Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-17
NOTES AND KrMORS FROM THE SCENE
OF ACTION.
10000 HOSTILE INDIANS READY
FOR BATTLE.
Gen. Crook Heard FrOm-.-iIe il Sur.
rounded by Indians Three Times
His Own Command.

New ork, July To- special from bismarck,
last night saws there is no truth in the report of
massacre of two families by Indians on the North
ern Pacific road. -Four companies of the ID in
fantry proceeded up the Yellwstone, Monday.
The impression prevails at Bismarck, that the mil
itary authorities do not yet realize the work they
have to do.
The Indians in hostile camps are believed to
number 10000, and while there are many women
and children nearly all of them are effective in a
campaign. There are certainly 5000 to 1000 In
dians who can and will fight until subdued.
There Is little uneasncss among citizens east of
the Missouri river, though they as well as most
military posts are without sufficient protection,
should the Indians determine to raid. Two COM
panies OF regulars from forts about New York city
leave Chicago for Bismarck, via st. Paul. Satur-
day, to reinforce Terry. Seventy-one recruits
from Carlisle barracks also leave to garrison Fort
Abraham Lincoln, and relieve portion of the
seventh cavalry. Gen. Sheridan says troops will
probably reach Terry by the Goth and forward
movement will then be made.
Cheyenne, w. T., July 10. Negotiations have
been making for some time through Capt. Mcker
son of Gen. Crooks staff, with the Utes, Who are
old enemies of the Sioux, on account of repeated
attacks upon them, to secure their cooperation in
the present movement against the northern hostile
Sioux. NJ. NJ. Curtis Of Rawlins, who had been
dispatched to the Ute reservation to bring in
detachment, returned last night, ard telegraphed
Capt. Mckerson, as follows
I'm obedience TO your dispatch of June q, |
proceeded TO gather up the Ute Indians and went
far as White river agency, Colorado, and was
successful until stopped by Z. Ii. Dsnforth, u S.
Indian agent who forbade me taking an Indian
from the reservation, until he was authorized to
let them go by the Commits sioner Of Indian affairs.
Douglass, head chief at the agency, said, Tell
Gen. Crook would like to CO."
Gen. Meiritt's fifth cavalry arrived at Fort La
to JOIN Crook, from whom no additional news has
been received. Although no fears entertained
of the safety of his command, Clusters late action
has had the effect 10 take away the courage of
courers, and none can be bad to make the trip
with message for Crook.
New York, July ID. The details of an encoun-
ter of accommodating party of Lieut.. Libby from
Gen. Crooks camp TO ascertain, II possible, the
whereabouts of Terry, show that they were sur
rounded by an immense band of Sioux, who in-
agined they had captured the whole party. They
lstt their horses, "a in number, and equipments,
took their ammunition and carbines only and es-
capped by quickly retreating over the mountains,
beng without food for two days. When near the
camp they were nearly exhausted and two COM
panes OF cavalry were sent out to bring them in.
Among Libbys party was correspondent Finner-
~ of a Chicago newspaper.
Western advices are that the Indians are threat
ening Bismarck, Dakota, and considerable uneasi-
ness is felt lest the frontier towns of Minnesota
will be raided on by the Indians.
Cheyenne. July 10. The following was receiv-
ed via Fort Fettemsn from Gen. Crooks camp, at
Cloud Peak dated July ~
"Ihree soldiers, couIiers, from Gen. Terry, al
the mouth Of the Big Horn, has just arrived
Terrys despatch to Crook confirms the news OF
Clusters fate, and implies very plainly that had
Custer waited one day longer Gibbons would have
joined him. Terry is anxious for Gen. Crook to
join forces and make plans and execute them re
gardless of rank The Indians are still lowering
| about little Big Horn, one days hard march from
here. They have fired into camp every night OF
1a,a nd tri.i tn hur hy tinu ha
all on fire. On the 9th inst, Lit. Libby of the
ID cavalry, with % men and Frank Gourard and
Baptlste Panerieu, as scouts, went on reconois-
ance and were surrounded and followed into the
timber of the Big Horn mountains, where, by
hitchlng their horses to trees and abandoning
them, the men were enabled to escape on foot by
the way of a ravine in the rear. They all got
back alive, and probably this division saved the
camp from grand attempt at a stampede or cap
ture
yesterday, but unless the Utes also come soon nc
offensive operations will be likely TO take place
until the arrival of the 9TH cavalry from Chey
enne Crossing. The wagon train and 4th infant
ny are due from Fort Fetterman. The health OF
the command is good. Gibbons forces were mel
clothes, and mounted on their horses, who fired
into the soldiers.
"The Indian village possesses evidence of white
mems presence, kegs of whiskey, &c, being
found. Signal fires, supposed to be in reference
to an incoming wagon train, are visible at the
east of Crooks camp on the extreme south wa
tiers of the Tongue river"
New York, July l6. A Chicago special say.
that wild rumors were atloat there last evening
that information had been received from tn,
plains that portion of Crooks command wa
cut off and massocred by the Indians.
| Inquiries at Sherdans headquarters at late
| hour, showed that the Lieut.-General was in re
cept of dispatches, but that the report of the
| slaughter was entirely unfOuDded. These des
patches state that few days since 500 Chey
| ennes and large body of Sioux left the Rec
Cloud agency for the purpose of joining the hos
tile bands in the north. Gen. Merritt. who is en-
camped on Raw Hide creek in front of Laramie
has been ordered to intercept these bands, ant
intercept these bands and prevent their forming
junction with Sitting Bull. Gen. Crook report.
that he is still waiting for renfoicements; he es
Inmates that the Iniians in his vicinity number
three to his one. No fights are reported since
Clusters and Reno's encounters.
Cheyenne, July l6. There is a report from
Capt. jordan, commanding Camp Robinson, thai
$40 Cheyennes were about to leave the Red Cl0uc
agency Tor the north Gen. Merritt delayed the
proposed movement of the 9TH cavalry, northwarc
from Fort Laramie to join Gen. Crook, and has
moved it to position where he expects to inter
cept these Indians and, If possible, give them 6
warm reception. Two couricrs started on thei
return trip from Fort Fetteman for Gen. Crook,
camp, this evening, and will reach him in three
days.
James Maoney and two others, with 20 head o.
hors es, en- route for l.awrences rancho from thai
| of W. c. Irvine, 80 miles northwest Of Ogalalla
were attacked by seven Indians who surrounded
and opened fire on them. Dismounting they re-
turned the fire, woundng one Indian, when the
stock stampeded, the Indians finally gaining pos
session and leaving for the Bluffs.
NOVA SCOTIA.