, 1876-04-10
GEN. CROOKS EXPEDITION.

Cheytn'.e Leader, Anr,t6.
Con. Crook eypcod dissatisfaction with Lila
command whom leaving hero, aud, although no
said littlo, 1t was easily Hoon that ho was not At
ali ptcuscd With tho prospects for tho auccoBs Of
tho expedition. Eoldior-llko, howover, lo bravo.
ly undertook tue eampaign though ',o undonbt-
oly know that tho1o wore big chancos for f0iluro
rnd but
EItA oHEs Fon SUCCESS.
When ho had reached the heart OF tho Indian
country, and word wan brought him by hs scouts
Of the discovery Of the largo Indian village Of
Crazy I1orso, and also tho location Of Sitting
Bull'e camp, 10 detailed tho otl'cor noxs In ou'-
rnand with nil tho troops save two companies,
for the attack on CtazY Horse, hnd with thu mack
train and q handful Of mon, himself started on
Sitting Bulls trail. Ordors wero given tho ON
cor hont to attack Crazy 1lorao to destroy his
village, capture liB pontes. mud iniilct upon him
aud hta 1nurderouB band tho Hsvurost punssh-
mont poaslbie.
Crazy Horse vas surrounded nnd completely
surprtaod, and, haa Gen. CrooE's orders boon
oboyed, tho band OF tlia predatory Chief would
now bo scattered to ihe four winds, Bit
D1HorED1ExCE AND tycoMtErESCY
characterized tho action Of tho commander Of
the dotachmont nnd ho thus baihod Geu.
Crooks wcll-laid plans, cororod hn>Belf with
Buch chagrn nj only tho brasN soldier can fool
whom l,a himself iB doing hia duty, but, from
forco of circumstances, can neither rtovont the
miBmnnagonont nor retr1ovo tho errors of others
upon whoao a,fccoBB Ant devotion bis uWn efforts
mud achievements depend.
Capt. Egan, with Ills gallant Nrnys. waH order
ed to charge through the Indian village. and na-
othor detachment was ordered TO rncet him half-
way, charging from tho opposite direction.
Dravo Eean did his duty, forcing his way through
tho village: but nas not sustained. tho detach-
ment ordered to meet him. which wna command
ed by. an officer Of tho Third Cavalry, sitting
quietly on their orees IN plain siGnt of tho VI
| hglt, Which lastod four or Gyo hours. This was
tho first and probably
! mildly Hrcaktng-of the cx; clifton, az had
| Egan bccu supported. many Indians would lmvu
| been 1nado truly good, and tho band completely
broken up.
As it waa however, nunbor Of Indians wero
killed and Botno Holutora klllod aud wounded.
| though w1 cannot 1earn the oxnct o1tcpt of the
lossos Of tho command. Over 700 lndnu ponies
| were captured, and these wero turned ovcr to
tho officer commanding tho Crazy Horse cxpodt.
ton. Gen. Crook. MS Inns bonn stated, was q
miles Arny during tho fight.
| On tho following morning, in disobcdienca nl
Crooks orders tho capturcd ponies T*ro ailo"
cd to ne driycn on by tho 1ndians, 1t being done
| IN plain eight Of tho commander, who made nc
| otIort TO prevent It, although dozen mon could
| easily lave held tho ponies Ind he 70 ordered.
Immediately upon learning Of tho manner In
Witch hts subordinate had conducted the affair,
| Gen. Crook
| ORDERED RETREAT,
and tho Big Horn expedition ut onco roturned to
Fettermau, and thouce to this city.
Had tAoro beon 10 diHobedIouce Of orders,
Crook. upon tho defeat Of Crazy Horsc, would
have Immediately marched upon Sitting Dul, and,
iu;our opinion, the Sioux tlnestion would have
been sottlod, or very nearly HI, BY this tins. 1n.
stend, Lie waB obliged to abandon TINT idon and
| return.
Another expedition. with experienced officers
and mon. probably from tho secoud or Filth
Cavalry Regiment, Is now being organized BY
Gen. Crook, and within month will DO on route
To Sitting Bulls headquarters. Fhore will DO nc
| moro ''ioolisbncsB about tho bs1Binoss, anc
We expect to 400 grand and bcneacal roAulta At
talned by tho secoud expedition.