The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-13
..roor ,,sm and TIE timbered bluffs.

between them and ths timbercd blufs.
When within long range OF the DUN,
where the Indians had been seen, IL was
determined TO halt and await the attack.
The oxen were driven down n ravlne on
the left out of rifle range on the risht:
The Indians observed the challenge ana
accepted. 4 duel at long range continued
until dark. Capt. Branch and his men
determined TO pass the point where the
Indians had been seen during the night
and make Buffalo Vap before morning.
This proiect failed and daylight ound
them several miles from the gap in a
fairly good position 70 defend themselves.
The Indians had not anticipated this move
and were seen hot Oh the trail by sunrise.
A bloodless duel on the part Of the whites
continued all day.
Trouble was expected during the night,
and II came. The night was very dark
and favorable for both parties to conceal
,heir movements. The oxen were hitched
~ the wagons ard hauled back on the
trail some forty rods, 50 that the Indians
could not locate the camp before morning.
Lawrence. Ash and Presho went back to
the first location TO keep guard. No In
dians were seen during the night; u q
very suspicious clump Of brush had grown
ND during the night not far from the
party in charge Of the mill. Two Indians
had cut q quantity Of brush and rawled
ND close 10 the trail so as to get in the rear
of the mill camp as first located. The
brush looked natural enough stuck in che
ground, but the practiced eyoof Lawrence
detected the fraud, and he opened fire at
once 10 warn the camp and expose the In
dams. who had no chance TO run Il were
between two fires. 1t took but n few
minutes to settle their hash. Lawrence
fell back 70 camp and prepared for q hard
fight. which was bittG on both sides.
The Indians were getting desperate and
bold. The whites, - save their scalps,
were fighting as men Will fisht TO save
their lives. There was no cover on the left
OF the trail by which the Indians could
approach within range, which alone saved
the determined little party from being
wiped out. The Indians had evidently
been REINFORCED. For nearly W hour
they kept up q steady fire from all points
within range on the right OF the trail.
The boiler proved TO be the salvation OF
| Capt. Branch and his men. The wagons
were riddled. Evans, Ash and Taylor re-
ceiyed slight flesh wounds, not severe
enough TO render them unfit for duty.
Three Indians were hit, but whether
fatally or not it was impossible TO find
out. After supper q council Of war was
held. 1t was possible TO hold out twenty
four hours longer, but their condition or
means Of defense would not be improved,
hence il w6s decided to abandon the mill
and oxen, and push through the gap be-
fore daylight and procure Te-enforcements
at Custer City and return for the mill.
This programme wa carried out, and sue
cessfully,
The next afternoon CGpt. Branch and
his party arrived at Custer, where they
received q hearty welcome. Volunteers
were plenty and willing. Thlrty-seven
determined men, with horses to haul the
mill, returned to the scene Of the fight.
Instead Of going to the mill direct they
1anked the position held by the Indians
during the fight, and, 10 their satisfac-
ton, discovered about fifteen Indians on
watch for those who might return TO the
mill. Six Of these redskins were killed ut
the first fire and the others were wounded,
but they managed TO reach their ponies
and make good their escape. The mill
was hauled into the mining camp, where
it did good service in furnishing the
miners with lumber. The oxen had been
driven off, and were never recovered.
Ash, Evans and Taylor soon recovered
from their wounds. Three Of the origi-
nal party are still in the Hills. II. C..
Ash is a justice Of the peace at Sturgis
City. He believes in the freedom Of the
bench, as he frequently adjourns court TO
give all hands q charCe to irrigate. The
foregoing constitute the main facts Of the
trouble in getting tho first sawmill into
the Black hills Tribune.