The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-26
TELEGRAPHIC.
[Tessgraphed to the Rock Island Argus.l
FROM THE INDIAN COUNTRY.
Practical Failure of the Campaign.

Practical Failure of the Campaign.
CHICAGO, Aug. GA special to the
Times from the yellow stone expedition
steamer Josephine, near the mouth of the
Yellowstone, August Goth, via Bismarck,
the 25th, says.
Since the junction of Crook and Terry
it is hoped to overtake and force q fight
with the Sioux. The command has
moved west to Big Horn mountains where,
on the 14th, trail 5 or days old and two
miles wide being the heaviest ever seen
on the prairies, was discovered. This
trail finally separated and the Indians
were found to be in full retreat, one band
heading north toward the British posses
sions with the probable intention of cross
ing the line; the other going south along
the Little Missouri for the purpose of cross
ing the Missouri river above Fort Berth
old. There is every indication that the
hostiles have been heavily reinforced by
agency Indians. They have their families
aud evidently intend remaining north this
winter, Our army has had difficult pro-
gramme and it will be almost miraculous
if they overtake the sayages, who are we'll
mounted. When supplies are exhausted
our soldiers will have to return to the sup
ply camp.
General Miles, commandingthe 5th In.
iantry, returned to camp on the Rose Bud
on the 18th inst and Instructed to patrol
the liver north of Fort Buford, and inter-
rupt any bands attempting to cross the
Yellowstone, moving north, also to con,
struct winter quarters at the mouth of
Tongue river for one regiment of Infantry.
The steamers Far West, Josephine, Car
roll. and Yellowstone have been placed at
his disposal and supplies for the command
are being rapidly shipped up the river
from Buford. The steamers Carroll and
Far West will De employed patrolling the
river. General Miles's command has been
reinforced by two companies of the Sew
enteenth Infantry and other troops, giving
him total OF about seven hundred men.
Gen. Terry supply camp has been NOV
ed to the mouth of Tongue River as a
base of supplies during the campaign
The steamers are we'll guarded and the
supply camp strongly defended The gar
rison has three Gattling guns and several
Rodman guns, and the steamer Josephine
has on board three Gattling pieces for the
garrison. Sharp work may be expected on
the south bank of tie Yellowstone before
the war ends.
A later despatch, dated August 22d, near
the mouth of Powder river says the prac-
tical failure of the campaign, thus far, has
caused change in the plan of operations
and the government will now continue the
war until the Indians are subdued or re-
turn to their reservations. 1t is almost
! assured that the scout now making by the
combined forces of Crook and Terry viii
; be unsuccessful and the troops will prob
. ably return to the mouth of Tongue river
by the 25th inst. The command will ther
! re6t for another dash, which, it is hoped
! will be more successful,
4 Gen. Miles's winter quarters will accom-
: modate 1900 men, and if the troops d.
not have a successful engagement with tn
Indians before the 18th of September, tha
number will be left on the Yellowstone fo
: the winter.
The Fifth Infantry, under Gen. Miles
: and the Fifth cavalry, under Gen. Merritt
: the two finest regiments in the service
q will remain In winter quarters and if nee
4 essary additional numbers will be kept i
u quarter.
Thus the campaign will be extended lat
in the season and if necessary resume
Cdtly III tHc SpEtuR. Ii Is LUouSUb SUN
cient supplies can be forwarded for tn
troops before winter sets in. The cam
paigu will be full of hardships, but not
dangerous as another seasons murderou
q work.
There are evidences of Indians along th
- Y Yellowstone, but every precaution is bt
ing taken to take advantage of their move
= ments and fight is not improbable. Th
troops will occupy quarters on Tongu
- river by September Goth.
A still later despatch. dated Augu
23rd, via Bismarck, says Crook and Terry
. after following the trail discovered on tn
> 18th, moved SO miles down Rosebud. TT
northern trail was abandoned on the l4tl
and the command pursued the souther
trail, crossed Tongue to Goose Cree
thence returned to Powder river aud fc
= lowed it to its mouth, which they reache
on the night of the 18th, where they wer
into camp and will remain until the 24t
The wagon train and all supplies at ii
: mouth of Tongue river are being shippt
- to the mouth of Powde: river and it is e!
e" pected the wagon train will reach the
tomorrow morning. The Indian tri
divierged from the east bank of Powd
to river, about twenty miles from its mout
Ire Ire south again toward Little Missouri when
the command will follow speedily r
!. entire command is short of supplies ar
nj nj unless otherwise ordered Terry will mar
such as are not needed over to fort ABB
ham Lincoln Crooks command will SEQ
- toward the Black Hills and via Fetterma
home. Crook and Terry both think
= TO TO Ftoo late for extended field operations. T
the Indians on the southern trail are beilev
as 90 ho ,,cy;nr souard tba ooopo;aS opd III
Iss will, if possible, intercept them. L
Re, campaign is therefore practically clos
unless further instructions come from t
lieut.. general.
:. BURST A BOILER AT SEA.