The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-09-15
FIGHTING FOR LIFE.


Fort Keogh few years ago, said General
Brisbind to reporter, frequently saw
on ths streets OF Miles City, a mother and
daughter who had an interesting history,
and we're the heroines of one of the hard
est fought Indian battles that ever took
place in the west. Mrs. Maxwell and her
daeghter, May, were modest appearing
and quiet. Mr.. Maxwell with his wife
and daughter, end four men-Bouton,
George Durand, Jester Pruden and an
other whose name l cannot recall-had
started from Miles City east, intending
to cross and settle on the little Missouri
near the old Stanley trail. After they
hab been ont all dsy, and Just approach
ing O'Fallon Greek, Mrs. Maxwell distin-
guished two objects aheBd, which with
the aid of field glass, she soon made out
to be Indians. She at once called the
men and told what she had seen, and al
though the objects quickly disappeared,
Mr.. Maxwell knew but too well that there
was trouble in store for them. He halted
at once and turned back the wagons,
which had already crossed the creek. He
rode forward and soon discovered vii
tage of forty lodges of hostile Indians.
A retreat for the hills at once began, aud
although the Indians followed closely
did not attack. They seemed To
think they had the party safely, and
could take their time in securing their
scaips. Mr.. NJ, went to some timber and
selecting high point of ground, went
into camp. Darkness soon came on and
Maxwell, knowing the Indians seldom
attacked in the night, spent the time in
fortifying his little camp. The bluffs
did not run close to the water, and thu
little party had to take up their position
fully 200 yards from water. This greatly
distressed him, but he laid in good sup
ply of water as possible, and Satered all
the stock before daylight appeared.
About o'clock in the morning
the little party ceased from their
labors, cleaned and loaded their guns, and
waited for the battle to begin. The
Indians We're very deliberate, and al
though they could be seen, it was after
before any of them showed up near tse
fort. Then they began firing at long
range, AID kept it up at intervals during
the entire day, but With little damage TO
the beseiged. Mr.. Ms. wagons were
hauled by oxen, and they we're kept as
close as possible. In the evening the
cattle had become thirsty and had to be
watered. No Indians were to be seen,
and the men attempted to drive the
cattle TO water, WHEN the Indians rushed
down from the hills and captured them
all. M. M. let the cattle go and told his
men to get to the fort. No further at
tempt was made to disturb the beseiged,
and another night was spent ia strength
ening the little. The men worked hard,
and about midnight, having made the
works as strong as possible, and heiug
tired ont, they lay down to get little
rest, Mr.. M. and May agreeing to watch.
The wagons formed one side of the fort,
and logs, sacks of grain, and gunny sacks
filed with earth, the other. Caves had
been dug in the hillside for the women,
and rifle pits, strongly constructed, rang
ed on three sides of the camp. All night
long the cattle Kept believing and were
driven around the camp by the Indians,
in hope that the garrison would come out
and attempt 10 drive them in. But the
white men lay close, aud all efforts of
getting them ont failed. Soon after mid
night one of the men crept out of the
fort and passed the Indian viadettes safe
ly. He was instructed by Mr.. NJ, to go
to Ft. Keogh with all haste and mako
known to the commanding officer the
desperate situation of the little party and
ask for help. They we're now reduced to
five fighting men. Mrs. Maxwell aud her
daughter May. Shortly before daylight
the women hsard the Indians coming up
the ravine and aroused the men. The
moon was shining brightly, and the
Indians were all mounted and could be
plainly seen. DIsmountipg from their
ponies they began orexiing up toward
the fort. Maxwell told his men to lay
close and hold their fire until he gave the
word, and then to load and fire as rapidly
as possible, snd shout at the top of their
voices. 1t was fearful moment-the
night was still lying on the earth, and
the silence that of death. The Indians
were now within fifty yards aud Maxwell,
fearing charge if he delayed longer,
called out: "Let 'em have it boys" The
rattle OF the guns was fearful ana lasted
for fully five minutes, when, seeing no
Indians coming, he ordered the firing to
cease. When the smoke cleared away no
Indians were about except one, who lay
near the fort. He was badly wounded,
and called out in broken English: 81 am
hit, don't shoot me-"
"Can you come in and surrender! :" call
ed out Maxwell.
"No, l am wounded, come out ana get
me-" he replied.
"Can't you crawl in heref We Will take
care OF your" said Maxwell.
won't you let my people come and
get me?"
"All right" said Maxwell, 1--WE don'
care much for you fellows anyway; but
let them be quick about it, for we want
to fight some more"
The wounded Indian called loudly in
Indian, and presently some savages were
seen approaching, but they were afraid
to come too near the fort, the wounded
Indian raised himself with difficulty, and
saying: "How, how, don't shoot me; 90
away crawled of. They let him go, and
after working himself down the hill a
little way, two Indians took him up and
carried him Off.
The Indians now picked up every thing
and driving the cattle before them start