The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-07-28
o o CONCLUSIONS
Details Conserving His Plans. His Com
msnd, the Indians, Merrittis Move
ments, Etc

menus ETC
A 0 detailed dispatch from Gen.
Crooks camp of the same date as that
published yesterday, we give herewith
1t was Gen. Crooks intention origi-
naliy to renew operations against the
Sioux upon the arrival of the wagon
train and additional infantry from Fort
Fetterman, but the fatal results attend
ing Terry's expedition suggested the
propriety of adding eight companies OF
the Fifth Cavalry under Merritt, which
have been stationed at and near Fort
Laramie, to his command.
The wagons and infantry arrived on
the 18th, but as yet we have no certain
tidings of the whereabouts of Merritt,
who, on the 10th, went in pursuit of a
body of Cheyennes.
1t is not improbable that the Sioux
have resolved to keep to the main chain
OF mountains and swing around south
toward the head of Powder river and
debouch on the plains towards Fort
Fetterman. Crook does not think it ad-
visable for Terry to join him until after
engaging the enemy, who could see
Terry long before he could effect the
junction. Four Crow Indians, cou.
riers from Terry, at the mouth Of the
Big Horn, started back tonight with
dispatches on this subject.
The Sioux cannot move their families
and effects through the rough noun
tains as rapidly as the soldiers can fol-
low them, hence they must either make
a stand, or leave them behind after they
get under way. The Snake Indian al
lies are of this way of thinking and are
almost As anxious for All advance as
any other portion of this command.
The pack train of $50 packs is the
best organized affair Of the kind on the
continent, and is in condition to follow
the enemy ove any trail they may Sc
lect, and make a good fight besides, SO
that the command will be enabled to re-
main in the toughest mountains an in
definite period.
1t is hoped that Gen. Sheridan did
not make a mistake in approving Mer-
ritt's raid after the Cheyennes, in the
face of his own and Crooks orders to
join this command at once. This delay
has greatly complicated the situation
here, and justifies Crook in the proposed
advance. Those eight companies of the
Fifth Cavalry are considered worth at
least twelve of the present infantry.
AT present both officers and men are
full of what thorough soldiers call es-
prit, and should the enemy cling to the
timber and rocks a good account will
be rendered by the men on foot. A
small party of Snake scouts will be sent
out tonight and endeavor definitely to
locate the Sioux. This reconnaissance
will require two or three days time, and
in the meantime the wagons and the
main command will work their way to a
final camp and point of departure.
1t is hoped and expected that a band
of Utes and possibly a band of Ban
nockallies will join the expedition before
the next move. These Indian allies are,
however, voluntary aids, and are look
ing for what plumber they can capture.
Owing to their superstitious notions
they are not altogether trustworthy,
unless success is continuous from the
first. Evidently but a short time will
elapse before the entire command will
be put to the test.
DIVISIONS OF CROOKS FORCE.
When joined by the Fifth Cavalry and
the Ute and Bannock allies, the force of
the different corps will be /: Fifth cav
airy, 450 men; third cavalry, 500 men;
second cavalry, 200 men; Ninth, Four
teenth and Fourth infantry, 400 men;
Snake, Ute and Bannock scouts 500;
civilian scouts, 25; packers, IS; team
sters, 100. Total, 2250.
There is room for the use of light ar
tillery against the Sioux. General Crook
is not inclined to employ it, but it would
have aided greatly in the Rosebud fight,
and the regiments lounging about the
Notifications in the different States
might well be used as infantry in the
field. The country is as suitable for
maneuvering of Calling guns and how
itzers as it was in any portion of the
Southern States.