Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-05-29
Written for the Rocky Mountain Husbandman
THE INDIAN CAMPAIGN OF 1876.
BY CAPT. w. CLIFFORD, U. S. A.

On the morning of July 10th the camp
was shocked to learn that Captain Thomp-
son, "a cavalry, had committed suicide by
shooting himself through the breast with a
revolver. He had for years been a sufferer
from consumption, a disease contracted
while he was an inmate of Libby prison;
and to use his own very forcible language,
he suffered the torments of the damned"
His funeral took place at 6 O'Clock p. m.
this afternoon. He lies buried on the hills
west of our camp, opposite the mouth ofthe
Big Horn. Poor fellow-.the heart knoweth
it's own bitterness" May he rest in peace.
Gen. Gibbon delivered a short but touching
eulogy over his grave.
This is Lieut.. Coolidges birthday, and he
has "done himself proud" Started by set
ting out two bottles of ale-then sent to the
steamer a leather backed, which was
brought back filled with beer. This was
followed by a new tin coffee pot full OF the
same refreshing beverage. Then a sharp
discussion on the Indian policy after which
each one went to his tent to hunt tor some
thing to eat.
at 1880 O'Clock on the morning Of the
Goth, two shots in quick success sion were
heard, Immediately followed by a scatter
ing volley. The men at once turned out
and for a while all was still. Then we
heard two more shots. All this firing was
in the 71h cavalry camp, which is nearly a
mile below us. Soon the sergeant of the
guard came around to tell us to 60 to bed
again. 10 bed we Went, no wiser than
when we turned out, though, Of course,
very curious to learn what it was all about.
After reveille quite q number Of stories
were flying about, and we finally learned
that two Sioux had been inside the 9TH cav
airy camp trying to steal horses. The guard
discovered and fired at them, but not until
the thieves had passed beyond the line Of
horses, and then they were too far away.
At daylight the Crow scouts started out and
discovered the trail Of seven, then twenty
three more. The trails Joined and went off
in the direction of Fort Peck, where they
arc no doubt bound. The small party of
five Crows said that they had half Il mind
TO follow the trail, but on comparing notes
found that they had but ten rounds of ann
snunition each. So they wisely returned.
A courier coming up from Powder river day
before yesterday. reports passing a broad
trail leading toward Fort Peck. The opin-
ion is daily gaining ground that the army of
Sioux that fought Crook and Custer is be-
ing gradually depleted by desertions, and
for the sole reason that they cannot hang
together through lack OF food.
Our Crow interpreter, La..Forge, who is
married to a Crow woman, told me tonight
that when the panic-strcken scouts who de-
serted us went back to their camp they re-
ported all of Clusters men killed that they
lett us going down into the same place
from whence there copald not possibly be
RAY escape for lis. La FORCES Indian wife
And relatives, supposing him to be killed.
went into mourning. His wife, who had
very long hair. at once cut it oft-cut OF one
Of her fingers, slushed her legs with a knife,
destroyed her lodge, and gave his horses,
twelve in number, away. All OF his female