Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-17
THE RED DEVILS.
Gen. Gibbons Command have a Fierce
Battle with the Nez Perces.

Gen. Gibbons Command have Fierce
Battle with the Nez Perces.
Fearful Losses of the Troops -Gibbon
DEER LODGE, Aug. 11.-W. H. Ed
ward has just arrived from Big Hole,
bringing accounts of terrible battle be-
tween Gibbons command and the Nez
Perces on the Big Hole River, on Aug.
9. Gibbons command consisted of 1872
men-seventeen officers, 1873 regulars,
and thi1ty-two citizens. The volun-
teers crossed over from Ross Hole on
Wednesday, starting at II o'clock. On
the same night they moved down all the
troops, with the exception Of few left
to guard the transportation few miles
above, close to the Indian camp, which
was made on the Big Hole, about three
miles below where the Bitter-root and
Bannock trail crosses. At daylight this
morning the fight was opened by the
volunteers firing on and killing an Indian
going after horses. The charge was
then made on the camp and hard fight
ing occurred for the next twenty one
hours, during which time large numbers
of men and Indians were killed. The
soldiers then charged on the lodges, but
were repulsed in the attempt. The
Indians then attempted to cut them
from high wooden point, but the SOL
diers charged, and driving the Indians
advance from it, held it and at once for
titled it. The fighting continued all day
and was still progressing fitfully when
the courier left. At II O'clock the fight
ing was desperate on both sides, the full
force of the Indians being in the fight
Captain Logan and Lieutenant Bradley
were killed; General Gibbon, Captain
Williams, and Lieutenants, Coolidge,
English, and Woodruff were wounded
General Gibbon only slightly. Bradley
was the first man killed The mess
enger said that after they failed to cap
ture the lodge the Indians moved their
camp off in the direction of Bannock.
All their horses being captured the
messenger had to come to French gulch,
nearly sixty miles, on foot. Another
messenger was sent to Howard who
should have reached there to-day. The
howitzer had been left six miles behind
and was ordered to be moved up at day
light. During the fight they heard it dis
charged twice and then it was silent
A band Of Indians soon after appeared
with large band of horses, and tits be-
lieved all the horses of the command
the guns, their supplies, reserve ammu
milton, etc, were captured. GibbOn
thought, when the courier left there,
that he still had 100 effective men, and
believed that the Indians had nearly all
withdrawn from his front. The mes
senger says he thinks 100 Indians were
killed, and that nearly half of the COM
mand, including citizens, were killed or
wounded. General Gibbon has sent for
medicines, surgeons, supplies, etc. Dr.
Mitchell will leave to-day with an escort
General Gibbon particularly asks for
ambulance wagons to come under escort
and every available wagon will go for
ward from here and Butte. 1t is one of
the hardest Indian fights on record, and
Gibbons men made gallant and most
desperate fight against overwhelming
odds, A telegram has been sent to
Governor Potts from Deer Lodge that
they have all the men they want there
W eSCOit WdSols' 4Hc pcop@c plC iuoii-
ing up wagons, stores, ice, etc,
SALT LAKE, Utah Aug. IA Helena
(Montana) dispatch says the following
dispatches were received there this
morning:
BIG HOLE, NJ. r., Aug. 0, 1877.
To Governor Potts.
have had a hard fight with the Nez Perces
killing number, and losing number of Of
ticers and men, We need a doctor and every
thing. Send as much relief as you can.
JOHN GIBBON, Colonel Commanding.
BIG HOLE NJ. r., Aug. 9, 1877.
To Governor Potts.
We are here near the mouth of Big Hole
with large number of wounded, in want of
everything food. clothing, medicines and med
ical attendance. Send us assistance at once.
JOHN GIBBON, Colonel U. s. A.
The following was received from priv
ate sources,
BIG HOLE, NJ. r., Aug. o, 1877.
To Governor Potts.
We had hard fight, and took the village, but
were finally driven back with heavy loss, Cap
tain Logan and Lieutenant Bradley are killed.
General GibbOn and Lieutenants Coolidge,
English and Woodruff are wOunded-Engish
seriously, and the others slightly. The troops
are intrenched, and the Indians leaving. When
the messenger was leaving, General Gibbon
said; II want an escort sufficient to protect
the wagons which are going in to relieve us.
Load the wagons as light as possible. The In