Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-31
SibIey's Escape.

SibIey's Escape.
The day after Crooks party returned from
their hunt, the General determined to send out
reconuoitriug party. Lieut.. Frederick W.
Sibley, with twenty five picked men, was de-
tailed to accompany the scouts, Frank Grouard
and ptis,e Fourier, 90 the reconnaissance. Jno.
Becker, mule packer, who had some expert
ence as guide, was also of the party. made
up my mind to go with Sbley, who is 6ue
Young officer and son Of the late Colonel
Sibley, of Chicago. Each of US carried
100 rounds of amuuuition and enough prov.
ender to last week. The full moon rose UPON
us by eight 0 clock, and We continued our ride
along the foot OF the mountains uDtl two o clock
that morning. At half-p past four o'clock 90 the
morning of Friday, July I, We were again IN
the saddle, pressing on toward where the scouts
supposed the Iudisu village to be. Reaching
the foot of a rocky mound Grouard told US to
halt while be took observations. Scarcely had
the scout taken 6rst look from the crest OF the
ridge when peculiar motion OF his hand sum
moned Baptste to his side. A minute after
ward they had mouuted their horses, and came
gaopug back to US. Quick, tor your lives :
cried Grouard. We mounted Immediately and
followed him. He led US among bills OF red
sandstone, the footstool Of the mountains. and
we were obliged to make our horses leap down
on rocky ledges as much as six or seven feet
to follow his course Within fifteen mluu es
we reached hill sufficiently large 10 conceal
our horses while those Of us who were furnish
ed with glasses-namely Grouard, Fourier,
Lieutensot Sibley and myself-weut into the
fnI
"What did you see, Frank p asked Sibley of
the scout. "Ouy Sitting Bulls war party" !"
Frank replied. Knew they were up here with
out coming at ALL" We did not have long to
wait for the confirmation Of his words Almost
at the same instant groups of mounted savagcs
appeared un every hill north and east OF as.
Every moment increased the numbers, until
they seemed to cover the ouuntry far and wide.
'rhey have not seen US yet, said the scout.
UNLESS some OF them bit upon the trail We
are oom paratlvely safe.
Gradually the right faux of the Indians ap-
preached the ground over which W. had come
that morning and the previous night We
watched their movements with breathless ln-
terest. Suddenly 40 IndiaD attired 10 red
blanket halted looked for moment at the
earth and began toride round 10 circle.
"Now lock out, said Grouard, that fellow
has found our trail and they will be after US in
Ave minutes.
What are we going to do?" asked the young
officer. :,
"Well, we have but one chance of escape"
said Grouard; "let US lead our horses into the
mountains and try to croes them. Meanwhile
prepare for the worst.
Then we lett the rocks and went down among
the soldiers. Lieutenant S!bley said to them:
"Men, the Indians have discovered US. We
will have to do some fighting. five can make
an honorable escape all together We shall do 1t.
If retreat s Impossible let no man surrender.
Die 10 your tracks, for the Indians show no
mercy
tAll right sir, said the men, and the whole
paIty followed the scouts aod the ottloer up the
steep mountain side, which at that point was
steep to discouragng extent. The Indians
must have seen US, they were scarcely more
than mile distant, for hundreds of them had
halted and appeared to be 10 consultation we
continued our retreat uutil we struck 40 old
Sioux trail on the first ridge. This path leads
to the snowy ridge" said Grouard. IF We
can reach there without being overtaken or cut
off our chances are pretty fair Having gone
6yc miles and seeing 90 Indians on our track
Grouard concluded that they had abandoned
the pursuit or else did not care about attacking
US 10 the hills. The horses we're badly used
up and many of the men were suffering from
hunger; so we halted to make some coffee and
to allow our animals to recuperate. Ihis oceu.
pied about an hour, wheD We again mounted
and set forward. We crossed the main branch
Of Tongue River, flowing through the lnoun-
tains, and we're 10 full view OF the snowy range.
Suddenly Joho Becker the packer, and sol
disr rode up. exclalming, 1.-The Indians the
Indians ~
Grouard looked over his shoulder and saw
some of the red devils riding 90 our lett hank.
We had reached plain on the mountain range.
timber ou our left, timber on our front, and
rocks and timber on our right, at about 2OO
yards distance Keep to the left along the
woods" said the scout. Scarce were the words
uttered when from the rocks there came ring
ipg voey. The Indians had fired upon us,
and had struck my horse and two others. For
tuuateIy, the scoundrels fired too low, mlscacu-
latiug the distance, aud not man was wounded.
Ourauimsls, after the manner OF American hor-
ses, stampeded and nearly dashed out our brains
against the trees on our left. The savages gave
Us three more voIleys. woundiog more of our
horses, before we got the beasts tied to the
timber. We gave them volley back to keep
them u check, and then formed CIRCULAR sklr-
mSb hue 10 the woods. we could see tue iu-
dian leader, dressed in what appeared 10 be
white buckskiu, directing The movements. OF
his men. Grouard recoguiz ID hlm. tie Is
Cheyenne, called White Antelope. famed tor
his enterprise and skill. The Cheyenues and
Sioux are firm allies and always fight together.
White Antelope led one charge against US. but
our fire sent himself and his warriors back 10
qllck time. Theo the indians laid low 10 the
rocks ADD kept up an iocessant fire on our posi- pos
ton, f ling the trees around US with lead. Not
mau of US ever expected to leave that spot
alive. They evidently aimed at our horses
thinking tina, by killing them all means OF es'
cape would be cut of from US.
Meanwhile their plumbers continued to ln'
crease. The open slopes swarmed with ln'
dlaus, and we could hear their savage, encour:
aging yells to each other. Cheyennes and
sioux we're mixed together aud appeared to be
IN great glee They had evidently recognized