The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15
DESPERATE VALOR OF The INDIANS
Terrible Flight and Final Escape
Of the Fugitives.
BUCKS, SQUAWS AND PAPPOOSES KILLED
Preparations for Further Pur-
suit OF the Savsges.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

fict which has been going on in this vicinity since
Thursday night the 9th inst have just TRANSFERRED.
Captain H. W. Vessels, of the Third cavalry with
companies A, c. H. T. and l. of that regiment, has
just come into camp after hot pursuit and an en-
gagcmcnt with the Cheyenne savagcs who have made
such courageous stand against odds since the night OF
the outbreak. They pursued for twenty miles
along the Hot Greek telegraph road to the bluffs
which some few years ago were used camping
ground by them. Here, with their peculiar tactics
and strategy they held the soldiers at bay for four
days. digging holes and rifle pits, confronting the
rifles and artillery of the troops and killing Corporal
Henry Ore. of Company A, and wounding Private
George X. Painter, of Company c. Third cavalry.
THE sAvAGEs.
Yesterday Captain VESSELS directed that the two
pieces Of artillery at the post consisting OF brass
Napoleon twelve FOUNDERS, be brought to the scene.
and, though. but one could be used, owing to the
difficulty Of depression necessary to the posi-
ton of the Cheyenncs some forty rounds of shells
and sphercalcase were fired without cffecting dis
Judgment Of the Indians At daylight this morning
Lieutenant Crawford. Of Company G. and one man
secuted about the position Of the Indians and found
that they had left retiring during the night going in
asouthwesterly direction apparently toward Fort Lar
annie. All through they have fought with the despera-
ton and recklessness of demons Yesterday they fed
their FINISHED stonachs by killing beef and left
not vestge of the carcass except the hide.
The pursuit Of the Indians is to be taken up again
by a detachment Of Captains Vessels and Lawson's
companies. who will start out with pack animals.
two wagons each. in light marching order, with
tents to protect the men from the intense cold now
prevailing.
PROGRAMME OF THE INDIANS.
The original programme Of these sayages seems
t, buvo 1tv NV thaun
intelligence and spirit which would have been heroic
in the highest degree if employed in better
During visit to this band of reckless wretches.
made by your correspondent during the past three
weeks, it became evident that the young bucks
strung up to the highest pitch Of resolve and were
plotting some desperate undertaking. They
freely gave out that they were ready to
die before consenting to 60 South, and said they
would butcher one another with their own knives.
Old Dull Knife as he sat by my side, seemed buried
in deep revere his face as smooth and classic as
ever put in MARBLE and much resembling that Of the
late Secretary Seward in his most thoughtful mo-
nents Near by. always watching, Wild
Hog the Achilles of the Cheyennes, with an i'm
mense head. and the devishness attributed
to Richard ILL., by Shakespeare apparent
in every feature He came and asked
to be introduced to me in order to say how good q
man he was and how he desired to be considered.
He is fortunately in irons. thanks to the good judg
ment Of Captain Vessels. and the OF Private
Thomas Ferguson, of Company E. Third cavalry.
who was wounded by the knife of the fend as he
plunged it with q downward thrust at his breast
BONE slightly cutting him. Captain Vessels
Immediately seized him, and, bearing down
on his wrist, broke the blade. The ad-
infants Office, where it occurred. was full Of
soldiers with arms in their hands. Dull Knife Is still
at large and leads the hopeless band, though his
physcal condition Is such that he may die at any
time.
THE OUTBREAK.
when the decisive moment arrived for their des
perste attempt the first incident which took place
was the deliberate shooting by buck of Private
Richard Smith, Of Company A, Third Cavalry.
through the window sash. in front of which the
latter was walking as sentry; after which
the Indian sprang through the window and seized
the gun of the wounded soldier quickly springns
back to his cover. Then simultaneously two
bucks ran cut of the door at the west end
of the barracks and fired upon the two
sentinels there wounding one. Private Peter Hase
Company A. and precipitably rushed back. The
guard room close by was filed with the guard, and
Corporal Pulver opened the door quickly what
was the matter.
FIRST FIGHT.
Turning the where the firing had occurred.
he too was shot by an Indian whereupon the
naming members of the guard jumped through the
windows as did the Indians pcli nell. and the firing
then became rapid aud almost indiscriminate Here
Private Daniel Tommcny 'of Company +, on guard
was shot down. At the lower northeasteriy end Of
the barracks squad of Indian bucks, four or Ave
in number huddled and fired rapidly the soldiers
10 protect the flight of their band.
FLIGHT.
The bucks dashed forward, with children under
their arms. while the squaws followed close upon
their heels carrying saddles brides and proyender
for their pcrilous march. Captain Vessels had Com
pany G out quickly from their quarters. which run
in an oblique direction to the prison house Of
the Cheycnnes. and voey after volicy was poured
into the fleeing dcsperadoes and earnestly returned
by the Indians, who sped toward the saw MILL which
lies south, and >their bleeding bodies manglcd and
torn, bucks. squaws and pappooses all together
literally strewed the road they had selected
for their much hoped deliverance. This lasted
or miles out into the darkness until the neghboring
hills rising like giant icebergs. reached. and
many one stumbled and fell dead just NJ the noun
vim Businesses reached. where pursuit would
baimpracticable and safety gained.
WOUNDED.
T1ie soldiers. who all along. from officers down to
fheprvates had treated them with the greatest kind
mess. were aroscd to the highest pitch Of cx-
asprs alton and where the rst shot did not dispose
of 5he victim. cup dc srdce was readily
giveh by final pistol charge. Almost every
one b shot through the head and the at
titudess Of the dead OF almost every variety.
Some Throwing their hands in the air wildly; some
clutchlp at their knives with last effort and others
holding their firearms in frozen. helpless clutch
one of t7nc Indians fought tenaciously at close
quarters that his garments were set on fire by the
pistol VIII h killed him.
NUMBER OF THE KILLED.
Twenty-Five braves. eight squaws and two children
thus kflled although of the latter is believed
TO have froz to death. The men, although frenzed
at this sudd, sLbut Indian like ngratitude for their
kindness. we've as tender in caring for the squaws
rs IL they han done harm. Captain Vessels
himself carried. sAchd less than two years old for
hundred yards to place Of safety. Lieutenant
simpson brougirt'a wagon and team to pick mp the
women and chilirvD and Can't ain Vessels saws TINT