Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-02-01
END OF THE "INDIAN WAR;
The Little Band of Cheyenne Braves Ex-
terminated-Their Heroic Resistance In
the Face of Overwhelming Numbers.

terminated-Their Heroic Resistance In
the Face of Overwhelming Numbers.
FORT ROBINSON, Neb., Jan. 23.-Cou-
riers arrived this morning confirming the bat
tie between Capt. Wessellss command, con-
sisting of four companies of the Sd Cavalry,
and the escaped Cheyt nnes. Yesterday
direction of a large range of hills some Is
miles northwest of Bluff Station, distance of
46 miles from this post, and were followed by
Capt. Vessels until he was within three miles
of the hills, where lie hated and formed skir
mish lines. All four com pnnies deployed as
ing from the south to the northeastr, side; !;
Company III, Capt. Vessels, directly oppo-
sitei Company 4, Capt. Lawson, closed in at
had intrenched themselves; Company A NOV
ed TO the rear, thus hemming them in on all
LEAVING NO AVENUE OF ESCAPE.
The Indians had placed themselves in a
deep wasnout, keeping under cover. AS soon
as the skirmishers We're within $50 yards OF
the savages' stronghold the latter opened
deadly fire, killing Sergeant Taggart, privates
Brown and Nelson, of Company a, and dan
gerously If not fatally wounding private De-
boisse, Co. III. Despite the dreadful volley
poured into the troops, they steadily advanc-
ed, and when within IS yards of the savages'
position fire was opened on all sides with ter
rible effect At this moment Capt. Vessels,
leading his company and loudly cheering the
men forward, received slight scalp
OF one iSm Of the Bioodthiraty GSeydnnes
rendering him completely insensible.
Lieut.. Chase commanding Company A,
seeing the commanding officer fall, ru-hed
forward, instantly S. lied Capt VESSELS, and
carried bin beyond the range of the enemy's
fire, and then, dashing to the head of his own
company, gallantly led thcm to the very edge
of the washout. where they fought the enemy
with uuabated fury. Meanwhile the intrepid
Vessels, having regained consciousness,
sgain came to the front, and seeing the
ground strewn with the dead bodies of the
savages, implored his men to cease firing,
with a view of getting the remaining Chey
ennes to surrender; but the latter stubbornly
BILE hunting knives. having expended all their
ammunition, determined to
SURRENDER TO DEATH ONLY.
But ere they had advanced many PAGES
volley came from the troops and all was over.
Companies h and were in n bad position to
accomplish much, while Col. Evans, with B
and ID Companies remained on the opposite
bluff from where Capt. Vessels started, and,
not knowing the position of Wessellss com
mand, an rived too late for action. On the
cessation of firing. the dead bodies of 23
Indians were found in the rifle pits occu-
pied by them, including II bucks, fou-
squaws and two papooses. Nine remained,
of whom one buck andfive quaws were more
or less wounded. and three squaws unhurt.
OF the troops, but the three heretofore men,
toned were killed, and Capt Vessels and one
private of his company wounded The latter
can not live. Ambuiances left here at an
early hour this morning to bring in the dead
and wounded, and are now moving back
slowly. They are expected here with troops
tomorrow afternoon.