The New York herald., 1874-09-26
Details of the Movements or Gen.
eral Miles Expedition.
TERRIBLE MARCH THROUGH A DESERT
Brilliant Attack of the Troops Upon the
Entrenched SavageS.
SUCCESSFUL USE CT THE ARTILLERY.
HEADQUARTERS INDIAN EXPEDITION,
OK RATTLE CREEK PAN HANDLE Texas

1Ouf SeFFtSpohucbt totncu tuis COIuiuduu cary
in August at Fort Dodge. Kansas. Al that time 1t
was fitting out Tor a protracteu campaign against
hostile Indians, who for the TWO months previous
had been numbering pioneer settlers, stesing
cattle and horses IN Southern and Western hah-
sas Eastern Colorado and Northern Texas IL
was evident that all the savage tribes IN tne IN
dian Territory were engaged IN these murueihs
and thieving raids upon the irontier settleihcn's
and were apparently conlederated, ther oepreua-
tions extending over vast suetch Oh country III
all directions. Indian agents were driven from the
agencies and employees kiled ana seaipeo' ony
the nresence OF troops at or near some agencies
prevented the uprising of large bodies OF treach-
erous redskins. The young braves from the Chey-
enne Arapahoe Comanche, Kiowa and Apache
tribes could not be controlled by their old cnefs,
and took the field in open hostilities. The peace
policy of which much has been tavoraoiy re-
ported, was found non-enective, and the authorl-
ties were satisfied that only severe thrashlng
would teach these Indians to respect the instruc-
tons OF their agents and the authority of the gov
ernment
Accordingly four columns OF troops were Or
dered 10 take the field, with the view TO punish
with terrible force the hostile bands one column,
consisting OF 500 cavalry ana infantry with artil-
lery commanded by Brevet Major General Nelson
A. Miles, Colonel Fifth infantry. concentrated at
Fort Dodge, to march to the Antelope Hills, via
Camp Supply. Another force cooperating COM
mandel by Brevet Colonel W. X. Price, Major
Eighth cavalry rendeZvoused at Fort Bascom,
New Mexico, 70 march east across the Pan Handle
OF Texas. Brevet Brigadier General Ronald Nc
Kenzie Colonel Fourth cavalry, commands COL
umn 10 march north from Fort Concho, Texas
while Brevet Brigadier General George z. Buell.
Lieutenant Colonel Eleventh Infantry, commands
force to march west, the idea evidently being to
hem the Indians in on all sides and strike them
wherever found. AS these troops are operating
IN stretch OF country 500 miles square. over
every portion OF wbicn Indians are found, some
idea OF the magnitude of the undertaking may be
formed, particularly in country so barren and
destitute OF water and grass as is this section.
la addition TO the troops there was
detachment of scouts, First Lieutenant Frank
D. Baldwin, Filth Infantry, commanding
and about one hundred citizens, all well
armed and equipped. serving as teamsters,
guides, scouts. &C. among whom were
twenty Delaware Indians employed scouts,
Falling Leaf, the old Delaware chief, included.
The wagon train numbered sixty wagons and five
ambulances, carrying supplies for the outfit, be-
sides the necessary equipage and ammunition.
With this limited transportation there was little
show or much personal comfort for either officers
or men. In ordinary campaigns tentage is allowed,
but III the WORK aid out for this dying column
the luxury OF tent was not to be thought OF, and
shelter fys such as were used during the war
were strapped to knapsacks and saddles.
TIE PERSONNEL OF THE EXPEDITION.
The General commanding the expedition Will be
favorably remembered by many OF the HERALD
readers as the deservedly popular and gallant
commander OF the First division, second ("Han-
cocks fghttng'D CORPS Joining the Army Of the
Potomac as Captain in the Twenty-second
Massachusetts inlanHy in the ial OF 1861,
he left it, when disbanded, Major General
OF Volunteers. OF the ned ana line oficers
OF the command tue greater number saw
hard service during the war, ana since have been
constantly employed in extensive Indian opera
tions in Texas Kansas. New Mexico and Indian
neutrality-suspicious. that has proved inv aluaDle
during the last ten days.
The expedition marched to Camp Supply, on the
government trail, in battaions, the better to IA
citate the move Lieutenant Badwin's scouts
having been despatched at once lor the Red River
country. The First battalion under the command
OF Colonel Bristol Filth iniantry, started on the
7th OF August followed by Major Is man, Fifth in.
fantry, on the 10Th OF August, escortng portions
OF the supply traln the main column, under Cen
erai Miles, leaving Fort Dodge the 9Th and ar
irving at Supply the 18th OF August. The
ground was parched and dusty, with no water
distances apart, on the trail impregnated with
alKali No rain had fallen for mon his. The troops
and animals suffered severely from excessive
thirst, aggravated by the dust and heat. AT CamT
Supply the column halted tor one Gay 10 replensf
the stock OF supplies and to prepare dnally Tor the
long march Into the wilderness that stretche!
hundreds OF miles In a south-southwesterly direc
zion. On the morning OF the 18th, at an earl
hour, the column was in motion, taking the oil
Indian trail running to the Antelope Hills. Lieu
tenant Baldwin's scouts had preceded the troop
for some days, securing the country for miles e
either side OF the trail singly or in parties OF tw
or three. Evidences OF the presence OF Indian
were seen on all sides, and frequently pckets
with field glasses were deserted lurking benin
the buf1s, Watching the progress OF the command
No large band was encountered, however, and th
line OF march lay through broken country sm
lar IN most respects TO the plains in general, wit
the exception tina: better water and more WOO
was found during the first few DAYS. On the 2st
Lieutenant BALDWIN, Fifth infantry, and party
scouts Tor the first time reported, having hat
during their ABSENCE near Adobe alls, Texas,
TWO FIGHTS WITH INDIANS,
sustaining no loss, out lnnlctlng loss Of sever;
killed and wounded upon the enemy. They
ported the main camp Of hostile Indians south
tue Antelope His, on the headwaters OF the trib
tsries OF Red River. Now the chase began Il
trail running southwest, crossing Custer's (ls6
A. right angles near the north fork OF Red Rive
Camp was broken daily at i've O'Clock A. NJ, al
the command, with train, marched twenty fl
miles daily EXPERIENCING bardsnips and privatlo
seldom endured. No water was discovered Ia 6
beds OF streams and only at long intervals we
found holes OF stagnant water, impregnated wi
gypsum and o. the consistency OF syrup. M
rushed IN frenzy and drank, only to find tn
thirst increased rather than Stacked. Even con
boiled in Il was found so bitter that it could not
drank. The neat was unendurable, the thermo
eter ranging above one hundred degrees dai
The march was simply terrible journey through
barren waste--desert as it is. on the 27th t
main Indian trail was struck at the Sweetwat
and foIswed The morning OF the 25th 1t was pla
that the savages were out short distance ahea
Inc main train was TINS day lett behind in ord