The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-08-11
Fighting the Sioux
DETAILS OF COL. MERR1TTs
CHARGE

DETAILS OF COL. MERR1TTs
CHARGE.
The Indians Utterly Surprised, Rush
Back in Disorder-The LATEST from
Gen. Crooks Camp Indiana
Joining the Hostile Forces.
FIT. LARAMIE, July 22.-At noon Satur-
day, the 10Th inst, the Fifth Cavalry, under
General Merritt, were bivouacked on Raw
hide creek, Is miles from Ft. Laramie, to
which point they were ordered in from the
Cheyenne river, 100 miles to the north, en-
route to join Crook. A courier suddenly
appeared from the agency with dispatches
stating that 300 Cheyennes were making
preparations to leave at once for the North
west to join Sitting Bull that he was to
throw himself across their line of march in
time 10 intercept them. mcrTIJu naa 10
make eighty miles before they could make
thirty, but off he went, and Sunday light
found him with seven companies hiding
under the bluffs on War Bonnet or Hat
creek, square up their front.
At daybread Monday morning Lieutenant
King, commanding the outposts to the
southeast, sent in word that the war par
ties were coming over the ridge from the
direction of the reservation. Joining him
at the advanced post, Gen. Merritt found
the report correct. The command noise
lessly mounted and was massed under the
bluff, a quarter of mile to the rear, out of
sight of the Indians. At the same time
the wagon train was some six miles off to
the southwest, slowly approaching, and the
Indians were watching it, but keeping con-
cealed from the view of it's guard. The
two companies of infantry with it were
riding in the wagons. At six o'clock the
Indians were swarming all along the ridge
to the southeast, some three miles away.
Suddenly a party of eight or ten warriors
came rushing down a ravine which led di-
rectly under the hill where Lieut. King,
with his six men were watching.
WAITING FOR scALPs.
The object was as suddenly apparent.
Two horsemen, unconscious Of the proxim-
ity of the foe, had ventured out ahead of
the train, and were making rapidly for the
creek. They were couriers with dispatches
to the command. The Indians utterly ig-
Lorant of the rapid move of the Fifth, were
simply bent on jumping on the couriers and
getting their scalps. Buffalo Bill, chief of
the scouts, lay on the hill with King, and
instantly sprang to his horse down off the
hill. "All of you keep out of sight," said
the General. Mount now, and when the
word is given off with YOU Then, turn
ing to the officer of the picket he said
" Watch them, King. Give the word when
you are ready" Crouching behind the lit
tie butte, Bill and his party of two scouts
and six soldiers were breathlessly waiting
half way up was the General and his staff.
The Lieut.. lay at the crest watching the
rapidly approaching foe. Down they came,
nearer and nearer, the sun flashing from
their brilliantly-painted bodies and pol
ished ornaments. Then, just as they are
dashing by the front of the hill, King shouts,
"Now, lads, in with YOU" With rush
and yell, the troopers are hurled upon the
Indians flank, not fifty yards away.
THE FIRST REDsKIN SHOT.
Gen. Merritt springs up to see the attack
just as tall Indian reeled in his saddle,
shot by Corporal Wilkinson, of Company
K. An answering bullet whistled by the
Generals head, when King, still ON the
watch, sung out, Here they come by the
dozens" The reserve Indians came swarm
ing down the ridge to the rescue. Compa-
ny X was instantly ordered to the front
but before it appeared from behind the
bluff the Indians, emboldened by the rush
of their friends to the rescue, turned saw
agely on Buffalo Bill and party at the out
posts. The latter sprang from their horses
and met the daring charge with volley.
Yellow Hand, young Cheyenne brave,
came foremost, singing Bill as foeman
worthy of his steel. Cody cody knelt, and,
taking deliberate aim, sent his bullet
through the chiefs leg and into his horses
heart. Down went thetwo, and before his
friends could reach him,a second shot from
Bill's rifle laid the redskin low.
GRAND SURPRISE,
On came the others, bent ON annihilating
the little band that opposed them, when, to
their amazement, long, blue line popped
up in their very front, and K Company,
with Col. Mason at its head, dashed at them.
Leaving their dead, the Cheyennes scatter
ed back, helter skelter, to the ridge, but
their fire was wild and their stand short
one. Company after company debouched
from behind the bluff, and utterly disheart-
ened, the Indians rushed for the reserva-
tion, leaving behind all their provisions.
General Merritt pursued them till night,
when the whole command went into camp
at the agency. The Indians left their dead
and admit having more wounded. They |
also lost six ponies. Their friends at Red |
Cloud say they never dreamed the Fifth |
Cavalry could get there in time to head |
them off The regiment sustained no loss.
1t arrived at Laramie yesterday and leaves
for Crooks camp tomorrow.