The New York herald., 1876-11-04
The Neighing of Horses and the Shrill
Cries Of the SaVageS.
A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL.
General Crook On the Effect OF Disarm.
ing the Indians.
THE POWDER RIVER EXPEDITION.
FoRr LARAMIE, Wy. T., Oct. 27,

clothing to the troops under General Crook set out for
Red Cloud Agency and started with it, According TO
the prevailing opinion here at the time II would have
been madness have undertaken tho journey alone
with only one two companions. Every courier who
left here Tor Red Cloud for the past weeks felt that
he risked his life each "Trip There trouble with
tho Indians on tho reservation and more trouble was
expected tho road. Had determined 10 accom-
pish the trip before the wagon train left would have
had TO go alonc fearful was everybody hereabou,s
OF the dangers OF the journey. Our second days
march brought Us TO Running water a clear rapidly
flowing creek about nifty miles from Fort Laramie,
campcd for tho night. Even we advanced
bands OF Indians reported TO have been seen all
nlong The route and there anticipation OF
nm attack upon tho train strict watch
kept for signs OF approaching Indians from
the start. We had escort of about dozen cavalry
men, in charge OF sergeant There about
twelve wagons and altogether some fifty men, with
possibly not moro than forty guns When We halted
at Running Water the wagons arranged in n sort
OF Irregular semicircle in front Of which erected
The tents OF the drivers. Ny tent stood further for
ward and still further IN advance, just looking down
on tho stream, which at this point directly from
north TO south, where the camp fire Of the MILL
larry escort. The night cool and retired early,
leaving several camp fires brightly burning.
Az INDIAN SCARE
little aner m might the guard and some OF the
restless OF the slcopcrs heard strange noises
borne on the winds high bluff that stands be-
yond the stream Al first the sounds somewhat rc-
semhled the crying of thousand coyotes but in
crcased vastly they approached us. Soon the
ncghing OF many horses was heard distinctly. and
mingled with 1t and rising above it were heard
the peculiar shouts and occasionally the shr cries
Of Indians. The soldiers guard gave immediate
Notification to those in camp, aud instantly all came
10 the conclusion that in few minutes We should be
attacked Two three soldiers rushed to the stream
Tor water In moment the tires were out, while other
toldiers were running from tent to tent whispering
with ba,ed breath to the slecpers:-
sect mp quick tho camp is all surrounded by
tndiansl'
message of this kind need not be repeated to the
,eavest sleeper under similar circumstances In this
Instance call certainly sufficient for the warn
ing voice OF the soldier followed by such Babel Of
noises as would nave carried confirmation of the
welcome intelligence Just impaired TO the most stub
born doubte In the general uproar there arose louder
md louder above all other the ncigng OF many
horses and tho sound OF Indian voices rising and fall
ing like the moaning OF winiry winds II was no
wcndor that every man in dressed and had
turned out in less than two minutes from tho first
summons OF tho soldier who visited him. Tho first
man who TO tho HERALD tent was the corporal
tall, spare Irshman who before entering the service
OF Uncle Sam IN his present capacity was New York
policeman. He pulled aside the corner OF my tent,
and. popping MS head in, said
"Git up sir with rich brogue and in a very sol
cmn. calm voice considering the circumstances
ssThere's a whole lot OF lnuns all round the camp
we're complately surrounded Have you got your
gun9"
Then he disappeared, and in the raw frosty morning
air did tsgit up'' more quickly perhaps than shall
ever get up again, for | had been awakened by the
shouts Of the Inasus about minute before ne called
and was ready to hear just such an announcement
ANTICIPATING FIGHT
when stepped out OF tho tent the soldiers wero
Gathering in their horses which had been p,ckeed at
different points about the camp. Every man was
prompt cool and determined. They were old soldiers
OF the Fourth and Ffh cavalry all Of whom had seen
Indian hgh,ng Almost everybody but tho soldiers
rushed behind the wagons to seek shelter from tho
bullets which it was expected would be flying about
our heads in a few seconds.
.swhat the devil shall we dos" said fellow, as ne
ercpt to the shelter OF wagon there arc hut forty or
atty OF us and about tour or I've hundred Indians
Another a mule driver, who cntched his gun srimiv,
rowled :-."Hcre by Jovc I've got only forty-hvc
rounds OF ammunitonln But most Indian fighters
would consider that almost enough for one skirmish.
bale OF hay had been tied up behind each wagon be-
fore we started thcso down and arrange them
within the OF wagons for brcastworks
ped but little time. AS emerged from my tent
moved past the detached wagon which carried the
tions forage &c. for escort In this poor
sick soldier lying, who In his terror and helpless
ness cried bitterly, saying ho would be loft to tho
mercy OF tho savages. he had no horse and could
no, run away But some OF those who had horses
we're better on f,r they could not have found them
IN The darkncss SIN their hclpIessness would only
have made them fight the moro desperately. All these
things occurred and the whole situation flashed across
ho md N time than de-
scribe IT,
oxLy THx
Indeed | had only left my tent about half minute
and had not yet selected advantageous position,
when saw Indians no, nifty yards or riding di
rcctIy into camp. A. the moment saw Mr..
Hunter, the wagon master, who ike myself, was sun
unshcrrcd with our guns resting our left arms and
our eyes fxcd The bold intrudcrs we stood about
twenty ice, from each other Tho Indians rode on,
though without any hostile demonstration that we
rould sec But still heard the tramp of horses in
tho and tho loud shouts and urgings OF other
Indians Now face to face with tho rcd mar.
what do the Indians wants" asked Mr. Hunter.
"Do they want TO tightly"
Moo drawlod the foremost warrior; mo want
6eht Good lnjunn But still we stood prepared for
6ght
.Are con Sioux or Pawnccs y, further inquired the
wagon master.
.'Pawnce !" snid tho Indian, and speedily the word
passed to tho crowd behind tho barricadcs.
.Pawncc be datnnedin said one OF those within
srhats only a blind. In a minute you'll have the
whole band in here"
His had scarcely died away, however before a
United States cavaryman rode up behind the two
Pawnees. In a few words he explained that
these Indians OF Major North's
Pawnec scouts, forty OF whom we're herding
some Ave hundred ponies taken from suspected
faers wit hos Ia Rcd Cloud
Agency. They we're accompanied by cavalry escort,
nud tho Fort Laramie. where the
ponies TO be sold. With this announcement The
scare subsded almost as quickly as had begun, and