New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16

/ scene and admire the O00uCltul valley
spread out like an exquisite carpet at oul
| rooted our horses heads toward Q particu-
larly attractive and inviting cluster OF
shade trees standing on the river bank and
distant from the crest of the bluffs nearly
| two miles. Upon arriving at this welcome
| retreat, we found it all that more distant
view had pictured it. An abundance OF
| rich, luXurlant grass offered itself to satisfy
the craving appetites of our travelled steeds,
while the dense foliage of the forest trees
exposure TO the hot rays OF an August sun
rendered more than welcome. First allow
| ing our thirsty horses to drink from the
clear, crystal water of the Yellowstone,
which ran MurmuriDgly by in its long tor
tuOus course to the Missouri, we then pick
eted them out to Craze.
Precautionary and necessary measures
having been attended TO looking to the Sc
| culity Of our horses, the next important
and equally necessary step was to post halt
a dozen pickets on the open plain beyond
to give timely warning in the event of the
approach Of the hostile Indians. This be.
ing done, the remainder of our party busted
themselves IN arranging, each for his indi-
vidual comfort, disposing themselves on the
grass bene ,th the shade of the widespread
ing branches of the cottonwOods that grew
close to the river bank.
Above us for nearly o mile, and for still
greater distance below, the valley was free
from timber. This enabled our pickets to
command perfect view of the entire val
ley, at this point about two miles wide, and
almost level, save here and there it was cut
up by deep washes in the soil. Satisfied
that every measure calculated to insure
our safety had been taken, officers and men,
save the trusty pickets, stretched their
weary forms on the grassy lawn and were
soon wrapped in slamber, little reckoning
that within few rods there lay concealed
more than five times their number of hostile
Sioux warriors, waiting and watching tor
favorable moment to pounce upon them.
For myself, 80 Oblivi0us was / to the pros
pect OF immediate danger, that after select
ing most inviting spot for my monday
nap. and arranging my saddle and buck
skin coat in the form of a comfortable pill
low, removed my boO;s, united my cravat
and opened my collar prepared to enjoy to
the fullest extent the delights of AN out
door siests.
l did not omit, however, 10 place nv
trusry Remington rifle within easy grasp
more from hab bit, it must be confessed, than
from anticipation of danger. Near me, and
stretched on the ground sheltered by the
shade of the same tree, was my brother, the
colonel, Invested of his hat, coat and boots;
while close at hand, wrapped in deep sun-
Der, lay the other three officers, Moylan.
Calhoun and sarnum. Sleep had taken
posse ssion of us all-otficers and 1neR-ex.
ceptlng OF course. the watchful pickets, into
whose keeping the safety, the lives of our
little detachment WAS for the time intrusted.
Many OF the horses, even, having lunched
most bOuntitully from the rich repast which
nature had spread around and beneath
them, seemed To share in the languor and
drOwslness OF their riders. and were to be
seen here and there repOsing upon the soft,
green carpet which to them was both food
and couch. How long We slept l scarcely
know-perhaps an hour, when the cry of
Indians Indians" quickly folio we'd by
the sharp ringing crack Of the pickets' car |
bines, aroused and brought us-otiicers.
men and horses-to our feet. There " as |
neither time nor occasion tor uestions to |
be asked or answered. Catching I'D nv |
rifle, and without waiting to don hat or |
boots, glanced through the grove of trees |
10 the open plain or valley beyond. and
Jaw small party of Indians bea ing down
;oward us az fast as their ponies could |
larry them.
Kun to your horses, men Run to your
Orses ~ fairly yelled as saw that the
irst move of the Indians was intended TO
iampede our animals and leave us to be
attended to atterward. At the same time |
he plckets opened fire upon our Gisturbers |
Who had already emp,iea their rifles at us
IS they advanced, as if boldly intending to
lde us down. As yet we could see but
lalf dozen warriors, but those who were
amiliar with Indian stratagems knew full |
veil that 80 small party of savages I'M
would not venture to disturb in |
pen day force the size of ours. Quicker
han l could pen the description, each |
rOODer, with rifle in hand. rushed to secure |
ls horse, and men and horses were soon |
ithdrawn from the open plain and con-
ealed behind the clump of trees beneath
hose shade we were but a few moments
efOre quietly sleeping. The firing of the ..
ckets, the latter having been reinforced !!
: score OF their comrades, checked the =.
ivance OF tie Indians and enabled us to
lddle our horses and be prepared for what
yer might be in store for US. I
A few moments found US in our saddles
ID sallying forth from the timber to try
'ncluslOns with q dozen Sioux warriors
.lloping up and down in our front, boldly !
allenging us by their manner to attemp, L
cir capture or dealt Of course it was I
easy matter to drive them away, but as
8 advanced it became noticeable that I
ey retired, and when we halted or dimin-
leG our speed they did likewise. 1t was II
parent from the first that the Indians =
ere resortlng to stratsgem to accomplish !!
at which they could cot do by an open. Il
rect attack. Taking twenty troopers V
tn me, headed by Colonel Custer and /,
houp, and directing Moy Ian 70 keep "
thin supporting distance with the remain 81
r, l followed the retreating Sioux ND the u
Ley, but with no prospect of overtaking IL
I'M, as they We're mounted on the fleet ~
OF ponies. Thinking to tempt them d
thin our grasp. l b:,iug mounted on a W
II hnr nhr
iurance l had cor tidence, directed OF
lionel Custer allow me to approach the IL
lians accompanied only by my orderly, ne
O was also we'll mounted: at the same 81
re TO follow us cautiously at distance Of a.
Ouple OF hundred yards The willy red. )"
rs were not to be- caught by any such "
lhce. They were perfectly willing that "
orderly and myself should approach nc
IN, but at the same time thew carefully ~,
ched the advance of the cavalry follow Ia
me, and permitted no advantage. We u u
by this time almost arrived abreast of VI
immense tract OF timber growing in the
Icy and extending to the waters edge, ex
distant from our resting place, from no
oh we had been SO rudely aroused, Ia!
ut two miles. bu
be route taken by the Indians, and | of
Oh they evidently intended us to fol- oW
led past this timber, but not through | ge
When we had arrived almost opposite be
nearest point, signaled to the cavalry fig
alt, which was no soOner done than the ne
ians came to halt. I then made the So
| to the latter for a parley, which was ma
9 by simply riding my horses in a hu
lie. To this the sayages only re- SUI
lded by looking on in silence for few TIL:
nente, then turning their ponies and for
ing off slowly, as if TO say, Catch us KIN
on can" My suspicious were more till
! ever aroused, and sent my orderly the
< to tell Colonel Custer to keep a sharp
on the heavy bushes on our left, and .
cely 300 yards distant from where l rid
on my horee. The orderly had ma