The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-24

broke and ran. The battalion halted in the cap
tnrcd bluns, when an aide OF General Crooks de-
lvered the command to
CHASE FIGHTING
and advance directly north along the stream to the
Sioux village, supposed by the guides to be only six
miles distant Captain Noycs was TO follow
and support him, but before moving he
received counter orders, the Crows having changed
their opinion about the location Of the village.
Captain Nickerson was sent to direct Mills to re-
turn, but did not ovcrtake him until after he had
proceeded four miles Meanwhile Colonel Royal, in
command OF all the cavalry, but in immediate charge
OF the left OF the line, composed Of companies D. =,
and L OF the Third cavalry, Captain Henry, bat
talon commander, companies @ and G, under Cap
tain yarnliet, squadron commander, and Captain
Andrews troop OF the Second cavalry, had
terrible task to perform. Your correspondent was
with him through the fight and observed that he
manipulated his men under the difficult and
CONFLICTING ORDERS
from his superior with consummate skill, although
he could not prevent unnecessary sacrifice Of life
without risking the penalty OF disobcdience. The
ond the advance OF Captain Mills on the main ridge
by going up hollow on the left, behind successive
low hills One company after another was deployed
in line skirmishers, and fired with deadly effect
Every point OF vantage, northwest and south,
seemed crowded by them. The firing was checked,
however, by the cry that they were Crows, and
before the mistake was recognized they had
their pieces. Those on the highest crest
OF the main ridge, however, where hundreds OF
them were massed, maintained their ground and con-
tnued murdcrous fire. The cavalry on tho left saw
battalion disappeared the other side after his last
charge. A line OF infantry was all that kept them
from sweeping the whole ridge which had before
been captured from them and offered no protection
ing upon our left, where Colonel Royal was In COM
mand A moment moro and our steady advance
would have gained the left wing, position from
which it would have moved down the Sioux who
vance slowly, and as the centre was stationary
there fear OF going too far ahead. Meantime the
line holding them in check main the ridge aimed
accurately that great many Of the enemy slipped
the rocks and mounds to reach the flank, where
from the palisades dropping fire had already be-
gun. The soldiers were eager to charge. Had they
done so their exposure would have been shortened
order came from General Crook
TO FALL BACK
ana connect with the right Of the line, as to
centratc and make general advance. This move
ground, and from several points swept the
lower ridge In our rear with terrible
ennlading fire which pressed the line OF
retreat. Az the cavalry retreated slowly ON foot
on the TANKS and repulsed by the rcsolute cour
age or the men, who, although principally recruits,
stood their ground as bravcy as veterans. In form
Ing junction with the main command wide hollow
from the bluffs and the Sioux were already prepar-
ing to charge from both ends. They made every ex-
ertion to keep the command divided, and their
fighting at this moment was mastery. Colonel
fore an infantry company took position to protect
the retreat he was pressed back so that
his men found themselves suddenly In the
hollow, the Sioux charging upon them
down. Nine men were killed here and twenty
wounded. crossed over to the hill occupied by
the infantry moment before and just escaped an
onset OF the savages. Captain Henry was horribly
wounded in the head The infantry, taking position
behind the west incline Of the ridge, opened fire.
At this moment Captain Randall, seeing the peril Ct
the cavalry, set the Crows and Snakes ut full speed
into the hollow and the latter fought the Sioux no
bly,. One Of them, after Captain Henry had fallen,
stood and protected him until the soldiers made
dash and bore him on Sergeant Won
Mol separated In the retreat from his
company, and, surrounded by Sioux, was
rescued by Old Crow, single handed. As soon
as the junction OF the line was effected the Sioux
began to yield, and the infantry, under Majors Bur-
rows and Burt, drove them ut last from the high
cone which they had held SO long, The Snakes
caused their final flight and pursued party Of four
sioux two miles, killed them oil and took their
scaps. At one O'Clock the firing had ceased and
the whole command followed In pursuit but after
moving three miles forward the country appeared
40 dangerous that General Crook determined to fall
back to the point where the battle began.
THE crows DrssATisYIED.
Meanwhile the Crows were counselling on blufY