Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-05-27
BATTLE OF MUDDY CREEK.

ing flOu tuo Iu1SS VI uISpsICucS IcCcIvcO
byus.-ED. CoURIER]
BATTLE OF MUDDY CREEK.
Careful comparison of our data assures
us of the general correctness of the ap
pended account of this, probably. the
most effective blow yet struck the hostlles.
THE MARCH.
On the 1st inst. General Miles, with his
detachment of the ID Cavalry (the Mon.
tans column) and his companies of the
5,h and 22d Infantry accompanied by
wagon train, left the OantcnmeGt, guided
by some lately y-surrenderlng Cheytnnes.
The line of march was up Tongue River
81 miles, where packs were substituted
and the bulltrain left to follow across the
country to the Rosebud, the point aimed
for. Three companies of Infantry were
left to escort this train, which followed
the day after departure of the command
The march continued night and day, the
hostile village being discovered by the
Cavalry and Indian scouts on the 9th. a,
sp. m. & halt was made, when two days
rstons were issue to officers and men
and packed upon their saddles, and after
general preparation the march was re-
sumed at 9 .. m. on the morning of the 7th.
The location of the village was miles up
Muddy Creek e branch of the Rosebud).
,bou. Is miles from the junction. point of
Terry and Crook last July.
NILES ESCAPE.
Reaching this poin: Gen. Miles ordered
the hostiles to surrender the camp being
composed mainly of Sioux and MinDecon
jous. The Chief. Lone Deer, advancing
aud offering to shake hands with Miles he
tso one of our accounts saJs) refused, and
turned to leave the Chief-another asserts
he accepted the offer-at any rate, q mo
ment after, Lone Deer aimed his gun and
firing at Miles, the latter escaped only by
falling over his horse. the shot instantly
killing his Orderly (of I'd Cavalry who
fell pierced through the heart. This out
rage opened the fight, as Miles immedl
ately ordered charge, with Instructions t
spare no one.
TEE TROOPS.
The column consisted of
CAVALRY.
Battalion I'd Cavalry, 275 strong, Capl
E. Ball in command, as follows:
F Compsny-Capt. Geo. L. Tyler, Ii
4. N. Fuller.
G Company-Capt ]. n. Wheelan.
II Company-Lieut. L. II. Jerome.
LCompany-Capt. Il. Norwood; Lieut.
s. T. Hamilton.
Adjutant-L;eut. C.. B. Schofield.
Qu.rtermastsr-Lieut. 8. r. Douglass
9th Infantry.)
Surgeon-P. 4. Brown.
INFANTRY
Four Companies H, E, F and I, 22t
Regiment.
Two Companies, II and B, 9Th Regi
nent-240 strong,
Baird, Adjuiant- General.
Douglass, @ n. G.;L'. Long, A. DC.
Mounted Infantry (5,h) and citizens,
strong, Lieut.. Casey commanding, Will
one piece Of artillery.
THE ATTACK.
Leuts. Jerome and Casey, the first Will
H Company, 2d Cavalry. and the secon'
with portion of his command. beinI
ordered TO charge the village, did so will
arush. killing Z hostlles and capturing
the herd of about 500 ponies. utterly de
norslizing the outfit. The charge wa
made directly through the viIlsge an
back again without loss of man. an
reflects (so all accounts sgree) great cred'
upon Lieut.. jerome, which will great.
crafty his numerous friends IN MOntans
The squaws actively participated in tn
fight, tno in particular making indepen
dent charges against Infsntrymel
who soon brought this performanc
10 An end by means of srac
O.. cartridges. The bostiles the
Ted TO the hills, ss the remainder OF tn
command came up and passed throug
the now deserted village-it then followe
the Indians oyer the terribly broke
country, where many narrow escapes oc
Cured. and where charging on horsebac
from hill to hill, or skirmishing on foo
became necessary. Many escaped throug
the brush and down the bed of the Mud
dy, leaving everything behind then
while (says one letter) the lately contes
ID field was for q time the scene
showers of bullets aud hand-to'hsn
sonfl,c.s-the battle raging from 4:5e
lam.
The retreating hostlles were followt
BY the Cavalry miles, when the pursu
was abandoned, and the command aga
reached the train on the 9th. A hea'
rain fell during most of the time, addit
70 the difficulties of the occasion, but
accounts concur in awarding highe
praise to oil engaged In the fight.
That night (9th) the entire comms'
camped together. 1t was q terrible nigh
nin and picket firing continued un
daylight, aEd the worn men and anlm'
havirg no repose un til the next tay.
THE MANAGEMENT.
1t was . complete surprise, the v'lla
hsyinu m knovled 0e of 0DDIOAch OF I