Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-09-12
General Custcr's Official Eseport Of the
Indian Fight ON the Yellowstone
NEW YORK, Septem

Indian Fight ON the Yellowstone
New YORK, September 5.
/ Gen. Gus ter's official report of the Indian
attacks upon the Yellowstone expedition
near Tongue ilver, on August 4th, anu on
the Big Horn on the 11th of August, which
will appear in the Tribune tomorrow, says
that six Indians appeared in ffoht of his COM
mand on the 4th OF August. while encamped
i'm wood, about ton miles in advance of the
main body of the expedition. Gen. Custer
| with two orderlies, all well mounted, rode
towards the Indians. who kept on their course
toward the heavy woods in advance of the
camp. After following them for some dis
| tance Gen. Custer halted, when the Indians
also came TO a stand. Finding that their ruse
| to decoy the troops in the woods was unsuc-
cessful, the Indians discovered their am bush,
| and about 300 OF them rode boldly ont and
charged upon the cavalry in perfect line, and
| endeayored to intercept Gen. Custer's little
party. Of the attack Gen. Custer says: /
directed Lieut.. Custer to quickly throw for
ward dismounted line of troopers. and en-
deavor TO empty a few Indian saddles. The
order was obeyed with the greatest alac rity.
and as the Sioux came dashing forward ex-
pecting to ride down the squadron, a line OF
dismounted cavalrymen rose from the grass
and delivered almost in the faces OF the war
iiors volley Of carbine bullets, which broke
and scattered their ranks in all directions
and sent more than one Sioux reeling from
his saddle. This check gave us time to make
our dispositions to resist the succeeding at
tack, which we knew our enemies would
soon make upon us. The entire squadron,
except the horse-hoders. was dsmounted
and ordered to fight on foot. The Indians
outnumberfd us about five to one, and Were
enabled to envelope us completely between
their lines, formed in semi-circle. and the
river which flowed at our backs. The little
bed of timber in which we had been first at
tackled. formed very good cover for our led
orses. while The crest of a 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 pre-
vented us from having any force in reserve.
Every available officer and man was in the
skirmish line, which was In reality our line
OF battle and even the number Of men hold
ing horses had to be reduced so that each
householder held eight horses. Until the In
dians were made to taste quite freely Of our
lead they displayed unusual hol,lness. fire.
quently charging upon the line, firing with
great deliheration AMI accuracy. Finding
their efforts TO force back the line unavaiing,
the Indians then reserted to another expedi
ent. By an evidently preconcerted plan they
set fire i'm seven PLACES to the tall grass which
covered the ground il front, hoping by this
means to force the troops back to the river
and then finish them at their pleasure. For
,unately there was 10 wind at the time, and
the grass was not dry enough to burn rapidly.
The Indians crept up under cover OF The
smoke and often obtained shot at compara-
lively close range. The troops adopted the
same tactics, with great success. AT about
O'Clock, after four houis fighting, General
Custer mounted his command and put the In
dians to fight without difficulty. The In
dians were followed until they had crossed the
river. 4a.
On August 11th General Custer's command
was discovered BY the Indians, who opened
brisk fire from the opposite side Ct the river
They soon began to appear in strong NAM
bers above and below the troops, and a brisk.
skirmish ensued, during which several liz
dians were killed. Believing the time Tor the
offensive had come, General Custer gave the
necessary orders and the troops moved for
ward to the tune of Garry Owen. The In
dians had evidently came out prepared TO do
their best, with no nisgiyings as to their sue
cess. as tile mounds and high bluffs beyond
the river were covered with groups Of squaWs,
old men and children, to witness our destruc-
ton. In this instance the proverbial power
OF music to sootie the savage breast utterly
tailed tor no sooner did the band strike up
the cheery notes Of Garry Owen, aud the
sanandron advance to charge. than the lhdi-
ans showed unmistakeable signs OF 'mmo-
| ton. and their resistance became more feeble
until finally satisfied OF the earnestness OF
our attack they turned their ponies heads and
began diserderly flight.
| THE SHAH's APPEARANCE.-A .correspon-
dent of the Louisville Courer-Jeurnal gives
the following unfiattering picture OF the
Shah: The Shah himself IS IN ugly euss.
He resembles closely the pictures OF the more
cruel Of his forefatbers contained III the early
editions OF the Arabian Nights. dare say
ne has caused many poor deyllss heaa W ue
chopped off on notice of five minutes, and
it would not surprise me TO learn that ne mas
/ trick of making himself widower three
or four times month. A fierce eyed, taiioW-
4 = - !, a