The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-03-08

Four Men and Two Women Stand Three
Days Siege by a Large Band of In
dams.
White Caltee, scout and freighter,
brings information of u terrible battle with
Indians, on O'Fallon's creek, near the Vel
low stone river, in which a party of four
white men and two women had a perilous
adventure, and would probably have all
been killed but for the timely arrival of the
troops from Tongue river.
1t 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 the stream.
After they had been out several days,
and just as they were crossing the O'Fal-
Ion hills, Mrs. Maxwell deserted two oh
jects ahead which she took to be antelopes,
but which the aid of a field glass showed
to be Indians. Mr.. Maxwell at once halt
ed his party and soon discovered he was in
tlS- vicinity of u village of about forty
lodges of hostile Indians. The wagons
were turned back and the party retreated
toward O'Fallon creek. The Indians fol
lowed but did not attack, and Mr.. Max
well, having reached the timber and water,
selected high point of land and went in
to camp. A rayine ran around three sides
of the camp and it was naturally very
strong and easily defended. 1t was al
most dark when Mr.. Maxwell selected his
camp and the entire night was spent in
tortitying 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. A 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 eleven o'clock next day the In
dians 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 be-
ing done the Indians dashed forward and
captured all the oxen. Mr.. Maxwell
let them go and kept his men hard at
work on the Notifications, knowing 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 sides.
Caves were dug for the women and strong
rifle pits placed on three sides of the
camp.
All night long men heard cattle below
ing, 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 with
in the fort. About midnight one of the
party crept out of the works, and avoiding
the Indians, started to Fort Kogh for
help. The little garrison was now reduced
to six persons, and consisted of Mr.. Max,
well, Mr.. Benton, George Darland, Jester
Pruden and the two women, Mrs. Maxwell
and May, her daughter.
During the night the men in the fort
heard the Indians coming up the ravine
mounted. 1t was 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 "Fire!" and then to work the breech-
leaders hard and steady. When the In
dians were within sixty yards of the fort
the trontlersmen began firing, and before
the redskins could get out of range killed
two. One fellow was wounded, and fell go
near the fort they could see and hear him.
He called out to the men in broken Eng
lisl, Hold on, | am hit !" and Don't
shoot any more, | am good Indian p
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 wounded fel
low said, mo, no, let them come and car
ny me off" No reply was given and pres
emily the fellow rose up and said, "How
how Don't shoot, me 60 away" They
let him go, and after working 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 we're go.
ing away, driving the cattle with them
The steers were soon heard lowing about
the camp, the willy red devils thinking the
white men would believe some of the oxen
had got away and come back. Mr. Max.
well, 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 bold.
ly charged the works.
They dashed at each side of the fort, fir
ing at the men within, but the besieged
kept still and let them ride and howl as
much as they had mind to. Towards
daylight the Indians drew off, went into
the hills and commenced throwing up sig