Sun River sun. [volume] (Sun River, Mont.) 1884-1885, 1884-03-20

but on our arrival there wa foui,d
everything topsy -turvy, and everyone
excited over tho recent events. It
seems that about tho 22d of June,
some men who were hunting were
killed. The party sent out for wood
were also fired into when within a
half mile Of camp, but luckily none OF
these were hurt.
The most singular hand to hand
conflict had occurred between Il pri-
vate Of company q, 7th Infantry and
an Indian. It seems that the soldier
was fishing just above camp and was
hid from view by dense growth of
willows. Although not more than II
hundred and fifty yards from camp
he was suddenly attacked by an III
dian on horseback and would most
certainly have been killed but for his
fishing rod. With this he so belabor-
ed his enemy that it was impossible
for the Indian to use his revolver with
any degree Of accuracy. The soldier
defended himself with the Tod until
the Indian had emptied his first re-
volver. The first shot from the second
one took effect. II cut the fish pole in
two just where he grasped it with his
left hand and carried away three fin
gers. The soldier then jumped into
the deep hole, whore moment before
he had been fishing for trout. He
managed to escape by diving until
around the sharp bend Of the creek,
where his comrades, who were coming
to his rescue, found him sitting on a
log cursing the Sioux for shooting off
his fingers. The Indian, of course,
escaped, us there were no horscmcn
near to follow him.
Tho Crows being campcd only n
couple of miles down tho creek, heard
the firing and rushed up to SEQ what
was the matter. AS soon as they
learned that the Sioux had bcen there
they were wild with rage ut the dar-
ing Of their old enemies, and asked for
ammunition that they might persuc
and punish them for killing poor,
helpless foot soldiers. Their request
was granted, and in n most incredible
short time every warrior was stripped
md painted ready for battle. Scouts
were out and soon reported that the
Sioux were going Big Spring creek
over towards the head Of Flat Willow.
Immediately the whole outfit were in
the saddle and away under tho leader
ship Of Longhorsc, their chief. The
next day they returned bearing the
corpse of Longhorse OH n litter. They
had oycrtakcn tho enemy at tho head
OF ono OF the branches Of Flat Willow
and fought desperate battle. The
Sioux who were in deep dctilc Of the
mountains were easily surrounded and
Il large number killed. Longhorsc,
who it seemed, had some present.
ment that he was to die by the hand
of the Sioux, rushed into the thickcst
Of the fight and succeeded in killing
seven Of the enemy before he was shot
down. The night after their return,
was ono never to be forgotten by those
who listened to tic mournful cries of
those who had lost n relative in tho
fight OF the horlid yclls of the victors.
Certainly that night was hideous
enough to disgrace the depths Of hell.
A day or two after this had taken
place, Gibbon arrived with his
little command. Tho Crows had bur-
ried() the chief and pitched lodge
over him and left, and everything was
as quiet as though there had never
been IN Indian in that part Of the
country. A close watch was kept,
however, for fear Of another surprise.
The next dny after our arrival tho
sentry, who was stationed on high
point that overlooked the surrounding
country, reported ten Indians in n
coulce about two miles to the north
west. 1t was nearly srndown, but We
were ordered to saddle and bring
them in Immediately. A detachment
of mounted infantry started in ad-
vance to ascertain if the report was
correct. The party saw them coming
and started for the Moccasin noun
tains as fast as their ponies could car
ry them. We were soon in full pur-
suit through the fast falling darkness
Over the dry parchcd prairics, through
the creek and on again towards the
point which the Indians seemed to be
making for; in the hope to cut them
off from their hiding place. After
riding in hot haste for IN hour, we
were suddenly halted under a high
ridge of rock that runs out from the
mountain towards the Missouri river
There we lay very quietly for some