The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-24
A FINE CAMPAIGN SPOILED.
Report of a Terrible Battle Between
Terry and Sitting Bull
GENERAL SIBERIAN DISCREDITS II
He Is Well Satisfied with OPERA
tons So Far.
on BOARD THE FAR WEST.

NEAR MOUTH POWDER RIVER, August Is, 1876.
VIA BISMARCK, D. l., August %, 1875 }
The events which have transpired since the troops,
under the command Of Colonel OTIS passed this
point on the 10Th of July have been curiousy illus
trative OF Indian campaigns large force OF troops
had travelled some thousands of miles to fight the
Indians but, for some reason difncult to explain,
when the Indians presented themselves In a
very defiant attitude the troops ,ound that
their duty called them to some other
point. In q former letter tie HERALD received as
fuu and fair o statement Of what occurred in the
skirmish which took place between Colonel OTIS
command and the hostile Indians encamped upon
the banks as the circumstances Of the hour per-
nitted. The facts were sent forward without COM
nent to speak for themselves, with such explana-
ton as Colonel Otis thought well to give unsolicited.
WHERE SOME ONE HAS BLUNDERKD.
When the presence Of the Indians at Powder
River was reported to General Terry there were
not wanting officers Of experience who urged upon
he department commander the wisdom Of sending
strong force TO Powder River and striking at the
nvages; but no attention was paid to this advice,
iere with the general plan of the campaign by de-
laying the movement of the main column. 1t was
also open to the objection that small force would
run the risk OF being overpowered and cut
to pieces. Whatever may be the value OF
these reasons one thing Is certain, that
fifteen days ago they were within easy striking dis
lance Of the Sioux, and to-day one-fourth OF the
United States army is making forced marches to dts
cover the whereabouts OF the men who during the
latter days OF July and the first days Of August in
vited our soldiers who happened TO pass near them
to combat with insolence justified by the sue
eesses they have constantly obtained in fighting the
white man. Iti generally believed that the forces
Of Sitting Bull have succeeded in passing
ihat General Terry's column is following
!heir old trail, but there is little ground
IN which to base this conclusion 1t is somewhat
curious that an experienced Indian fighter like
Crook should have allowed SO large body Of In
dams to have escaped from his 'front.' and the fact
that he never communicated to General Terry any
Information Of the movements OF the Indians has
caused quite good deal Of comment. There is no
doubt that If the generals in this campaign had
kept each other informed of what transpirng in
their immediate vicinity that the issue would not
have been SO disastrous to the army and the
country.
DIsaRAcEHuL NEGLECT BY THE GOVERNMENT
The preparations made by the War Department
70 carry on operations against the Sioux were
ridculousy inadequate and altogether unsuitable
70 the nature OF the country. Huge wagon trains
have been sent out that creep over the ground and
IN many cases cannot be passed through the coun-
try where 1t is necessary to fight instead OF good
mules, which could go anywhere cavalry or in
nntry could pass without delaying the column
In making bridges and roads. In one Of my
former letters attention called to the
disgraceful neglect shown in not providing
proper means OF transportation for the sick and
wounded This matter comes up again in connec-
ton with General Terry's present expedition.
Three thousand two hundred men left the Rosebud
Creek to march forced marches In order fight the
Sioux, and 1t Is impossible that so large number of
men should undergo fatigue and hardships, exposed
they are TO sudden changes of temperature with
put some among them falling sick and requiring
and attention. yet the only provision made for
conveying the sick and wounded was single
furoe, Indian horse litter SO that the out ofiuck
philosophy again triumphant. The same heed.
lessness Is shown in the supply department; and,
although the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers AFFORD
pvery facility for supplying the troops in the field
with all the necessities Of life, the men are chiefly
dependent on pork, crackers and coffee q diet that
would ruin any stomach Yet Notwithstanding all
these drawbacks, the men do not grumble, but
wnungly support the privations and iatigues to