The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-24
OUR HALF-STARVED ARMY.
THE BOMEWIRD MARCH FROM AN
NOTORIOUS CAMPAIGN.
Men Broken Down by Hunger and sickness
Living on tho Prickiy Cactus Berry Our
Soldiers shooting their own Horses.


Living on tho Prickiy Cactus Berry-Our
Soldiers shooting their own Horses.
BIvoUAc ON OWL CREEK, ID. T., Sept. 10.
My last letter was sent from the banks OF the
Yellowstone river. Crooks column marched up
the Powder on Aug. "a, facing a severe storm,
and expecting that Terry and his command
would follow; but on account OF news that the
Sioux were In the vicinity OF Glendlye creek, and
had fred upon one Of his steamboats,, Terry
moved down the river instead, since which we
have not seen him. On the 18th the trail OF the
Sioux, which we had before abandoned was re-
sumed and followed to OFallens and Cabin
creeks, where IL scattered. On the 18th severe
storm encountered, and our already ex-
hausted animals were injured thereby Six or
eight were shot every day. Not since the column
left Fetterman had full ra.ions been issued, and
since May Is the men had eaten little or no fresh
meat. The result was what had been anticipated
by many -dysentery Of q severe form, called by
the medical director Of the expedition, DR.
Clements, scurvy Of the stomach. Nearly 200
men were at one time sick. To enable these as
well as our stock to recuperate, and doubtless
for other equally good reasons, Gen. Crook lin
gerod In the vicinity OF Beaver creek for several
days, our stock Of provisions meanwhile rapidly
decreasing.
must not omit TO mention the exceeding
beauty and fertility OF this region. As grazing
section It surpasses anything have ever seen,
and perhaps nothing like II is found upon the
continent Even upon the highest hills and
ridges Of this rolling prairie, there could be cut
and cured excellent hay. Gen. HAHN. In his
wholesale condemnation Of the region lying be-
tween the Missouri river and the Rocky Noun
tains, ought to except this particular section.
Indian signs were frequent, and Ave aban-
reached the Little Missouri at Its junction with
Da,iss creek on the ith; Here its rolling Is
and its banks are covered with underground
and timber. The wild cherries and bunalo
berries which here grow in abundance, had
beneficial eject upon our scurvy-threatened
men. On the 9Th instant we marched up Davis =
creek and eastward twenty miles, our scouts
putting 70 flight about Twenty-Five sioux NOV,
Ing northwsrd. AT this point Gen. Crook seemed
to change his mind as to our proposed destina-
tion, and instead Of going into Fort Abraham
we left that point three days march in our rear,
and moved south. in the direction Of the Black
Hills, supposed to be distant over ls0 miles. "A
we had but two aud half days ratlons,
and about LOO men. thl.. appeared 10
Every one was Immediately reduced to
nomlnally half rations," but in fact to about
one-quarter OF the authorized allowance. The
bacon and much Of the hard bread dam
aged, and the issue soon ceased. Coree was
continued in small quantities The sugar be
antelopes that the men could Kill, and to horse
flesh. Mon shot their own horses In several In
by order and issued to the command. The cac-
tus berry was eagerly sought, and even this
prickly vegetable Itself was peeled, fried into a
gutinous and tasteless mass and thus eaten.
Still there was no fear Of starvation so long AS
our stock was not stampeded, and this We took
good care to prevent.
on the night Of Sept. Gen. Crook sent Capt.
Anson Mills, Lieuts Crawford, Won Lentwtz,
| and Schwatka, and 80 men of the Third Caval-
ry, accompanied by Lieut.. Butt, Acting Com
missary Of Subsistence, upon his stan, with di-
rections to go rapidly to Deadwood In the Black
Hills, and procure beef and general supplies ON
this night and that OF the sth We were bivouack-
and as II rained constantly suffering was expe-
rienced. Still there murmuring, but
officers and men alike bore their deprivations In
| comparative cheerfulness although few saw
| any necessity for being reduced to such n con-
dillon. Raw antelope and horse flesh was de-
youred with that relish which a long march Gre
ates, but the absence OF salt Through some
bodys mlstakel was a serious drawback to en-
Joyment: Indian signs were more frequent
and fresher.
Yesterday morning. as our journey southwark
was about being resumed, a courier arrived
bringing Gen. Crook tdlngs Of the attack and
capture by Capt. Mills Of a Sioux village which
he was holding against superior numbers about
seventeen miles away. The order was given for
men with weak horses to fall out" and, al
though during the preceding days this has been
the constant complaint, II wss refreshing to sec
the command pushed rapidly forward. and found
Capt. Mills stl In possession Of the village the
Indians having retired behind the surrounding
blurs, with the exception OF one unfortunate
who lay wounded and concealed in small
Fayiue