Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-05-15

the herd, as body of three hundred Indians
make terrific charge to capture 1t; the u.
tillery opens upon them before the men ses
the herd surrounded; Tremendous hle 70
opened from the hills on the eide Of camp rs
the herd Is gathered; the artillery checks .',e
career Of tho charging party; tne'"eiu =.
driven to camp by half OF the men VINO went
ont and the other half kneels down ana opens
a raking fire on the charging squadrons, seno-
ing many of them reeling from their saduies
and turning them in an opposite direct'o"
In this action one of our best AMI Draves'
men was killed, L. Yates, of RadersburR nc
is quickly carried to camp; two OF their Des'
horses rush into our herd before getting ih.o
the corral; the Indians keep up an unsteady
fire. scattering in every direction arouno
camp; one party coming close to camp Dy
the he'd of the creek and under cover OF the
steep banks on either side. They get lew
shots into the corral, killing one norse' -
being impossible to shell them out owing 20
the position OF the guns. A charge Is oruereu
and twenty men in open order rush uow"
the hill. under a well directed fire, gain
small gulch to rest before making the hnai
assault. The orderis again.given, aud when q
heavy fire again opens from above on Tue
hills to the east of camp-evcry moment IS
precious. The Indians arc routed and slaugh-
te ring commences They are 80 terror-strick-
Gu they drop their arms and run In every
direction: several are dismounted and IRE
carried off by their comrades; the men re-
turn to camp under dissolute fire from the
hills, slowly and steadily waving some soaps
at their inveterate enemies. On the south sue
the Indians keep up steady fire from behind
a high bluff making it unpleasant to walk
around camp. Another charge Is determined
upon-thirty men arc led by the Adjutant-
a few good shots from camp keep the lndians'
heads down until the charging party arrive
on the south side of the hill, when the lndi-
ans are taken by surprise and take to flight
1--WE Of them are arrested in theincourse by
few we'll directed bullets, many others car
rying off numerous bullets in their flight
One of the Indians killed in this charge
proves to be Chief. his dress deEeting his
rank. The Indians make desperate efforts to
save his scalp. but without avail. In fact, nc
civilized warfare ever witnessed moro deter.
mination to carry of their dead and wounded
They all retire beaten, baffled and democrat
lied. Tho herd is turned out to feed for
few hours, when camp IS broken. The mum
Der of Indians supposed to have taken part
In this fight is about five hundred.
AS we advance the country becomes more
billy and rugged until ascending high ridge
VIC come in view Of Little Big Horn river
The road now desccnds to the river about
two miles distant which is reached and cross'
ed in good order during the day. The lndi'
ans keep watching US on The north side
while travelling. A large valley of unknown
length runs along this river; it is OF the rich
est soil; it is crossed over and camp is made
on beautiful tablc-land extending for miles
in every direction commanding a view of the
surrounding. Large herds OF buffalo are to
be seen here. A heavy snow storm sets in
which melts on the ground as fast as it falls
1tlasts two days making it very disagreeable
ing considerable distance from camp strong
force Of men go together each time and re-
turn win s"mclcnt to last al day. A few
Indians come IL sight on the opposite side OF
the river, one of them riding peace cjrcle''
and then crossing on this side, but knowing
their professions of friendship, he is left to
lavish it or something else. Here the remains
Oh l ates are buried and the mud being deep.
Ill signs Of a grave are quic ly obliterated.
LIE numerou breast-works making it impossi-
Die for the Indians to detect his grave.
Before leaving this camp a vote is taken
On the question Of going to Goose Creek or
'eturnins to Bozeman. The officers abstain
rom voting. 10 men vote for Goose Creek
md II for Bozcman, but after dispensing !,
becomes evident that a majority Of the men
re IN favor Of going to Bozeman; but. be-
leving that should they vote for returning 10
'ozeman it might he construed as meaning
owardice, they chose Goose Greek, 10 pre-
erve their laurels. The men who voted
'ozeman did as good service, and, with few
RECEPTIONS, are as brave men rs are in the
The Captain states to the men
nat ne IS willing to lead them wherever
icy decide 10 go, the minority being bound
decision of tho majority. Camp is
roken, the route chosen from here being in
northeasterly direction, The horses arc
'nerlns from epizootic. The ground is very
uddy and the teams labor heavily, travel
g about three miles. Camp is made on
rass Lodge creek, another large valley
ne creek is heavil, timberetl with hard wood
various kinds and fruit trees in variety.
Is mere decided to abandon some of the
avlest wagons IN tho train, owing to the
addy ground and the condition of teams
a'ch are rapidly falling of: Three large
lsons are burnt up before breaking camn.
In the afternoon about fifteen Indians drive
TWO plckets short distance toward camn.
ooting at them several times. The nickets
reinforced aud the Indians etire.
sefo'e leaving this camp shell with ,ric. q
primer and lanyard attached is buried Z
u were human remains, with head
,ro' etc. the lanyard being visible a few 4
mes. Camp Is broken and we travel ~, q
Ass Lodge creek about one-l,alf mile and Z Z
So over to its south side. The rear ,-,,.., I
'''ns back longer than usual on aeconn.
Indians. After the last team cros. n
.c creek the rear guard comes closer ~ q
"a'"' large patch of timber is ON o,r a
AS we trayel up this bottom abont on
Us distant frtm thu too.L.,, CIV