Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-01-24
RUNAWAY REDS.
DESPERATE BATTLE WITH THE ES-
CAPPED CHEyENNES.
The Indians Intrench Themselves in 4
Deep washout, from which They
are Dislodged after a Gallant
fight-full Particulars
Of the Battle.

CHEYENNE, January 23.-The Fort
Robinson, Neb., couriers arrived this
morning. They confirm the news re-
ceived late last evening Of the battle be-
tween Captain Vessels command, con.
sisting of four companies OF the Third
Cavalry, and the escaped Cheyennes.
Yesterday morning trails were discov-
cred leading in the direction OF large
range of hills, some eighteen miles
northwest OF Bluff station, q distance
of forty-six miles from this post, and
were followed by Captain Vessels un-
til he was within three miles OF the
hills, when he halted and formed skir-
mish lines All four companies de-
ployed as skirmishers, Company
l., Lieutenant Baxter, moving from
the south To the northeast side; Com
pany III, Capt. Vessels directly oppo-
site; Company T., Capt Lawson, closed
in at the mouth of the ravine, where
the Indians had entrenched themselves.
Company A moved to their rear, thus
hemming them in on all four sides
and leaving no possible avenue for their
escape. The Indians had placed them
selves in a deep washout, keeping
under cover. AS soon ~ the skirmishers
were within $50 yards Of the ravines,
the stronghold of the latter opened
deadly fire, killing Sergeant Taggart,
Priyates Brown and Nelson, OF Com.
pany A, and dangerously, IL not fatally,
wounding Private Deboisse, of Company
II. Despite the dreadful volley
poured into the troops, they
steadily advanced, and, when within
seventy-yarls al the sayages position;
fire was opened on all sides with terrible
effect. At this moment Captain Wes-
sells, leading his company, and loudly
cheering them forward, received a
wound from pistol in the hands OF one
of the bloodthirty Cheyennes, render
ing him completely insensible. Licutcn-
ant Chase, commanding Company A,
seeing the commanding officer fall,
rushed forward, instantly siczcd Captain
Vessels and carried him beyond range
OF the enemy's fire, then dashing To the
head Of his own company gallantly led
them 10 the very edge of the washout,
where they fought the enemy With un-
abated furry. Meanwhile the intrepid
Vessels, having regained conscious
ness, again came To the front, and seeing
the ground Strcwn with the dead bodies
of the ayagcs, implor,-l his men Ia
cease firing, with view Ia getting
Al 4 lhnunnIlna
surrender, but the latter stubbornly re-
fused, rushing at the troops with iornlid.
able hunting knives, having expended
all their ammunition, determined Ia
surrender Ia death only. But ere they
had advanced many PAGES volley from
the troops, and all was over Companies
+ and r. were in a had position to az
complish much, while Col. Evans, with
Companies Il and ID, remaine'b on the
opposite bluff from where Capt. Wcs-
sells started. aud, not knowing the posi-
ton Of VESSELS command, arrived too
late for action. On the cessation of
firing, the dead bodies al twenty-three
Indians were found in the rifle pits
occupied by them, including seventeen
bucks, four squaws aud two papOoscs.
Nine remained, oi whom one buck and
five sauaws were more or less wound.
ed, and three squaws unhurt Oi tile
troops, but the three heretofore men
TONED were killed, and Captain Vessels
and one private Of his company wound
ed. The latter cannot live.
Ambulanccs left here at an early hour
this morning to bring in the dead and
wounded, and are now moving slowly
back. They are expected here with
troops tO-mOrrOw afternoon.
CHICAGO, January Pa dispatch
from General Crook, at Omaha, to Lieu
tenant-Gen Sheridan, says: The
following has just been received:
CAMP ErGHT MiLEs NoKrHwEsT or
BLrFF STATION, January %.
To Gsa>rdi Cr-ot, Omaha:
The affair with the Indians occurred
at haIf-past two, yesterday, nj q point
ten miles east Of the telegraph line from
Robinson 20 Iio, Creek, anil five miles
north of the stage route. The Chey.
ennes fought with extraordinary cour-
age and refused nil terms but death. The
soldiers behaved with great spirit
Those engaged were Captains Vessels
and lawson, Lieutenants Chase and
Hardee, &. W. Baxter, Third Cavalry,
Lieutenant J. Baxter, Ninth Infantry,
and Doctor Pclliss. Among the wound
ell are: Sergeant Reid and Private De
boiss, Company II, Third Cavalry. The
trSops return to their station at once.
The Indians killed were IL warriors.
women and children; captured, 3 u
whom were not wounded. One man Oi
the wounded will die. Evans com.
manding