New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-18
(ooNrngurD FROM FIRST PAGE

Indians il possible aud give them 9 warn
reception.
The two couriers started on their return
trip from Fort Fetterman for Crooks CAM
this evening and will reach him in three
days. 80,
James Maloney, with two others, will
twenty head Of horses, en- route for Law
repce's ranch from that of w. G. Irvine
thirty miles northwest of Ogallallah, Ne
braska, we're attacked by seven Indians
who surrounded and opened fire ON them
Dismounting, they returned the fire, wound
ing one Indian, whey the stock stampeded
the Indians finally gaining possession ano
left for the bluffs.
The following was received via FORT ret
terman tonight from Cr0ok camp, Ciouo
Peak, July II:
Three soldiers, couriers from General
Terry at the mouth of Big Horn, have just
arrived General Terry's dispatch to Crook
confirms Clusters fate, and Implies very
plainly that had Custer waited one Gay
longer Gibbon would have joined him.
Terry was anxious for Crook to join Custer
force and make plans and execute them re,
parGlless of rank. The Indians are sui
lowering about Little Big horn, one Jay g
hard march from here. They fired INTO the
camp every night of late, and tried to burn
us out by setting the grass on fire all around:
On the sixth Lieutenant Sibley, Second
Cavalry, with twenty-five men OF tne rear
guard and Baptiste and POwerier as scouts,
went on a reconnaissance. They were dis
covered. surrounded and followed into the
timber of Big Horn mountains, where, by
hitching their horses to trees and abandon
ing them, the men we're enabled to escape
ON foot by way OF a raviDe IN the rear.
They all got back alive, and probably this
diversion saved the camp from grand
attempt at stampede or capture.
The Snake Indians, 200 strong joined US
yesterday, but unless the Utes will come
soon no offensive operations will be likely
to take place until the arrival OF the Fifth
Cavalry from Cheyenne Crossing.
The wagon train and additional infantry
are due from Fort Fetterman. The health
of the command is good.
General Gibbons reserve force was met
by the victorious Sioux, dressed in Clusters
mems clothes and mounted on their horses,
and fred into the soldiers. The Indian viii
lage possesses evidence OF white mems
presence, kegs of whisky, etc, being found.
Signal free, supposed to be in reference
to an incoming wagon train, are visible to
the east OF Crooks camp on the extreme
south waters of the Tongue river.
CAMP on GoosB CAks1,l
Wyoming, July II, }
Via Fort Fetterman, July Is, 1876
TO Colcrel R. c. Drum, Assistant Adjutant Gen.
eral, Chicago:
My last information from the Red Cloud
agency was that the Cheyennes had left
there to reinforce the enemy on my front.
As this takes away all the disturbing ele-
ment from this position, have availed my
self of the Lieutenant Generals permits
sion and ordered the eight companies of
the Fifth Cavalry, under Colonel Merritt,
to join me at this point. The best informs-
ton get of the enemy in front is that the
Sioux have three fighting men to my
one. Although l have no doubt of my
ability to whip them with my present force,
the victory would likely be one barren Of
results; and so l have thought 1t better to
defer the attack until l can get the Fifth
here. and then end the campaign with one
crushing blow. The hostile Indians are,
to my advices, encamped on
Little Horn. near the base of the noun
tains. and will probably remain there until
my reinfOrcements come up. l received
a dispatch from General Terry this morn
ing asking me to cooperate. l will do 80
to the best of my ability.
GEORGE CROOK,
Brigadier General.