The New York herald., 1877-10-27

In rHE FIELD, STEAMER BENTON !
MISSOURI RivkR, Oct. ~. 1877.
General r. H. SHERIDAN, Commanding Division oil tho
Il duo YOU as commander Of this military DIVISION
TO know lbe facts that have already telsgrsphed
General Mcdowell from the battle hold concerning
the Gnai operations aud surrender OF the hostile Nez
Perces. First, tho 1lth oil September assumed
command vi Sturgis troops aitor had passed him At
Clarke's Fork, and he operated in conjunction with
immediately commanding then made forced march
OF eighiynv miles IN two days. struck the hosties,
captured quite number OF their ponies. killed and
wounded several warriors and drove tho band beyond
the MusselsheIi. The 18th OF September l sent from
CIarke's FORK u despatch to Colonel Miles, showing
him that the Indians making for the Nus
selshelI country ny exceedingly long marches,
and urging unusual activity, and earnestly
requesting him 10 make every snOrs IN
his power prevent the OF this hostile band"
Colonel Miles resolved the despatch at gongue River
on the evening OF the 10Th, aud promptly moved his
command--two battaiions OF Second and seventh cav
airy, and one his own mounted iniantry-on the l7th
TO the mouth OF Musselshell
Meanwhile, as he requested nine days TO get into
positIon '.slowsd my march " about nfteen miles
per day, knowing that the hostiles watching would
DO the They slackoned their pace afer crossing
As soon as Miles found that they were beyond the
Missouri he crossed where he wag aud made forced
marches dlsgonaily across our front TO the north
OF Bear Paw Mountains and struck the Indians about
seven o'clock A. N. OF the 30tn VII. They were
campoo creek bottom, In strong natural posi-
ton, but ther numerous ponies tnow neary worn QUIZ
were scattered over the open country, grazing. Niles
charged she camp auu herd simultaneously. A dcs-
nght 0CCurf6ds IN WHICH Two of1cers aud
twenty-five men were killed and four officers and
forty-two men wounded. The ponies we're nearly
all captursd-somc seven hundred; but the Indians,
hemmed in by Miles, plckets, held out until alter my
arrival hrlng was then sli going on) the evening OF
the 4th. had with mo Two friendly Nez Perces and
an Interpreter. The Two Neg Perces were sont the
next morning into the hostile camp Through them
the surrender was arranged lew Indians, including
White BIRD, crept out through the lines during Tho
night. portion OF my artillery and Infantry aud
sturgis' cavalry brought up within twenty.nve
miiss Of the battle ned 6u as me SIOUX under ST.
una pun oolu ,r,I qu' 'a u.vvu ~ - 0uss, on ao
return tho foot troops 10 tne Missouri. Sturgis
cavalry was ordered TO report 10 Colonel Niles, and
moved In conjunction with him back " the mouth OF
the MusseiaheiL ! embarked my troops ON Tho
steamer Benton On account OF sitting BuIps prox-
UNITY delayed their departure from The 10th TO tho
18th inst, till Miles, burdened with tho wounded
and the Indian prisoners 376 10 NUMBER had
reached the Missouri Colonel Sturgis aud his reg
ment deserve special credit Tor energetic persistent
and successful work Colonel Miles and his com aud
have aud deserve the great honor OF The nna battle
and surrsnder whlie apprscaton ana Gratitude are
due officers and men who engaged the nosties
with success IN Idaho, havo cheerfuy made forced
marches for 900 miles, were part Of the last operating
orco north oil the Missouri and were represented by
their commander at the surrender
directed Colonel Niles 10 keep The prisoners I'll
direct routes this TALL and Too costly oy steamer and
rail Can meet you IN Chicago the 24sn inst
U. o. HOWARD, Commanding Department
niLKs' coSGRArULArokY ORDER
HEADQUARTERS os Tng YELLowsroSE,
In rHs FIELD.
CAMP NEAR BEAR raw MOUNTAINS, d. L.,
oct 7. 1871.
GENERAL oRDERs NO
The commanding officer taxes great pleasure In ex
pressing 10 his command his thanks and gratuia-
lions for the recent exhibition they have given o! tuo
highest degree oil endurance under hardship and un-
yielding foriludc Ia battle no secret orced marches
that enabled you 10 surprise the enemy when In
fanced security, the resstiess charge that NJ once
shut tnom In the businesses o. ther camp and tho
courageous light, Win uesth hno manning thck ABOUT
you are all your own.
la the entire success that has attended your Efforts
tho complete capture OF the hostile camp and animals
and the surrender Of the CnIe Joseph aud his follow
ers the entire country will share, with gratitude TO
you who nave accom- pkhod 80 tnucn.
IL Ia an added source OF congratuaIon that General
O. o. Howard, who has so pcrsistently wagcd a war
nst these hostile Nez Perccs and them from
the slope The Pacific into this remote country, was
present 10 witness tho completion OF his arduous and
shank less undertaking.
BY command Of CooneiN. A. Miles
T. W. BAIRD,
First Lieutenant Fifth infantry, Adjutant and Acting
Assistant AdJutant General