New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16

the waters edge. from which point the
could move down the river, following tn
pebbly beach referred to, the height of tn
river bank protecting them perfectly iron
our observation. Thus they would hav
placed themselves almost in the midst o
our horses before we could have becom
aware of their designs. Had they beeI
willing, as white men would have been, t,
assume greater risks, their success wOult
have been assured. But they feared w
might discover their movements and carcl
them while strung out along the marrow
beach, with no opportunity to escape.
few men on the bank could have shot dOwI
q vastly superior force. In this case the In
dams had sent on this errand about lon
| warriors.
| judging from the trail made along the
waters edge, they had already accom-
plished more than two-thirds of the dis
lance which separated them at starting
IRON the coveted prize, when l saw and
observed the strange movements OF the lone
warrior as he deliberately made his way
along the river bank. He was acting as the
lookout for the party of warriors at the foot
OF the high river bank, and kept them ad-
vlsed OF our movements. OF course when
Lieutenant Varnum and his party attempt
| cd the capture of the lookout his comrades
lnstlnctlvely supposed that we had discov-
cred their Intentions, and they turned and
| fled up the river when success was almost
within their grasp. Even after the fight of
the lookout on the bank TIE Indians below
could nave continued their movement in the
direction OF our horses unsupported and un-
discovered by our party. We only learned
OF their designs after the fight had terni-
mated.
TIE contest had now been going on almost
without interruption for several hours. 1t
boz
nearly three o'clock in the afternoon.
knew that we would soon be released from
all danger by the arrival of the main body
OF the expedition, but q serious question
presented itself. Many Of the men who
had been firing most necessarily now began
to complain that their stock Of ammuni-
ton was we'll nigh exhausted. They were
cautioned to use the few remaining rounds
as sparingly as possible. At the same time
sent a couple OF non-commiss iJned officers
quickly into the timber, instructing them
to obtain every round remaining in the
cartridge boxes of the hOrseholders and
the woun0ed. This gave us quite number
OF rounds, IS this supply mad not been
touched during the fight.
In this chapter, already extended to it's
full limit. fear l must omit many inter-
esting minor incidents. The reader can
Imagine how lengingly and anxiously both
officers and men constantly turned their
eyes to the high ridge OF hills, distant
nearly two miles, over which we knew we
would catch the first glimpse of approach
Ing succor. Oar enemies seemed equally
aware OF our hopes and fears, and, strange
to say, their quick eyes, added to better
points tor observation, enabled them to de.
tect the coming of our friends sooner than
dld we whose safety depended upon it.
Before we became aware of the fact that
succor was near at hand we observed an
unusual commOtion in the ranks of our ad-
versarles, and soon after a gradual with
drawal from in front of our right and a con-
centration of the forces opposite our left,
The reason for this was soon made clear to
us. Looking far TO the right and over the
crest of the hills already described. we
could see an immense column of dust rising
and rapidly approaching, We could not
be mistaken; we could not see the cause
producing this dust, but there was not one
OF us who did not say to himself, Relief is
at hand few moments later q shout
arose from the men. All eyes were turned
to the bluffs in the distance, and there we're
to be seen, coming almost with the speed
OF the wind four separate squadrons of
Uncle Sans best cavalry, with banners
lying. horses names and tails floating on
the breeze and comrades squirting forward
IN generous emulation as to which SQUAD |
ron should land its colors first in the light. |
IL was grand and welcome sight, buS we !
waited NOT to en- Joy it. |
Confident OF support and wearied from |
lighting on the defensive, now was our time |
70 mount our steeds and force our enemies |
20 seek safety IN tight, or to battle on more |
wen terms; IN moment we were in our
'addles and dashing after them. The only
We had was to drive at full |
peed for several miles force outnumber-
ne US tive TO one. In this pursuit We picked
~ few pOnles which the Indians vera |
compelled to abandon on account of wounds
n exhaustion. Their wounded, of whom
here were quite number, and their killed,
- afterward acknowledged by them when
hey returned to the agency to receive the
PROVISIONS AMI fresh supplies of ammuni-
ION which sentimental government. |
manipulated and directed by corrupt com.
insists upon distributing annual
', were sent to the rear before the fight of
he main body. The number of Indians
nd ponies killed and wounded in this en-
agement, as shown by their subsequent
omission, almost e4ualed that Of half our
ntlre force engaged.
That night the forces of the expedition
ncamped on the battle-ground. which was
early opposite the mouth of Tongue river.
~ tent was pitched under the hill from |
hich had been go unceremoniously dis.
lrbed at the commencement of the |
ght; while under the wide spreading
Of neighbOring cottonwood
uarded and watched over bv Borrowing
who kept up their lonely vigil
rough the night, lay the mangled bodies
two OF our companions of the march,
no, although not present nor partic-
sting in the fight. had fallen victims to the !
uelties of our foes. The description of
re manner in which this was brought about, :
I'd how by an accident the intelligence
our situation was carried back to the :
ain expedition, resulting in the prompt
rival OF the four squadrons to our assis- ,
r.-Gala<y for Juiy 7