The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-02-27
The Cheyennes' Last Fight.

The position of the Indians was in an
oblong hole. about thirty feet long, ten
or twelve feet wide and five feet deep,
with ridges in it here and there, where
the invested Indians had dug out sone
holes so as to get down low from the
range Of our fire, and to alternately
stand up on the ridges and deliver theirs
in return. This was within a few feet
of the edge of a high bank which broke
off abruptly from che dry bed of a branch
of Indian Greek, thirty feet below, and
about forty miles from Fort Robinson
and three miles from Eluti' Station on
the Hat Creek road The companies on
the ground were dcployed in skirnish
line, at three and four PAGES distance,
making a semi circle, SO rs to bring the
right and left of the line respectively
toward the edge of the steep bank.
The movement was merely steady
advance and closing in on the enemy as
it began. The men rapidly pressing
together grew thick about the. pit, and it
is won der that more soldiers were rot
killed by the Indians. 1t was certainly
providential that the ammunition Of the
reds gave out. The men would 60 up to
the edge of the h ole and fire down at an
angle, and then fall back to reload The
smoke of the firing actually grew so
great that the soldiers had to pause until
it cleared away to see where the pit was.
At one time the Indians ceased firing
and commenced singing. 1t was thought
that they were either all wounded or
wanted to surrender. An order was
given to cease firing, which had grown
so oppressive from an apparent want OF
opposition, and the conviction that it
was supertluous, like beating dead car
cass.
Just before the final resistance of the
Cheyennes three of them, the last alive,
jumped out Of the pit and faced the
troops undaunted One had a pistol
and two had knives, which they BRAN
dished like warriors while rushing ut the
troops. One sprang to jump down the
embankment, but was speedily riddled
with balls, AZ were the other two. Lieu
tenant Chase led the charge of his COM
pany in the centre of his men, gave a
cheer and inspired them. When Capt.
Vessels was wounded and fell back
fainting, Capt. Lawson kept saying
"Give it to them, boys; don't leave one
of them p Private Margetave, Company
Z, Russian, was conspicuous for his
GOODNESS and bravery. He kept up
steady advance, firing right at the In.
dams.
When the smoke cleared away the pit
presented singular and horrible appear
ance. Huddled together in piles were
the twenty three bodies of the slain.
Among the nine still surviving were two
Indian girls, aged fourteen and fifteen,
covered with dust, and under the bodies
of young bucks who had fallen lifeless
upon them, and at first concealed them.
They were saved by digging in under
the side of the hole. One is named
Blanche, and used to write her name
while imprisoned here with her people.
The appearance of the pit was MS though
it had been filed with sand-bags. Lieu
tenant Chase Immediately ordered a
company to fall in, and sent detail
into the deathly chasm to pass out the
bodies Among them were found three
unhurt, and five wounded females and
one buck wounded.
The carcasses were taken out rapidly,
and found to be completely riddled with
bullets They were laid down side by
side, and looked like horried phantoms
or defaced mummies. A few were
stripped, but most of them had on cloth
ing-in the language of one of the sol
diers handling them, Regular store
clothes" A number Of blankets and
covers were among the rubbish, while in
the centre was a good stock Of half
dried beef three feet high and two wide.
Some cattle had been killed by them
near by belonging to the Whitcomb
ranch Carpenters were detailed to
carry the wounded to the wagons. -New
York Herald.