The New York herald., 1877-01-05

ING WATER--MR. YARLOTT STORY OF THE
SURPRISE OF THE HosTILEs BY THE CROWS.
BozEMAS, N. T., Dec. 23, 1875
The particulars of the Indian battle Sinking
Water, IN the Big Horn country, have been received
through Mr. David Yarolt a trapper Mr. Yarott,
Dick Smith and anotber white man were trapping
branch of the Sinking Water, when Snake Indian
dashed iuto their camp told them the Sioux
coming and to pack up and leave at once Yarlott and
his men fed toward the Snake camp, which was above
snerrapping camp and on tue main branch OF Sinking
Water. They found the Snakes IN state Of
great excitement, rereating down the valley and
abandoning everything. They said about 400
Indians, supposed 10 be Sioux had dashed
down on their camp about daylight and charging
through it, carried everything before them. The
snakes we're completely surprised and offered very
little resistance Flying to the bills, they rallied for
ttmc but being pressed all sides, broke and
treated down the valley Their retreat soon became
rout and they cut their packs and robes that they
might travel the faster
s1here was a Crow camp Sinking Water fifteen
miles below the Snake camp, and to this the Snakes
ran. The Crows under Crazy Head and Black
foot two noted chiefs, and they wanted the Snakes to
stop ana Heht they demoralized that they
ned on down the valley and struck out for their
reservation on Wind RIVER
The Crows packed up aud moved their camp some
ncen miles, where they had strong position and the
women children were safe Tue warriors then set
out TO lind the hostile Indians and soon after dark
came upon their camp lbty were rejolc ng over tho
victory they had obtained over the Snakes and were
unconscious OF danger They evidently did not know
OF tho Crow camp and thought the Snakes they had
defeated were the only Indians encampcd In the VAL
ley. Mr. Yarott said IL was glorious chance for
slsugntcr but the Crows were too weak risk
saut as there were only sixty OF them all told Tho
hostile camp was very large and, Mr. Yarlott thinks,
con tanned fully 400 Warriors well armed
THE HERD srAMPEDED
~, The Crows In the darkness qliciy crept upon the
hnnaits camp and they could hear the In
ali They arc
"a very few OF them Sioux soon after midnight the
ofows crept into The herd and siampeded u. me
AChoyeuncs Arapahocs sleepn NJ soundly when
8ho nrst alarm gwen and the whole camp sprung
10 arms scene Of ndcscribabc confusion fol
osved the Crows shouting out 'A5saraka Crows TO
les the enemy know II was not the defeated snakes
Who had returned. In the panic that ensued the
Crows drove oil :ortynne horses ana three mules ana
0ol away with them. The Arapahoes and Cheyennes
61d not follow that night not knowing the strength OF
Sneir enemies and by daylight tue Absarakas were
~ away with tneir booty Crazy Head started as
~ light with the village and pushed hard Tor tue
CDw Agency. about l5o miles distant, on saltwater
~Xr the Yellowstone
E FEARS or AN AxnuscApE.
\ 10 Arapahoes and Chcyeunes followed a short dis
M - but turned back, fearing they we're being drawn
~ trap by the Crows There was only small
# Xsng party under Cray Head and Backfoot on
oGnking Water, but evidently the hosiiles thought
1ns whole Crow village was around somewhere ana
1sarsd amOuscadc. Tho Grows arrived safely at
SStr sponcy with all their stolen STOCK and much
Net up the affair Among the horses captured IS
yne fine American horse that belonged TO the seventh
tnitod States cavalry Tho Crows also got Two car
Abines and revolver that belonged to Custer's mon
w .t4 SNAKES
NJ Yarlott does moi know how many Snakes were
He'd In the attack made them ny the Mapahoes
Cheyenne, but saw good many wounded, ana
1r iics. two squaws and two warriors lay dead in
The Snakes lost every thing-lodges, SKINS
Mr. Yariott says for miles along the line
rsat the trail was s,rewn with robes ana
In5<U clothing abandoned by tho Snakes lie
n ~ ~ could have picked up wagon load oi hne
E~1* ~ short distance on the trail
XM<<TN W LOSS oP THE cnEyEsNEs.
- ,oss Of the Arapahocs and Cheycnn II not
-vn bat Is believed TO be small, as the SNAKES were
80 and did not nght much. One Crow warrior