The New York herald., 1877-01-14
Faithful and Gallant Conduct
Of the Indian Allies.
TIE OLD STORY OF A WANT OF SUPPLIES
SuAerings Of Men and Animals on
she Return March.

Domewhat indefinitely along the north fork oil the Belle
Fourcho anti It's head was turned backward toward
home Friday, the 2lst of December. What II has
done Dull Knife's thieving band will long time re.
member what has beeu left undone will doubtless ne
sessitate the organization Of another expedition within
. short time. Experiences connected with It's opera
lions have taught some useful lessons TO the officers
attached to the column and its attack the daring
Chsyenncs hae taught them that they may not con-
slider themselves from the avengng pursuit OF the
white man. in their most remote and inaccessible
businesses That the punishment they received was
severe will question who witnessed tho battle,
and yet there very sw II any oven OF those who
participated the fight that feel that this chas
semcnt at all equal 10 their deserts or propor-
ioned to what our power over them would have been
undcr slightly different circumstances Unaded rs It
the cavalry did WE'LL though ignorant OF the situ-
aton to carry by and hold against their fierce
enemies the village and all its contents entering In
he dim, uncertain light Of the opening dawn as vii
famous spot az nature could have afforded any band
OF savage outlaws for their fortress and hiding place
pIrYIccLriEs INDIAN WARFARE
To fight your Indian you must first find him--tbis
way is much preferable 10 his finding you-and
only those who have experience IN such work can ap-
precate the difficulties that attend the hunt In such
search the Indian has his side decided avantagcs,
oi which found In his superior knowledge Of the
country no nhabits His mode Of life too, permits
him with his goods and chatels his wife and children,
TO move more rapidly than the bulk Of column Of
white soldiers can pursue him. That he can discern
md distinguish distant objects better than whtc
man is an undoubed fact OF which the slightest
pcr,ence will convince any unprcjudiced observer of
The ways Of both, and hts habits naturally, without
the additional caution inspired by tho knowledge OF
our unceasing pursuit OF him. make 1t matter Of ex
IRENE difficulty TO approach his haunts without giving
him notice of.such approach. All this was apparent
in the campaign just closed, was also the TACT that
the instinct ascovor Indian haunts is strongest in
the Indian nature
When the expedition set out the surmiscs to its
probable effectiveness not unmlxed with
vague dread OF disasters TO be apprehended from
the presence OF many Sioux. Arapahoe and
Chey snne auxliaries. The column, It generally
admitted was well organized. No better appointed
had started alter hostile Indians In the
territory were TO traverse ''But but" Surmse
whispered, with knowing wink, "those enlisted In
dams will make troube;" and indeed, Tor time il
look II General Crook had placed too much
adence In their loyalty. Even among officers Of the
command one heard many murmurs Of disapprovaL
With other Indians It said, his confidence might
be all right but the treacherous Sioux were not to be
trusted lfthey failed to cut the hroats OF halt the
sommand they would at least quarrel with their old
snemiss, the Pawnees, also OF the auxlarics. The
hrst meeting OF the members OF these two tribes
tended little to strengthen these notons Among
the representatives OF both there impetuous
young braves, VINO, cherishing the traditional
anmosties OF their respective people, INDUCED at
hrst In little taunts and nnuendoes They learned
however, not only to avoid quarres, but grew to be
fast friends before they parted to the extent Of
ttuO nth " nd hav
pow-wows while we camped on Belle Fourchs
CONDUCT OF THE INDIAN ALLIES.
OF their conduct during the scout nothing can be
Said but in praise They put forth every effort aid
NJ and INDUCED in every scheme known TO their
crafty and untrng naures and from first to last
wholly and zealously faithful Indeed no better op-
portunity could possibly be afforded them for ven
Eeance had they thrstcd for than the morning Of
fight. II would have been the simplest matter in
The world for any OF them to have slipped into
The hostile camp half an hour ahead Of our column
and gwen word OF our approach. Had they done so
there would have been different story to tell of Gen.
eral Mackenzie's engagement with the Chayennes
But not q man was fathless. All we're eager az our
own men 10 make the surprise complete. II was
stuuy the workings of Sharp Noses features
be rushed up General Mackenzie just before the
order TO charge was given, and, with flashing eyes
and the impulsve gestures OF heroic leader, urged
him TO mako haste. The only who desertd US
was our captive Cheyenne, aud he only missed
ZONE hours after the hgh we do not know whether
killed or fed to the enemy, nor has any
troubled himself to find out, as he was not expected
10 synpathize with US in our pursuit Of his brothers
INDIAN METHOD FIGHTING.
To no sure tho management OF the Sioux and Arapa.
hoes during tho fight was matter 40 little difficulty
As their chief, Lieutenant W. p. Clark, discovered
after leading them into the hostile village He had
them instructed TO what expected OF them,
however, before entering ana lhey went to with
will n obedience his but according to their
own notions Of how tho business should be done,
leaving him and tho other officers with them to look
for themselves ut the opening OF the light. Their
ideas Of warfare comprised IN the general order
'cvery for himself whiio at the same tilno all
combine Tor a common purpose AS u result OF their
method OF lighting Lieutenant Clark found himself
alone with Lieutenant DeLany just beyond the village
few minutes boioro the cavalry column entered aud
had sharp work for the time being To save himself
from the bullets OF the hccng hostiies. His position
however enabled HIM to give General Mackenzie wnen
he entered. some valuable information respecting the
situation, anu he DID 30
PURSUIT or CRAZY HORSE.
Viewed at distance our march tlong tho Bello
Fourche may ainess contrastcd with our pro-
grcss IN lhc Big Horn Mountains, and IN a CERTAIN
meas II 80. though We could not have done
differently under the circumstances. General Crook
judgcd that Crazy Horse, hearing OF our fight,
w. uid leave The Rosebud ana move toward the bad
lands al the head OF Little Missouri favoritc re.
Of this chief when apprchenaing pursuit,
winch affords him opportunities of harassing the
rooIs and also evading them by passes known only
The indian The best approach 10 these businesses was
that selected Tor the EXPEDITION, but advance was
necessarily controlled by the elements, by The quan-
tty of supplies on hand and capable OF being tor.
" arded and effectiveness oi scouts sert out TO
dctef mine tho exact location OF the hostile camp
matters nave turned out II would have been about
well Tor the column TO nave returned TO- the point OF
organization Immediately after The Big Horn light
then no could have iorcseen all the difficulties
luut U.S. From old Fort Reno scouts were
vent back u the Rcd Cloud and Spotted Tau agencies
10 enlist as many more Indians as would be found
Mason. post commander ut Red Cloud TO despatch
wo IndIun spies TO ascertain the location Of Crazy
iorse's camp, with INSTRUCTIONS ~ report back 10
,encrai Crook where they found the hvstilcA Mean
line arrang gements were made Ny our quartermaster,
.Jor Furey " havc forwarded additional supplies of
Ernin tor our stock, and we moved by slow marches