Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-01-30
A FIGHT TO THE DEATH.
Final Engagement in Which the
Last of the Cheyennes
are Killed.

A Graphic Description of the Battle.
FORT ROBINSON, (Neb) January 22.-The
Cheyenne Indian campaign has closed for a
time at least. On Monday, Colonel Evans,
with companies 3 and D, Sd Cavalry, found
the renegades in strong position in the cliffs,
four miles north of the stage road, and par
TALLY succeeded in cutting off their progress,
but they effected their usual escape and moved
toward Red Cloud Agency. Capt. Vessels,
whose scouts conveyed this news to him,
started at once on their trail with his four
companies of cavalry, and at noon to-day he
came up TO them, some forty-fve miles from
the post. Then the work of capturing them,
either dead or alive, began in dead earnest.
In fact, but thirty-two, with nine of that
number badly wounded, are alive of the forty
nine fugitives that were in the field, leaving
seventeen killed. Captain Vessels was slightly
wounded. The first sergeant of company E
and an Indian scout were also wounded to an
unknown extent. Three of Vessels COM
mand-a sergeant, farrier and one private
were killed. This news arrived verbally by
courier at midnight, and more couriers with
details of the battle are expected soon. Am
balances have just started (midnighD to
bring in the dead and wounded.
Later news from the field states that only
nine Cheyennes, all of them wounded, were
captured. The balance of the party, twenty
three in number, were killed. Seventeen are
still unaccounted for. 1t is supposed that
some died from their wounds and the others
escaped.
FORT ROBINSON, Neb., January 23.-Cour-
iers arrived this morning confirming the news
received late last night of the battle between
Captain Vessels command, consisting of
four companies of the Third Cavalry, and
the escaped Cheyennes. Yesterday morning
trails were discovered leading in the direction
OF large range of hills some eighteen miles
northwest of Bluff Station, distance of 46
miles from this post, and were followed by
Captain Vessels until he was within three
miles of the hills, where he halted and form
ed skrmish lines. All four companies de-
ployed as skirmishers, Company F, Lieut.
Baxter, moving from the south to the north
east side, Company H, Captain Vessels, d.
rectly opposite; Company E, Captain Law
son, closed in at the mouth of the ravine
where the Indians had entrenched themselves,
and Company A moved to their rear, thus
hemming them in on all four sides, leaving
no possible avenue of escape. The Indians
had placed themselves in deep wash-out,
keeping under cover. AS soon as the skir-
mishers were within $50 yards of the savages'
stronghold the latter opened deadly fire,
killing Sergeant Taggart and privates Brown
and Nelson of Company A and dangerously,
if not fatally, wounding Private Debroisse,
of Company H. Despite the dreadful volley
poured into the troops, they steadily ad-
vanced, and when within Is yards of the
savages' position fire. was opened on all sides
with terrible effect. AT this moment Captain
Vessels, leading his company and loudly
cheering them forward, received slight
scalp wound from pistol in the hands OF
one of the blood-thirsty Cheyennes. rendering
him completely insensible. Lieut.. Chase,
Company A, seeing the CON-
manding officer fall, rushed forward, instant
ly seized Captain Vessels and carried him
beyond the range of the enemy's fire. Then
dashing to the head of his own company,
gallantly led them to the very edge of the
wash-out, where they fought the enemy with
unabated fury. Meanwhile, the intrepid
Vessels, having regained consciousness,
again came to the front, and seeing the ground
strewn with the dead bodies of the savages,
implored his men to cease firing, with view
to getting the remaining Cheyennes to sur
render, but the latter stubbornly refused,
rushing at the troops with their formidable
hunting knives (having expended all their
ammunition), determined to surrender to
death only; but ere they had advanced many
PAGES, volley from the troops, and all was
over. Companies F and E were in bad
position to accomplish much, while Colonel
Evans, with B and D Companies remained
on the opposite bluff from where Captain
Vessels started, and not knowing the position
of Vessels command, arrived too late for
action.
On cessation of firing the dead bodies of %
Indians were found in the riie-pits occupied