Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-13

we're ordered to charge. The companies I'D.
vanced at 3 gallop, Capt. Owen Hale's com
pany leading. The Indiana were aware Of
their approach, and At distance Of three
hundred yards sent in CALLING fire, causing
number Of empty saddles. Capt. Hale.
in advance Of his troops, received a bullet
in the left shoulder and Immediately after
ward got his death wound. His other Off.
Ger. Second Lieut.. James A. Biddle, was
killed at almost the same instant. The In
disns who we're firing upon the advancing
columns were protected by bank twenty
feet high upon reaching which the cavalry
men were compelled to dismount and 3D.
vance on foot. There was no hesitation on
the part Of the men. and they scrambled
down the bank to engage in hand-to-hand
combat The Indians retired slowly, and all
the time deadly fire PLAYED upon the dis
q stand, and by a well-directed effort pressed
the troops very closely and the advantage
turned in their favor. While this sharp
engagement was taking place, one company
Of the 5th infantry which had been sent to
their support. rushed through the woods on
the left stood and delivered q straight volley
into the ranks of the Indians, and caused
them to stampede snd retire to their camp,
located in narrow gulch and facing the
stream. The three companies Of the 7th
came out of 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 i'm
possible 10 have removed them while in
range of the guns ofthe Nez Perces. When
the companies of the 7th dashed down the
ravine commotion was observed in the
Indian camp and party of forty warrior.
were observed urging the large herd Of
ponies down the ravine The movement
was observed by Gen. Miles. and the three
companies Of the 2nd cavalry, under COM
mand Of Capt Tyler, were sent down the
stream to intercept them and secure the
herd. They went At hard gsllop for three
miles, and succeeded in cutting out the lar
ger portion Of the herd after sharp conflict
with the Indians. 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 mcceeded in turning
their lead. The Indians, when closely
pressed, abandoned the main herd and with
three hundred of their war ponies escaped.
They fred parting shots at their pursuers
without any effect. This detachment of
cavalry, after detailing strong guard upon
the seven hundred captured ponies, returned
up the stream, driving back some of the
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large forces, and when within range of the
mishing through the woods took up posit-
up proper defenses settled down to thes siege.
By rapid deployment, Gen. Miles succeeded
in placing the companies of the 5th in
fantry on either side of the camp, and it
was surrounded. The infantry fought tor
close quarters, and threw up defensive lines
within sight ofthe Indian village, and kept
closing in until they could see the blue
smoke curling from the riae-plts. The en-
tire movement on the part of the troops was
wsu executed, and but for the terrible
slaughter offhe companies Of the1th caval-
~, which was unforeseen aud 6csa1d scucsly
have been guarded against, was we'll planed
and splendidly carried out. From the mo-
ment when the first attack was made the
scene in the Indian village wa one of the
greatest. Animation after the first shock q
definite plan of action appe ared to have
been decided upon, and after the escape ol
the party Of young bucks With the ponies
there was nothing 10 indicate stampede
The same body of warriors who first showed
resistance to the advance of the 7th cavalry
remained behind some high ground at the
mouth Of the gulch, and delivered steady
and murderous fire at the advancing col
umns. 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 rapidity
Great holes were dug in the ground, in which
were placed the squaws and children fol
their better protection. By the time tn,
troops were in possession to prosecute thu
siege the Indians had made their defena,
very complete, and could not easily be
assaulted. During the day an incessant FIR,
was maintained BY the troops, closing grad
ually in upon the savages. The troops
although greatly fatigue. kept up . stead,
fire without any food until toward evening
when 4 white fag was raised from one Q
the Indian rife-pits. A lull followed, ant
eager eyes watched the hostile camp for tn,
meaning Of the truce. Soon sRervard ,
warrior in full war coslums was seen
to leave the intrenchments ant
aassnoe within the white lines
Il w.s Jossph hiussli and, inquiring 70
Gen. hies Aesdquastm, was directed =
the general. mounted % his black pooy il
the rear Of the lines. H ssatsd that b
desired t. surrender, aud S0esd to tun
over all his arms and ammunition and plac
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