, 1876-09-17
American Horse Counted
Among the Slain,
While Many Bucks Of Lesser Note
Are Sunlmarily Gobbled.
A Big Stock of Provisions and
200 Ponies Among
the Trophies.
Manv Indications that These Saw.
ages Participated in the
Custer Massacre.

ages Participated in the
Custer Massacre.
A SURPRISE PARTY
IN WHICH THE REDSKINS BECAME pBAoRA1~
lied.
Special Dispatch to 1ns Tribune
CRooK's EXPEDITION, NEAR slime BUTTE,
Sept. 9, VIA FORT LARAMIE, Sept. l6.-Com-
mcncing its forced march towards the Black
Hills settlement on the 9th inst, the column
inauguratel one Of the most wonderful moves
known in the history Of military affairs on the
frontier. The infantry battalion, sadly weak
ened by continued rain~storms, insuf1iciency
and unwholcsome food; the cavalry horses
fatigued, the march Of 100 miles on
less than three days. actual rations was any
thing but cheerful outlook. The weather had
spoiled much OF the hard-tack, which accounts
for the shortage in the amount noted In my
last. The first days course lay nearly due south
Rations, with the exception of coffee, were re-
duced one-half. At night no wood could be
found. The troops could not make even coffee,
and the weather grew severely cold. On the
9th, with still nothing but raw bison and hard
tack, the column moved south 50 miles, and at
night had rations reduced to
oEE-QuARTER THE USUAL ALLOWANCE.
A bitter storm of wind and rain assailed the
horses and footmcn nearly all day, and we
campcd again without wood On the north FORK
of Grand River. Horses gave out frequently,
and were at times hacked to pieces and carried
along to aPpease hunger. The infantry
also fell to the rear and were mounted
on pack mules. Hunting was freely per-
mittcd, but game was too scarce to
supply one-tcnth Of so large q command. Dur
ing the day scouts found
FRESH TRAIL
Of 600 lodges on the right flank. This led
straight toward the Black Hills region. Smaller
scattering trails still continue leading in the
samapdirection, all proving Gen. Crooks des-
pcrate move .on behalf OF that frontier was
more than justified. The men behaved like
heroes, dlscontcnted officers alone usually CIV
ing utterancc to complaint.
In the afternoon Gen. Crook determined
upon sending forward to Deadwood or Crook
City for supplies there to be forwarded, to meet
the command at the earliest possible moment.
Quarter ratfons for three days remained, ,anditwas
hoped abundant supplies could thus be fur
nished the troops on the day this scanty allow
auce was exhausted. Maj. Anson Miles, Of
Company N, Third Cavalry, was placed in COM
mand Of $50 men to make the arduous ride.
FIFTEEN PICKED MEN AND HORSES
from each Of the companies Ut the Third CAY
airy we're selected to comprise this force. The
Junior officers were Lieut.. Bubb, Co'nmissary
of Subsistence Of the expedition; Lteuts. GRAVY
ford. Company G, Third Cavalry; Won Lutwitz,
Company c, and Schwatka, same regiment
Thomas Moore had charge Of 90 packers and 70
mules to furnish the necessary trans
portation. The little column filed out Of
camp under cover Of darkness. It was
assailed by drcnching rain, and finally halted
for few hours rest at midnight, having ridden
Is miles since morning. Frank Gruard, Gen.
Crooks scout, led the band, and, as usual, dis
PLAYED wonderful skill. At o'clock a. IN. on
the 9Th Col Miles again started forward i'll
the face OF heavy rain. The detachment
halted but an hour at noon to make coffee, and
yet at p. m. had only proceeded some Is miles
on account OF the broken country and miserable
footing. At the hour just named, Frank
Gruard ~
SUDDENLY lOTIoNED HALT,
from his position few hundred yards in advance
Coming hastily backward, he announced the
discovery Of an Indian village. H. said it was
four miles distant; that they were not discoy-
cred, and advised an immediate secretion OF tue
troops in gully adjacent The strength Of the
village could only be estimated BY the num-
bcr of ponies cut grazing in the vicfn-
ity, as the tepces were sheltered by
low hills. Having had instructions to attack
any force he WAS confident OF whipping, and
being certain from appearances that this one
was small, Col. Mills at once
DETERMINED 70 STRIKE THE ENEMY.
A consultation of officers resulted in
the attack being postponed until just
at dawn this morning. The troops
were carefully led back halt mile and secreted
in the bottom Of a deep chasrn formed by the
Bad Lands. The rain still continued to fall,
and the brave but tired and hungry men
spent a most dreary night i'll mud and
water at places nearly foot deep.
But feeble fires were allowed for fear
OF attracting the attention Of the hosti]cs. The
terrible night wore on, and the horses ard men,
crowded like bees, unable to get either food or
rest. At 9 o'clock this a. m. start for the vii
1age was effected An hour Of noundcring
through mud and water brought the
column to the hill overlooking the hostile
camp. All the cavalry save IS men dismount-
ed. The latter were to charge through the vii
ponies, while the dismounted men were to ad-
vance simultaneously on both sides-of the VII
lage and waylay the retreatug savagcs. The
balance Of the cavalry horses with the
pack train, under the care Of Lieut..
Bubb, we're held In the rear OF
the hill. The men thus occupied weakened the
attacking force to l25 men. The column cau-
tiously advanced, and reached the village con-
s;derably before day. The ponies belonging to
the hostiles were scattered On every hand, and
Immediately commenced ueghiug the alarm.
For fear the savages might escape in lots on ac-
count Of this exasperated warning, Col. Miles
resolved not to delay a moment, and instead Of
carrying out his plan, ordered q charge, and at
the same time commenced an attack from the
nearest side OF the village.
THE CHARGE WAS CALAMITY MADE,
the brave Twenty-1fth making complete sur-'
prise, and sweeping nearly 2o0ponies safely out of
reach Of the thunder stricken owners Theg gloom
OF misty dawn rendered the firing On the part
Of the dismounted men rather uncertain, even
at distance Of SO yards. Bucks, squaws,
and papooses got up from their beds, yelling
and making for the adjacent wooded ravines.
as usual, the warriors secured some
guns and ammunition as they ran,