The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-24

THE CHEYENNE Fight.
Complete List Of the Troops Killed
and Wounded.
INDIAN HEROISM.
Determined to Die in Their Trenches
and Refuse All Terms.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
General Crooks Commentary on Indian
Management
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
Fort ROBINSON, Neb.. Jan. 49, 1879.
The accurate list of killed and wounded in the de-
eisve engagement of tho United States troops with
the Cheyennes yesterday is as follows:-
Sergeant JAMES TAGGART. Company A. Third
cavalry.
Private GEORGE BROWN. company A. Third cav
airy.
Nyr,rc ONS<v A IT.;
airy.
Captain W. q. VESSELS. Jr.. Third cavalry.
slightly.
First Sergeant AMBROSE Company E. Third cav
airy.
Sergeant REED. Company H. Third cavalry.
Private HENRY DUBOIS. Company h. Third cav
airy.
wOMAN's DRESS. Sioux Indian. scout.
LATEST ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE.
Several couriers arrived this morning bringing
further details of the battle between Captain wes-
sells command and the escaped Cheyennes yesterday
afternoon. All four companies deployed
as skirmishers- F. Lieutenant Bax-
ter, moving from the south to the north
east side; Company Il. Captain VESSELS.
directly opposite; Company E. Captain Lawson.
closed in at the mouth Of the ravine where the In
dams had intrenched themselves and Company
moved to the rear. thus hemming them
avenue Of escape. The Indians had placed them.
selves in deep washout. keeping under
FIRST BLOOD FOR THE INDIANS.
As Is the skirmishers were within $50 yards
Of the savagcs stronghold the latter opened deadly
nre killing Sergeant Taggart and Prvates Brown and
Nelson. of Company A. and dangerously. If not
fatally, wounding Private Dubois. Of Company H.
Despite the dreadful volley poured into the
troops they steadily advanced and when within
seventy-hve yards Of the savages position ire
opened all sides with terrible effect. At this mo-
ment Captain Vessels. leading his company and
loudly cheering them forward received slight scalp
wound from . pistol in the hands Of one
OF the bloodthirsty Cheyennes. rendering him
completely insensible. Lieutenant Chase. of Com
pany A. seeing the commanding officer fall. rushed
forward instantly, seized Captain Vessels and
ried him beyond the range Of the enemys FIRE; then
dsshing the head of his own company he CALAMITY
led them to the very edge of the washout. where
they fought the enemy with unabsted fury.
DEADLY CHARGE THE TROOPS.
Meanwhile the intrepid Vessels having regained
again to the front and seeing the
ground strewn with the dead bodies of the savages
iIhpored his men to firing with view to get
ting the remaining Cheyennes to surrender but the
Indians stubborny refused and rushed at the troops
with formidable hunting knives, having expended all
their ammunition. They seemed determined to sur
render to death only. but they had advanced
many PAGES voley fired by the troops and all
to accomplish much, while Colonel Evans with b
and companies, remained the opposite blur
from where Captain Vessels started and not know
ing the position Of VESSELS command. arrived too
late for action.
TIE DEAD cHEYENNEs.
When the firing ceased the dead bodies Of twenty
three Indians found in the rifle pits occupied
by them. This number included seventeen bucks,
four squaws and two papooses. Nine remained, of
whom one buck and Ave squaws were more or less
wounded, and three squaws were unhurt. Ambu-
lanccs left here at an early hour this morning to
bring in the dead and wounded, and arc now moving
back slowly They expected here with the troops
tomorrow afternoon.