Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-08-29
The Yellowstono EXPEDITION.



MussEL SHELL RIVER, August 10, via Foni
Benton, MONTANA, August % The abundau
preparations which the Yellowstone Ezpedi
ton made for the reception Of Indians hay,
been fully justified. On August 4, Genera
Custer, with Bloody Knife md squadron o
cavalry, had been detailed BY General STANLEY
to go on several miles in advance Of the wag,
ons and look up the road. Having gone about
ten miles ahead, they halted and picketed
their horses In the woods by the river. Two
hours aftcrward ak Indians appeared on the
plain and made o demonstration toward the
camp.
A dismounted line Of skirmishers was thrown
out and horses saddled. The indiana were
easily driven, but proved "a decoy Of largo
party in the neighboring wood waiting in
ambush for the cavalry Finding that the
ruse failed, the Indians, 10 the number OF
three hundred, boldly rode out and advanced
on the grove occupied by the cavalry.
General Custer had only one squadron, o!
eighty men, under the command OF Captain
Moylan, The men again dismounted and form
ed skirmsh line. The Indians also dis
mounted and extended line in semi-crcle
around the cavalry, who had the river Mt their
backs. Rapid firing was kept up at distance
of four hundred yards General Custer de-
ferred the charge, hoping that tho main com
mand would soon come up and assist In cap
turing the Indians
After a three hours fight his ammunition
gavr ont. He then charged the Indians, who
prccipitately fed dropping many of their
Equipments. After retreating several miles
they took to the "bad lands" One man
wounded slightly in the arm, and one horse
wounded, formed the extent of Custer loss.
While the fight was going on several lDdi-
ans left the war party in search Of stragglers
from the train. Coming upon Dr.. Hous;nger,
veterinary surgeon, and Mr. i}alarain, the
| cavalry sntler, theg killed them and took their
horses and galuables.. Private John Ball, Of
the casairy, met a similar fate 70 this fight
two Indians were killed and several wounded
They also lost several ponies
PURSUIT AND ANOTHER BATTLE.
General Stanley directed General Custer 10
take the cavalry, numbering four hundred and
City men, follow tho t'aii, and, IL possible,
overtake and punish the Indians. On the
morning Of August I, at daylight, he was 1T
tackled By nbout eight hundred iniiana who
came down TO tic riser and fred Oh bis camp.
The aring wac returned for two or three huurs,
both partica using tho trees 30 a cover
q partY of three hnudged Indians thor Cross
cd the riyer above and below the camg and en-
deavcred 10 gain the bluff in tie reGr The
men disnouated, posted on The bluffs, roeeiy-
cd them hrsyely. The Indiana behind tie
rlGgos Kept Up II galling i.re unhi ten. Cpater
ordered Il charge The men then mounted and
pursued them eight niles. Just at This mo-
meDt tho train came up and opened on the In
dians across the river with artillery. few
shots dispersed them and ended the fight
The battle, which look piece within two
milcs Of the Big Hogu, was fierce oae. Gen
Custer and AdjniaHi Kelehn,a had their hose
sos shot from undet them. Lieutenant Pradcn
was badly shot in the thigh Private futile,
General Custer orderly, was killed, and 20
soldiers eighty wounded. reas horses wer-
killed and three wounded
Tho Indians loss Ia estimated BIZ Gen Gus
ter al forty killed md wounded The Indians
were well araled with heavy rifles and had
abundsnt ammunition. Some were dressed il
clothes procured at tho agencies These were
generally Uncapapss. gappcsed to be under
command Of Sitting Bali also supposed to
have received their sapriiss from Fort Peck,
on the mississippi.
The expedition reached Pomphseyss Pillar
on the 10th, arrived OF Mussel siheii, oae hun
drel and fifty miles from Fort Benton, on the
letll, and s Gov bolneward bound General
Stanley expects TO reacb Fort Rico by the LIST
OF October RE health OF tho command is
good Lieut. brGdon is getting on we'll