The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-23

tran with his four companies OF
cavalry. and at noon to-day he came
up with them some forty-fve miles from this
post. Then the work of capturing them dead or
alive began in thorough earnest.
In fact but thirty-two, with nine OF that number
badly wounded are alive of the forty-nine fugitiyes
that were in the field. leaving seventeen killed
VESSELS WOUNDED.
Captain Vessels slightly wounded The SER
geant of Company L and Indian scout were also
wounded to an unknown extent. Three Of Captain
Vessels commands sergeant. farrier and one
private-were killed.
This news arrived verbally by courier at mid
night and more couriers. with details of the battle
are expected soon. Ambulances started at midnight
to bring il the dead and wounded.
SOLDIERS STORY OF THE ESCAPE AND PURSUIT
OF THE CHEYENNES-- OF THE saw
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE MILITARY
HOW SINGLE CHARGE WOULD HAVE ENDED
ALL
FORT ROBINSON, Neb., Jan. II, 1879.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
savages effected their escape from Fort Robinson
Wild Hog, head chief of the imprisoned band Of
Cheycnnes separated from his people and re-
moved to the old cavalry camp, distant from here
about one mile. After the separation of Wild Hog
effected he induced through cajolcry land it
may be promscs) to use his influence towardcaus-
ing the remainder Of the band TO emerge from
the prison room and peaceaby accede to the wishes
of the Great Father regarding their removal South.
In this parley with his people Wild Hog displayed
signal eloquence earnestly exhorting them to sup
press any feeling of resistance which they may have
entertained and to quietly acquiesce i'll the manner
of their disposal. But to all intents and purposes
Wild Hogs magnificent strains of rhetoric with
out avail.
SAVAGE TRICK.
True. about thirteen squaws rushed from the build
ing apparently excited. II after severe struggle
III endeavoring to accomplish their exit there
FROM am, however, rather inclined to be-
leve, owing to the superannuated appearance of
the DANES that they were literally forced out,
being too enfeebled to participate in the premedi
tated fight. The savases. doubt thought it best
to get of them thus retaining only those of their
who could boast of youth. and in the eyes Of
their lords and masters, fair amount of personal
charms.
UNHEEDED WARNING.
The rumor prevalent here is that Wild Hog told
Lieutenant Chase. Third cavalry, that his people
would break loose that night 1t is also currently
spoken of that Lieutenant Chase communicated
this important information to his command
ing oficef with the view, of course. that
sary steps to prevent their escape. such
rs holding the troops i'll readiness during the night
and having some detachments stationed at impor-
tant points to cut of the retreat OF the savages
toward the bluffs. Lieutenant Chase being officer
of considerable experience regarding the subctes of
+I,c Iudia chs facta tn I'M
suggestion from him worthy OF the notice which,
the sequel will show, it deserved.
mand retired to their beds ordinary occa-
sion. Tho enlisted mon of tho garrison not being
notified to hold themselves in readiness, did not for
a moment suppose that their services would be re-
quircd during the night
THE WORK OF THE ENLISTED MEN.
As matter Of course when the outbreak took
place the soldiers were naturally not on hand
promptly desirable. Under these Advantageous
circumstances the troops displayed signal alac-
rity in getting under arms and opening
brisk fusillade the savages they
treated toward the bluffs on the Laramie
road. That the aim of the soldiers accurate,
even at the hour Of eleven O'Clock p. NJ, was dis
played by the sight presented next morning of nine
teen full grown bucks. nine squaws and four chill
drcn lying dead. The fact OF squaws and children
being among the victims will be accounted for by the
affair having taken place in night time The squaws
carrying the papooses their backs very
readily taken for buck Indians and ii any person who
chooses to cavil over this theory were himself
participant OF the affair he would not be
very likely to make careful discrimina-
tion as to the sex of the party he fired
upon. After those of the savages who escaped being
shot down entered the bluffs they made stand aud
turning on the pursuing soldiers held them at bay
long enough to enable some OF their women and the
weaker bucks to secure temporary haven of refuge.
The soldiers charged their position, routed them
and succeeded in capturing number of women and
children. So far the troops acted, AZ i should
Judge, from impulse irrespective of orders from
officers Every man was apparently the criterion Of
his own line of action.
1NpEcIsroN-A GREAT CHANCE LOST.
Now the officers present themselves upon the
scene, and what between orders aud counter orders
nothing further to speak of effected that night.
for while the officers were celebrating to the
measure be used the savages succeeded in attain
ing what some of them were pleased to charactcrize
as an imprcgnable position. The troops attempted
to make deour around the bluffs for the purpose of
gaining point which would command the position
assumed by the savagcs. This the officers deemed
imprac cable, and with the exception of Cap
tain Vessels and few men of his COM
pany the remaining Officers with their re-
tain Vessels, with those few men referred to.
svven in ALL succeeded in overtaking small party of
savaes and killing two of their plumber after which
Caxan Vessels and party also returned to garrison
at half past Ave in the morning. Tn the return ut
Wcss.,lls to garrison he organized command and
started in pursuit OF the savages. took up their trail
quite easily. the snow on the ground aiding him in
this and allowing him to follow the trail at such
rate that he quickly hove in sight of the re-
treating Indians. The latter saw that by continu-
ing their fight then there no chance Of escaping
the soldery. They took to cover. and in an ncredi
bly short space of time with knifes and other mplc
ments improvised rifle pits. from within which they
again kept the troops at bay. succeeding i'll killing
Corporal Ore, Company A, Third cavalry. without
sustaining any apparent injury themselves.
|. POORLY COMMANDED.
The troops not ordered to charge
their position and as matter Of course
well disciplined regulars would not be guilty
of such a gross INSTRUMENTATION as to make
thc attempt their responsibility. such
a proceeding would be attended with all tue pains
aud penalties of court martial. During the day tho
troops merely kept UP harmless fire ON the
position of the Indians, and at six o'clock
hat evening they all returned to camp. leaving
TIE yet unvanquishcd savascs undsputed posscssors
OF The field. Next morning again the troops returned
TO tne scene OF hostitios of the previous evening
only find the Indians removed to another locality.
and while trailing them TO their change OF posi-
ton the troops received vocy from the rifles of the
savagcs wounding Private Painter. OF Company Z.
yhird cavalry. In this position OF the savages
sy again stood the troops ut bay for the remainder
of that day, killing Private Good. of Company l..
Thiri cavalry, sustaining visible depletion them
selves. Night tails again upon the scene, aud,
enshsonded in the mantle OF darkness those brave
tpeyearnes again succeeded In eluding the
pcrated troopers. Next morning they again
afoul OF the troops, this time without injury to