The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-13
A HEROIC DEFENSE.
Four Men and Two Women Stand a Three
Days Siege by n Largo B md OF In.
dians-RiRht SavaKes Killed and tho
Party Rescued.


Days Siege by n Largo B md OF In
dians-RiRht savakes Killed and the
Party Rescued.
A correspondent writes from Boze-
man, Montana Territory, to the New
York Herald as follows White Calfee,
scout and freighter, brings informa-
ton of terrible battle with the In
dams, off O'Fallon's creek, near the Yel-
lowstone river, in which party of
white men and two women had peril
ous adventure, and would probably have
all been killed but for the timely arrival
of the troops from Tongue river. It ap-
pears that DR.. Maxwell, with his wife,
daughter and four men started from
Miles City, with the intention of set
ting on the Little Missouri, near where
the old Stanley trail crosses that stream.
Afeer they had been out several days,
and just as they were crossing the
O'Fallen hills, Mrs. Maxwell deserted
two objects ahead which she took to be
antelopes, but which the aid of field
glass showed to be Indians. Mr.. Max
well at once halted his party and soon
discovered he was in the vicinity of
village of about forty lodges of hostile
Indians. The wagons were turned back
and the party retreated toward O'Fallon
creek. The Indians followed but did
not attack, and Mr.. Maxwell, having
reached the timber and water, selected
a high point of land and went into camp.
A ravine ran around three sides of the
camp and it was naturally very strong
and easily defended. It was almost
dark when Mr.. Maxwell selected his
camp and the entire night was spent in
fortifying it. The bluffs did not run
close to the water or timber and the
party had to take position about two
hundred yards from water or wood. As
good h supply as possible of both arti
cles was laid in during the night, and
the party waited anxiously for daylight
and the battle they knew it would
usher in.
At eleven o'clock the next day Indians
were discovered approaching, and the
siego began. The cattle were kept as
close as possible, but in the evening
they had to be watered, and while this
was being done the Indians dashed for
ward and captured all the oxen. Mr..
Maxwell let them go and kept his men
hard at work on the Notifications, know
ins he would soon have need of all the
protection he could get. About eleven
o'clock at night the works were finished
and the place made as strong as possible.
The wagons formed one side, and logs,
sacks filled with earth and sand, the
other side. Caves were dug for the
women and strong rifle pits placed on
three sides OF the camp. All night long
thu men heard cattle bellowing, and
they were driven up and around the fort,
in the hope that the little garrison
would come out and attempt to capture
them :. but Mr.. Maxwell kept his men
within the fort. About midnight one of
the party crept out of the works, and,
avoiding ithe Indians, started to Fort
Keogh for help. The little garrison
was now reduced to six persons, and
consisted of Mr.. Maxwell, Mr.. Bonton,
George Darland, Jester Pruden and tho
two women-Mrs. Maxwell and May,
her daughter.
During the night the men in the fort
heard the Indians coming up the ravine
mounted. It was bright moonlight and
they could be distinctly seen. Hating
at the creek, they dismounted, tied their
ponies and commenced crawling toward
the fort. Mr.. Maxwell told the men to
keep very still and let them come on
until he called out: "Firel" and then
to work the breech.loaders hard and
steady. When the Indians were within
sixty yards of the fort the frontiersmen
began firing, and before the redskins
could get out of range killed two. One
fellow was wounded, and fell 80 near the
fort they could see aud hear him. he
called out to the men in broken English !:
"Hold on, am hitl" and "Dont shoot
any more, I am 8 good Indian |" Later
in the night he called: "Come out and
get me, am wounded" Mr.. Maxwell
replied: "Well, crawl in here, then, and
we will look out for you." The wound
cd fellow said: "No, no, let them come
and carry me off," TO reply was given
and presently the fellow rose up and
said: Glow, howl Don't shoot, me go
away" They let him go, and after work
ing himself down the hill little distance
two Indians came up, TOOK hold of him
by the arms and helped him off.
The Indians now packed up everything
and made great show as if they were
going away, driving the cattle with them.
The steers were soon heard lowing about
the camp, the willy red fends thinking
the white men would believe some of the
oxen had got away and come back. Mr..
Maxwell, however, kept his men within
the fort, and tho savages seeing all their
efforts to deceive or drag the little garri-
son out we're in vain, came on with yells
and boldly charged the works. They
dashed at each side OF the fort firing at
the men within, but the besieged kept
still and let them ride and howl as much
as they had mind to. Toward daylight
the Indians drew off, went into the hills
and commenced throwing up signal
lights, which were answered from dis
tance. "They are sending for help,
bows" said Maxwell, "and we will soon
have it hot and heavy, 80 rest while you
can." In about two hours Indians were
seen coming from the south and joining
those on the hills. Very soon they came
down toward the fort, and several ad-
vancing called out: How, how Come
out and give up" Maxwell replied he
| would do no such thing, and for them to
come on if they wanted fight. 1t was
now light and the Indians made steady
advance, crawling through the grass and
sheltering themselves behind every little
mound of earth.
The firing now became rapid and was
kept up constantly for two hours. The
Indians came very near getting into the
fort, but the scout says: Maxwell and
his men stood their ground like lions
"For three hours" says Callee, "noth-
ing could be heard but the roar of the
rifles, the yelling of the Indians and the
cries of the women within the fort. "
Presently the Indians drew of and held
a council. Then they divided into five
parties, went on the hills, built large
fires and camped. Several of them came
down to the fort and wanted to talk, but
the white men warned them to be gone.
Maxwell said: "Boys, keep close: they
want to find ont how many men We have
in the fort" One fellow was inclined to
be very sociable and came quite near,
when q ball sent him bowling with pain
to the rear. Mrs. Maxwell cooked end
carried the victuals to the men, who ate
will, one hand while they held their guns
! in nosition with the other. Nav Maxwell