The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-04-09

Gen. Crooks Line of March DolCn
Tongue Biger Totpard the Kct-
loaostonc-Iatensely Cold Heather
"A Night Magch-Iiqht nth
the indians on Po1der Ri0er-
Gray Horses Village Surprised
Killed and Wounded-Retur7l
of the Troops to Fort Reno
Results Of the Expedition.
Especial Correspondence Of the N. Y. Tribuncl
- Old Fort Reno, w. T., March 2l.-
The Big Horn expedition returned
to this point to-day, after mnrching
over 400 miles in II days, encounter
ing unusually v e weather, and
destroying an active and pestilent
Indian village which has troubled
the Wyoming frontier. The details
of each days marching, and the re-
suits Of the expedition, as well as the
character of the country through
which the troops moved, are given
herewith. The Indians who have
caused the most mischief along the
frontiers of Nebraska and Wyoming,
who have stolen the greatest number
of horses and committed the largest
number of murders, havo been badly
punished on the Powder River, and
their families are left without shelter,
provision or clothing. Moreover,
immense quantities of powder, caps,
and other ammunition have been
destroyed, so that they have little
material wherewith to go to war
again. Each tepee in the encamp-
ment which was surprised was a
small arsenal, in which was stored n
large supply Of wal material. This
was all obtained from tho worthy
agents and traders at the various
Indian agencies, especially at Red
Cloud and Spotted Tail. The eXpedi-
ton has demonstrated that the num-
Der of hostile Indians in this northern
country. has been greatly overesti-
mated. Instead of $4,000 or 1000,
there are probably not over 1000 ali
told. This command, in the country
which was covered by its marches,
and which was supposed to be the
seat of powerful warlike tribes, has
not see n over 5000 Indians. These
probably constitute half of the hos
tile Indians now off their reserva-
tions. Doubtless during the summer
this number is increased by young
bucks whom the agents permit to
leave their agencies, and who mater
tally assist the predatory exclusions of
the openly hostile; but that there is
in this region q warlike population
large enough TO endanger the general
peace of the frontier is one of those
humbugs which Indian agents find
profitable TO perpetuate. At Reno
the wounded YER transferred to
ambulances, and the whole command
took a breathing spell. In two days
the column will set out for Fort
Fetterman, whence tho troops will
return to their posts to prepare for
other campaigns during the summer.
MARCH TO THE ENcAMPMENT.
In Camp, Tuesday Night, March
Z. lust after dark the ten companies
of cavalry which comprise the active
force of this command moved out of
the camp on Crazy Woman River,
followed the old road to Fort Phil.
Kearney for three miles, and then
took n course due north. All tents, |
except shelter tents for the men and
tent flies for the officers, had been
left with the wagons, to be sent back
to Powder River. Cooking outfits
had been surrendered; extra bedding
and clothing had been packed upand
left, and nothing but the most abso-
necessary articles were re-
tanned, The ration itself was con-
to the essentials; that is, to hard
bread, bacon, sugar and coffee, and
half rations of bacon. Capt. Coates
of the 4th Infantry was intrusted
with the duty of taking the train
back to the Powder River. Good
byes were said, and we were off. The
shone brightly, and the night
was warm and pleasant. The great
Big Horn range was visible from our
line of march, Cloud Peak, especially,
towering above all its comrades, the
one giant of the mountains. The
column wound its way sinuously
across the plains, and looked like
an immense black serpent.
Wednesday, March S.-The march
lasted till 5 a. m, to-day-10 hours
which time the column
marched 80 miles, the pack trains be-
ing close up when the final halt was
ordered. The camp was pitched on
the Clear Fork of Lodgepole River, q
tributary of Crazy Woman River.
This stream has its source in the
mountains, and the water is therefore
clear and excellent. The bed is about
10 yards in width. Very little wood
could be found, and this was from
and box elder trees. The
grass was much better than at our
last camp, and our animals cropped
the brown lunches eagerly. For an
hour before reaching camp the air
a been growing colder, and Il keen
north wind had sprung up. Scarcely
had the horses and mules been
picketed and sentinels posted when
officers and men threw themselves
wrestling q little sleep from the last
hour of the night. This attempt was
a complete failure, as the air kept
growing colder every moment, and a
cold northeast snow-storm swept