The New York herald., 1876-07-23
The Indians, Utterly Surprised,
Rush Back in Disorder.
The Latest from General
Crooks Camp.
0MTNO0S ABSENCE OF THE SIOUX.


Cheyenne River 100 miles to the north,
en- route to join Crook courier suddenly
appeared from the agency with dispatches stating
that 500 Cheyennes were making preparations to
leave at once for the Northwest to join Sitting Bull;
that he was to throw himself across their line of
march In time to intercept them. Merritt had to
make eighty miles before they could make thirty,
but or he went, and Sunday night found him with
seven companies hiding under the buns on War
Bonnet or Hat Creek, square up their 'front.'
THE INDIANS APPEAR.
At daybreak Monday morning Lieutenant King
commanding the outposts to the southeast, sent in
word that the war parties were coming over the
ridge from the direction of the reservation. Joining
him at the advanced post, General Merritt found the
report correct. The command noiseessly mounted
and was massed under the blufs, quarter of mile
to the rear out OF sight OF the Indians. At the
same time
THE WAGON TRAIN
was some six miles or to the southwest, slowly
approaching, and the Indians were closely watching
it, but keeping concealed from the view ofits guard
The two companies Of infantry with it were riding
swarming all along the ridge to the south
east, some three miles away. Suddenly party OF
eight or ten warriors came dashing down ravine
which led directly under the hill where Lieutenant
King, with his six men, were watching.
WAITING FOR scALPs.
The object was as suddenly apparent. Two
horsemcn, unconscious OF the proximity of
the foe, had ventured out ahead Of the
train and were making rapidly for the
creek. They were courlers with dispatches
to the command The Indians, utterly ignorant Of
the rapid move Of the Fifth were simply bent on
jumping on the couriers and getting their scalps.
"BufYalo Bill" chief Of the scouts, lay on the hill
with King and instantly sprang to his horse down
OF the hill.
"Al of you keep out Of sight, said the General
''Mount now, and when the word is given or with
you"
Then, turning to the oflcer Of the picket, he
said:-
"watch them, King. Give the word when you are
ready"
Crouching behind the little butte, Bill and his
party Of two scouts and six soldiers were breath
lessly waiting; half way up was the General with
and of his stan. The Lieutenant lay at the crest
watching the rapidly advancing foe. Down they
nearer and nearer, the sun flashing from their
brilliantly painted bodies and their polished orna-
ments. Then just as they are dashing by the front
Of the hill, King shouts,
"Now, lads in with you"
With a rush and yell the troopers are hurled upon
the Indians flank, not fifty yards away
THE FIRST REDsKIN SHOT.
General Merritt springs up to sec the attack just
tall Indian rceled in his saddle, shot by Corporal
wilkinson, Of X company. An answering bullet
by the Generals head when King-still on
the watch-sung out,
"Herc they came by the DOZENS"
The reserve Indians came swarming down from
the ridge to the rescue. Company was instantly
ordered to the front. But before it appeared from
behind the blur the Indians, cmbodened by the rush
Of their friends to the rescue, turned savagely on
Buffalo Bill and the little party at the outpost.
CODY KILLS YELLOW HAND.
The latter sprang from their horses and met the
iaring charge with volley. Yellow Hand,
young Cheyenne brave, came foremost, singing
Bill as a focman worthy OF his STEEL Cody coolly
Snclt, and, taking deliberate aim, sent his bullet
through the chiefs leg and into his horses head.
Down went the two, and. before his friends could
reach him. second shot from Bill's rife laid the
rcdskn low.
A GRAND SURPRISE.
On came the others, bent annihilating the little
band that opposed them, when, to their amaze
ment, long blue line popped up in their very front,
md Company, with Colonel Mason at its
head dashed a, thcm Leaving their dead. the Chcy-
cnnes scattered back. helter skelter to the ridge,
but their fire was wild and their stand short one.
Company after company dcbouched from behind the
DlulY and utterly disheartened, the Indians rushed
for the reservation. leaving behind all their pro-
Visions General Merritt pursued them till night
when the whole command went into camp at the
agency.
The Indians left their dead and admit having more
They also lost SIX ponies. Their friends
At Red Cloud say they never dreamed the Fifth cav
airy could get there in time TO head them on.
The regiment sustained no loss. II arrived at
Laramie yesterday and leaves for Crooks camp to-
morrow.
CROOKS CAMP.
ARRIVAL OF PROVISIONS AND REINFORCE
MENTs-THE CHANCES IN THE REGiMESTAL
pArTLZ--THE SIOUX KEEPING QUIET-roR-
NATION OF THE CORPS roR FIGHTISa-LIoHT