Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-02

through III splenululy, ana aItef
considerable scrambling amongst
the snow, ice and loose stones,
gained the summit. AS soon as he
appeared on the top party Of In
dians dismounted, advanced upon
him along a neck of land connect
ing this hill with the one further
to the left, and charged to drive him
from the hill, but the In lans we're
repulsed and driven back.
The firing all this time was in
cessant in front and on the right,
where they kept up a series Of
charges and skirmishes, but were
unable to make any headway on
account of the. determined resist
ance of the troops. Suddenly Gen.
Miles noticed the Indians massing
on the left, with the evident inten-
ton of driving Casey from his po-
Sition. He at once sent Lieutenant
McDonald's company to occupy q
hill on Casey's left, which the In
dians were about to occupy. But
Mcdonald was too quick for them,
and gained possession Of the place,
driving them before him. The In
dians then endeayored to flank
these two companies by occupying
a hill still farther to the left, but
General Miles was again too quick
for them. Not daring to weaken
his force in the valley. as it was
engaged all the time, be ordered
Captain Butler to take his iscompany,
which was then in support of the
battery, and gain the ridge, by that
time occupied by about three hun
dred Indians. Butler deployed his
company as skirmishers and led
them across the intervening ground
under a murderousfre from every
hill and ravine in range. The fire
was so heavy at one time, as he
passed a ravine, that those who
watched the movement felt that
the company would be decimated.
At this point Captain Buffers
horse was shot from under him,
and lie had then to make the ascent
on foot. Travelling through deep
snow at run is rather tiresome
work, and will use up the best men,
and there were some here who
asked a minute to "blow." Butler
told those who wanted to breathe
to do SO moment and the others
to follow him. "a second, cap
tain," said a sergeant, formerly of
the Seventh cavalry, "and we'll all
follow you" "Give those fellows
in the ravine yolley, and 60 for
them" answered Butler, and away
they went, not man tagging or
flinching, firing as they advanced,
and drove the Indians from the
the hill. This movement gained
the day. 1t was quickly con-
ceived by General Miles, and the
promptness with which it was
executed not only saved the men
who made it, but enabled Casey
and Mcdonald to hold their posi-
tions, as this was the key-point to
the whole lanl1ing, and command
ed the hills occupied by others. 1t
was a beautiful move, made at the
right moment, but had it failed at
that time three times the number
could not have taken the hill.
While the three companies of
Casey, Butler and Mcdonald had
the heavy work of the day, the other
companies were not idle. Ewers'
occupied a high knoll on the left
of the battery, doing effective work,
and the, others kept pegging away
at the savages. Dickey's, Cusick's
and Carter'S companies remained
in their positions, lying in deep
snow, keeping off the enemy, and
suffering intensely from the cold.
Lieutenant Pope, commanding the
battery, landed his shots among
the Indians at every fire, scattering
them out Of every ravine in range,
but they would rally as quickly as
they were dispersed by a she'll, and
Lieutenants Baldwin and Long, as
aids to the general, were seen at all
points, first in one place, then
in another, carrying orders and
giving directions as to the move.
ment of troops, regardless of the
dangers they encountered. The loss
Of the troops vas three killed and
eight wounded. Eleven Indians
were known to be Killed in front
Of Qasey's company, two by But
ler's and five by McDonald's. Three
were killed by the scouts, and sew
sral by the three companies in the
valley. In the subsequent advance
of the troops up the valley tracks
Of blood we're found for six miles on
the trail of the flying Indians. 1t
is therefore reasonable to suppose
that their loss was much greater
than kaswn, They were all armed
with Winchester riGes, and ex-
pended during the engagement as
much ammunition as the troops,
but with less effect. They were
under a determined leader, whose
management of them was admirable,
and indicated skill and determine