The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-10-18
THE BATTLE OF BEAR-PAw.


Again Cut to Pieces-The Indians Driven 1
Into the Last Ditch.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Times.l
FoRT BENTON, MONT, Oct. 6, via HEI.E- |
Ma, Oct. 9.-Some further details have been
received concerning Miles's three days fight
at the Bear-Paw. After leaving the mouth
OF the Musselshell, he marched night and
day, in the hope of overtaking the hostile
band before it reached the Canadian line,
and finally came upon the trail on the east
bank of Snake Creek, on the afternoon OF the
a9th ult. He followed the trail late into the
night, and took up his line Of march early ON
the following morning. The advance scouts
soon reported the main camp in a ravine on
the Snake Creek, about eight miles from its
mouth, where it empties into the Milk River
The three companies which were in advance
moved forward at trot, and when the VII
lage came in view were ordered TO charge.
The companies advanced at a 'gallop, Capt.
Owen Hale's company leading. The Indi-
ans were aware Of their approach, and at
distance OF 800 yards sent in CALLING fire,
causing a number of empty saddles. Capt.
Hale. in advance OF his troops, received a
bullet in the left shoulder, and Immediately
afterward got his death wound. His other
officer. Second Lieut.. James A. Biddle, was
| killed at almost the same instant. The In
dams who were firing upon the advancing
! columns were protected by bank 20 feet
high, upon reaching which the cavalrymen
were compelled to dismount and advance on
foot. There was no hesitation on the part OF
the men, and they scrambled down the bank
to engage in a
UAND-TO-HAND COMBAT.
The Indians retired slowly, and all the time
deadly fire played upon the dismounted
troops. The Indians finally made stand,
and by well directed effort pressed the
troops very closely and the advantage turned
in their favor. While this sharp engage
ment was taking place, one company OF the
9TH infantry, which had been sent to their
support, rushed through the woods on the
left. stood and delivered straight vOlley
into the ranks Of the Indians, and caused
them to stampede and retire to their camp,
located in narrow gulch and facing the
stream. The three companies OF the it1
came out of the fight with loss OF two Of
ficers killed, two wounded, and loss OF a
men killed and wounded. As the fire OF the
sayages slackencd the troops succeeded II
J Getting under cover, and, throwing phastN
, breastworks, were comparatively safe IRON
: the bullets of the enemy. The wounded
were placed behind the earthworks, and pit
5 were dug for them for greater safety, as
would have been impossible to have re
moved them while in range of the guns
the Nez Perces. When the companies o
the 18th dashed down the rayine commo
1 ton was observed in the Indian camp, ant
n a party of 40 warriors were observed urglni
G the large herd Of ponies down the raVlne
e The movement was observed by Gen. Miles
and the three companies of the I'd cavalry
e under command of Capt. Tyler, were sea
down the stream to intercept them and Sc
q cure the herd. They went at Il hard gallo
: for three miles, and succeeded in cutting on
: the larger portion of the herd
AFTER A SHARP CONFLICT
with the Indians One of the cOmpanie
pressed closely on the rear of the hero
and 'emptied their revolyers on the redskins
II The other two companies rode for the hea
e Of the herd, and finally succeeded in turnin
Is their lead. The Indians, when closely press
5 ed, abandonded the main herd, and, VIII
&c three hundred of their war ponies, escaped
1t They fred parting shots at their pursuel
IA without any effect. This detachment
d cavalry, after detailing ! strong guard upo
N the 700 captured ponies, returned up I'll
stream, driving back some of the stragglir
1t Nez Perces, but encountered no large force
RS and when within range of the Indian cam
A dismounted, and after sbirmishing throue
s. the woods took up position at the north
: the camp, and throwing up proper defense
he settled down to the siege. BY rapid d'
l. ployment, Gen. Miles succeeded in placir
in the companies of the 9TH infantry on eth
re side of the camp, and it was surrounde
Ds The infantry fought for close quarters, al
lg threw up defensive lines within sight of Il
Indian village, and kept closing in until tn
IS could see the blue smoke curling from Il
ID rifle-pits. The entire movement on the pa
Mt of the troops was well executed, and but
m the terrible slaughter of the companies
l. the eth cavalry which was unforeseen al
m could scarcely have been guarded again>
he was well planned and splendidly carrie
,o out. From the moment when the first q
20 tack was made the scene in the Indian vi
=
ter the first shock a definite plan of acti
y, appeared to have been decided upon, a
after the escape of the party Of young buc
in with the ponies, there was nothing to inc
n cate a stampede. The same body Of wa
l. riors who first showed resistance to the a
Nv vance of the It'll cavalry, remain
Is behind some high ground
to the mouth of the gulch, and deliver
us STEADY AND MURDERoUs FIRE
. at the advancing columns. The main DO
of the braves, with the squaws and ch
Il, dren, were engaged in the backgrou
1g throwing up cavernous rifie-pits. The
a ranged along the gulch, and were thrown
10 with marvellous rapidity. Great holes we
= dug in the ground, in which were placed
a. squaws and children for their better protC
ton. By the time the troops were in pc
DIS ton to prosecute the siege the Indians
X made their defenses very complete, a
ITS could not easily be assailed. During the
an incessant fire was maintained by
troops, closing gradually in upon the So
oil ages. The troops, although greatly fatigue
kent ND a steady fire without any food III
ID, toward evening, when a white flag was IA
to ed from one of the Indian rifle-pits. A
followed, and eager eyes watched the III
o tile camp for the meaning Of the tru
Soon afterward a warrior in full war c.
tune was seen to leave the intrenchmel
e. and advance within the white lines. 1t
Joseph himself, and, inquiring for G'
eS Miles's headquarters, was directed to
General, mounted on his black pony IN
rear of the lines. He stated that he desiI
, to surrender, and desired to turn over all
u arms and ammunition, and place himself
the mercy of Gen. Miles. While he was
q consultation with Gen. Miles, Lieut.. Zero
was sent within the Indian lines, with
!, structions to learn the strength of the s;
ages and any of the peculiarities Of their
lenses. When the young officer appear
among the hostiles he was seized by some
We the warriors, who thrust him into the Ri
a pits. He was furnished with blanket a
nj told to keep his head out of range, and
. informed that if he spoke or attempted
" ,,a+ a,v.u he would he killed. The VIII