New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16

Indians could cut me OFT. MOylan, with hi
| reserve, was still too far in the rear to rel
der their assistance available in repellin
| the shock of the Indians first attach
Realizing the great superiority Of our en-!
mice, not Only in numbers, but in thei
| ability to handle their arms and horses j
| q fight, and fearing they might das
| through and dispense Colonel Custer
email party of twelve men, and havin
once broken the formation of the latte
dispatch them in detail, shouted to Colone
Custer at almost each bound OF my horse
'Dismount your men! DismOunt your men!
but the distance which separated us, an
the excitement OF the occasion, prevente
him from hearing.
Fortunately, however, this was not tn
| first time he had been called upon to con
tend against the sudden and unforeseen
onslaught of savsges, and although failin
ly that the safety of his little band Of troop
| ers depended upon the adoption of promp
| means Of defense.
Scarcely had the long line of splendidl
mounted warriors rushed from their hidin
place before Colonel Clusters voice rang GU
sharp and clear, Prepare to fight on foot.
This order req nired three out or four troop
ers to leap from their saddles and take thei
position on the ground, whereby by NOR
deliberate aim and being freed from tn
management of their horses, more effect
i've resistance could be opposed to tn
rapidly approaching warriors. The fourtl
trooper in each group Of ''iOurs" remained
on his horse holding the reins OF the horsel
of his three comrades.
Quicker than words can describe, thu
fifteen cavalrymeD, now on foot and actins
as infantry, rushed forward q few PAGES il
advance nf tho hnrcoS Ion1oro1 10
der, and dropping on ore or both knees in
the low grass, waited with loaded carbines
with finger gently pressing the trigger, the
approach of the Sioux, who rode boldly
down as if apparently unconscious that the
small group Of troopers were on their front
Don't fire, men, till give the word, aud
when you do fire, aim Iow," was the quiet
Injunction given his men by their young
commander, as he sat TN his horse intently
watching the advancing foe.
Swiftly over the grassy plain leaped my
noble steed, each bound bearing me nearer
TO both friends and foes. Had the race been
confined to the Indians and myself, the
closeness of the result would have satisfied
an admrer of the Derby. Nearer and near
er our paths approached each other, making
it appear almost as if [ were one of the line
OF warriors, rs the latter bore down to 40
complish the destruction of the little group
OF troops in front. Swifter seemed to fly
our melted steeds, the one to save, the
other to destroy, until the common goal has
almost been reached--a few more bounds,
and friends and foes will be united-will
form one cOntending mass.
The victory was almost within the grasp
of the redskins. 1t seemed that but mo-
ment more, and they would be tramp.iug
the kneeling troopers beneath the feet of
their fleet limbed ponies; when, "Now, men,
let them have it" was the signal for we'll
directed volley. as fifteen cavalry carbines
poured their contents into the ranks of the
savages. Before the latter could
recover from the surprise and confusion
which tollo wed, the carbines-thanks to the
invention of breechloaders-were almost
loaded, and a second carefully
aimed discharge went whistling on it's
deadly errard. Several warriors were seen
to reel in their saddles, and were only
saved from falling by the quickly extended
ar rs of their fellows. Ponies were
.umbled over like butchered bullocks, their
riders glad to find themselves escaping
with less serious injuries.
The effect of the rapid firing of the troop
,rs. and their firm and determined stand,
hOwing that they thought neither of flight
lor surrender, was to compel the savages
irst to slacken their speed, then to loose
uCIA u0llDS dAu COuIucuCc III IutlE dDlllCV
o trampie down the little group of defend
rs in the front. Death to many of their
her stared them in the face. Besides,
the small party of troopers in the front |
'as able to oppose such plucky and de- |
tructive resistance to their attacks, what
lighs not be expected should the main |
arty under Moylan, now swiftly approach |
ig to the rescue, also take part in tie |
.ruggie But more quickly than my slug
lsh pen has been able to record the de- |
,ription OF the scene, the battle line of the |
arriors exhibited signs of taltering which |
Don degenerated into an absolute repulse
! moment their attack was transformed
ITO fight, in which each seemed only
hxiOus to secure his individual safety. 4
cheer from the cavalry men as
!ey sent third installment of leaden mes |
myers whistling about the ears of the flee
e redskins served to spur both pony and
der to their utmost speed. Moylan BY
is time had reached the ground and had
,ited the entire force. the Indians in the
eantime had plunged out of sight into vhe
cesses of the jungle from which they had
st u. AIDE their attack We knew too we'll
st their absence would be brief, and that |
ey would resume the attack, but not in |
Q manner OF the first.
We knew that we had inflicted no little
IS upon them-dead and wounded ponies
uld be seen on the ground passed over by
Indians. The latter would not be Eat
led without determined efforts to get re-
nge. OF this we were we'll aware.
A moments hurried consultation between
3 officers and myself, and we decided that
We would be forced to act entirely upon ,
, defensive against vastly superior
ce, IL would be better it we relieved our ,
yes as far as possible Of the care of our :
rses, and take our chances in the fight,
lch was yet to come, on foot. At the | .
ne time We were then SO far out on the :
an plain and from the river bank that the | =
lians could surround us. We must get :
srer 10 the river, conceal our horses or :
liter them from fire, thea with every y
.iable man form line or semi-circle, =
n our backs to the river, and defend !
selves until the arrival OF the main :
~ of the expedition, an evoht we could :,
expect for several hours. AS if diyin- I
our intentions and desiring to prevent +;
ir execution. the Indians now began -
If demonstrations looking to a renewal :,
the fight. y
his time. however. profting bv their t
'orIence Oh their first attack, they did g.
come forth in body. thus presenting a v
,e target to the aim of their opponents,
singly and alOne-their favOrite mode e
seeming to act upon his II
! judgment, yet all governed by one T,
eral plan. The troopers, most of them W
lg thoroughly accustomed to Indian if
ting, preserved the most admirable cool ii
3 from the moment the fight began. | CT
le Of them INDUCED in merrymaking re- Il
ks, tinctured at times with the droIlest e
lor. When the savages first made their II
den appearance from the wood and came CT
ling down as if to bear everything be- hi
them, and the fifteen troopers were | IL
cling or lying On the ground waiting fl
the Indians were near enough to receive III
r fire, trooper addressed his comrade: ri
Say, Teddy. | guess the balls opened" 81
fis, says Teddy; "and by the way thin tt
nagurs is comm it's ooenin' wild grand &C
oh. at