The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-01-31
IN THE LAST DITCH.

IN THE LAST DITCH.
The Second Slaughter of Cheyenncs Brave
Resistance and Heroic Death of the Des-
perate Savages.
A correspondent at Camp Robinson,
Neb., gives the following graphic ac-
count of the second slaughter of Chey-
enne Indians, enacted forty miles north
west of that post 1t reads more like a
fiction born of the imagination than an
actual occurrence of the nineteenth cent
ury:
1t will be remembered that on the
morning of the Doth Capt. Vessels,
with his command, finding the body of
Barber in the bluffs, where he had been
killed by savages the previous evening,
discovered the renegades had fled from
their stronghold during the night.
Capt. Vessels returned to his COM
mand with the view of starting in pur-
suit of the Cheyennes. On his arrival
in camp he found that Col. Evans had
arrived few minutes previous. In as
few words as possible he informed that
officer of the Cheyennes' escape during
the night. Col. Evans, having assumed
command, Immediately began search for
the Indian trail, which was found an
hour later by Lieut.. Chase, leading in a
westerly direction, and followed by the
whole command, consisting of Com
panies A, Il, ID, E, + and FL.
On approaching large range of
hills, Col. Evans ordered halt. TAX
ing Companies b AMI d, he slowly adj
vanced toward the bluffs. The Indians,
who were strongly intrenched on
the highest point, allowed the
troops TO advance within pstol-range
without being themselves discovered,
and then poured u volley into the
troops, without further injury than that
of killing the horse ridden by Col.
Evans. The troops at once sought
shelter from the enemy's fire. Col.
Evans, taxing in the situation, dis
patched courier to Capt. Vessels
with instructions to proceed immediate
ly to the other side of the bluffs and en-
deavor to prevent the Indians escape
during the night, when charge would
be made the following morning. The
supposition is that the Indians, from
their high position, discovered Wes-
sells movements, and, deeming
flight the better part of valor,
took to their heels, which maneu-
yer, owing to the coming darkness,
was not discovered by Vessels until the
following morning, when the trail was
discovered, still leading west Vessels,
with four companies, Immediately gave
chase. His advance guard was sur
prised at noon by the Indians in
trenohed in a deep ravine. The saw
ages opened fire on the military, seri-
ously wounding Private Deboise. Com
pany II, Third cavalry. Capt. Vessels,
riding at the head of the main column,
hearing the firing, galloped forward to
ascertain the cause. He saw Mt glance
the situation, and ordered half dozen
sharpshooters to dismount and cover
Deboise, who was lying apparently dead,
fearing that the savages might dash
from their pits and gain possession of
his arms. Capt. Vessels then ordered
the command to dismount and the
companies to deploy rs skirmishers,
Lieut.. Chase commanding. A COM
pany advanced from the center up
the ravine; Capt. Lawson, commanding
Company l., marched to the mouth of
the ravine, and Companies II and +
moved forward on either side, thus COM
pletely surrounding and shutting the
Indians off from any possible escape.
AS the troops advanced, and when
within 100 yards of the savages' in
trenchment, the latter poured deadly
volley into the midst of the sllirmishers
commanded by Lieut.. Chase, killing
Sergt. Taggart and Privates Brown and
Nelson. Capt. Vessels, seeing his men
fall, gave the command Double quick"
which was promptly obeyed, his men as
they advanced keeping up continuous
fire with fearful effect as they neared
the savages' riAe-pits. When within
thirty yards of tue pits the Cheyennes
again rose from their dug-outs, and, de
spite the CALLING fire from the troops,
poured q volley into them, slightly
wounding Capt Vessels and a sergeant
of his company named Reed. Lieut..
Chase, seeing Capt Vessels fall, sprung
forward, and, carrying his superior officer
to small spur of rocks, nearly out of
range of the savages' fire, ran back TO
his company, who were near the edge
of the Indians intrenchments. and lust
lily cheered his men forward. Obeying
the orders of their company commander
without moments hesitation, the men
dashed forward, and as they neared the |
pits two Cheyennes sprung therefrom,
having in their hands huge hunting |
knives, determined to die game, but be-
fore they advanced step they were |
riddled with bullets. At this moment |
Capt. Vessels, having regsined COR