The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-03-28

ali the following night the situation re-
manned unchaflged. The Indians sat by
their fires, and every now did then made
AN Intellectual attempt to talk With the
men ii the fort. On the morning Of the
second day, which Mr. Ci lice thinks was
the 18th of January, the Indiatls renewed
the attack. The little band of white
men were surrounded on every side, and
the charge was most determined, but af-
ter half an hours fighting the Indians
fell back. They next commenced shoot
ing with their bows and arrows, firing in
the air SO the arrows would drop into the
fort. This is most dangerous game,
as an Indian can throw an arrow so it
will come down point foremost within an
inch of any mark. The men did Tot have
their backs and heads protected from
above, and one was soon wounded, but
all lay still and did not expose them
selves Toward noon an Indian, who
had been sitting smoking on the hill,
got up and walked down toward the fort.
He contintied to approach despite the
bullets, until within sixty yards of the
breastworks, when he fell dead. The
savage was probably a medicine man,
and Thought the whites could not hit
him, or he may probably have been
tired of living and took that opportunity
to make az end of himself.
Failing to accomplish anything with
their bows and arrows the Indians fell
back and again counseled. They seemed
to think the only way was to watch the
fort and starFe out the garrison. Creep
ing up close to the Works not head
could be raised or hand exposed but it
brought a dozen bullets from the grass.
One Indiaii was observed creeping al
most within the works when a shot from
Maxwell laid him out. The men saw
another approach, lying on pony, an
fired, hitting the pony In the head and
leaving the redskin to scramble off as
best he Gould,
The water was giving out and the men
becoming thirsty. To meet this new
danger a passage was dug under the
breastworks and one of the party crawled
out, and, under cover, went down and
got water. Another man got some wood,
prised the savages by building large
fire: Mrs. Maxwell had had tent put
up. and yEheh the Indians saw the i'm
proved condition Of the little garrison
their rage was very great. Dashjpg
down to the fort they fred over hun
dred shots at the fire, but Mrs. Maxwell
brave1y stood her ground, and quietly
Went an cooking while the balls were fly
ing all afoilhd her:
The Indians circled at1otst the besieged
for over two hours, but on1 flied coca
sional shots, which showed they were
getting short of ammunition. About
nom st. the third day they drew off, one
calling out, "deod.by, we are going
now.'' When asked who they were, the
Indians replied, "Sioux and Nez
Perces. Eight Indians were seen to
fall during the fight, and it is likely
double that number were wounded.
On the aaornine of the fourth day all
looked well, bit tbs garrison did not
dams had only moved sIoo.fne the IN
from the Notifications. During the day
Col. Baker, Second Cavalry, with
atrostg force, was seen approaching the
fort, guided by The tttan 1*ho had been
sent out for assistance. Mf. maxwell
had very marrow escape, a ball cutting
off lock. Of his hair and another one
grazing his jar: Yonr correspondent
did not learn the name of the wounded
man. but it is said he will recover. NJ
Maxwell and party lost twenty-s six head
of oxen, captured by the Indians, and
one pony killed, but are only too happy
to have escaped with their lives. This
is one 81 this mdst memorable sieges and
defenses ever known OH the plains, and
stamps every one engaged in it as gef1-
uine hero and heroine. Col. Baker
brought. the little party ba * to Tongue
river, where theJ ate hew being feasted
and fast recovering from tne Excitement
of their terrible adventure. It is not
likely MIR. Maxwell will soon again de-
sire to settle en- the Little Missouri, but
others #ill, and 20 the work of eiviliza-
ton goes steadily forward in the West.
The Little Missouri country, long con-
sidered barren waste, has been ascer-
tanned to be rich and fortile region.
Coal is in abundance all along the stream,
and sellet suited TO agriculture extends
for over 200 miles.