Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1877-08-23

In addition to tie accounts given in our
regular issue, We publish the following
specials and general details which were
crowded out, adding news received last
night:
THE BATTLE
Big HOLE Pass, Aug. IL.
We haye met the Indians, and had a
fearful battle Left Missoula the 4:h,
and marched to Stevenson 3, 2G miles.
Broke camp early Sunday morning, and
Icamped that night On Weeping Child
creek-2G miles. Aug. 9Th started at 4:3O
"a. M, and camped near Ross Hole
made dry camp after hard march. Aug
7th, started at 4:30 a. m. across Ross and
Ropes Fork, Lieut.. Bradley scouting IO
to Il miles IN advace Passed camp of
over 30 lodges-Indians two days in ad-
vance. Campcd on Camp creek, foot of
Big Hole Divide. Lieuts. Bradley and
Jacobs, with mounted detachment and
citizens, crossed Big Hole divide at 7:3O
p. M, on trail to lind camp. Aug. 9Th,
started at a. m.-hard divide. Message
from Bradley that camp was not far
ahead, Marched all day to s p. m.. with
out rest. Indian camp miles ahead
Corraled tram, and left all horses, starting
for village at II p. m. Trail rough, and
arrived liz front Of camp, within $50
yards. without discovery, at 2 a. n.
formed skirmisL line, and remained SO
until daylight. Had about hal! the Indi-
ans horses cut off on top of rear hill,
At daylight on the 9th, advanced through
the thick brush-the camp being On or
near bank of west fork of Big Hole
river, or Ruby creek. When within 100
yards of camp, We began the fght-not
having yet been discovered.
Firing then began and We rushed for the
high banks, crossing the windings of the
creek several times. The engagement be-
came general, but the surprise vas so
complete that we for some time had things
our own way, and reacning the tepecs the
bucks and squaws began to attack us. We
then commenced to burn the camp and
our command held the brush and Que end
of the village Bradley was on the left
with mounted detachment and dismount
ed citizens; Companies A, F, G, l. X,
and D on the right. The Indians now
taking in the situation began TO fight
with desperation, men on both sides drop
ping rapidly. We fought an horr aud a
half. but were obliged to retreat. We
made stand in the pine timber one quar-
ter mile from the village. Here we made
best cover possible, ana fought continu-
ously all night and had more killed and
wounded, and were cut off from water,
the wounded suffering greatly for water.
At dusk we file; the csnteens under fire.
10th. Indians still around US. although
the main camp had moyed toward Ban
mack at 10 p. m. on 9th. Browning and
Woodbridge and Wright went for train
and took 1t to camp. Had been almost
without food to this time At night a
few shots were fired into our camp, and
on l1th The Indians had left our front, and
Major Comba and Capt. Browning were
burying the dead. Howard and body
guard arrived on the 1lih-his column to
follow next day and will continue OH the
trail. We must return, think, with our
wounded. Co. G has most killed and
wounded. Captain Browning and Lieu
Wright narrowly escaped, being constant.
" IN the front of company. Jacobs, Rawn
and Wright got away with many Indians
Our loss is less than that of the indians
who did good shooting-one 500 yards off
behind tree killing one of our men at
every shot. We return via Deer Lodge,
but do not know our exact destination.
SEVENTH INFANTRY.