The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-02-13
The Last Fight with the Cheyennes.

The correspondent of the New York
Herald gives the following detailed ac-
count of the last fight with the runaway
Cheyenne Indians, in which the fugi-
tives were nearly all slain after long
and desperate resistance:
The position of the Indians was in an OBJ
long hole about thirty feet long, ten 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 alternately
stand up on the ridges to deliver theirs in re-
turn. This was within few feet of the edge
the dry bed of a branch of Indian Creek,
thirty feet below, and about forty miles from
Fort Robinson and three miles from Bluff
Station, on the Hat-Creek Road.
As soon as the charge was provided for, the
companies on the ground were deployed in
skirmish line, at three and four PAGES distant,
making semi-circle SO as to bring the right
and left of the line respectively toward the
edge Of the steep creek-bank. When Com
pany A closed in the front, from the norther-
ly side, they got up nearer than the rest OF
the troops, and Immediately lost two men,
Sergt. Taggert, farrier, and Private Nelson.
This was within fifty yards of the pit. A
steady advance and fire were kept up until
within ten yards.
The movement was merely steady ad-
vance, and closing in on the enemy as it be-
gan. 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 ammu-
milton 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 so great that
the soldiers had to pause 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 wounded or wanted to surrender. An or
der was given to cease the firing, which had
grown SO oppressive from an apparent want
of opposition, and the conviction that it
was superfuous, like beating dead carcass.
During the lull, Capt. Vessels called on
the Cheyennes still remaining, to surrender,
and said some words in Sioux. such as
"Washte." but Immediately the unsubdued
Cheyennes opened fire. Capt. Vessels and
Sergt. Reed, of Company H, Third Cavalry,
were wounded by the volley. In the case OF
Capt. Vessels, the ball penetrated the fore
and making painful, but mysterious, wound !;
his hat and garments were also pierced in
many places. The firing again commenced,
| and in half an hour all was over. The edge
of the pit was literally riddled from the
| shower of bullets rained upon it. Capt. Wes-
sells participated in the firing with the troops
just before the final resistance of the Chey-
ennes, three of them, the last alive, jumped
out Of the pit and faced the troops undaunt-
ed. One had pistol and two had knives,
which they brandished like warriors while
rushing at the troops. One sprang to jump
down the embankment, but was speedily rid
died with balls, as were the other two. Lieut..
Chase led the charge of his company, in the
center of his men, gave cheer and inspired
them. When Capt. Vessels was wounded
and fell back fainting, Capt. Lawson kept
saying: "Give it to them, boys; don't leave
one of them" Private Margetave, Com
pany E, Russian, was conspicuous for his
GOODNESS and bravery. He kept up steady
advance, firing right at the Indians. Corporal
Grouse, Company A, was also effective in his
execution. Sergt: Ambrose, Company E, de
serves mention. Universal testimony is borne
to the gallant conduct of Capt. Vessels and
Lieuts. Chase and Hardee. All the privates
behaved bravely.
When the smoke cleared away the pit pre-
sented singular and horrible appearance.
Huddled together in piles were the twenty
three bodies Of the slain. Among the nine
still surviving were two young Indian girls,
aged fourteen and fifteen, covered with dust
and under the bodies of young warriors who
had fallen lifeless upon them and at first con-
cealed them: They were saved by digging in
under the side of the hole. One is named
Blanche, and used to write her name while i'm
prisoned here with her people. The appear
ance of the pit was as though it had been
filled with sand-bags Lieut.. Chase immedi-
ately ordered company to fall in, and sent
detail into the deathly chasm to pass out the
bodies. Among them were found three I'M
hurt and five wounded females and one war
riOr wounded.
The carcasscs were taken out rapidly, and
found to be completely riddled with bullets.
They were laid down siue by side, and looked
like hOrrid phantOms or defaced mummieS. A
few were stripped, but most of them had on
clOthing-in the language of one of the SOL
diers handling them, Irregular store-clothes. {"
number of blankets and a soldiers overcoat
and psntaloons with some bed-covers, were
among the rubbish, while in the center was q
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. Some carpenters were detailed to
make traverse to carry the wounded to the
wagons. The dead bodies Of the three soldiers
were packed on their horses, and Corporal
Houk and Private John Donovan, of Company
A, were sent in to Fort Robinson for ambu-
lances and to bear the news of the days oper-
atiOns.
The Cheyennes' arms were the best sport
ing rifles of calibers fifty and forty-four, with
short and long cartridges, numbered ten rifles
and five pistols. Their ammunition had been
nearly exhausted. Very few cartridges were
found in their belts, but boxes of reloading
caps, two pounds Of powder and bullet-molds
were found among their things, which showed
their 20 session of the means and ability to
make fresh ammunition. Even at the last
moment, when fate had set its seal against
the Cheyennes, they moved their unloaied
rifles frantically about over the edge of the
pit, to produce, if possible. some alarm.