The New York herald., 1879-03-11

troops were recalled to the post mounted and
large body of tho Indians having scaled the blur and
euded their pursuers. Some of the troops were oc-
cnped during that might and the ensuing day IN col
ravincs and washes OF the side hill and others who
had dropped wounded ON the way
DESPERATION OF THE INDIANS
During this night and the next day the Indians, in
many instances, gave proof of their desperation.
One wounded warrior. Dig Antelope. rather than be
recapturcd stabbed his wife and then himself. and
SO died. Another when summoned to surrender
shot his deT@ ana & alvg Ser her ns nn
show that the statements OF the Indians were not
brag and that they literally went out to die On the
morning of the 10TH when tho bodies OF the dead
Indians being collected by the Post Adutant for
burial. it was found that than dozen of them
had been scalped, and also that many of the dead
sqnaws persons had been indecently exposed. We
have evidence that soldiers took part III this, al
though due inquiry has been made. There IS ev,-
and taking therefrom blankets that had been placed
over them by the officers and soldiers and the infer
cnce Is that these men had not only robbed but lsd
committed these barbarities upon the dead and the
evidence shows that ut least had boasted OF hav
ing arrived in time to kill squaw. tt.
THE SECOND DAY.
On the day after the outbreak the 10Th of January,
the Indians were discovered. soldier being killed.
in strong position on o knoll about eighteen miles
northwest of the post. The troops not being able
to dslodge them, without too great loss Of life. were
Judging that the Indians could make little progress
through the deep snow until again looked for,
there returned to the post On the 18th tho Indians
again discovered. one soldier being killed.
strongly entrenched in ravine. The COM
manding officer Of the detachment which
encountered them surrounded their position
and guarded them until on the following morning.
the Thirteenth regiments arrived. Captain Vessels
who was now in command. attempted to shell the
Indians out with artillery. disposng OF his forces
SO as to catch them should they attempt TO emerge
from their holes The artillery fire being ncfectual
and the OPS SSns rns tine tine
night and made their way, contrary to expectations,
further into the rugged bluffs. On the next day
Captain Vessels, finding his force out of supplies
the train which TO have brought them having
been detained by accident on the road-ordercd tho
was sent ont with rations for six days to look up the
trail aud locate the Indians anew. On the 10th
Captain Vessels started with his company to REIN
On the 18th the trail was resumed and the indians,
after ono soldier killed, found to be advantage
onsly fortified upon u crag watch over this place
not kept that night as 1t was deemed desirable
that the Indians should move into less desirable
ground. The command camped that night about
five miles from the Indians, one company being
sent to Bluff Station, eight miles distant. on tho
gather up the horses known to be ut large in that
Vicinity prevent tho Indians gaining possession of
them
The next day, the lsth Captain Vessels, who had
been joined by two companies from Fort
laramie marched ,n with tns1 his M.inr s9mmand
Evans Third cavalry, who had arrived with orders
to take command. On the 10Th, after Information
had been received that the Indians had crossed the
stage road, Captain Lawson was sent with his com.
pany to reconnotre along the bluffs. He returned
that evening. On the 10Th Captain Vessels sent
with two companies to search Tor the Indian trail in
the low ground, he being also Joined that day by
company from Fort Robinson. while Major Evans.
with the Laramie companies, followed as near as
possible the crest of the line OF bluffs The latter
found tho Indians in high point OF s,cl rocks
at the same time. messenger to Captain
Vessels to inform him Of the condition
o. an ' On he ensun dsy th
2lst Captain Vessels having now been Joined By
fourth company from Robinson, found their trail
Creek.
THE SLAUGHTER.
After firing vOllcy into the accommodating party,
with fatal effect the Indians ensconccd themselves in
hole which they had prepared III the crest OF tho
bluh bank OF tho crock. The troops having come up
and been placed in position to encirclc this riept
charged, and finally, after the Indians had been
called upon twice to surrender and refused, placed
them hors du combat. OF tho thrty-two Indians in
the pit seventeen men. four women and two children
were killed; one man. one woman and one child NOR
and children should bo killed, however much to
he regretted, was simply unavoidable in the assault
OF this small hole; During the night one .l sluaw
Captain Vessels command consisted or four
companies. he had but about ono
were from various causes greatly reduced.
Tho Indians throughout this retreat seemed to fol-
low the plan OF moving by night over open groung.
killing what beef they encountered and concealng
themselves by day in some fastnosses OF the rocky
bluffs. ambushing the trailing party each time that
the latter approached within short range of them.
and in almost every case with fatal effect.
The vallcy of the Mobrura "a running water)
is everywhere separated from those " tho South
Cheyenne and White Rivers by an irregular line Of
cliffs which north of Fort Robinson has decided
turn to tho of north That post Is situated ia
o valley or largo pocket of these cliffs, and the
telegraph line and road thence to Bow
the cliffs and then follows general direction. The
tight OF the remnant of the Cheyennes, who were
fually subdued on the 22d of January, was nearly
parallel to the the telegraph road. On the Goth or
23st they finally left the cliffs in direction ut right
angle TO them and toward tho Sioux reservation.
The scene OF the last fight some thirty-hvo or
forty miles from Fort Robinson.
Soldiers killed. and since died OF thcir wounds. IL
Officers wounded Captain II. w. Wesses, Third
cavary)... .....................
Enlisted mon wounded. ..........................
Total. H
Indians captured and IN confinement. ......... 10
Indians still unaccounted for. or..................
Total. l49
The majority of the missing are women and chill
dren and arc supposed to have died in the bluffs.
or the prisoners there have been sent to the Red
Cloud Agency hfty-eight.
To sidney, en- route to the Indian Territory,
twenty.
MOTIVES OF THE INDIANS
II is difcult to arrive ut correct estimate OF all
the motives which Influenced the Chcyeunes in
strict limits of this investigation com
sidcring not developed by IT, Tho village
of these In,ane numbering over thousand souls,
was destroyed by General Mckenzie in tho Big Horn