Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-25
KILOGRAMS TO THE STAR
This .af7crnoOa's Dispatches,
Associated Press Reports.
BATTLE WITH INDIANS!
THE YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION ATTACKED /!
Defeat Of the Redskins.
GaIIantry of Gen. Custer and his Troops
Forty InciaDs Killed and wounded
Our l. OsS Small.
The Expedition Homeward Bound

MUssEL SHE'LL RIVER, August 10, (via Fort
Benton, Mont IN :, August %. 1.-The abundant
preparation which the Yellowstone expedition
made for the RECEIPT on of the Indians has been
fully jus fled. Augrst4 4, General Custer with
Bloody Knife ard squadron had been detailed
by General Stanley to go several miles in a l.
ven g of the wagons and look up the road.
Having gone about IN miles ahead they halted
ard picketcd their ho-sS in the woods by the
river ID wait for the lain. Two hours after
made denominations t)wa-d The camp. A
dismOuntCd line of sk,rnshers were thrown out
and the horses ddlcd. The Indians were
easily driven off, but proved a decoy of large
parry in the neighborhood
WAITING IN AMBUSH
for the cavalry. Finding the ruse failed, Indians
to the number of three hundred boldly rode out
and advanced on the grove occupied by the cav
airy. Gen. Custer had only one squadron of
eighty men, under command of Capt. Mayhem.
The men again dismounted and form d a skir-
mish line. The Indians also dismounted and
formed a line in semi circle around the cav
airy, who had fhe river at their backs. A rapid
firing was kept up at a distance of four hundred
yards. Gen. Gustav deferred charging, hoping
the main command would soon come up and
assist in capturing the Indians After a three
hours tight his ann unition gave out. He then
CHARGED THE INDIANS,
who precipitately fed, dropping many of their
equipments. After retreating several miles
they took to the bad lands. One man slightly
wounded in the arm and one horse wounded,
formed the extent of Cpster's loss. While the
fight was going on several Indian lett the war
party In search of stragglers from the train, and
coming upon DR.. Housinger, veterinary sur
geon, and Mr.. Balarin, cavalry suttler, who
were less than a mile from the column, they
killed then and took their clothes and valua-
bles Private John Ball, Of the cavalry, while
out hunting, met similar fate. In this fight
two Indians we're killed and several wounded.
They lost several ponies.
CUSTER on THE TRAIL.
General Stanley directed General Custer to
take the cavalry. DUmbnrDO 40 nd
low the trail, and if possible overtake and pun
lsh the Indians. General Custer left on the
night of the sth On the morning of August
II, at daylight, Re was attacked by about 800
Indians, who me down the river and fired on
his camp. The firing was returned for two or
three hours, both parties using trees as cover.
party OF 300 Irdians then crossed the river
above and below the camp, and endeavored to
gain the bluffs in the rear. Men dismounted
and posted on the bluffs received them bravely
Inc Indians behind the ridges kept up CALLING
fire until
CUSTER ORDERED A CHARGE.
The men then mounted and pursued them
train came up and opened on the Indians across
the river with artillery. A few shots dispo.ed
of them and ended the fight.
This battle, which took place within two
General Custer and Adjuant Ketcham had
their horses shot under them; Lieut.. Braden
T was badly shot in the thigh private futile,
soldiers we're slightly wounded.
THE INDIANS LOSS
is estimated by General Custer at forty killed
and wounded. The Indians were well armed
with heavy rifles, and had an abundance of
ammunition. Some were dressed in clothc]
procured at the agencies. These were mainly
Uncapapas, supposed to be under command O..
Sitting Bull. and are also supposed to have
received their supplies from Fort Peck, on the
Mis- our.
THE EXPEDITION HoMRwARD BOUND.
The expedition arrived at Pompey's Pillar on
the 18th, and reached Mus5el Shell, LOO miles
from Fort Benton, on the 10Th, and is now
homeward bound. General Stanley expects to
reach Fort Rice by the 1st of October. The
health of the command is good. Lieut.. Braien
is getting on WELL