The New York herald., 1876-09-12
THE OPERATING COLUMN DISSOLVED.
Unfortunate Result Of Theatrical
Campaigning.
ADOPTING INDIAN METHODS.
Movements Without Tents and Cooking
Utensils Not q Success.
.xxRRy's CAMP ON THE YELLOWSTONE,
NRAR 0LENDIvE CREEK, Sept 2, 1876,
Via BISMARCK, ID. T., Sept. IL, 1876.


The movement made by the column under the
immediate order Of General Terry the north bank
Of the Yellowstone has clearly demonstrated that
no considerable body Of Indians has crossed the
Yellowstone since the fight on the Little Big Horn.
General Terry's column returned to this point by
the valley OF Deer Greek, through which runs the
old Indian trail to Fort Peck, and no indications
were found that Indians had this year passed
over It.
NEWS OF RREsH TRAIL.
On the morning Of the slst of August, just as the
column had begun to march, courier arrived from
G.endive to General Terry with Information that
fresh trail had been discovered Of an Indian war
party, supposed to number $50 warriors. 1t was
also asserted that party of Sitting Bulls band had
attempted to cross the Missouri River near Ber-
thold, but they had been driven back by the Rees,
Mandans and Grosventres. General Terry i'm
mediately resolved to send the Seventh cavalry,
under Major Reno, to make circuit
OF forty miles to point designated
determining whes.~ ..r1 large body Of Indians had
crossed to the n.1tt kxnk of the Yellowstone. A
number Of Indian scouts accompanied Major Reno,
and they were to be posted on as far Buford
to completely scout the north bank Of the Yellow
stone.
NOTHING DISCOVERED.
A messenger arrived yesterday morning from
Major Reno bringing word that no signs of Indians
had been encountered. Colonel Hughes, Of General
Terry's stan, was Immediately sent with company
Of the cavalry, under command Of Captain Ball, to
look for ford to enable his command to cross over
70 the south bank Of the Yellowstone.
DISPOSITION OF TRooPs.
In obedience TO orders received from General
Sheridan the Fifth infantry win separate from the
command and move to Tongue River, where it viii
b stationed for the winter. -sosnsral ehesidan,s
order directs that the Twentysecond regiment also
should proceed to the same point, but as the order
= based on the idea that General Terry had con-
tinued his march toward the Little Missouri the
obey It literally. He will, therefore, take with him
In his march to the Little Missouri the Twenty
second infantry and the Montana troops as well as
the Seventh cavalry. This will give him
an efectve force Of about 1000 nghting men, Up to
last night no rumon had been received from Gen.
eral Crook, although he promised to communicate
within eight days. As result 1t Is impossible for
General Terry to so direct his movements as to In
diligently cooperate with Crooks column.
WANT OF COOPERATION.
There Is no doubt but that the want of success Of
the present campaign has been caused in great part
BY the absence Of frank cooperation among the
higher officers. 1t is openly stated that rvalries and
jealousies have in great part contributed to the
of success and have been directly the cause Of the
Little Big Horn massacre. It would be well II Con-
gress would investigate the whole matter. Some
curious and important light would be thrown the
sinister events Of the campaign, and the RESPONSE
bility Of the gross mismanagement and laundering
that has marked the operations from the beginning
10 the present day would be fixed on the proper
parties.
THE CAMPAIGN ENDED.
The campaign, SO far as General Terry's column is
considered, Is generally regarded among the officers
- At an end and all hope Of achieving anything this
year u over
1t IL needless to say that the reports published in
some Of the Eastern papers Of great battle be-
tween Terry's column and the Indians is wholly un
bunded, and we have not seen half q dozen hostile
indians since we left camp at the mouth Of the
Rosebud three weeks ago.
When Major Reno went on his last scout he was
furniahed with positive orders not to engage the
Indians In case he should discover their trail
but to report Immediately to General Terry.
WINTER QUARTERS.
five fAil to meet with the Indians by the tune we
strike the Little Missouri the Twenty second regi-
msnt win be sent back to Tongue River in order to
enable them to build their quarters before the
arrival OF the cold weather. The Montana troops
win also be sent away 80 that they may be under
shelter for the winter. They are sadly in need Of
rest and food. Their cavalry horses are in q very
poor condition
Captain Bali has just returned, and reports that
be has found no practicable ford A heavy smoke Is
visible In the Bad Lands on the south bank
Of the river. 1t is thought to be made
BY the camp fires OF General Crook,
who was to have reported to-day. Dispatches have
lust been received from Colonel Reno. He states
that Indian trails are visible between here and
the Missouri on the North bank.
NO NEWS FROM CROOK.
No news has been received from General Crook,
although the time when he should communicate
has expired. General Terry Is sending out
party OF scouts to determine whether
the smoke in the Bad Lands is caused
by Indian fire or Crooks camp fires.
The General Is greatly puzzled as to what course
pursue In the absence OF Information from General
ossok. ~ soon - he has word from Crook opera