New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-13
Capt. Bates Fight with the Sioux.

Capt. Bates Fight with the Sioux.
The following is from an Omaha letter OF
July 20, to the New York Tribune:
Fort Brown stands at the head of the
little Wine River valley, l4G miles north of
Bryan, station on the Union Pacific rail-
road, s51 miles west OF Omaha. From this
post an expedition started out to attack the
Sioux. 1t was composed of Company b,
Second United States Cavalry, flfty-seven
men and two officers, Captain Bates com.
mandIng the expedition, and Lieutenant
Robinson commanding Company 3D." Lieu
tenant Young, Fourth Infantry, with twenty
Indian scouts and four citizens Washable,
chief of the Snake Indians, and $50 of his
warriors; total, 235. They left Camp Brown
on the evening of July |, and Travelled
rapidly all night. AS soon us the morning
lawned the troops and friendly Indians hid
in the bush, having made forty miles be-
tween L. M. and daylight. The night of
July > the command made distance of thirty
miles, and again hid as soon as light began
tO:appear. On the third, when it was dark,
the whole force mounted and pushed rapidly
forward Every one was in a state of eX-
element, for it was believed that another
day would usher in battle. AT 2:3O a. Nj.
halted, and sent back word to Captain
Bates and the troops that they were in sight
of the hostile camp. The ShOshone warriors
at once began to strip and.put on their war
paint, and the troops to load and fix their
carbnes for action. In about twenty minutes
all were in readiness and the friendly Indians
began to creep over the bluffs and steal
down upon the sleeping camp. The troops
followed on foot to the brow Of the hill, and
there below them and within rifle shot Law
the hostile camp. 1t was as still as death,
and not even dog barked. The sleeping
Indians evidently thought themselves secure,
and had taken no precautiOn to guard against
surprise.
Raising their fearful war-whoop the Sho-
shOnes rushed down upon the camp, the
troops at the same time charging. Captain
Bates led his troops to the edge of the vii
lagc, and the bewildered Indians as they
rushed from their lodges were shot down by
scores. Had the ShOshOne Indians sup
ported the troops with any degree of steadi-
ness, all would soon have been over and
hardly hostile Indian would have escaped
to tell the tale of the midnight attack. But
the ShOshOnes hung back, would not enter
the village, and cOntcnted themselves with
yelling and firing on their enemies from
distance. Soon the ponies of the Sioux at
traded their attention and then they seemed
more DESTROYS of stealing and plundering than
of fighting. 1t was in vain Captain Bates
and Lieutenant Young urged them to close
up and charge upon the Sioux; they seemed
satisfied to howl and steal.
The Sioux when first attacked were greatly
confused, but soon rallied and began to offer
a stout resistance. just beyond the village
and overlooking it was high and rugged
bluff, and to this the hostile Indians
retrcated, and opened rapid and destructive
fire on the troops in the village below. The
cavalrymen behaved calamity, and for a time
stood up against the shower of balls rained
down upon them; but being unsupported by
his Indian allies, aud hoping TO take the POI
sitiOn Of the enemy in the flank and drive
him from the bluff. Captain Bates fell back
out of the village, and put his men under
cover.
Lieutenant Young with his scouts occr-
pied part of the high bluffs and made every
lantly fighting he received a ball through
the leg above the knee and fell. The fight
here was desperate, Lieutenant Young Kill
ing several of the Sioux and losing one of
his scouts. At one time it was thought the
enemy would capture Lieutenant Young,
and but for the determined bravery of the
old Shoshone chief, Washable, Mr.. Frank
Ecotiey, and Mr.. Cosgrove, Young would
undoubtedly have fallen into the hands of
the Sioux. After the fall of Lieutenant
Young the ShOshones would not fight, and
Captain Bates was compelled to allow them
to withdraw.
At five O'Clock the friendly Indians, show
ing some disposition to attack, Capt. Bates
again pushed forward strong line of skir-
mishers toward the bluffs, but being unsup-
ported by Indians, after sustaining terrific
fire for some time, they were compelled to
retire.
The ShoShOncs having captured some 200
ponies, announced their intention of retreat
ing with their plumber, and seeing smoke and
signals from the hill occupied by the enemy,
captain Bates reluctantly ordered his troops
to retire.
The population of the hostile village was
over 700 souls, and of this number fully 400
were warriors so that counting the Wash
axle band, the Sioux Outnumbercd the attack
ing force nearly two to one. Thirty Sioux,
Cheyennes, and Arapahoes were killed in
their village and six more on the ridge, an
as many more were wounded. Their loss was
severe, and the punishment Of the band
ample,
The loss on the part of the attacking par.
ty was as follows:
Lieutenant Young, shot through the leo
dangerously; private George Picrson. com.
pany b, Second cavalry, wounded in hand
private Wesley Gable, company b, second
cavalry, shot through the arm, very severe
wound.
Private George French, company b, SECOND
cavalry, shot through the nose and one eye
| shot away.
Private James NJ. Walker, company b
second United States cavalry, shot in the
head and killed.
Private Peter Engell, company Il, second
United States cavalry, shot directly through
the heart.
A ShOshone warrior was shot through the
head and killed instantly, and four Others
were wounded.
A soldier named Ivens was reported killed
| i'm the first dispatches, but is not mentioned
in those last received from headquarters
Department of the Platte. The number OF
ponies captured by the friendly Indians and
troops was 230.
| The Indians attacked were a mixed ban(
of Cheyennes, ArrapahOes and Sioux. They
were known as dog warriors" and have lOns
been outlaws even from their own tribe. Fol
years they have deprecated upon the settlers
of the Wind River valleys, and every spring
and fall would come down and murder men
women and children. They were at wal
with the friendly ShOshOnes of whom they
have killed many.
| After raiding in the valleys, these hostile
Indians would retire to the Sioux reservation
and wait until another opportunity occurred
to steal and murder. From long immunity
from punishment they had become bold, ant
IL kIHos,.