The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-08-23
A CRY FOR RELIEF
From Our Troops who Have been Defeated
by Old Coca Band OF Hez Perees-

From Our Troops who Have been Defeated
by Old Goes Band OF Nee Perees.
To Governor Potts
We had hard fight and took the vii
lage, but were finally driven back with
heavy loss. Captain Logan and Lieu
tenant Bradley are killed Gen. Gibbon
and Lieutenants Coolidge, English and
Woodruff are wounded-English seri
ously, the others slightly. The troops
are intrenched, and the Indians are Ieav-
ing When the messenger left, General
Gibbon said " I want an escort sufficient
to protect the wagons which are going in
to relieve us. Load the wagons as light
as passible. The Indians cut me off from
my supplies"
DEER LODGE, Aug. II, Gam.
w. II. Edwards has Just arrived from
Big Hole, bringing accounts of a terrible
battle between Gibbons command and
the Nez Perces, on Zig Hole river, on
August 9th. Gibbons command, con-
sisting of one hundred and eightv-two
men-seventeen officers, one hundred
and thirty-three regulars, and thirty
two citiEen-YOlunteers- crossed overflow
Ross Hole on Wednesday, starting at
eleven o'clock. On the same night thew
ception of few to guard the transporta-
ton 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 cross. At
daylight this morning the fight opened
by the volunteers firing on and killing
an Indian going after horses. The charge
was then made on the camp, and
har RI inhf -
two hours, during which time
large numt ers of white 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 a high
wooded point, but the soldiers charged.
and driving the Indian advance from it,
held it, and at once fortified. The fight.
ing continued all day, and was still pro-
crossing ftfully when the courier left at
eleven o'clock. The fighting was desper-
ate on both sides, the full force of the
Indians being in the fight. Captain
Logan and Lieutenant Bradley were
killed. General Gibbon, Captain Will
liams and Lieutenants Coolidge, English
and Woodruff were wounded, General
Gibbon only slightly. Bradley was the
first man killed. The messenger saws
that after they failed to capture the
lodges the Indians moved their camp of
in the direction of BannOck, all their
horses being captured. The messenger
had to come to French GuIch, near 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 daylight During the
| fight at daylight they heard it discharged
twice, and then 1t was silent. A band O.
Indians soon after appeared with a large
band of horses, and it is believed all o
| the horses of the command, the gun
their supplies, reserve and ammunition
| etc, were captured. General Gibbor
1 thought when the courier left there ht
/ still had hundred effective men. anC
/ believed the Indians had nearly al
/ Withdrawn from his front The messen
! ger says that he thinks there were on,
/ hundred Indians killed, and nearly hal
| the command, including the citizens
were killed or wounded. General Glib
| bon has sent for medicines, surgeons
! supplies, etc. DIR. Mitchell will Iesv,
! here today with an escort. Genera
! Gibbon particularly asks for ambulanc,
wagons to come uuder an escort, anC
every available wagon will 90 forward
from here and Buttes. It is one of the
/ hardest Indian fights on record, and Glib
/ bOn's command made a most gallant anC
/ desperate fight against Overwhelming
/ odds.