Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-09-28
Another Fight With the Indians
Gen. Crooks Report.

FORT LARAMIE, Wy, Sept. IS.
Gen. r. G. Drum, Chicago, H.:
The following dispatch has Just been
received from Gen. Crook:
HEAD BIG HORN AND YELLOWSTONE
EXPEDITION CAMP NEAE OWL CREEK,
DAKOTA TERRITORY, Sept 49,
Gen. Sh eridan, Chicago:
Marched from Heart River, passing a
great many trails of Indians going down all
the different streams we crossed between
Heart River and this point, apparently
working their way in toward the different
agencies, although some Of the trails seemed
fresh. Our animals were not in condition
to pursue them. From the north fork
of Grand River | sent Capt. Mills, of
the Third Cavalry, with $50 men,
mounted on our strongest horses, to
go in advance to Deadwood to procure
supplies of provisions. On the evening of
the Sth, near the Shin Buttes, he discovered
a hostile village of thirty odd lodges, and
lay by there that night, and attacked them
by surprise yesterday morning, capturing
the village, some prisoners, and number of
ponies, and killing some of the indians.
Among the Indians was the chief, American
Horse, who died from his wounds after sur
rendering to us. Our own casualties were
slight, but among them was First Lieut..
Won Lattewitz, of the Seventh Cavalry,
wounded seriously in the knee and leg,
since amputated.
In the village were found, beside great
quantities Of dried meat and ammunition,
an army guidon, portions of officers and
non-commissioned officers uniforms, and
other indications that the Indians of this
village had participated in the Custer mas
sacre. Our main column got up about noon
that day, and was shortly after attacked by
a considerable body of Indians, who, the
prisoners said, belonged to the village of
Crazy Horse, who was camped some
I,nrn 1NntNz hnJ Hoo Nd
the Little Missouri River. This at
tack was undoubtedly made under the
supposition that Capt. Mills command had
received no reinforcements. The prisoners
further stated that most of the hostile In
dams were now going into the Agencies
with the exception of Crazy Horse and Sit
ting Bull with their immediate follow 5rs
Crazy Horse intended to remain nea, the
head waters of the Little Missouri, and
about one-half of Sitting Bulls band, num-
gone north Of the Yellowstone, while
the remainder of that band, with
some Sans Arcs, Minneconous and
Uncapapas, had gone to the vicinity Of An
telope Buttes, there to fatten their ponies
and to trade with the Recs and others. I
place great reliance on these statements,
from other corroboratory evidence which I
have. These Indians with Sitting Bull will
amount probably to 300 or 400 lodges, and
in my opinion can very easily be struck by
Gen; Terry's column, provided it go in
light marching order and keep under cover.
Our prisoners also in their conversation
fully confirmed in every particular my opin-
ions as already telegraphed you. We had
very hard march here from Heart River, for
eighty consecutive miles. We did not have
particle of wood, nothing but a little dry
grass, which was insufficient even to cook
coffee for the men. During the greater por
ton of the time we were drenched by cold
rains, which made travelling very heavy. A
great many of the animals gave out and
had to be abandoned; the others are
now in such a weak condition that
the greater number of them will not be able
to resume the campaign until after a rea-
sonabls rest. [ should like to have about
500 horses, preferably the alf-breed horses
raised on the Laramie plains, or in the
vicinity of Denver, and acclimated to this
country. [ intend to carry out the pro-
gramme mentioned in my last dispatch, Uia
Fort Lincoln, and shall remain in the vicinity
of Deadwood until the arrival of my wagon
train. GEORGE CROOK, Brig Gen.