The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-24
THE INDIANS.


they were evidently waiting for him. He fears
that the couriers who were sent from Fetter-
Crook, have been intercepted, as he saw their
trail this side of the river, but not beyond
His delay run him out of rations, compelling
him to fast two days. He left all quiet in the
camp.
The hostile Sioux are believed to be north of
Goose Creek forty miles and not far from the
scene Of the last massacre on the Little Big
Horn. They have not fired into the camp late
ly, nor attempted it, although the parched con-
dition of the grass renders this somewhat easy
sustenance. The wagon train gives them a
supply until October.
The command moved seven miles north, the
day of the courier's departing, to another
branch of the Tongue River, near the foot of
the Big Horn mountains, where they will en-
camp until the 9TH Cavalry, which leaves Fort
Laramie on Monday, reaches it, August 9th
Gen. Crook will make no aggressive arrange
ment until this event. when, if the couriers
whom he has despatched to Terry advising him
mand, he will have made junction with Ter
ry, and the next action will prove decisive
one.
There is nothing not already reported relat-
ing to Merits late engagement WITH T., the
was named Yellow Hand, young chief. The
agent at Red Cloud admits that up to this date
1000 Sioux and 1900 Cheyennes have left that
agency for the north, though all is quiet there
now, and it is believed no more will go.
A stage tonight brought in $1,000 in dust
from the Dead-wood. Mr.. Gardner, who spent
five weeks in traversing that region, intent on
satisfying himself of its richness, reports that
marvellous discoveries are being made and
fully one million dollars await safe transport.
Gen. Terry-sitiing Bulls Death Not
~- Credited. ...
BISMARCK, d. T., July 22.-The steamer Jo-
hipo pifh FOL HnUhaa 0f (Nanarat TprrV'S
staff, has arrived. ~.
Gen. Terry has moved his supply depot from
Powder River to Big Horn, where he still
waits for reinforcements and supplies. The
Far West reached that point Monday. Gen.
Terry's Grow scouts, who left after the Big
Horn battle, have returned. They report lndi-
ans in the Big Horn mountains ready for bust.
ness, and could not be induced to pass that
vicinity. An effort was made by Gen. Terry
to communicate with General Crook, and the
scouts reported that they were driven back.
On the 9th, couriers were escorted up Tul-
locks Forks some distance, and struck across
through the Rosebud. region. These are the
messengers, Colonel Hughes thinks, that
General Crook speaks of in his recent official
report.
= Colonel Hughes does not credit the report of
Sitting Bulls death, and thinks the Indians
loss was much lighter than is reported, and he
doubts if the troops, as reinforced, will be able
to engage them. General Terry has asked for
back with him.
Miners Meditating n War of Extermina-
NEW YORK, July pa I ort Thompson,
Dakota, letter of the 18th inst Esays that adj
vices there from the Black Hills are that pro-
position is gaining ground among the miners to
raise force to march to Missouri and killEeyery
Indian, man, woman and child in the camps
from Standing Rock to Yankton agency and
burn and destroy the agencies. Nearly 200
men have been killed and 1000 head of stock
run off since February.
Since the disaster on the Little Big Horn.
great fears are entertained that Sitting Bull
will tnrn on the north eide of the Black Hills
and with his strong force burn the towns and
sweep the miners from the gulches, active
measures are now being!taken for defence in
such an emergency.
Indian runners have arrived at the agencies
from hostile camps, to give information of the
battle of Little Big Horn and its results, and
to induce others to join the war bands on the
Yellowstone. The Indians are greatly elated
over their success and make no secret of it:
Disaffectioa is spreading at the agencies and
will almost certainly take a sanguinary form.
Gen. Sherman,s Views.
WASHINGTON July 22.-Gen. Sherman says
that all the available troops in the north and
west have been ordered to the Indian country,
and that the number will be amply sufficient to
defeat the hostile tribes. ,
He does not believe, however, that the Indian
question can be settled until the government
enters upon the policy of depriying the Indians
of their ponies and compelling them to go on
foot When this is done the Indians will be
comparatively .powerless, and those upon their
reservations will never venture to leave to go
upon the war path. In regard to the reported
death of Sitting Bull, Gen. Sherman says it
will make but little difference whether it is
true or not, as the Indians have fully twenty as
capable warriors to command in case of a bat
tie.
Gen. Merritrs Fight-Exploits of Buffalo
Bill.
ial of the 22d inst. says Gen. Merritt having
been advised that 800 .Cheyennes were about
leaving the agency to join Sitting Bull made
forced march on the nights of the 18th and
10th insts., and encamped on Hot Creek under
the bluffs in front of the line that the In
dams was obliged to travel. On the 18th the
war parties came in sight and Merritt wit b bis
seven companies kept out of sight The In
dams saw theswagon train in the distance in
which were two companies of infantry. The
Indians kept out Of sight of the train in expec-
tation Of capturing il, while Merritt was watch
ing the Indians unknown to the latter. Two
couriers drove ahead to go to the creek when
half dozen Indians went for their scalps
Buffalo Bill and the scouts who were under
Merritt quickly intercepted the small Indian
party and just as they sprang for the men
Buffalo Bill and his scouts fired into and killed
two Of them. The Indians turned on the
scouts and the latter sprang from their horses
and met the daring charge with volley.
"Yellow Hand" young Cheyenne chief, came
foremost, singing "Bilp' as foeman worthy
Of his steel. Cody coolly knelt and taking de-
liberate aim sent bullet through the chiefs
leg and into his horses head. Down went the
two and before his friends could reach him
second shot from Bills rifle laid the redskin
low.
The reserve Idians come on with a rush from
the ridge in the rear, bent on annihilating the
party. To their establishment, however, a
long blue line popped up in their very front
and company K, with Col. Mason at the head.
dashed at them. Leaving their dead the
Cheyennes scattered back heller SHELTER to- the
ridge, but their fire was wide and their stand a
short one Company after company debauched
from behind from the bluff. and utterly dis
lheartened the Indians rushed for the reserva-
ton, leaving behind all their provisions.
Gen. Merritt pursued them till night when
the whole command went into camp at the
agency. The Indians left their dead and admit
having more wounded. They also lost six
ponies. Their friends at Red Cloud say they
never conceived how the 9Th cavalry could get
there in time to head them off The regiment
sustained no loss. 1t arrived at Laramie yes
terday and leaves tor Crooks camp tomorrow,
the 23d inst.
Endorsements for Crook-His Present
zF- Strength. sE ~
NEW YORK, July 23.-A special dated
Crooks Camp 18th inst, via Fort Fetterman
the 22d inst, says that supplies for sixty days
reached there on the 10Th, sufficient for 1900
men. Five additional companies of infantry
have also arrived. Col. Wesley Merritt who
has taken the leadership of tue 9th Cavalry,
will be ranking chief of the cavalry on his ar
rival here, and there will probably be reorga
nization of the force under Crook The Snake
Indians INDUCED in parade day before yes
terday. showing admirable order and displaying
white badges, which they are to wear hence
forth in battle to distinguish them from the
enemy. Should the Utes join the column. they
will number 1000 men. re-
A courier was despatched from this command
to Fort Fetterman, July r. Another is to
start today to endeavor to reach Terry's camp.
For two days and nights no Sioux have been
seen or heard of. ---&-'-
Lieut.. E. q. Stevens of the Sd cavalry is ex-
pected to bring recruits to fill the 9th cavalry
troops in this command. The force of the diff
ferent corps will be: 5th cavalry, 400 men; Sd
cavalry, 500; I'd cavalry, 200; 59th. 18th and 4th
infantry, 400 men Snake scouts, 212 men; civil
liam scouts, 20; packers, IS; teamsters, 100.
There is room for the use of light artillery
against the Sioux, but Gen. Crook is not in
cliped to employ it. 1t would have aided oreat-