The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-07
THE SIOUX WAR.
CONTINUED FROM FIFTH PAGE. ]

and sergeant and four promptly
sent on shore 10 make closer exam
nation, and II possible find traces OF the
owners of the boat While they were gone we on the
steamer caught sight of men moving among the
clump OF trees endeavoring to hide in the sage
BUSH The sergeants party failed to lind them,
passing far behind. AS the overcoats proved TO be-
long to the Seventh cavalry Colonel otis resolved to
capture the men, whom he conjectured to be de-
serters large detail was put on shore, under the
charge OF IAcutcnants Lockwood and Casey In Il
lew minutes two deserted and drawn
from their hiding PAGES They proved TO be
DEsERrERs FROM THE SEVENTH CAVALRY,
who had left General Terry's command at Big Horn
River about two days before and foated down the
river In the boat. When captured these
ported that they had been fired into by party OF If
teen Indians, but had escaped unhurt and
that about eleven O'Clock the previous night they
had passed "A number OF fires the river bank.
Little or no attention was given to the stories Of the
men, though events were soon to prove that part
at least OF their story was correct. VOLTS Rapids
are quite close to Powder River, and here
perienced great difficulty in making Roadway against
the stream.
APPEARANCE OF THE INDIANS
While we were yet motioness, lying under high
blum, extensive fires visible in the direction OF
Powder River. 1t was ut first thought the Indians
had set fire 10 General Terry's abandoned supply
camp This; however, proved to be an error. About
five O'Clock in the evening able to distin-
guish
TEMPORARY INDIAN CAMP
where the fires were burning A few minutes later
horses and Indians were reported in sight. At first
the statement was received with doubt, but Il
number OF horsemen were seen galloping wildly
over the plains. large signal fire lighted in the
camp recalled the absent warriors, who could be
seen descending at full galop from the direction of
Powder River. They came first singly and in small
groups, but before they reached their camp they
had assumed military organization For time
they rode in two platoons but alterward they
Urmed in n skirmish line, with the apparent inten-
ton OF coming down to the blur and
OPPOSING OUR ADVANCE,
Dr. perhaps, with the intention of resisting In case
we should land and attack their camp While the
preparations were going on among the redskins the
troops on the Carroll not idle Indians were
reported on both banks of the river and 1t
cssary to land troops the left or east bank in
order to prevent US from being placed be-
tween two fires. For this duty Companies
and F, OF the Twenty second regiment
OF Infantry, were selected They were placed under
the command of Brevet MAJOR Clarke a veteran
officer, In whose GOODNESS and courage both officers
ana men had implicit confidence as it sup
posed the brunt OF the fighting would have to be
borne by TINS detachment in covering the passage
OF the Carroll up the river Lieutenant Casey
adJutant OF the Twenty-second, asked permission to
go with Captain Goodhow's company which occu-
pied the advance His request was promptly
granted. The company deployed as skirmshers,
and soon struck broad
INDIAN TRAIL,
that led up the blum. Here we encountered evi.
dence of the recent presence OF troops. There
were scattered about the brOkpn nj hnr
shoes, boxes OF horse nails, debris of potato bar
. rels and some civilian clothing. Everything about
the place betokened hasty retreat. In
the river and below the cliff lay a
wagon which had been thrown over and
number of wagon trails led to points on the bluiYs,
Inducing the belief that other wagons had been
thrown into the river, either by the troops or by the
Indians. Further on, in hollow in the buiI we
came on large quantity Of corn and oats. Part OF
this lay loose on the ground, but some forty
sacks still remained, and it was evident the
Indians were rapidly conveying it across the
river to their camp. There was Il clearly marked
trail rom the corn to the edge of the river made in
dragging the sacks to the waters edge. the mocas-
Sin tracks showing clearly that the sacks were
moved by Indians Before the companies the
left bank could land several shots were fired from
the direction OF the Indian camp on the
tight or west bank OF the river. The first
SuOtS cll SnOTt ana soon alter bullet crashed
through the vessels side, smashing some cups and
saucers and frightening considerably young
gentleman who thought he would take his supper
even if he were to be shot. Later on this was the
signal for
A TERRIFIC PusIIADE
from the companies OF the Twentysecond, who re-
manned on the steamer. At the distance at which
the Indians were visible the fire could not have
been effective but it kept the redskins from
the mass Of men grouped on board. The Indians
got out of range in double quick time and did not
show any disposition to face the music.
As it was evident the warriors had ahan-
doned the idea q attacking the steamer,
Colonel Otis landed company OF infantry
To reconnoitre the village and finish some ponies
which had survived the fusilade. Across the river
the Indian camp presented scene of confusion
which showed that our appearance was quite a
prise. Bufialo robes, saddles. brides, hunting
pouches. bows and arrows and even rides and
volvers had been left behind in the sudden flight.
considerable quantity OF these things were
carried of by the soldiers, who found in the camp
An immense quantity OF corn and oats No effort
was made TO destroy the camp, and, after shooting
the few ponies which remained alive, the soldiers
were recalled ard the Carroll crossed over To the
left bank 10 take the companies commanded by
Major Clarke board before proceeding on her way
This unlooked-lor maneuvrc caused by tie
belief that the main body OF the Indians the
left or east bank. and Colonel Otis was afraid that
the two companies might be overwhelmed before he
could come to their assistance. In order to under
stand how this mistake occurred it is necessary TO
return TO the companies commanded by Major
Clarke and Captain Goodhow. Their orderA were
TO accompany the march OF the steamer to
prevent the Indians opening fire on the
steamer. Captain Goodhow's company was cx-
tended as skirmishers they crowned the
blum. No Indians showed themselves on the lett
bank OF the river, but number were discovered on
the right bank, endeavoring to carry or u lot Of
ponies that were grazing near the river.