New-York tribune., 1877-09-18
THE PURSUIT of HE SIOUX.

GEN, BRIsBIN's SWIFT MARCH OVER MOUNTAINOUS
coUNTRY-THE SIOUX BAND BREAKS UP INTO
SMALL PARrIEs-INDIAS AccoUrREMENTs ADAN-
DONED.
GFRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
FORT ELLIS, NJ. T.. Sept. 5.-A letter of
September from recorded the operations OF Gen.
Brlsbins command August 20. Dispatches received
to-day give the following news On August 90 the
column upon reaching the Big Powder. near the mouth
OF Clear Fork evidences OF hasty abandonment by
the hosies of their camp at that point On August 2l
continuing the pursuit through the rayines, aud
mountains and gues the soldiers discovered that the
band had finally taken to the plains and fed precptatey
toward the Little Powder. The troops close behind
them On August 22, when about miles from the
Little Powder it became evident that the Indians had
broSen their ranks, and flying in all directions In
wild confusion. For mile and over, the plains
strewn with lodge poles, complexities cups cooking
utensils saddle blankets and the various concomtants
Of an Indian outfit and great the evidences OF
complete breakup that pursuit by column was deemed
useless and mpracticabe. Gen. Brisbin then deter
mined to test the virtues OF his Crows and sent them out
to follow their muchvaunted tactics They followed tue
Sioux into the hills, but driven back, demor
alzed to the command Troops were then detailed to
accompany and support the Crows, when the hostes
resumed their flight, and when the courir left
for Tongue River, with the dispatches upon
which this letter is based, the combined
pursuit was continuing. The main column, however,
was moving down the Little Powder to its junction with
Big Powder where Gen. Brisbin expected to nd raons,
OF which his men were sadly in need. This campaign
has been fearfuy the pursuit having lasted
some twenty-five days without interruption The sol
diers have made their camps late at night, taken
early starts, and made rapid marches over Irigtful
section OF Godorsaken country. At times the pursuit
was made with WORKOUT men and horses-the latter
baf-starved and the former suffering for water Often
q or AGA -irral al,.f fnrnfnr
the consumption OF rations, from which meat has
been often omitted because Of its Absence except under
the saddle.
And please consider that this sousubdung work is
being performed By intelligent men and educated officers
They march in rags, and with half'empty stomachs,
sweterpg by day and shvering at night far away from
the shadow of great rock" but in thirsty land -
awaiting the pleasure OF Congress to provide the funds
TO support them and the anxious families left behind
A they march, and they suffer, every step taking
them farther their base OF supplies they wonder
how the spare funds aud credits left at home holding
out and many OF them are being reported to the
Secretary OF by tradesmen who want their for
proyender and raiment supplied upon trust TO women
and children. Such is life in the American Army. On
August IS the following order was issued:
In THE FIELD, FORK OF POWDER RIVER,
Aug lS 1877.
The commanding officer desires to impress upon the
officers and men OF the expedition the need Of using
massage the Powder River Range yesterday soates
the command from Its base OF supplies al Glendiye
creek and "A Will have TO be established We
are following "a large Indian tran not over eght days
Old, aud doubling upon their camps at tho rate of
three miles a day. The commanding officer Will
do all within his power TO get fresh troops
and supplies but the first object will be
the overhaung Of the Indians and compelling them to
scatter or gnt. Until this be done there be let
M turning back account OF scarcity OF ratiODs
good blow now may end the Sioux war, when can
strke for home for rest and TecuperaOn. The hoses
in extreme want eating their ponies nawA snases,
etc. and must not permit them 10 escape, no matter
how great prlvaOn may have to endure. This cir
cuar will be read at the head oI each company before
mounting to-day. JAS . BMsBIN,
Major I'd Cavalry, commanding.
As indicated In my last letter. the consequent scatter
ing OF the Indians would doubtless endthis special cam
paign and the command would return to Tongue River
and its GleDdve camp. But that the command will have
season Is not certain. Gen. Miles is indefatlga
ble aud should the about Sitting Bulls nvas
prove true further work may have TO be DONE letter
from an officer stationed at the caDonmeDt "Our
movements may be affected through the repeated
10 me last night by Gen. Miles. Wiz He is informed
Sitting Bull has been driven out of the British
Possessions by MAJ Walsh, Of the Mounted
Police, with whom he had o discussion. The
story goes that during late council between the two
an Indian boy with whom the chief had had trouble
came up only TO lind sitting Bulls knife drawn upon
him Walsh. covering the angry chief with his revolver
threatened his life, should he harm the offending boy
and this caused angry discussion ending in the
eectment ssross the line OF the fugitive band re-