Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-09-19
Fort Custer Letter.
Eilttary MOvem ents and Local Mat.
terS of Interest.

: FOIC custer Letter.
Etlttary Movements and Local Nat
ters Of Interest.
FORT CUSTER. Montana, !
Sept. 3, 1873.
10 Editor of Courier:
We are all in state Of excitement here
in consequence of Bannack Indians being
discovered near the National Park. Lieut.
Doane predicted as far back as May last
(when they were troublesome in Idalio)
that they might be expected to take theil
course through Montana about August.
i Under orde of the district commander
Gen. Buell. and stiff lett this post at 6:3(
a. m., August 3lst. for Clark's Fork. tc
scout towards Slinkingwater river. When
Gen. Miles issued the above order he was
at Benson's Landing, August 29th, and
tue Indians were evidently in and around
the National Park. for which place the
General was en- route with large party
Of officers and their ladies. on a pleasure
trip; and although he had one hundred
men with him, was powerless till the
ladies should be in safe quarters. The or.
der referred TO reached this post on Aug.
30th, at 3 p. M, and it was 9 p. m. on that
day before it was really known what men
would be sent from here, they being SO
scattered on various duties. in. and within
ten miles Of the post. However, there
was an early reveile. 3 a. nl., the next day.
and the command moved by 6:3O, crossed
the Big Horn river, AMI started by Z
O'Clock. (''Always ready" is the motto
here.) This quick movement speaks well
for the effective system of the Qlartermas-
ter and Commissary Departments, of
which Lieut.. Fowler, A. Q. NJ. 2d Caval-
ry, has control. The transportation was
in excellent condition, and as 4 conse-
quence of tile late visit OF the Chief Quar-
ternlaster OF the Department, was proper
~ manned.
1t seems that General Encll was on the
qui rire for thu Sc Indians, for Mr. Camp
bell. post guide and scout, left this place
on the 2Gth ult. for the trail taking Crow
scouts with him. The trail was found
near Clark Fork. Mr.. Campbell was at
tackled, and after a good skirmish, by
nighttall the party killed one Bannack /;
then, with all speed. made for the post. Il
distance Of $50 miles, which he reached by
p. n.. Sept. Sd, in 80 hours, having only
two horses; but. alas! General Buell. was
miles away. MIR. Campbell, however, left
again at a. m. Yesterday, with important
information for the General, taking three
OF the best horses to be had in the post.
If the General ever gets sight of the Ban
nacks. it is my opinion they will have no
time to hide in any Big Hole, as did the
NeZ Perces.
Three companies of cavalry aud one OF
infantry, also 225 Cheyenne and Sioux
scouts, left Fort Keogh to join in the
chase.
We hear that Capt. Egan's company,
from Fort Ellis. had brush with these
Indians. Ii is stated that some of his men
are wound d.
Thilty-one recruits arrived for the 11th
Infantry from Fort Columbus, Chic, via
Fort Smelling. Minn, the d,y before the
command left, and. although they had
marched from Fort Keogh, nearly all went
Oh the scout. Under these trying circunl-
stances they We're in excellent spirits.
This bears me out in what have stated
before. THAT recruits should be at least six
months in the States and be thoroughly
instructed that they may be so many pri-
Yates actually fit for active service on ar
rival with their respective companies u
These recruits were sent out on the from
tier AS tar as Fort Buford, unarmed and
without escort, and were fired at by In
dams while on the steamer Josephine neal
Fort Berthold. a little before they reached
Buford. One recruit, regret to say, was
killed by Sioux. The Infantry lett Gus.
ter on this occasion, dismounted. They
can therefore fight better and do more In 4
supply camp without their horses. Thi:
camp. it is likely, will be at Cltrk's Fork.
Lieut-Col. Bracket leaves here for Fort
Keogh shortly on general court MARTA
order. understand Col. Woods, 1lth In
fantry. is the President thereof. 1t is stated
that officers OF this Post will be brought
before this court for trial, and as matters
now stand Capt. Wheelan is next to com
mand the Post.
There are barely sufficient men here tc
do the proper guard duties.
Monsieur SANGER. our restaurant keeper
was hurried away by stage to Helena by
the U. S. Marshal, John X. Beidler. 1t il
stated Mr.. Sangier has evaded the revenue
law in some way. and may come to grief
1t is not generally known that Mr. Sangie
pres ,nied gun at soldier in the Post til,
day before he LETT, in some domestic mat
ter. Perhaps he will be more careful wher
(if ever) he returns. Mrs. Sangier. be
lieve. carries on the business as heretofore
hardly think Mr.. Beidler has power Il
take citizen from military post withou
informing the commanding officer. hea
there is point raised in this case.
Lieut.. Ruhien. 18th Infantry. late A. A
Q. H.. &c. at this Post, has been appointe.
to the responsible and arduous duties o
A. G. s. at Fort Lincoln, d. L.
\ it rained continuously for "a hours iron
3d inst. and has looked Gloomy ever since
{ and another storm is expected.
Il have seen some fine quality placer gol,
brought here by miners to exchange 70
grcenbacks. This gold came from IIar
mountains and principally from poin
southwest of this Post, near Stinkingwate
! river.
J. There about 30 men whose term of SCI
J vice win expirs this year. They were I,