The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-03-14
a HEROIC DEFENSE.

battle with Indians on O'Fallon' S
creeks near the Yellowstone river,
in which party Of white men and
two women had perilous adventure,
and would probably have all been killed
but for the timely arrival of the troops
from Tongue river.
ct appears that Mr.. Maxwell, with his
wife. daughter and four men, started
from Miles City, with the intention
Of settling on the Little Missouri. near
where the old Stanley trail crosses that
stream.
After they had been out several days,
aad Just as they were crossing the O'Fal-
Ion hills, Mrs. Maxwell deserted two
objects ahead, which she took to be
antelopes, but which the aid of a field
glass showed to be Indians. Mr.. Max
well at once halted his party, and soon
discovered he was in the vicinity of q
village of about forty lodges of hostile
Indians. The wagons were turned back,
and the party reiterated toward O'Fal-
lon 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
and easily defended. Ii 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 200
yards from water or wood. AS good
supply as possible Of both articles was
laid in during the night, and the party
waited anxiously for daylight and the
battle they knew it would usher In.
About II o'clock next day the Indians
were discovered approaching and the
siege 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
ing he would soon have need of all the
protection he could get. About IL
o'clock at night the works were finished
and the place made as strong as possible.
The wagons formed one side, and logs,
and sacks filled with earth and sand, the
other sides. Caves were dug for the
women and strong rife-pits placed on
three sides of the camp.
All night long the men heard cattle
believing, and they were driven up and
around the fort, in the hope tnat the lit
tie 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 the Indians, started to Fort
Keogh for help. The little garrison was
now reduced to six persons, and consisted
of Mr. Maxwell, Mr.. Benton, George
Darland, Jester Pruden and the two
women-Mrs. Maxwell and May, her
daughter.
During the night the men in the for
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 cut +" fire |" and then to
work the breach-loaders hard and steady.
w IGA UllC LINf1tt11p WCLO W1Ul11A DAAOJ
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 SO near the fort they
could see and hear him. He called out
to the men in broken English : Hold
on, I am hit p and "Don't shoot any
more, / am q good indian p Later in
the night he called =" Come out and get
me, I am wounded" Mr.. Maxwell re-
piled "Well, crawl in here, then, and
we will look out for you" The wounded
fellow said: emo, no, let them come
and carry me off" No reply was given,
and presently the fellow rose up and said:
How, how Don't shoot, mo go away"
They let him go, and after working him.
self 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 every
thing and made a great show as if they
were going away, driving the cattle with
them. The steers were soon heard low
ing about the camp, the willy red devils
thinking the white men would believe
some Of the oxen had got away and came
back. Mr. Maxwell, however, kept his
men within the fort, and the savages,
seeing all their efforts to deceive or draw
the little garrison out were 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 be.
sieged 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 distance. "Ihey are
sending for help, boys" said Maxwell,
" and we will soon have it hot and heavy,
crest while you can.
In about two hours Indians were seen
coming in from the south and joining
those on the hills. Very soon they came
down toward the fort, and several ad-
vancing called out: elbow, how Come
out and give up" Maxwell replied he
would do no such thing and for them to