Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-14
THE INDIAN OUTBREAK,
GIBBONS FIGHTS THE RED SKINS
AND DEFEATS THEN.
Accounts Of the Fight, DC.
CANT JONI GIBBoN, }
Bitter Root Valley, Montana Ter,

Bitter Root Valley, Montana Ter,
Augusta.
ten. Howard has arrived, completing in five
days L march of l2j miles through the mountain
gorges and over rocks heights, threaded by the
Lolo trail. Col. Gibbon is in the Big Hole coun-
try and within Is miles of the Indians, who are
moving slowly, leaving wake OF exhausted
horses to tell of the crippled condition and less
ened resources of the band Hearing this and
believing an engagement must take place 10 day
or two, Howard leaves tomorrow with an escort
Of twenty men, and if it lies within the cspabili-
ties of horse flesh will be with Gibbon before
night. Lieut.. Wood, one of his aides, and Mr.
Bonney, his clerk, accompany him. The rest of
his staff and cavalry remain behind, though they
are within reach by one days forced march
GIBBoN's BATTLEFIELD, Big Hole, August II +.
Gen. Howard arrived here at 10 o'clock, after a
tremendous ride, with small body guard and
some Indian scouts. Accounts of the fight gwen
by panic stricken citizens in their flight, are ex-
aggerated. After persistently following on the
trail OF the Indians for some days, word was
brought to Cibbon that the reds were encamped
on Big Fork, near the junction of Bitter Root
and Bannock trails, and shortly before midnight
the whole command was on the march, and at
dawn on the 9Th they struck the hostile camp,
numbering SO soldiers.
The surprise was complete The great mass OF
the Indians were in their beds. The soldiers
were IN the midst of the tepees before firing COM
menced. AT the first crack OF guns the savages
rushed from their beds in wild dismay, only TO
be met III many instances with death shot be-
fore the situation realized With all his ad-
vsntages, however, the force of Gibbon was so
small that be was unable to cover the entire In
dian line in his attack, and the savages were en-.
abled to concentrate among the remoter tepees
and in the brush surrounding, from which both
bucks and squaws kept up an incessant and well
directed fire, which forced the troops into de-
icnsive position. The savages attempted to dis
lodge the troops, but without success.
he fight WAS kent nm a lderahe time hut
finally resulted IN the retreat OF the Indians to the
southeast leaving 4 considerable number dead on
the field. None OF Gibbons supplies were cut OIL
as reported. He did not even lose horse by cap
ture. Everything possible is being done for the
wounded. Howard will continue the pursuit OF
the Indians as soon as the cavalry comes up. 1t
is terribly worn by long forced marches, but it
Is expected 10 arrive here tomorrow, night com
ing Il miles in two days.
CHICAGO, August -. There is no further official
news from Montana, this morning. Gen. Terry
thinks that the published dispatches from Gen.
had doctors and medical supplies aud did not lose
his train or howltzer. z. H. SHERIDAN.
Following was rec ived to-day
Big Hole, August IL.
NY loss in the battle of the 9th was ! officers
and SO men killed and wounded. | am satisfied
that the Indians lost much more, for the surprise
was complete and many were killed in the tepses
or in running out. Forty dead Indians were
counted on about one half OF the battlefield
Howard has arrived and | believe he can catch
them again. As soon as can get the services OF
take most OF our wounded to Fort Shaw. They
are all dom. we'll. fear Lieut.. English is NOR
tally hunt.
(Sipped) GIBBON Commanding