Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-15
INDIAN WAR.
Another Butchery.

ceived at Helena, Montana Territory,
On Aug. II:
BIG HOLE, MONTANA, Aug. 9.
To Co.. Potts:
Had hard fight with the Nez Perces,
killing a number, and losing q number
of officers and men. We need doctor,
and every thing. Send us such relief
as soon as you can.
[Signed JOHN GIBBoN,
Col. Commanding.
Big HOLE, Aug. 9.
TO Co.. Potts:
We are here near the mouth of the
Big Hole Pass, with a
LARGE NUMBER OF WOUNDED
in want of every thing, food, clothing,
medicines and medical attendance.
Send us assistance at once
Signed JOHN GIDEON,
Col y. S. A.
To Coz. Potts:
We had hard fight and took the
village, but were
FINALLY DRIVEN BACK
with heavy loss. Capt. Logan and
1t. Bradley are killed. Gen. Gibbon,
Its. Coolidge, English and Woodruff are
wounded; English seriously, the others
slightly. The troops are entrenched and
the Indians are leaving. When the
messenger left, Gen. Gibbon said: az
want an escort sufficient to protect
the wagons which are going in to relieve
us. Load the wagons as light as posi-
bic. The Indians cut me off from my
supplies.
A TERRIBLE BATTLE.
DEER LODGE, Aug. 11.-W. H. Ed
wards has just arrived from Big Hole,
bringing accounts of terrible battle
between Gen. Gibbons command and
the Nez Perces on the Big Hole river, on
August 9th. Gen. Gibbons command
consisting of 1872 men, II officers, 1873
regulars and 32 citizen volunteers cross
ed over from
ROSS HOLE
on Wednesday, starting at II o'clock.
On the same night they moved down
all the troops with the exception of a
few left to guard transportion They
camped few miles above, close to the
Indian camp, which was near the Big
Hole, about three miles below, where
Bitter Roots Bannock trail crosses. At
daylight this morning the
FIGHT OPENED.
by the volunteers firing ON and killing
an Indian going after horses. The
charge was then made on the camp and
hard fighting occurred for the next two
hours, during which time large num-
Der of men and Indians were killed.
The soldiers then charged on the lodges
but were repulsed in the attempt The
Indians attempted to cut them from
high wooden point, but the soldiers
charged and driving the Indian advance
from it, at once fortified. The
fighting continued all day and was still
progressing fitfully when the courier
left at II o'clock. The
FIGHTING WAS DESPERATE
on both sides, the full force of the In
dams being in the fight Captain Logan
and Lieutenant Bradley, were killed
General Gibbon, Captain Williams and
Lieutenants Costidge, English and
Woodruff, were wounded, General Glib
bon only slightly. Bradley was the
first man killed. The messenger says
that after they failed to capture the
lodges the Indians moved their camp
off in the direction Of Bannock All
their horses being CO ptured the messen-
ger had to come to French Gulch nearly
sixty miles afOOt.
Another messenger was sent to How
ard who should have reached there to-
day The
HOWTTZER HAD BEEN LEFT
six miles behind and was ordered to be
moved up at daylight During the
night they heard it discharged twice and
then it was silent. A band of Indians
soon after appeared with a large band of
horses and it is believed all the horses
Of the command, the guns, their sup
plies, reserve ammunition, ETC., were
captured. Gen. Gibbon thought when
the courier left there he still had 100
effective men, It is believed the Indians
are nearly all withdrawn from his front
He says he thinks
ONE HUNDRED INDIANS ARE KILLED
and nearly one-halfo of the command, in
Guiding the citizens were killed or
wounded Gen. Gibbon has sent for
medicines, surgeons, supplies. Colonel
Mitchell will leave to-day He particu-
larly asks for ambulance wagons to
come under escort, and every available
wagon will 60 forward from here and
Butler.
It was one of the
HARDEST INDIAN FIGHTS
on record and Gibbon command made
a most gallant and desperate fight
against overwhelming odds.
DEER LODGE, Aug. lilo A. M.-Got
all the men we want here to escort the
wagons. We are rushing up wagons,
stores, etc. Eighty out of one hundred
are killed or wounded.