The New York herald., 1874-09-22
COLONEL MILES EXPEDITION.
A Cannrd Exploded-The Troops FALL
ing Back for Supplies-DesPerate At
tack on Supply Train-The Killed
and Wounded.

4 A Canard ExplOded-The Troops FALL
ing Back for supplies-Desperate At
tack on a Supply Train-The Killed
and Wounded.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Sept. 81, 1874.
Special dispatches were sent out from Quincy,
ILL.,, last night concerning alleged Indian depreda-
ti0ns near Camp Supply, InGian Territory, and de-
clarlng that Colonel Miles had been compelled
to fall back to meet bis supplies; that he had
telegraphed General Pope Tor reinlorcements; !;
that one large supply train of thrty-six wagons
had been captured, the Assistant Wagon Master
had been killed, and the men compelled to aban.
don the tram, after desperate resistance bring
ing twenty-seven wounded into camp; that 300
stands OF arms together with a large amount OF
ammunition and cOmmissary stores, had fallen
into the hands OF the savages; that the Eighth
cavalry had come in from Arizona entirely destl-
tute, having lost all their supply and baggage
trains and joined Colonel Miles, command.
On inquiry at headquarters the story proves to
a canard. From Official dispatches received by
Lieutenant General Sheridan.
THE REAL FACTS
are obtained. Colonel Miles, in q despatch dated
on the 5th inst, seventy-hve miles south of Red
River, advised General Pope that he should fall
back for supplies. His despatch received by Gen.
eral Sheridan to-day is dated from his camp on
the Wachita River September Ia. and came via
Fort Dodge leaving there on the 17th. He says
j end that alter leaving the Canadian River
Major Lyman, commanding the escort to the sup
ply train, was attacked by from 800 to 400 Indians
on the morning OF the 9TH INST The Indians
charged the train several times and made every
effort to capture IT, fighting determinedly as 70
detain 1t for three days. The fight was very close
and the train was completely surrounded on the
third day the indians abandoned the attack, re.
treating southwest From all the information I
can get here since my arrival l believe tney
n Off no akad
Plains, and they were believed to have been led
by Satanta and Big Tree
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED
During the fight Lieutenant Lewis. Fifth infan-
try, was severely wounded in the knee Sergeant
Sergeant single, sixth cavalry; Private BurA,
Filth Infantry, and Wagon Master Sanford were
wounded the latter mortally The officers esti,
the wounded many more. Private PettiJohn, OF
the Sixth cavalry, was killed near the camp on
Mcclellan Creek on the 1lth. Lieutenant BALDWIN
will have informed you OF his successful encounter
with Indians while coming IN as bearer OF de-
spatches. A part OF the force that attacked MAJOR
Lyman attacked party OF six bearing despatcnes,
who entrenched themselves III the sand, and
snnro ser desperate hg no al day. IN Which tS one
compelled the Indians to retire. having killed
twe.ve Whenever we have fought them
comparatively slight loss on our side. The rivers
to the south are now so swollen as to be iInpas-
sable Tor wagons. am building bridge across the
Wachlta. The cavalry were Obliged TO swim their
horses on returning. The march back was even
more exnauStlng tDan tue advance, even with the
Indians IN our front, owing to the terrible and
continuous rains winch flooded the streams and
MADE the roads almost impassable, from which
1acts as well as because but bali rations OF forage
were furnished and the Indians had destroyed
much of the grass, the animals have come In ex-
hausted aud somewhat worn down.
Tnls command now occupies the valleys OF
McCieuan Creek, Sweet Water and the Wachita.
MAJOR Price's command Is camped near US, acting
independently.
General Pope, in communication enclosing
Colohei Miles, report, says that Colonel Miles has
force enough to beat any force that can be met.