Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-11-27


der cover Of darkness, coming up to the
Indian camp about 1880 in the evening,
and afterwards engaging with them in
battle. AS the fight proceeded, as cum
ningly q devised trap was revealed as
Indian ingenuity ever invented. Moth
ing but the extreme caution Of the COM
manding officer in making the attack
saved the command from complete an
nihilation. The Indians had apparent
ly gone into camp between the heel
points of horseshoe-shaped mountain
and another mountain situated exactly
opposite. A few were carelessly eating
and singing around their fires, and sew
eral animals were loosely grazing here
and there close by. An open trail
wound around the foot of the mountain
up to the place they occupied, scarcely
four hundred yards from where the
head of the column was halted. Every
thing had the appearance of utmost
sincerity evidently in their minds the
soldiers we're hundred of miles distant.
The bait was tempting one, but fort
unately, for once, their schemes were
not successful. With nothing to cause
him to pursue such course, other than
a general suspicion of all Indian ac-
tions, Major Morrow determined to
know little more of the situation, and
ordered few of the scouts forward to
reconnoiter from another point. Climb
ing the mountain in front of them and
skirting along the crest to the further
side, they Unexpectedly ran into the
rear of a body of hostiles, the moon
light revealing them seated be-
hind strong Notifications with their
guns cooked and pointing down to-
wards the valley hundred yards be-
low, anxiously awaiting the charge of
the soldiers. The surprise of both par
ties was mutual, but our scouts recoV-
cred themselves first and soon gained
possession of the position. A few mo-
ments Later it was discovered they held
a similar position on the hill Just oppo-
site, and to which they all retreated.
If the troops had charged in accord
ance with their expectation, it would
have placed them under a cross-fire,
scarcely one hundred yards distant
from either side, and a range that could
have been easily and safely reduced by
the Indians to less than fifty. 1t was
not long before the work began in ear
nest, and fer six hours an almost con-
slant firing was kept up on both sides.
Several attempts were made to dislodge
them from the position last taken, but
without success, and at two o'clock a.
m. the troops were compelled to with
draw for want of water and rest, leay-
ing the matter a drawn battle. The
loss on their side was one scout killed
and three wounded. The loss of the
Indians is unknown, but several are
supposed to have been killed, as Lieu
tenant Gatewood, in a gallant little
dash with detachments from companies
D and G of the Tenth Cavalry, took an
other body of them by surprise, and
to get in several. volieys at
the shortrange of about ten yards. The
troops also captured several of their
ponies. 81 LE
In this battle, as heretofore, Victorio
showed himself no novice in the science
Of engineering. His fdrtllicstioss wire
and his sites chosen Wglb Ie-
markable sagacity. Itwas unfortunate
Jhe soldiers overlook them at the time
Of day and in the condition they did.
but after two weeks hard chase it
seemed the last desperate chance of
them, and all were only too
glad to avail themselves of even so
Door an opportunity. After the with
travail from the field the troops
we're compelled to march fifteen
niles in search of water, which
vas found just at daylight, men
md animals being in an exhausted
condition. For seventy-oight hours
heir march had been through an espe-
,ially hot and sandy country, making in
hat time 15O miles without water and
With but little rest. AS the Indians
Dassed along, what water they did not
lse themselves they rendered unfit for
ven animals to drink by soaking deer
kins in it and filing the pools with pu-
rid meat On the eve of battle little col
eeted from such places sold for seven.
y-five cents a swallow, and it was con-
idered well worth the money. Of the
hours next preceding and
the time of fighting, eighteen
yere spent in constant marching and
TX under fire. All along the way their
'ail was strewn with dead horses,
bandOned saddles and other property.
men were struggling along
IN miles id the rear of the column
orn out and foot-sore, but not one
Regardless Of danger
1ring the engagement men sank down
pom the ground and went to sleep,
ith the bullets whistling aud striking
lick and fast around them making it
ificult to get them together when the
rder was given them to Withdraw. AS
was two were left behind, one com
g in the second day after; Of the 9TH
nothing has since been learned, al
ough detachment was sent out in
arch of him. 1t is possible he made
s escape, otherwise another will have
be added TO the list of the soldiers
lied.
Owing to scarcity of ammunition the
,ht was not renewed, and on the Sec
ID day after the battle the troops
rned homeward, leaving the Indians
possession Of the field Previous to
is engagement, VictOrio is supposed
have been joined by Hoo and his
nd, another renegade tribe living on
,,-3co,, Ao.,.sko,.,-