Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-02-13
For the MONITOR
AN INDIAN ENGAGEMENT.


three days, expecting to move at
minutes notice, while our scouts had
been out in all directions in search of
an Indian camp that was known to
be somewhere about the head waters
of the Red River; when we received
orders to saddle up, and the news
ran through the command that one of
the scouts had discovered the camp
for which they had been searching;
it was supposed to contain about two
or three hundred lodges, and between
three and five hundred warriors.
For twenty-four hours we marched
steadily westward, halting an hour at
the end of that time to rest our jaded
horses. after which we again move
forward, arriving at early dawn in
close proximity to the Indian camp
without being discovered. Hating
for moment, our officers move qui-
city along the line, directing us in
undertones to look to our arms and
prepare for an engagement.
Just at sunrise we arrive in sight
of the camp, which is situated in a
pleasant valley; on either side of
which arise high broken bluffs, the
face of which are covered with lux
uriant growth of mountain cedar.
Through the valley flows one of the
many streams which form the Red
River; its banks are lined with ma
jestic cottonwoods by which we can
trace its sinuOus course for several
miles.
We arrive at the edge of the bluffs
and find the only apparent means of
descent to the valley a mere bridle-
path, down which we rapidly make
our way, each company forming as it
reaches the base of the bluff. The
Indians meanwhile are by no means
idle, but ply bow and rifle diligently,
doing little damage aside from wound
ing a few horses.
The troops are formed. The bugle
sounds the charge, and in a very
short time the Indians are driven to
the shelter of the bluffs, where rock,
bush and tree conceal the savage
marksmen.
Now begins the actual business of
the day; column of fours is formed,
ones, twos, and threes are dismount-
ed to fight as skirmishers, fours move
off in column leading the horses of
their respective sets to the cover of
the timber on the banks of the creek,
where they are partially protected
from the fire of the enemy.
The bluffs resound with whoop and
yell, the continuous discharge of fire.
arms, and the sharp, quick commands
of the troop-leaders.
Every eye is on the alert to catch a
glimpse of the foe; and every un-
guarded exposure on either side
draws prompt recognition from the
other in the shape of ball or arrow.
The differest skirmish lines advance
in their several directions step by
step, creeping, dodging, running, ta-
king advantage of the cover afforded
by bush, rock or inequality of the
ground.
We now see handful of men bold
ly advancing up the valley; it is a
decoy; how well it works we shall
see. Looking closely we see about
fifty or sixty mounted warriors in the
shade of yonder cedar-brake. Again
we see Cooking down the valley) a
short distance in advance of the par
ty of men we before noticed, a party
of skirmishers who, apparently un-
perceived by the Indians, have gain
ed the cover of an old, dry water
course. See the chief speaks to his
braves, at the same time pointing
down the valley; he is intent on the
capture of that small party of sol
diers advancing toward them. The
Indians move leisurely along for a
few rods and then make a dash.
They do not accomplish their object
they do meet withering fire from
the concealed rifemen volley after
volley is poured into them at short
range flesh and blood cannot stand
before it; and the savages turn and
flee, leaving more than half theil
number dead or wounded.
Now begins sickening sight; oul
Indian allies burst from their coverts
butchering the wounded and scalpins
the dead. We now for the first time
hear the death yell and the song O
defiance, and behold the bloody worl
of hatchet and scalping-knife, know
ing that as these are being served b.
our allies, so will every man be serv
ed that falls into the hands of tn,
enemy.
Foot by foot the troops advance
carrying bluff after bluff; men ant
horses go down; every comrade tina
falls is another to be avenged.
The Indians fall back, sullenl,
disputing every foot of ground, unit
driven from cover and weakened b,
loss of numbers, they take refuge il
flight.
With rattling farewell volley, tn
men return over the track by whicl
they came looking for friends an,
comrades who had fallen in the fight
The dead are collected and given
hasty burial the wounded are place'
: in Indian litters, consisting of blank
4 i i