Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-07-06
The Late Indian Battle.


IHE details of the battle which was
fought on the 18th inst at the head
waters of Rosebud Greek. between the
Sioux, numbering $500, under Sitting
Bull-Of-the-N orth, and Gen. Crooks
column of cavalry, numbering l.
300, show that what at first ap-
peared to be victory was in
reality tantamount to a defeat, and
that the ignorant Indian warriors were
led with more skill than our own sea-
soned and disciplined troops. Weprint
elsewhere the details of this disastrous
attack upon the Sioux. From the ae-
count it appears that Gen. Crook left
his camp on the 10th with what ap-
peared to be formidable expedition
five companies of infantry mounted.
and $50 Snake and Crow scouts. Aft
er an advance of forty-fve miles, the
Sioux were discovered by the Snakes
holding a magnificent position COM
handing the ravineS through which
the troops would have had to pass had
they not been discovered. The Snakes
and Crows made the first attack, but
were soon driven back by overwhelm-
ing numbers. The troops then charged
upon them, but the Indians, after fir
ing a destructive volley, retired and
took up a new and still stronger posi-
ton on higher points beyond, with
skirmisheTs thrown out. For some
time the Sioux alternately lost and
held their positions, but every time they
retired they found position stronger
than the one they had left. Our troops
acted under conflicting orders, causing
unnecessary sacrifice of life. AS one
incident of the bumgling manner in
which the battle was fought, it is stated
that the Grows were charged by our
troops, and before the mistake was dis
covered a vOlley was discharged at
them, and then our troops retired.
Just at the time when the troops had
the Indians at an advantage the left Of
the line was ordered by Gen Crook to
fall back and connect with the right.
SO as to make a general advance. 1t
proved the disaster of the battle and
ended in a virtual defeat. The Sioux
held all the highest ground, and sub
jected our troops to a terrible enflading
fire. They attacked in front, on the
rear, and sometimes opened fire on both
sides at once. They fought their bat
tie in mastery way. AT last, after a
severe loss, junction of the line was
formed, and the Sioux were driven
from their vantage ground, but Gen.
Crook could not follow them. The
country appeared dangerous, and he
ordered his line to fall back The most
humiliating feature of the affair
is the action Of the Crows, who deter
mined to return home because they
had not been properly supported by the
troops. At last accounts the Snakes
remained with Gen. Crook, but they
also were so dissatisfied that they can
hardly be relied upon. The response
bility for the disaster does not
rest upon the troops. All accounts
agree that they fought bravely and
desperately, even in the face of con-
fiicting orders, and with all the advan-
tages of position in favor of the enemy.
The fatal mistake seems to have been
in attacking with cavalry where caval-
ry could not operate, instead of with
rifemen and sharpshooters. Gen.
Crook has heretofore borne the reputa-
ton of being a gallant and skillful In
dian-fighter. How an officer so well
acquainted with Indians and their man
ner of warfare could have made such
a mistake as to send a cavalry force
into a ravine, the bluffs Of which were
sWarming with Indians, who, every
time they retired, could take still high
CT positions, is singular, to say the
least. That Gen. Crook should be I'M
able to follow up the Sioux and have
to fall back for reinforcements when
his ammunition was only half exhaust
ed, is tantamOunt to an acknowledge
ment of defeat. That he should have
lost such gallant scouts as the Crows
appear to have been is deplorable.-
Chicago Tribune, Tune p.
A Button With a History.