, 1876-06-27

Tho tlotnils OF tho battle which WINS fought
Oh tho 18th inst. at tho 1ioad.wntprs Of RoHo-
bud Cruck, between the Sioux, numbering
2,6D0, unler S1rT1Su BuLL-or- THE +NonTu,
and Con. Cnooxs column Of cavalry, num-
boring 1,}OO, show tint what Mt iirRt M
pcnrcl to bo n victory was in ronlity tanta-
mount 10 dofoat, md TINT tho ignorant
Indian warriors woro lad with moro skill
thun our own seasoned nnd disciplined
troops. We print elsewhere tho tletails Of
this disastrous attack upon tho Sioux. From
tho account it appears that Gcu. CRooK left
his camp OIL tho 10th with what appeared to
be II formidable expeIition--fiye companies
Of infantry mounted, md two hundred mud
fifty suake aud Grow scouts. After Ill nd
vance OF rs miles, tho Sioux weru discovered
by the Snakes holding magnificent position
commanding tho .ravines through. which tho
troops wnnll have Ind to pnss had they not
been discovered. Tho snakcs nntl Crows
lnmlo the first attack, but wero soon
driven bAck by overwhelming num-
bors. Tho troops then charged upon
them, but tho Indians, aftsr firing
n destructive volloy, retired md took
up n new aud still stronger position OIL high
or points beyond, with skirmishera thrown
out. For some TINA tho Sioux alternately
lost and hold their positions, but every tmu
thoy retired they found position stronger
than tho one they had left. Our troops
acted u,'lor conflicting orders, causing ur-
necessary sacrifice of lifo. Az ono incident
Of tho bungli1lg manner in which the battle
WAS fought. 1t is stated that tue Crows wero
charged by our troops, and before tho mis-
taho was discovered yolley WIZ discharged
Mt them, and then our troops retired. Just
ut tho time when tho troops llad tho Indians
Ut IN advantage tho left Of tho line was or
elored by Gen. CnooK to fall back md COIL
meet with the right, SO rs 10 nnka general
aiyanco. 1t proved tho tlisnstcg Of tho bgt-
tic, AIll ended in virtual Icfcnt. Tho
Sioux held MI tho highest ground, mud sub
jeoted onr troops TO n terrible snfiiading flro.
They attacked in front, on tho rcnr, md
sometimes opened fro on both siles II.
once. They fought their battle in n ,nasterly
way. Al last, atter d Boveru loss, a junction
Of tho linu WIS formed, and the Sioux wero
dryon from their vas,ta 60 grountl, lut Con.
CNooK could not follow them. The country
appeared dangerous, aud llu orloyed his line
to fall back. Tho most huu.liatinK feature
Of the aaair Is tue action of tho Crows, who
determined to return homo because they had
! not boon properly au}sported by tho troops.
At Inst accounts tho Snakes re,unincd with
Gan. CnooK, but they also wero 20 t!issatis..
fled that they can hardly bo re;od upon
Tho responsibility for tho disaster docs not
rest upon tho troops. AL accounts agree
| that they fought bravely md desperately,
oven IN tho face Of conflicting ordcrs, and
! with oil tho advantages OF position in favur
OF the cnaniy. The fatal mistake seems to
hive been in attacking with cayalry
! wlare cavalry could uot operate, instead
ot with riaeman and shatpshooters. Gen.
Cnoon Las heretofore borna thu reputation OF
beinga gallant and ekillful 1udan-ilghtcr,
How an o!l!cor 10 we'll acquainted with In
slians aud their manner Of warfare could have
! nude such u mistake as TO seaA cavalry
force into rsvinc, the bluHs Of which were
swanuiug with Indians, who, every ti,no
they retired, could take still higher positions,
| III singular, to say tho least. rhat Gen.
Caoox should la unable 10 follow up tue