The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-29
A FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS.
NEW YORK, June "a

NEW YORK, June ~.
A special from Gen. Crooks camp on
Goose Greek, via Fort Fetterman, gives
details of a big fight between the troops
and Sioux, on June II. The Sioux were
about $500 strong, under Sitting Bull,
and the troops 1900 strong, under Gen.
Crook. The fight lasted FIVE hours. The
troops had reached the head waters of
the Rosebud Greek, between high bluffs,
on the night of the 18th, and formed
into hollow square, in anticipation of
night attack, as signs of the Sioux had
been seen. There was no molestation,
however, and the march was resumed at
$50 a. m. in two columns. The troops
had only proceeded ten miles down the
valley, when sudden halt was made, at
signal of the Snake Indians, who gal
loped from the front, shouting wildly,
"Siouz Siouxp' Firing began immc-
diately. The friendly Indians mounted
their bands quickly, and the Grows sang
their war song. In moment all the
Grows and Snakes rushed in the direction
of the Sioux, with savage yells.
Gen. Crook wished to attack with the
troops first, but the Grows could not be
restrained. The onset of the Snakes and
Crows made. the Sioux rapidly recede.
Capt. Canes infantry advanced to the
crest of a ridge, and opened fire. The
Crows and Snakes then began to be hotly
pressed by the Sioux, and were beaten
back before them. The Sioux had taken
up mastery position. Capt Noyes'
cavalry then charged the Sioux to the
North, and dismounted and poured two
volleys into them. Capt. Mills cavalry
moved forward ahead ofNoyes' command,
and charged them still further:
His men lay down and maintained a
steady fire for half an hour against a
crowd of concealed Sioux skirmishers.
The Crows then made another charge, but
were again driven back. The Sioux now
became bold, and crept forward, ready to
make a dash, when Mills command
again drove them back. The Sioux gave
him several heavy volleys, and then
broke and ran for the bluffs. Gen.
Crooks aid-de-camp ordered the COM
mand to cease firing and advance direct
ly North, along the stream, to the Sioux
village, six miles of, but the order was
countermanded. Mills command pur-
sued the retreating Sioux four miles.
After some further firing, orders were
given to fall back and concentrate for a
general advance; this proved disastrous:
The Sioux held the highest ground, and
poured a destructive fire on the exposed
troops. The recruits behaved brayely
while this order was being performed.
Nine men were killed by the Sioux, and
twenty wounded. The Grows and Snakes
at this critical moment made another
charge, and fought the Sioux nobly. As
soon as the junction was effected, the
Sioux began to yield, and the infantry
drove them from the high bluff. The
Snakes pursued them several miles. At
one o'clock the firing ceased, and the
troops fell back to the point where the
battle began. The Crows were deter.
mined to return home, being dissatisfied
with the support they received from the
troops. The Sioux committed some hor-
rible atrocities in the field. One Snake
was killed and eight wounded. A num-
ber of Sioux were dead on the field, but
many dead and wounded Sioux were
carried off.