Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-14

1859.
nearly a mile the battalion of the Second
Cavalry and all of the Third that had not
pushed ahead with Mills, two nights before,
and then, just striding forth from tnelr
cheerless bivouac the IA companies OF IN
tantry. Starting an hour behind the cav
airy toward the end of this rueful campaign
they would catch up and go laughing by US
by noon at the very latest.
But this day they did it.
There was some sudden commotion out at
the front. Staff officers came spurring back.
A brief consultation with Merritt, another
with Carr and the latter turns quietly to me:
Ride back along the column. Pick out
every horse that can possibly make forced
march of 20 miles. Send all such up to
the front. Mass all the other in one big re-
serve under the officer of the day. Tell him
to come along easily, but get all the good
men and horses you can. Anson Mills is
surrounded by Sioux 20 miles ahead and
we've got to make a rush to the rescue"
ARRIVED IN TIME.
There was only one officer in all the Fifth
Cavalry who didn't think his horse would
carry him those 20 miles-he isn't in it any
more-I sent him back to the reserve, and
in an hour had managed to urge, spur and
beat my poor brute up to the front again
and, rejoining my chief, report that he had
$50 electives at his heels. The rest, per-
force, had to stay with the officer of the day.
Similar orders had gone to the Second and
Third, and, miles behind us by this time,
they, too. were squirting along, but we of
the Fifth had a clear and command
ing lead. Every now and then Carr
would signal walk" to let
the poor horses blow. Then on we trot
again through mud, mist and rain, and
soon after 10 see white cleaning crags,
among the buttes to the right-tront and, at
halEpast, we of the Fifth are exchanging
shots with the redskins and congratulations
with Mills in the very midst of one of the
richest Indian villages ever saw. Clusters
guidons, cavalry uniforms and trappings in
lodge after lodge all assure US we have got
at last the very fellows we were after.
Mills had whirled in upon them 10 their
utter surprise at dawn. Schwatka leading
the charge scattered the occupants to the
neighboring heights-"Slim Buttes" by
name; 'corrallej" at least 400 of their
ponies and, though he had lost several
men and poor Won Luettwitz had lost his
leg, and the Indians had quickly rallied
and, seeing his small force, had attacked in
turn, he had managed to get back word to
us, and to hang on to his prize like bull
dog until we got there-just in the nick OF
time.
It was the village of American Horse"
and only an outlying band of the great force
of the Sioux under "Chunka Witko"
(Crazy Horse), who was over toward the
Little Missouri. Two hours more and he
with all his warriors at his back came tear
ing over TO retake the village, but mean
time we had "got there" and proposed to
stay. Late that afternoon Crooks whole
force was on the ground and then Crazy
Horse gave battle, the most beautiful Indian
combat I have ever seen for there were thou
sands engaged on both sides, but it is of an in
termediate incident have to tell. There is
no room in letter like this to describe the
battle of Slim Buttes.
DEATH OF BUFFALO CHIPS.
In last weeks article spoke of Cody's
"pardner." His real name was James
White, but for years he had been Buffalo
Bills shadow and most faithful friend He
copied everything Bill wore or did, was the
most simple-minded, honest-hearted 'front.'
iersman I ever met and, as he had ridden
day after day by my side, it seemed to me
that 1 had got to know him well. Some
time before he had 'allowed" that having
been Cody's "pardner'' for years he ought
old quartermaster dubbed him forthwith
'Buffalo Chips" and the name stuck. White
did't seem to mind. 1 met him first at
Fort Mcpherson in II, when he came with
horse and message from Bill. 1 saw him
last at Slim Buttes on the 9th of September
in '76.
As we rode into the village Major Mills
pointed to'a ravine that struck in among
the bluffs to the south. "Look out for that
place." said he. "There are some wounded
Indians up near the head of it, and they've
knocked over some of my men," q.
We were too busy just then to bother with
few Indians in a hole. We could get
them when they were wanted. Meantime
we had to throw out our skirmish lines and
drive the surrounding warriors we'll back
where their shots would not disturb our
wounded in the village. A little later, how
ever, some scouts and packers thought they
might as well have little fun on their own
account roasting out them Injuns' and
the next thing heard was a rattling volley
from the ravine and saw the scouts and |
packers scattering like sheep. One fellow |
who was in kneeling posture near the |
brink did not move at all. Neither did he |
for an hour afterward. He was shot dead. |
All at once it became apparent that not two |
or three but dozen Indians were lurking |
In LnaJ mole. linen Lne move 10 get Lnem |
out assumed proportions and Lieutenant /
Phil Clark, of Crooks staff, carbine in
hand, jumped in to take the lead, while
number of scouts went crawling along either
bank peering warily over into the cave like
darkness at the head. Just as was run
ming thither from the western side second
volley came from the hole and three more of
our men dropped bleeding in their tracks,
when everybody seemed to wake up all at
once and the attack became a fusillade. I
could see Chips on the opposite crest,
out on hands and knees to point
where he could peer over into the depths
below. He reached stunted tree that grew
at the edge of the gorge, raised his rifle;
lifted himself slowly to his feet; quick,
eager light shone in his face as he caught
sight of the lurking foe, when there was a
sudden bang! puff of white smoke from
the head of the ravine. "Chips" gave an
agonized cry, "Oh, my God! boys" and
plunged heavily forward shot through the
heart.
It took less than two minutes after that to
wind up the affairs at the head OF that
ravine and one of the dying warriors proved
to be American Horse himself.
CHARLES KING, q. s. A.