New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-18

next morning end the expedition proceeded dowu the
valley Of the Rosebud.
BATTLE or THE ROSEBUD.
At 7:30 a. M. when advance of about 10 miles had
been made. the Indian scouts gave warning that The
Sioux were near at hand and about to make charge
Gen Crook had but little time TO form his plan Of battle
before the hostile Sioux IN plain sight Tho valley
in which the troops stationed Is surrounded by hills
whose ridges rise above each other every sde and
these crests frequently cut through with deem IA
vines The evident ntcntiOro the Sioux was 10 occupy
the ridge and attack the troops in the valley below
Col. Royal was Immediately ordered to advance with
portion Of the Sd Cavalry and occupy the hills the
left, and Capt Mills, with another part OF the Sd Cav
airy and two infantry companies was sent forward on
the right The columns drove the Indians from hill to
Hill, but In the advance the Left under Col Roya be-
separated from the infantry The Indians from tho
higher ridge discovered the unfortunate position Of the
left wing and entering the gap between and the cen
ter attacked the cavalrymen not only that ik but
In the Col Royal compelled to retreat, and
I'm the endeavOr consolidate his line with the center
his troops forced TO descend into deep ravine
The Indians Immediately took possession Of the ahan
doned HILL ard poured CALLING fro into the ranks OF the
soldiers rs they reTeated A hand to hand conflict also
took place between the soldiers and the Indians at both
ends of the hollow Several soldiers, in the hurried
retreat down the hill and across tho hollow were sur
rounded and killed. When Col Royals force had re-
gained the main body of tho expedition the troops wero
reformed aud again pushed forward to the line OF battle
The expedition advanced three miles, clearing the hills
either side OF the Rosebud. At p m. a halt was
made the scouts not knowing in which direction the
grent Sioux village could be found. In the battle 10
soldiers had been killed and 10 wounded, and Snake
Indian killed and several Grow Indians wounded. Cen
Crook resolved continue his pursuit the following day.
but learning with dsmay that his Indian allies intended
to go homo, and feeling unable to proceed without
scouts he retreated the Goose Creek camp Here be
intrenched himself and sent couers TO Fort Fettcrnan
ordering habreed scouts should be sent from the
Red Cloud agency 10 his camp and that reinforce
ments OF troops should be forwarded Immediately
GEN. GIBBONS COLUMN.
While progress was thus being made by the southern
column, under Gen. Crook the two northern columns
had advanced 10 within 35 miles Of each other on the
banks OF the Yellowstone aud their two commanders
had been able to hold consultation and arrange plan
OF operations. Gen. Gibbon marched from Fort Ellis
about the middle OF May with force comprising six
companies of tie 9TH Infantry and four companies OF
cavalry. The line OF march extended down the north
bank OF the Yellowstone. Indians frequently seen
lowering about the camps aud those soldiers who had
srayed from the main force were shot The column adj
vanced far the Rosebud Ivy the LIST OF june and
went into camp Learning from scouts that Cen Tcrrys
force WIGS approaching, Gen. Glbbon continued to de-
scend the Yellowstone still further, until, when 30 miles
west of Powder River, he consulted with Gen. Terry.
GEN. TKRRY's EXPEDITION.
Gen Terrys column started from Fort Lincoln on MAY
II. The total FIGHTING strength was 1907 mon, In
Guiding the 7th Cavalry. under command of Gen. Caster
two companies of the l7th Infantry, Company OF the
9th Infancy, battery Of Calling guns commanded by
Lieut. W. H. Low, IT,. and detachment OF Indian scouts
A large and expensive train, employing 179 men and
nearly 900 horses and mules accompanied ito soldiers
The line OF march led almost directly west t. tno L.to
Missouri which reached ON May %. Three days
aiterwart when the expedition had encamped on Big
Beaver Creek, without encOultering hostile indians,
scouts brought intelligence that Gen. Gibbons
column was on tho north bank OF the Yellow
stone opposite Rosebud River and that steamers loaded
with supplies the function of tho Yellowstone
aud Powder Rivers Gen. Terry determined TO proceed
at once to the Yellowstone. He also sent Major Reno
with six companies Of the It'll Cavalry AMI Gntling
gun 20 Powder River. and striking across toe
country 10 Tongue River, descend 10 the Yellowstone,
where the rest OF tho would be encamped Send
ing word through scouts Gen GbOon to halt until his
arrival Gen. Terry led his column TO the Powder
River and then, with detachment OF clyalry pnShed
on to the Yellowstone where ne fount the steamers with
supplies awaiting his arrival Learning that Gen Glib
bon's force was enoamped 80 miles up the river.
and that the country was swarmiug with Indians
ne embarked ON Of the boats and steamed up the
river until Inc met Gen GibbOn After brief conference
the two commanders agreed upon pla1 Of operations,
and Con. Terry returned 20 the mouth OF tho Powder
River where his main column arrived and vent Into
camp June H. The plan Of operations agreed to by
Gen. GibbOn and Gen. Terry was that Gen. Gibbons
column should return distance mp the valley OF the
Yellowstone In ordc- TO prevent the escape OF Sitting
Bulls Indians the river IL they shoud be rooted
ON the return OF Major Reno the two commands wore
TO DO united expedition toward the south to form
combination With Gen Crook, OF whose operations no
word had been received.
On the return of Major Reno TO the mouth OF the
Tongue River bo announced that his force had gone as
far as the Roaebud whore he lad discovered large lu-
dian trail Gen Icrry's whole command then set out
for the Rosebud At junction Of that river with the
Yellowstone Gen Terry, Gen. Gibbon and Con. Custer
hold consultation and decided upon plan oil attack
Oen Custer with his entire command was 10 descend the
Rosebud and follow up the trail previously discovered
by Major Rono while Gen Terry was to ascend the fe-
IOwstone In q steamboat and to ferry Gen. GID
pon's command across the river. lie Informed
Gen Custer" that no would personally accom-
many Gen Gibbons force to the Junction
Of the Big Horn and Little Big Horn Rivers at which
point he expected tO arrive on June 20. Gen Custer
and his command started on their expedition before
noon on June 30, following the course OF the river
toward the south Tho next evening Gen. Terry ana
staff with Gen. Gibbon, steamed up tho Yellowstone
arriving at tho mouth Of the Big Horn River on Satur-
day June "a. Gen Gibbons entire command was
ferried across the Yellowstone and, taking hYe days
rations marched that evening to TnlocEs Creek The
fantry. aud, following the course OF the Bg
Horn River, reached the mouth OF me
9gtIi the cavalry still pressed In advance OF the IN
fantry following the course OF tho Little bis lloIh
River Scouts were kept out in advance, anu reports
came in that two Crows VINO had joined Clusters COM
nand al the Rosebud had been met with and reported
Little Blk Horn The soldiers discredited the story and
although falling TO meet WIN the PROMISE scouts hu
their arms after marcn OF 30 miles. -,
the n Say 1eS bore Se
encampiuens abandoned In haste and ana9g the Little
helo %