The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-03-09
AN HEROIC DEFENSE.

White Calfee, scout and freighter,
brings information of terrible battle
with Indians on O'Fallon's Greek, near
the Yellowstone River, in which party
of white men and two women had a
perilous adventure, and would proba-
bly, 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 that
stream.
After they had been out several days,
and Just as they were crossing the
O'Fallon 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 a
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. 1t
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 tim
Der, and the party had to take position
about 200 yards from water or wood.
AS good a supply as possible of both
articles was laid in during the night,
and the party waited anxiously for day
light and the battle they knew it would
usher in. 7
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 being done the Indians dashed for
ward and captured all the oxen. Mr..
Maxwell let them 90 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 eleven
o'clock at night the works were finished
and the place made as stroHg as posi-
bic. The wagons formed one side, and
logs, sacks filed 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 the men heard cattle
believing, and they were driven up and
around the fort, in the hope that the
little garrison would come out and at
tempt to capture them; but Mr.. Max
well kept his men within the fort.
About midnight one of the party crept
out of the works, and, avoiding the In
dams, started to Fort Keogh 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 bright moonlight
and they could be distinctly seen
Hating at the creek, they dismounted
tied their ponies, and commenced
crawling toward the fort. Mr.. Max
well told the men to keep very still anC
let them come on until he called on
"Fire!' and then to work the breech
leaders hard and steady. When the In
dams were within sixty yards of thu
fort the frontiersmen began firing, and
before the redskins could get out o
range, killed two. One fellow wa
wounded, and fell so near the fort the,
could see and hear him. He called on
to the men in broken English: Holt
on, am hitr' and: "Don't shoot an,
more, l am good Indianp' Later il
the night he called: "Come out ant
get me, am wounded" Mr.. Maxwell
replied: "Well crawl in here, then
and we will look out for you" TIL
wounded fellow said: "No, no, lie
them come and carry me off" No re
ply was given, and presently the felloy
rose up and said: "How, how! Don
shoot, me go away" They let him GO
and, after working himself down tn
hill little distance, two Indians cam
up, took hold of him by the arms an
helped him off.
The Indians now packed up every
thing and made great show as if the