The New York herald., 1877-01-16
Details Of the Operations Against
Sitting Bull.
THE HOSTILES BADLY DEMORALIzED.
A Flag Of Truce Party Killed
by the Friendly Crows.
PREPARATIONS FOR ANOTHER MOVEMENT.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

TONGUE RIVER CANToNMENT, Dec 81, 1876
Via BozENAS. NJ T., Jan. Is. 1871
General Nelson A. Miles, Colonel OF the Fifth United
States Infantry has just returned to his post af,en
most successful campaign with the ten companies OF
that regiment against Sitting Bull and the other hostile
chiefs who moved to the north OF the Yellowstone.
River In October iast
sTRsSGrH COMMAND
The command numbered l39 men. II marched over
600 miles In forty days. defeating Sitting Bull In
three distinct engagements and driving him back,
utterly routed aud dcmoraized, 10 the Yellowstone
River, which, It is supposed no viii and
cndeavor to form junction with Crazy
Horse, who is in the Big Horn country with an I'M
mense camp Of hostile Chcycuncs and OgaIaias. Gen.
oral Niles compelled this post for sup
plies, but will within week start out again the
trail Of tho might've chci and, If possible, prevent his
junction with Crazy Horse aftor which he will proceed
without returning to tho cantonment to attack the
latter.
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
General Miles gallant little command has made one
Of the most successful Indian campaigns on record
Il marched 900 miles through the r,gors OF Mon.
storms pursued Sitting Bull TO his favor.e
retreat among the semi-hostiie bands that swarm
around Fort Peck eating government rations and who
always ready TO aid him with supplies Of both
and ammunition, and II defeated and drove him back
n,o the Yellowstone Valley, from which ne has now
but little chance OF escape His following, which mum.
bered over 1000 lodges and moro than 1000 we'll
armed warriors, has been completely routed and
scattered by General Miles that thero but little
doubt OF his capture surrender al early date "
the transportation which is necessary for bis pursuit.
but which nearly exhausted by the recent cam.
paign, will only hold out Tor q few weeks longer
LAST
with Sitting Bull occurred the 18th, Just on the
head waters OF Red Water Creek On that day Lieu.
tenant Frank d. Baldwin, with detachment consist.
ing OF three companies Of the Fifth infantry discov
cred and attacked his camp and completely routed
him. Lieutenant Baldwin captured most Of his
lodges and large number Of ponies and
destroyed all Of the robes, and other provisions
OF the village This AFFAIR a gallant ono on
the part Of Lieutenant Baldwin, and blow Sit.
ting Bull that about ends his Tho suncrings
OF General Miles command during tho campaign were.
OF course very great but the successful result has
fully repaid HIM for the hardshps endured
TRAGcAL OCCURRENCE
Your correspondent was an eye witnoss to tragica
occurrence here the 17th. Five prominent Sioux
chiefs approached the pos. abou, OF that day
a nag OF truce When within . few hundred
Yards OF tho post, and before thor approach
was known to q single officer or soldier OF
tho garrison, they pouncod upon and killed by
the Crow scouts who belong 10 the post and who, OF
course, entertain deadly animosity toward every
Sioux. General Miles indignant beyond measure
ut tho bloody tragedy He thinks II PROBABLE that
they coming in for tho purpose OF surrender.
II this conjecture bo correct II would have materially
weakened Crazy Horses force and would have had
important effect upon she winter campaign against The
hosc& General Miles regrets the greatly,
both account OF Its atrocisy and by reason OF she
possible Importance Of their mission.
THE coin WEATHER
Yesterday the mercury stood at thirty.sx degrees
below zcrc-coo weather for rcampaigning-but nothing
can deter General Niles, and, II hts mule tram only
holds out you may expect very to the par.
culars of the further pursuit or sitting Bull and OF
an engagement with Crazy Horse ON tho upper Big
Horn River.
RrroRY-AN EXCURSION AFTER MEANS TO
CONTINUE THE WAR;
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
wAsHIxGrox, Jan. Is, 1877
Advices received at tho War Department IRON tho
Black Hills country indicate that the Indian has
been abruptly brought TO close, not by she peaceful
disposition OF Sitting Bull and his hostile braves, but
in consequence Of a sudden departure Of tho great
Sioux chief and his retirement for the remainder Of
tho winter into the British possessions.
THE MARCH SoRrHwARn
II 10 quito certain that whom last heard from he was
on the march, accompanied by his people, In tho d.
rccion referred to, and It s believed he has gono 10
trade buffalo hides other products OF savage In
dustry for nrcarms and ammunition.
WHERE AMMUNITION rs OBTAINED.
II Is wol known that the chief sources from which
the hostile Sioux derive their power TO resist the
United States government are found In tho British
territory north Of the Black Hills country. The hides
and fur felts Of tho Indians easily exchanged for
rifles, and the present winter Is prolific for trap
ping valuable fur bearing animals In tho region 70.
fcrrcd To-
A STAY OF EXECUTION REFUSED.