American citizen., 1879-02-08
The Cheyennes' Last Fight.

Inc CneycnneS' Last right.
The position of the Indians was in an
or twelve feet wide and five feet deep,
with ridges in it here and there, where
the invested Indians had dug out
some holes, SO as to get down low from
the range of our fire, and to alternately
step up on the ridges to deliver theirs in
return. This was within few feet of
the edge of high bank, which broke
off abruptly from the dry bed of a
branch of Indian Creek, thirty feet be-
low, and about forty miles from Fort
Robinson and three miles from Bluff
Station, on the Hat Creek road. The
companies on the ground were deployed
in skirmish line, at three and four PAGES
distance, making a semi-circle, so as to
bring the right and left of the line re-
spectively toward the edge of the steep
creek bank.
The movement was merely a steady
advance and closing in on the enemy as
it began. The men rapidly pressing
together grew thick about the pit, and
it is wonder more soldiers were not
killed by the Indians. 1t was certainly
providential that the ammunition of the
reds gave out. The men would go up
to the edge of the hole and fire down at
an angle, and then fall back to reload.
The smoke of the firing actually grew
hot 4 ha ho1 fo
until it cleared away to see where the
pit was. At one time the Indians ceased
firing and commenced singing. 1t was
thought that they were either all wound
ed or wanted to surrender. An order
was given to cease the firing, which had
grown so oppressive from an apparent
want of opposition and the conviction
that it was superhuous like beating a
dead carcass.
Just before ,he final resistance of the
Cheyennes, three of them, the last alive,
jumped out of the pit and faced the
troops, undaunted. One had a pistol
and two had knives, which they bran
dished like warriors while rushing at the
troops. One sprang to jump down the
embankment, but was speedily riddled
with balls, as were the other two. Lieut..
Chase led the charge of his company,
in the center of his men, gave a cheer
and inspired them. When Capt. Wes-
sells was wounded and fell back faint
ing, Capt. Lawson kept saying: "Give
it to them, boys; don't leave one of
them" Private Margetave, Company
+, Russian, was conspicuous for his
GOODNESS and bravery. He kept up a
steady advance. firing right at the In
diaus.
When the smoke cleared away the pit
presented a singular and horrible ap-
pearance. Huddled together in piles
were the twenty-three bodies of the
slain. Among the nine still surviving
were two Indian girls, aged IA and Is,
covered with dust, and under the bodies
of young bucks who had fallen lifeless
upon them and at first concealed them.
They were saved by digging in
under the side of the hole One is
named Blanche, and used to write
her name while imprisoned here with
her people. The appearance of the pit
was as though it had been filled with
sand-bags. Lieut.. Chase Immediately
ordered company to fall in, and sent
detail into the deathly chasm to pass
out the bodies. Among them were
found three unhurt, and five wounded
females and one buck wounded.
The carcasses were taken out rapidly,
and found to be completely riddled with
bullets. They were laid down side by
side, and looked like horrid phantoms
or defaced mummies. A few we're strip
ped, but most of them had on clothing
in the language of one of the soldiers
handling them, Regular store-clothes. !"
A number of blankets and soldiers
overcoat and pantaloons, with some bed
covers, were among the rubbish, while
in the center was good stock of half
dried beef three feet high and two wide.
Some cattle had been killed by them
near by belonging to the Whitcomb
ranch. Carpenters we're detailed to
make travers to carry the wounded to
the wagons.-NeU York Herald Dis
patch.