The Lake County star., 1876-07-27
BATTLE OF ROSEBUD.

lCamp South FORK, Tongue River, Correspondence
New York SUM-
On the morning of the 10Th June, the
entire command of fifteen companies OF
cavalry, and five of infantry, mounted
upon pack mules, with about two hun
dred and fifty Crow and Snake Indians
and detachment of packers organized
as special. scouts and sharpshooters under
Chief Packer Moore, i 1 all about thirteen
hundred men, left this camp and marched
about thirty-five or forty miles to the
Rosebud River in Montana.
While en- route several large herds OF
buffalo were seen; and as they appeared
to be driven, our Indians concluded that
they were being hunted by Sioux. They
halted Immediately and began their war
dance and song, while several braves
were dispatched to scout and ascertain il
the enemy was near. They returned
shortly, aud reported signs of "tipi "
so fresh as to indicate that our approach
had been discovered by its occupants,
and that they had fed precipitately.
Buffalo meat was upon the fire, burnt to a
crisp.
On receipt of this intelligence dance
and song were in order, and the mettle
of war ponies was tested before we could
persuade them to resume the march.
Nothing further happening, a number
of buffalo were killed and camp was
pitched in the shape of hollow square
the stock being picketed inside) near
the source of the Rosebud. We carried
four days cooked rations upon our
horses, and were allowed no other trans
correspondents faring in re-
spect to baggage the same as the troops.
About eight o'clock our Crow scouts
dashed up 10 the column and reported
fresh signs of Sioux, and, awaiting ad-
ditiOnal intelligence, the command which
had been marching down the Rosebud,
was permitted to halt and unsaddle upon
its banks, while the Indians danced and
sung themselves into proper condition
of belligerency. Perhaps thirty minutes
elapsed, when we were suddenly alarmed
by the report of several firearms, at
which both Crows and Snakes dashed
wildly and with yells of defiance up the
neighbo,ing hills. The packers were
sent forward, and the infantry and COM
panies of the Second Cavalry, deployed
in line of skirmishers, moved rapidly to
the front. The companies of the Third
Cavalry, having been delayed by crossing
the river, and finding themselves already
under fire from the adjacent crests, de-
ployed and charged, driving the Sioux
before them.
The highest ridge was now occupied
by the Indians. Our line comprised
Captain Mills battalion of the Third
Cavalry upon the right, Captain
Noyes's battalion, Second Calvary, upon
the right center. the infantry under
Major Chambers and our Indian allies
with the packers occupied the left center
with which were General Crook and
staff, and Captain Heury's battalion,
Third Calvary with which were Lieu
tenant Colonel Royal and staff, the ex-
treme left. Several companies of the
Third Calvary had been ordered to hold
some bluffs on the south side of the river,
but being recalled were sent to strengthen
the center, being under the immediate
command of Major Evans, Third Calvary.
Of course the different portions of our
line were more or less advanced. at
first the fighting was most severe at the
center; but the Sioux giving way occu-
pied commanding points of the main
crest opposite our left, which was soon
under heavy fire. Colonel Royal had
instructions to push forward slowly, as
Captain Noyes would charge the Sioux
upon their left flank, awaiting which
movement he occupied ridge almost
parallel to and nearest that originally in
the possession of the enemy, who at once
executed flank maneuver which placed
us under an enfilading fire, which was
checked by brilliant charge with a
platoon of his company by Lieutenant
Foster, Third Calvary. He was, however,
forced to retire by overwhelming num-
bers, line of skirmishers being rapidly
deployed to cover his return and oppose
further progress upon our left flank.
Meanwhile General Crook had received
information of village in our vicin-
ity. The commands of Captain Moves
and Mills were dispatched to its supposed
site, our infantry and Indians held in
check, and the left ordered TO withdraw
the object being to move with our en-
tire force upon the village. Nothing
had been accomplished by our repeated
charges, beyond driving the Sioux from
one crest to Immediately reappear upon
the next. Casualties ensued among
them. of course, as with us; but beyond
a probably continued equalization of
them, nothing further was to be gained.
We had won the crest, but no especial
advantage was to be obtained by occupy
ing it.
In obedience to instructions, Colonel
Royal now ordered Captain Henry's
battalion to retire upon General Crook,
the men being dismounted, and their
horses led from one crest to the next
and under shelter, their withdrawal
being constantly covered by line OF
skirmishers gradually retiring. But the
unaraanf fhis unouement Waa com nanced