct. The Indians were
discovered for the first time about Aug. l
watching our movements and proving
around the camp at night. No overt act
took place however until Apg. 4, when
Gen. Custar with Bloody Knife and
squadron Of cavalry had been detailed
by Gen. Stanly to 60 on and
look up the road. Having got about ten
miles ahead, they halted aad picketed their
horses in wood by the river to wait for
the train. Two hours afterwsrd six Indians
appeared on the plain and made demon
stration towards their camp. A dismount-
ed line of skirmishers was thrown out and
the horses saddled. The Indians were
easily driven of, but proved to be the decoy
of large party in q neighboring wood
waiting in ambush for The cavalry. Find
ing their ruse had failed, the Indians, to
the number of 300, boldly rode out and ad
vanced on the grove occupied by the cavalry.
Gen. Gustav had only one squadron of 80
men under command of Capt. Moylen--
one troop commanded by Lieut.. Gustav,
and the other by Lieut.. Van Tam. The
men were again dismounted and extended
their line in semi-circle around the cav
airy, who had the river at their back. A
rapid firing was kept up at distance of
400 yards.
While tins engaged with Gen. Custar in
front, another party Of Indians prowled
along behind under the river bank, and
tried to stampede his horses, but were frus-
trated. The Indians fred the grass in sew
eral places, but failed to burn out the caval-
nv. Gen. Gustav deferred charge, per-
ceiying that the main command wonld soon
come up and assist in capturing the Indians;
after an hours fight bis ammunition gave out.
He then charged the Indians who precipi-
lately fed, dropping many OF their equip
ments. After retreating several miles they
took to the bad lands. One man was
slightly wounded in the arm, and one horse
wounded, formed the extent of Gan. Gus
tsr's loss.
While the fight was going on several In
disns left the war path In search Of strag-
glers. Coming upon DR.. Hansinger, vet
Urinary surgeon, and Mr.. Balaram, caval-
nv sutler, who were less than mile from
the column, they killed them and took their
horses and valuabIes. Private John Ball of
the cavalry, while out hunting, met SINH
killed and several ponies.
OIL = laws a tor fho
fight at Tongue river, we came upon the
site of 8 recent Indian village. Stanly d.
rected Custar to take his cavalry, number
ing $50 men, and follow and punish the In
dams. Gustav started on the night OF the
9Th. At shutdown on the 9th, after march
of forty miles, be arrived at place where
the Indians had crossed the river "a hours
before, taking over their families on boats
and RATS. Next day he attempted to cross
the Yellowstone, which at that point is 45O
yards wide, where the current wastoo swift
and deep to swim the horses and men. The
attempt to cross had to be abandoned for
want of axes AMI rope.
At evening his camp was discovered by
the Indians and On the morning Of the 18th
at daylight was attacked by eight hundred
Indians. The firing was returned for two
or three hours, both parties using trees as
cover. a party Of 300 Indians then crossed
the river above and below our camp and
endaayored to gain the bluffs in our rear.
Men we're dismoupted and posted on the
bluffs and received them bravely. The In
dams behind the ridges kept up the fire.
Gen, Gustav ordered 8 charge. Our men
then mounted and pursued them boldly for
eight miles. Just at this time the tram
came up and opened on the Indians across
the river with artillery. A few shots dis
persed them and ended the fight.
This battle which took place within two
miles of Big Horn was fierce one. zen.
| Custar and Adit. Keichsm had their horses
shot under them. Lieut.. Braden was badly
| shot In the thigh. Private Tuttle, Gen.
| Custar's orderly, was killed, and twenty OF
the soldiers were slightly wounded. we
had four horses killed and three wounded.
| The Indians loss Is estimated by Gen.
| Gustav at forty killed and woGnded. The
Indians were well armed with heavy rlnes,
and had abundant ammunition. Some werC
dressed in clothes procured ct the agencies.
| These were mainly Uncopapas, supposed TO
be under the command Of Sitting Bull, and
also supposed to have received their sup
plies from Fort Peck on the Missouri Falls,
a famous trading post for the Indians and
an infamous one for the whites.
The expedition arrived at Pompey's Pn-
| lar on the 10 h, and reached Muscle Shell
on the 10Th, homeward bound. Gen.
Stanley expects to reach Fort Rice by the
| LIST of October. The health of the COM
mand is good. Lieut.. Braden is getting on
| we'll