The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-09-09

named Ridgley, who has been a long
time in the Yellowstone country, and
claims to have witnessed Clusters mas
sacre, being prisoner in Sitting Bulls
camp and seeing every movement Of
the troops. He was taken prisoner
last March and kept in the camp Of the
Indians ever since Until the Custer |
massacre he was treated kindly. He
says Sitting Bull organized, not to fight
the whites, but to drive the miners |
from the Black Hills Previous to
Clusters attack. mounted couriers from
Sitting Bulls camp had for eight days |
watched his forces Their division into |
small detachments being noted with |
manifestations Of extreme delight. Am
buscades were immediately prepared,
and while the Indians stood ready for
attack. many of them clambered on |
the side hills overlooking Clusters line
Of march. The Indian camp was di-
vided by o bluff. the point of which
ran toward the Rosebud and in the di
rection of one of the available fords on
the river. To reach their camp by this
ford, Custer followed their trail down to
the waters edge. There were but IS
tepees visible to Custer, but there were
seventy five double tepees behind the
bluffs not visible Custer attacked the
small village, and was immediately met
by 1900 or 1000 Indians in regular
order of battle. Every movement was
made with military precision. Ridgloy
says he stood on the side hill. which
was not more than one and half mile
distant. Custar began the fight in
ravine near the ford, and fully half of
| bis command seemed to be endorsed at
| the first ire. Then the soldiers retreated
toward the hill in the rear. where they
were shot down on the way with aston
ishing rapidity, tho commanding officer
the engagement, which commenced ut
IL A. NJ, and did not last over IS min
utes. After the massacre of Clusters
force, the Indians returned to camp
with SIX soldiers as prisoners, and dsli~
rious with JOY over their success $. these
six men were tied to stakes at a wood
pile in the village and oil burned to
death While the flames were torturing
them to death. the Indian boys fred red
hot arrows into their quivering flesh
until they were dead. Sitting Bull
was met after the fight, and he
cxultantly remarked that he had killed
many soldiers and on damned Cen
eral. but did not know who he was.
The squaws then armed themselves
with knives. visited the battle field aud
robbed and mutilated the bodies of the
soldiers. While the six soldiers were
being burned, the Indians turned their
attention to the forcc.-evidently Reno's
attacking the lower end Of the village.
Ridgley says Clusters command had
been slaughtered before shot was
fired. Reno's force attacking the lower
end of the camp at about r NJ. The
Indians returned in the evening and
said the men had fought like the devil
but Ridgley says they didn't make any
statement Of their losses They said
the soldiers had been driven back twice,
and they piled up stones. and the at
tack was unsuccessful. The prisoners
we're kept burning over an hour but
Ridgley WAS not permitted to speak
to them. SO he is unable 10 state
who they were. One was notice
able for his email size and grey hair
and whiskers. Reno killed more In
dams than Custer, who fell in tae
midst of the fight. aud two captains,
believed to be Gates and Keogh, were
left to die. The night after the massa-
ere the Indians were wild with delight;
many go. drunk on whisky stolen from
the whites, and the squAws performed
the duty Of guards for the prisoners.
The squsws becoming drowsy. Ridgely
and two companions escaped. securing
ponies, and began a journey homewari.
They ate game and lay in the woods
four days TO avoid the Indians On the
way Ridgley's horse stumbled. breaking
his arm, but the party finally reached
Fort Abercrombie, and thence Riigley
came here.
He describes Sitting Bull as half
breed, of large size, very intelligent.
with peculiar gait.
NEW YoRg. Sept. S.-Thc Canadian
Rifle team arrived here today They
have gone TO Creedmore Range. where
the several teams arc practicing for the
international match.
ROCHESTER, Sept. s.-Oeks Corners,
the murderer, was hanged az Canardai-
qua yesterday. He made speech &C
cusing Webster and Mrs Crandall Of
having committed the deed for which
he suffered
CHICAGO, Sept. s.-Duriug the pa
rade Of the HAYES and Wheeler process