The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-10-19
BATTLE OF BEAR PAW.
A Circumstantial Account of Gen. Miles
Sanguinary Conflict with the Nez Perces
Savages.

A Circumstantial Account of Gen. Niles
sanguinary Conflict with the Nex Perces
savages.
From the Chicago Times.l
After leaving the mouth of the Mus
selshell Gen. Miles 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 bank of Snake creek, on the after
noon of the Goth 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 af-
ter reported the main camp in ravine
OH 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 village came in
view were ordered to charge. The COM
panies advanced at a gallop, Capt. Owen
Hale's company leading. The Indians
were aware of their approach, and at
distance of 800 yards sent in a CALLING
fire, causing number of empty saddles.
Capt. Hale, in advance of his troops, re-
ceived 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 Indians
who were firing upon the advancing col
umns were protected by bank twenty
feet high, upon reaching which the cav
alrymen were compelled to dismount and
advance on foot. There was no hesita-
ton on the part of the men, and they
scrambled down the bank to engage in
hand-to-hand combat. The Indians re-
tired slowly, and all the time a 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 Fifth 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 In
dams, and caused them to stampede and
retire to their camp, located in narrow
gulch and facing the stream. The three
companies of the Seventh came out of
the fight with loss of two officers
killed, two wounded, and loss of forty
four men killed and wounded. AS the
fire of the savages slackened, the troops
succeeded in getting under cover, and,
throwing up hasty breastworks, were
comparatively safe from the bullets of
the enemy. The wounded were placed
behind the earthworks, and pits were
dug for them for greater safety, as it
would have been impossible to have re-
moved them while in range of the guns
of the Nez Perces. When the compa-
MES of the Seventh dashed down the ra-
vine commotiop was observed in the
Indian camp, and a party of forty
warriors were observed urging
the large herd of ponies down
the ravine. The movement was
observed by Gen. Miles, and the three
companies of the Second Cavalry, under
command of Capt. Tyler, were sent
down the stream to intercept them and
secure the herd. They went at hard
gallop for three miles, and succeeded in
cutting out the larger portion of the
herd after sharp conflict with the In
dams. One of the companies pressed
closely on the rear of the herd, and
emptied their revolvers on the redskins.
The other two companies rode for the
head of the herd, and finally succeeded
in turning their lead. The Indians,
when closely pressed, abandoned the
main herd, and with 800 of their war
ponies escaped. They fired parting
shots at their pursuers without any eff
feet. This detachment of cavalry, after
detailing strong guard upon the 700
captured ponies, returned up the stream,
driving back some of the struggling Nez
Perces, but encountered no large forces,
and when within range of the Indian
camp dismounted, and, after skirmish-
ing through the woods, took up posi-
ton at the north of the camp, and
throwing up proper defenses settled
down to the siege. BY rapid deploy-
ment, Gen. Miles succeeded in placing
the companies of the Fifth Infantry
on either side of the camp,
and it was surrounded The in
fantry fought for close quarters,
and threw up defensive lines within
sight of the Indian village, and kept
closing in until they could see the blue
smoke curling from the rife-pits. The
entire movement On the part of the
troops was well-executed, and, but for
the terrible slaughter of the companies
of the Seventh Cavalry, which was I'M
foreseen and could scarcely have been
guarded against, was well-planned and
splendidly carried out. From the mo-
ment when the first attack was made the
scene in the Indian village was one of the
greatest animation. After the first shock
a definite plan of action appeared to have
been decided upon, and after the escape
of the party of young bucks with the
ponies there was nothing to indicate
stampede. The same body of warriors
who first showed resistance to the ad-
vance of the cavalry remained behind
some high ground at the mouth of the
gulch, and delivered steady and MUIR
derous fire at the advancing columns.
The main body of the braves, with the
squaws and children, were engaged in
the background throwing up cavernous
rife-pits. These ranged along the gulch
and were thrown up with marvellous ra-
pidity. Great holes were dug in the
ground, in which were placed the squaws
and children for their better protection.
BIZ the time the troops were in posi-
ton to prosecute the seige the In
dams had made their defenses very
oo,ny,1ato onJ oor1I NOD ooo.1x- L.