The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-07-11

were ready to start, the Dig guns were
fired, and all of the men on the coulie
side of the corrall fred rapidly to keep
the Indians heads down. As the party
started all firing ceased in few seconds
time the centre party was over the hill,
and were dealing death to the almost
paralpzed Sioux, who, dropping guns and
everything, fled for deaf life. Exactly
how many of the Indians were killed in
the charge is not known, but there were
nine left in the coulie; these were
scalped, and twenty-three horses, eight
guns, quantity of buffalo robes, blank
cts, moccasins and several packages OF
dried meat and pemmican were captured.
The horses captured came in good play,
for twenty-one of the horses belonging
to the expedition were killed in the cor
rail-.
Just after the charge on the coulie, a
small party dashed in to the bluffs on the
other side of the corrall; they succeeded
in killing two crippled Indians and
ing the others. of. Just after this an In
dian, mounted on . handsome horse, and
who was wearing q fine war bonnet,
came out to make q bravo ride his
course lay across the bench and he was
about five hundred yards away; about
thirteen Of the boys fred volley at him;
the horse dropped dead and the warrior
staggered to a coulie and out of sight.
When examined later the horse was
found to be hit by nine bullets.
An Indian now came out on promin.
ent point and fred two shots from pis-
tol in quick succession, and all Of the In
dams disappeared. to appear no more at
this camp.
The only man touched by bullet in
this fight was Tom Woodward, who was
shot through the wrist.
The party concluded to lie over day,
and thinking that the Indians would
come again, they dug . large rife pit
across the coulie, in which thirty men
stayed the next night.
Some of the party wished to take the
back track, 80 vote was taken on the
question, but large majority said 60 on,
and the minority acquiesed.
The boys were fond Of practical jokes,
30 next morning before leaving camp
they poisoned with strychnine some
pemmican and biscuits, and left them
carlessly around the camp. These bats
did their work, as will be seen after
ward. Cartridges were left from which
the powder had been taken and dyna-
mite put in it's place.
Next day the expedition travelled nine
miles and made a camp at the Three
Forks of the Rosebud. Preparations
were made for q fight, for Indians had
been seen in the hills along the line Of
march all day, but no attack was made.
The party laid over the next day and
a strong force went ahead to prospect for
a road. The middle fork being the least
rough was chosen. So the next day they
went up that to the divide between
Rosebud and the Little Horn river, and
camped. Three buffalo were killed this
evening. and were very welcome, for the
Indians had kept the game run away
from ahead of them for the last ten
days.
The expedition made ten miles the
next day and pitched their camp on a
fork of the Little Horn river; pits were
dug and the precaution was taken of
burning the grass off near camp. At
about eight in the evening one Of the
pickets saw two queer acting wolves; he
fired at them, and they jumped up on
two feet and ran away.
The stock was turned out to Craze as
usual, the next morning, and the herd
ers, of whom there were twenty, were
taking it easy, without expectation of
trouble, for no Indians had been seen.
Just at sunrise picket on hill about
500 yards from camp sang out Indians,
Indians" At this some of the guards
and pickets ran in. One of the latter
was in an embarrassing position and had
to leave his pistol and belt lying on the
ground.
The Sioux soon came in sight Of those
at camp and were in three columns, each
about two hundred strong. Both of the
pieces of artillery were brought in opera
ton against the advancing Indians, and
tho men in camp went out with rush
to protect the stock. Their reception
was 80 warm that the Sioux weakened
just before reaching the herd, and wheel
ing to the right and left went into the
hills.
As they turned one brave stayed q lit
tie behind his party and was making his
horse caracole and show of. Jack Bean
took a good aim and fired; in three
Jumps the horse went into sag just as
the Indian went out Of sight he threw
one hand high over his head, and in a
moment more the horse came out ride
less, and turning, came straight to the
band.
The Indians were posted in some low
hills about six hundred yards away, and
were firing slowly at camp.
A small party went out to scalp the
Indian shot by Bean; when but hun.
dred yards away from camp one of them,
named Zack Yates, was shot directly
through the heart. Hewas carried back
to camp, and Capt. Grounds then order.
ed all to the breastworks to watch
events.
Soon after this twelve Sioux sneaked
down gulch, and with short run, took
possession of hill that commanded the
corrall from this point they killed one
horse and wounded another. A charg.
ing party was made up, and as before
those in camp fired rapidly to keep the
Indians from looking over the hill, while
the run was made. The chargers went
to the foot of the hill and rested, the
enemy not knowing of their approach
After moments rest they ran up and
over the hill to within forty feet Of the
Yo,J;ouc v,ho ron;c atr;ckon yoonut od