New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-04


called here, The command divided, quarter forage
issued to the animals and days raons to the men,
Gen. Reynolds, with six companies OF cavalry ana nan
the scouts moved from camp at 10 and marched
towards Powder River, leaving four companies ana the
packtraln behind These Gen. Crook was 20 bring to
the stream at the mouth Of Lodgopole Creek Inc
Sht bitterly cold and tbe high mountain ridges
snow lay foot d,er. Light fell during the first
part OF the night but not enough TO prevent the scouts
from following, dark 1t wac, fresh Indian tran
leading towards Powder River. The country
was terribly rough and broken, that the com
panies experienced much difficulty In keeping the
column in good order At 400 a. M We had
marched 80 miles and near as we could tell,
near the Powder River breaks halt was called here,
and the column took shelter in ravne. No fires we're
allowed 90 be kindlcd, nor even match lighted The
cold intense than had yet felt and seemed
to be at least 800 below Tho command remained
here till about O'Clock doing their utmost to keep from
freezing the scouts meantime going out to reoonnoter
At this hour they returned reporting larger and rcsher
trail leading down TO the river, which was about four
miles distant. The column Immediately started on this
trail The approach the river seemed almost mpractl-
cable Before reaching the final peeipces which over
looked riverbcd the scouts discovered that village
of about 100 lodges lay in the valley at the foot OF the
bnfs 1t was now 8 o'clock. The sun shone
brightly through the cold, frosty air. The
column halted, and Major Noyess battahon'
Cd Cavalry, was ordered up to the front.
II consisted OF Company l. Cd Cavalry Capt H. E. NOycs
and Lieut. C. T. Hail. and Company X, Cd Cavalry, capt
James Esar. This battalion ordered to descend 10
the valley and while Capt Egan charged the camp Capt
Moves was 10 cut out herd OF horses feeding close oy
and drive il I'D the river With this column Lieut.
Bourke OF Gen. Crooks staff and r. T. StrahoTn went as
volunteer aids Capt Moore'5 battalion, consisting OF
Company f. 81 Cavalry Capt Alex Moore and Lieut. Is
Reynods) and Company +, "a Cavalry First Lieut. W.
c. Rawolle and Lieut.. f. H. sbley) ordered to dis
A 1olc he cd
don covering the eastern side of the village, opposite
that from which Capt. Egan was 10 charge
Major Stanton accompanied this column Capt
MISS battalion was ordered to follow hs@n'
disInounted, and support him In the engage
ment which might follow the charge. These columns
began the descent of the mountain, through gorges
which were almost perpendicular and it seemed almost
impossible that horses could be taken through them
Nearly two hours occupied in getting the horses OF
the charging column down these rough sides OF the
mountain and even there, when a point was reached
where the men could mount their horses and proceed
toward the village in tho valley beneath Moores
battalion had not been able TO gain its position on the
eastern side after clamberDg along tie edges OF the
mountain few Indians could be seen WIN inc htFu'
driving them the edge OF the river but nothing Ddi-
Gated that they knew OF our approach Just AT
9 o'clock Capt Egan turned the point OF INC
mountain nearest the river, and first in walk and
then in a rapid started for the village The company
went first in column OF twos but when within go yards
OF the village the command Left front into line was
given. and with yell they rushed into the encamlmeht
Cant Moves bad in the mean time wheeled 10 the night
and started the herd the river With the yell OF the
charging column the Indians sQang up as 10y mage ami
poured in n rapid fire from all sides Egan charged
through ard through the village before hoorcs ana
Mllss battaons got within supporting distance and
finding things getting very hot formed his line III some
high willows on the south side Of tho camp from which
point he poured in rapid vocys upon the indians Up
to this time the Indians supposed that one company was
all they had TO contend with. but when the other
battaIions appeared rapidly advancing, depioycd as
sknshers and pouring CALLING fire OF musketIy they
broke 1n all sides and took refuge in the rocks along the
side OF the mountain. The camp, consisting ol AIp
lodges with immense quantities OF robes fresh meat
and plundor of all kinds with over 200 head VI horses
was in our possession The work Of burning began i'm
inedatey, and the whole cncainpmens was III
flames. Large quantities OF ammunition. especially
powder were stored in tho tepees and explosions foi-
lowed the burning Of every tent The camp was wen
supplied with bedding cooking uoDsis ana clothing all
from Rcd Cloud Agency while fixed ammunition per
cusson caps. lead and powder we're IN great Abundance
While the work Of demolition going on under
tho direction Of Gen Reynolds. the Indians poured
in a wel-lirocted Gre from the sides Of the noun
lin and from every available Eding-plaee. Not
satisfied with this they made determined attack on The
troops about noon. with view 20 rcgninS possession
OF the camp. Capt Malls, VINO bad charge OF the skr-
Inc. perceived their movement haAt
Gitional men These sent in promptly from Egans,
Noyes's Lieut. j. b. Johnson's, Lieut. RawoIlo's, and
Capt Mooe'- companies. and the attack quickly and
handsomely repulstd, the IEdi4ns retiring IN disorder
After the work OF destruction had been completed, the
withdrawal OF the troops began, Lieut. q l. Han "a
Cavalry drawing the last lire Of krnishors, and the
whole command moved rapidly up The rver 20 miles 10
the mouth OF LodgepJle Creek whore II went into camp
after two DAYS and one night OF constant marching
The camp attacked that Of Crazy Horse, who Is
chief of the Only remaining band Of OGaala sioux how
openly hostile. The usual estimate employed la mum
berng Indians is persons to lodge or eree Ihs
wonld give over 200 Indians in the encampment, but
there did not seem be five hundred IN this one
Probably several war parties ont pundcrng ex-
ped.tions at the Of the attack. what tue Indian
loss was could not be asccraintd, but about 80 were
Killed near the camp and doubtless many more fell I'M
der tho sharpshootng of the troops Our casualties were
as follows:
Sergeant Peter Dovdy. Company T. 81 Cavalry.
Private George Schneider, Company X, ~ cavalry
Private Michael McCaminOn, Company l., ga cavalry
Private George T.. Ayrrs, Company VI, Sd cavalry.
WOUNDED.
Arfcer Pltrfck Gongs, Co. X, I'd Cavalry flesh wound
Private Edward Egan, Co. X, Cd Cavalry, right lower
par OF chest, dangerously.
private John Droege Co K % Cavalry, through left
arm. r. - a., ,.,.. .,,.h III,
Sergeant Chas Kaminsh Co. NJ, Sd Cavalry, left knee
! slightly.
Lieut. Bourke Mr.. strahorn, and Hospital Steward W.
C. Bryan went with Egan on the charge and behaved
with decided galian;ry The last named had horse
killed under him. and Lieut.; BouTkc had his brldlerein
/ shot away Capt. Egans horse shot through tho
! neck, and most OF the horses IN his company were
wounded and nearly every man had bnetholes through
clothing or equipments Lieut.. Bourke and Mr. Strihorn
conspicuous for their GOODNESS and courage through
| out tho engagement.
Tho Indians occupied what seemed to them lmpreg-
nabe CAMP The walls Of the mountains on both sides