Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-07-20
THE INDIAN WAR.

has determined to punish the Indians
as they richly deserve, and in order
to do so have ordered large detach-
ments Of troops to reinforce the army
in the west. The Indians are like
wise preparing for the worst and will,
no doubt, fight as only savages know
how. 1t is to be hoped that before an
other battle takes place there will be a
sufficient force of troops on the grounds
as to entirely wipe out these mlsors-
ants who never know when they are
we'll Off. The following dispatch was
received at the army headquarters
from Gen. Crook, which certainly
looks like business:
Crooks CAMP, Cloud Peak. July
l2.-Three soldiers, couriers from
General Terry, at the mouth Of the
Big Horn, have just arrived. Gen.
Terry's dispatch to Crook confirms
Clusters fate, and implies very plain
w that had Custer waited one day
longer Gibbon would have joined him.
Terry is anxious for Crook to join for
ces, make plans and execute them re-
gardless Of rank. The Indians are
still lowering around Little Big
Horn, ono days hard march from
here. They fired into our camp every
night of late, and tried to burn us out
by setting the grass on fire all around.
On the 9th, Lieutenant Slbley, Sec
ond cavalry, with twenty-five men Of
rank, Guard and Captlsts Powerier as
scouts, went on a reconnaissance
They were discovered and surround
ed, and followed into the timber Of
the Big Horn mountains, where by
hitching the horses to trees and aban-
doning them the men were enabled
to escape on foot by way of ravine
in the rear. They all got back alive,
and probably this diversion saved the
camp from grand attempt at SIAM
pede or capture. The Snake Indians,
200 strong, joined us here yesterday,
but unless the Utes also come soon no
offensive operations will be likely to
take place until the arrival Of the
Fifth cavalry from Cheyenne cross
ING. The wagon train and additional
infantry are due from Fort Fetter-
man. The health OF the command is
good. General Gibbons reserve force
was met by the victorious Sioux,
dressed in Cus:er's men clothes and
mounted on their horses and fired IN
to the soldiers. The Indian village
possesses evidences OF white men =
presence, kegs Of whiskey being found.
Signal fires, supposed to be in refer
ence to the incoming wagon tram, are
visible to the east Of Crook camp,on
tho extreme south waters Of tho
Tongue river.
General Sherman received tele
gram from General Sheridan on the
10th inst, stating that General Crook
had telegraphed him, under date Of
18th instant, stating that he Is
waiting the reinforcement Of Merritt s
Fifth cavalry before beginning Of
fensive operations against the Sioux
Indians, who outnumbered them
three to one. Merritt WAS expected
in day or two.
A Fort Laramie special to the
Times confirms the report of the safe.
ty Of Crook command, and says that
Crook is still camped on Goose creek,
and is in fine condition for fighting
General Merritt is making active
preparations to intercept the eight
hundred Indians who are said to
have left Red Cloud agency. He ar
rived at Raw Hide on the l4th, AID
it was expected he would strike the
savages on the next day.
A dispatch from Chicago purports
to narrate some thrilling details Of
Custer fight, based upon information
received through Indian sources. The
agency Indians along the upper Mis-
souri, river are said to have obtained
from savages, who took part in the
battle against the 9TH Cavalry, infor-
nation to the effect that Gustav shot
three Indians with his pistol and killed
three others with his sabre, when he
fell shot through the head by Rain
in the Face, the chief whom Custar
had forcibly arrested some three years
ago tor murder. According to the
same accounts, the Indian loss was
only seventy killed, which can scarce
ly be true. The fight is said to have
been hand to hand, and many noted
chiefs were among the victims. The
Indians say they dreaded the sabres
Of our troopers more than their pis-
tolls. They state, also, that they are
nearly out Of ammunition, and will
wait to get new supply from the
agencies before fighting again. The
sale OF ammunition to Indians should
now be promptly forbidden. The
War Department certainly might we'll
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