Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-07-20
THE INDIANS.
Merritt's Triumph Over Eight Hundred
Cheyennes and SiOux-A Check
to lOOd-Thirsty Crowd.
One Indian Killed by "BuffalO Bill''-
General Crooks Conduct IndOrsed
by His Brother Officers.
CHICAGO, July 19.-The following was
at military headquarters here,

received at military headquarters here,
to-day:
FORT LARAMIE, July Is, 1876.
| Colonel X. c. Drum, Adjutant General, Diyi-
sion of Missouri, Chicago;
ga courier Just arrived from Red Cloud
reports that on the sixteenth Instant
eOlOnel Merritt intercepted the eight
hundred Cheyennes and Sioux who had
left the agency to join the hostile bands
against Crook and Terry, and drove
them back to the agencies.
"E. F. TOWNSEND, Commanding"
GENERAL NfERRITT's OFFICIAL REPORT.
CHICAGO, July 19.-The following Of
fielal report CT Colonel Merritt was re-
ceived at military headquarters to-day
"RED-CLOUD AGENCY, Jnly Is,
"Nla FORT LARAMIE, July l9. (
LAS indicated in my dispatch, 1
moved by forced marches to the main
northwest Trail on Indian creek. In
thirty-five hours my command made
about seventy-6ve miles, reaching the
trail Sunday evening about nine O'Clock.
The lrail showed that no large parties
had passed north. At daylight yester-
day morning | ssddied up to move on
the trail toward the agency; at the same
time party Of seven Indians were dis
| covered near the common and moving
with the intention of cutting Off two
| couriers who we're approaching Sage
creek. A party was sent cut to cut these
Oh, and killed one of them. The conn
msnd then moved cut st once after
other Indians seen in this direction. and
pursued them, but they escaped, leaving
1ouT lodges and several hundred pounds
Of provisions behind. After securing
the country thoroughly in our
vicinity, we moved st once toward the
agency. At the distance of twenty-five
miles to the northwest OF the agency,
the Indians broke camp and fed in so
grtat hurry that we did not succeed in
catching any of them. The trail was
much worn, and the indications were
that hundreds OF Indians were driven in
our movements. From reports, which I
cannot give In this dispatch, was GER
tain Of striking the Cheyennes. To ac-
complish this, marched hard to get on
the trail, taking infantry along guard
the wagons, and to fight, if necessary,
The reports received from this point led
me to believe that many of the Sioux
warriors were with the Cheyennes. 1
am now Satisfied that the number of
Indians lesVing the agency are exaQge-
rated In the report, and / am certain
that not one hundred Indians, or rather
ponies, all told, have gone north on
the main trails, in the last ten
days. The CheyeDnes whom we
drove in yesterday took refuge on the
reservation toward Spotted Tail agency.
Ii they leave again it will be 10 go south
or to the agencies, as they seem to be
thoroughly frightened out of the north
ern trip. Our appearance on Indian and
hot creeks was complete surprise to
the Indians in that vicinity; but those
farther in were informed, so thew got
out OF the way. l have just received
your dispatches of the fifteenth. / will
move without delay to Fort Laramie,
and will, as soon as possible, move to
join General Crook. My men and horses
are very tired, but few days reasons-
Die marching, with full forage, will make
them all right"
GENERAL MERRIFT's OPERATIONS.
CHEYENNE, wy, July I9.-GeneraI
Merritt, having marched nearly hun
dred miles in thlTty-six hours, success
fully Intercepted the eight hundred
Cheyennes who left the agency, ard
drove them back TO that place, The In.
dams, being advised by runners of the
approach Of the cavalry, broke into
small bands and scattered like sheen.
Ihelr vigilance and the jaded condition
OF Merr1tts animals after his hard march
enabling them to gain their peaceful
agency home with no casualties save
one killed by Scout Cody. General Mer-
rltt believes to have by this frightened
these CheyeDnes out of any further at
tempt to join the hostilities, and has
taken up line Of marca for Fort Lara.
mle, then to join Crook as early rs pos.
possible. -Four companies Of the Fifth
cavalry are here now, ard will leave for
roTt aram1e II few days. Whether
tney will join the regiment and 90
norLn, or remain to guard the settle
ments and watch the agency. is not vet
full determined.
GENERAL CROOKS ACTION SUSTAINED,
CHEYNNE, July ia report reached
Fort Laramie tonight that thirty IN
dlans were seen this evening twelve
miles below that place, on the Platte
river. Captain Ea2an, with q company.
started to hunt them down.
Loyal Bly, was killed near Pawnee
Springs, Nebraska, while returning 10
North Platte, from South Loop with an
OK team He was shot twice; not known
whether by Indians or not.
A number of eastern papers have pub.
lished statement accrediting the Off
GERS at Fort Laramie with having de- |
nounced the conduct Of General Crook |
In the late action. At the meeting |
called at the post tonight, resolutions |
were adopted denying the charge, and,
on the contrary, uphOlding and applaud |
ing the generals action, characterizing |
it as wise and prudent, and that any |
criticism thereon would be unsoldierly. |
A man named Fay came into Sydney |
tonight from Red-Cloud, and reports |
that an Indian named Lame-Deer came |
into Rsd-ClOud on Friday, and reported |
that General Crook had a fight, and lost |
good many men. AS there is no such |
news at Fort Laramie, which has later
dates than Red Cloud, we do not credit
this report.