Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-08-30
TELEGRAPHIC.
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN
VIRTUALLY ENDED.
The Indians Split One Party
Goes for British Possessions
the other Nobody Cares
Where So they Keep
on Going.

CHICAGO, Aug. 26.-A special to the
Times from the Yellowstone cxpedi-
ton steamer Josephine, near the
mouth OF the Yellowstone, August 20,
via Bismarck, Is, says since the juno
ton of Crook and Terry it is hoped
to ovcrtake and force a fight with
the Sioux. The command moved
west to Big Horn mountains, where
on the l4th trail 5 or 6 days old was
found, the heaviest ever seen on the
prairies. 1t was discovered that this
trail finally separated and the Indians
were found to be in full retreat, one
band heading north towards the Brit
ish possessions with the probable in
tcntion of crossing the line, the other
going south along the Little Missou-
II for the purpose of crossing the
Missouri river above TT. Berthold.
There is every indication that the
hostiles will be heavily reinforced by
the Agency Indians. They have their
families and evidently intend to re-
main north this winter. The ar
my has a difficult programme
and it will be most miraculous If they
overtake the savages, who are well
mounted. When their supplies are
exhausted the soldiers will have to
return to Supply Camp. Gen. Miles,
commanding the 9Th Infantry, re-
turned to the camp on the Rosebud
on the 10Th inst, and was instructed
to patrol the river north of Fort
Buford, and intercept any bands at
tempting to cross the Yellow Stone,
moving north; also to construct win
ter quarters at the mouth Of Tongue
River for five regiments of infantry.
The steamers Far West, Josephine,
Carol, and Yellow Stone, had beer
placed at his disposal, and supplies
for his command are being rapidly
shipped up the river from Fort Blu.
ford. The steamers Carroll and Fa,
West will be employed patroling the
river.
| Gen. Miles command has been re.
infOrced by two companies of thu
18th Infantry and other troops, givins
him q total of about 700 men.
Terry's supply camp has beer
moved to the mouth Of Tongue River
as base of supplies during
the campaign. The steamers ar,
well guarded and supply camp i
strongly defended. The garrison ha
3 Calling guns and sevecal Rodmal
/ guns and the steamer Josephine ha
on board, 8 Calling pieces for tn,
garrison. Sharp work may be ex
= pected on the south bank of Yellow
, stone before the war ends.
A later despatch, dated 22d August
/ near mouth of Powder river, SAYS tina
, the practical failure of the campaign
, thus far, has caused change in tn
plan of operations and Government
! will now continue the war until tn
Indians are subdued or return t
5 their reservation. 1t is almost as
sured that the scout now making, b
E the combined forces of Crook an,
Terry will be unsuccessful and tn
troops will probably return to tn
mouth Of Tongue river on the 25t
: inst. The command will then ref
for another dash, which it is hope
: will be more successful. Gen. Mile
winter quarters will accommodate
l,5OO men and if troops do not hay
successful engagements with til
Indians before the 10Th of Sept, tbs
number will probably be left on Ye
lowstone for the winter. The st
Infantry, under Gen. Miles, and til
!, 9th cavalry under Gen. Merritt, two {
!. the finest regiments in the service wi
! remain in winter quarters and
necessary additional numbers will h
kept in quarters
Thus the campaign will be extend
ed late in the season, and if necessar
}. resumed early in the spring. 1t
: thought that sufficient supplies can b
q forwarded for the troops before VIII
;, ter sets i'm. The fall campaign will b
: full Of hardships, but not so danger
;. GUS as another seasons dangerou
. work. There are evidences Of Indian
: along the Yellowstone, but every pr
/ caution is being taken to keep &C
p vised of their movements, and q figf
/ is not improbable. Troops will OF
= cupy the quarters on Tongue Rive
!, by Sept. Doth.
= A still later dispatch dated Augu
: 23rd, via Bismarck, says Croo
q and Terry, after following the trail
discovered on the 10Th, moved thirt,
y six miles down the Rosebud, ri
Z northern trail was abandoned on IL
l4th and the command pursued Ii
! southern trail which crossed Tongu
River to Goose Creek, thence r,
r turned to Powder River, and 70
= lowed it to its mouth. They reache
there on the night of the 18th, wheI
they went to camp, and will renal
o until the 24th. The wagon train an
q all supplies at the mouth are bein
:, shipped to the mouth of Powd,
, River, and it is expected the wage
!. train will reach there to-mo
O row morning. The Indian ira
e diverged from the east bank
q Powder river, about 20 miles fro
v mouth, and then south again towal
n the Little Missouri river. The entil
a command will follow speedily. III
entire command is short of suppli
q and unless otherwise ordered Teri
y will march such as are not needle
~ over to Fl A. Lincoln. Crooks cor
il mand will scout toward Black Hill
\ via TT. Fctterman home. Crook ar
J. Terry both think it too late for O.
, tended field operations. The Indial
v on the southern trail are believed
: be moving toward the agencies, ar
e Terry will if possible intercept ther
l. The campaign is therefore practical
q closed, unless further instruction
n come from Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan.