The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-25

by yell from Lieutenant Chase Company moved
up too near. and. ~ above stated. lost in short
time three killed. These somewhat rashly sac
rinced through impotence.
SINGING DEATH SONG.
The movement merely steady advance. and
closing in on the enemy as it began. The men rap
idly pressing together grew thick about the pit; and
it is a wonder soldiers not killed by the
Indians. 1t was certainly providential that the
ammunition Of the reds gave out. The men would
20 up to the edge Of the hole and fire down at an
xngle then fall back to reload The smoke Of the
to pause until it cleared away to where the
pit was. At time the Indians ceased FIR
ing and commenced singing. 1t thought
that they either all wounded wanted to sur
render. An order was given to cease the firing.
which had grown oppressive from apparent
want of opposition and the conviction that it was
supernuous, like beating dead carcass.
VESSELS WOUNDED.
During the luil Captain Vessels called on the
Cheyennes still remaining to surrender. and said
words in Sioux. such "washte." but imme-
diately the unsubdued Cheyennes opened FIRE. Cap
tain Vessels and Sergeant Reed, Of Company H.
Third Cavalry, wounded by the volley. In the
case of Captain Vessels the ball penetrated the fore
head at the left side passing under the scalp and
making painful but not serious wound his hat
and garments also pierced in many places. The
firing again commenced, and in half an hour all
over Tho edge of the pit literally riddled from
the shower of bullets raned upon it. Captain wes-
sells participated in the firing with the troops.
THREE DESPERATE BRAVES.
Just before the final resistance Of the Cheyennes
three Of them. the last alive. jumped out Of the pit
and two had knives which they brandished like war
riors while rushing at the troops. One sprang to
jump down the ombankment, but was speedily rid
died with balls. were the other two. Lieuten-
ant Chase led the charge OF his company, in
the centre Of his men. gave cheer and inspired
them. When Captain VESSELS was wounded and fell
back fainting Captain Lawson kept saying:-"Give it
ito them, boys; don't leave one Of them.' Private
Margetave, company E. Russian, conspicuous
for his GOODNESS and bravery. He kept up a steady
advance. firing right at the Indians. Corporal
Grouse company A. was also effective in his execu-
ton. Sergeant Ambrose. company f. deserves men,
ton. Universal testimony is borne to the gallant
conduct Of Captain Vessels and Lieutenants Chase
and Hardee. All the privates behaved bravely.
A SAD SIGHT
When the smoke cleared away the pit presented
a singular and horrible appearance. Huddled to-
gether in piles were the twenty-five bodies of the
young Indian girls aged fourteen and fifteen. COW
cred with dust and under the bodies of young bucks
who had fallen lifeless upon them and at first con-
cealed them. They saved by digging in under
and used to write her name while imprisoned here
with her people. The appearance of the pit
though it had been filled with sand bags Lieutenant
Chase Immediately ordered company to fall in, and
sent detail into the a,athly chssm pass out the
bodies. Among them were found three nnhurt and
Ave wounded females and one buck wounded
LAYING OUT THE DEAD.
The carcasses taken out rapidly. and found to
be completely rddled with bullets. They were laid
down side by side and looked like horrid phantoms
defaced mummies. few were stripped but most
Of them had on clothing-in the language OF one Of
the soldiers handling them. Regular store clothes"
number of blankets and a soldiers over
coat and pantaloons. with some bed covers. were
l.
stock of half dried beef three feet high and two wide
Some cattle had been killed by them nearby belong
ing to the whtcomb ranch. Carpenters were Do
tailed to make q traverse to carry the wounded to
soldiers were packed ON their horses and
Corporal Houk. Private John Donovan, Of company
were sent into Fort Robinson for ambulances
and to bear the news of the days operations.
MILITARY BLUxpERs
The fighting had lasted about half an hour. A few
halfstarved bucks, seventeen in all. had held four
companies in check and killed three Of their number
which added to tho seven before MORALLY
wounded by them would make more than half the
force Of the enemy. The unfortunate blundcr in
not placing bars the prison windows. In
placing an insufficient guard over them in Fort
Robinson and the absence Of trained artillery
upon their line Of escape has been sadly
paid for in the loss Of good men.
Most Of these men might have been saved had differ.
cnt tactics been practised by those in command while
fighting the Indians. The bringing Of over ono
hundred and nifty men into action to dislodgc
subdue less than one-hfth of their fighting
number presents too much surface for
the mark sman.hip capacity of . dozen or 30 Of
dead Shots" such the Cheyennes. Their arms,
which were the best sporting rides Of calibrcs fifty
and forty four with short and long cartridges num-
bcrcd ten rifles and five pistols. Their ammunition