New-York tribune., 1876-03-27
DESTRUCTION OF 4 SIOUX VAR CAMI


GEN. REYNOLDS MAKES A BRILLIANT LITTLE DASH
INTO POWDER RIVER cAS N-IMMgNsE MAGA-
ZINE OF AMMUNITION BURNED -THE HOSTILE
SIOUX NOT so NUMEROUS AS SUPPOSED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
OLD FORT RENO, March %, via FORT FETrER-
MAN, w. T.. March 24.-The Big Horn Expedition
left Crazy Womans Fork with ten companies of
cavalry on the night of March 7, with 10 days IA
tions on pack mules The infantry aud wagon train
were sent back to the rear. The command marched
down Tongue River nearly to the Yellowstone,
covering the Rosebud and dacent streams. No In
dams were found in this entire region. The expe-
dtion then moved to the head Of Otter Creek where
Gen. Reynolds was sent forward with six companies
and by a rapid night march reached Powder River
early the morning of the 17th where he sur
prised and attacked Crazy Horses village of 100
lodges. He captured the village and after an en-
gagement lasting five hours entirely destroyed It,
The camp was located in an almost impregnable po-
ston in the canon of Powder River, and the troops
had to descend the precpous sides of the mountain
leading to the valley requiring great care and cxer-
tion. A gallant charge was made upon the village
at o'clock by Capt. James Eagan with Company
X, I'd Cavalry and he nearly routed the encamp-
ment. which contained about 800 Indians, before
the other troops up. Tho Indians then returned
however and made several bold but unsuccessful
assaults upon the troops. The village was burned,
and with II immense quantities of buffalo robes
blankets, provisions, and supplies Nearly every
tepec was also magazine of ammunition and con-
taned immense quantities of powder, lead caps, and
other war material which had been obtained at Red
Cloud agency Crazy Horse had with him some of
the Cheyennes and MinnecOnjOuS, altogether prOba-
bly, nearly half Of all the Indians now off their
reservations, and the camp was exceedingly rich in
plumber.
This engagement severely cripples, if it does not
entirely break up, the only hostile band now nfest-
ing this portion of the frontier Although known
to be openly hostile, this band has been able to trade
stolen horses and other property at Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail Agencies, and procure in return abun-
dant supplies and material of all kinds. III the
above agencies at once removed to the Missouri
River the ability of these Indians to subsist them
selves and make further war upon the settlements
would be entirely destroyed.
Instead of $1,000 or 10000 hostile Indians in
tins country, the expedition has demonstrated that
there are probably not 1000 all told. This number
i, increased in Summer by the agents allowing the
Young bucks TO leave the agencies and come out to
join the hostile bands in making war; but the actual
number of Indians now away from the agencies on
the war-path has been enormously overestimated.
covered by the movements of this expedition and
these were soundly thrashed by the troops. Sitting
Bull, who has about "a many people as Crazy Horse
is probably at the mouth Of Powder River, but this
command could not reach him without additional
supplies.
The weather during the campaign was intensely
cold, much of the time the mercury being 2Oo and
3Oo below zero Still, there were few cases OF
freezing and the behavior Of the troops throughout
was excellent.
Those who were killed during the engagement of
the 17th were in number follows: Sergeant
Peter Dowdy, Company f., Sd Cavalry; Michael
McCannon, Company l.; Lorenzo +. Ayres, Company
NJ; George Schneider Company X, I'd Cavalry. Six
men were wounded but none fatally These were
carried on sledges nearly 100 miles from the battle
field to this place, where they all arrived in good
condition. Tie command arrived here yesterday,
and will start for Fort Fetterman tomorrow. which
place il will reach in four days.