The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-11

whole band set out and descended on few
lodges about three miles above Whoop- Up
on Belly river, killing q brother of Red
squaws. The noise aroused the
whole Blood camp, which was
in the immediate vicinity, and in few mo-
ments their braves were engaging the enc
my, while messengers were riding in hot
haste to arouse the South Piegans.
th sa nn1, was the commencement Of probably
Canadian northwest of which we have any
authentic record.
The first faint streaks of dawn had hard
~ begun in the east when the Piegans came
up and the fight became general; the Crees
slowly retreating across the prairie towards
the present site of Lethbridge (the dis
lance between the rivers is here four or five
miles) and the Blackfeet following. The
river banks reached, the Crees took up their
position in the large coulee running up
from the river and out on to the prairie,
while the Piegans, after much difficulty,
shorter coulee to the south. large num-
Der of Bloods and Blackfeet were in small
coulee to the north, and on the prairie to
the north and west, but they found them
selves too much exposed, and during the
progress of the fight gradually worked
around to the south. The Crees on the
whole had much the best of the position.
The horses, of course, we're stationed in the
bottoms out of range.
The main fighting seemed to have been
between the two coulees first described.
They are parallel, from three to four hun
dred feet wide, and separated by ridge
varying in width from thirty to two hun
dred feet. Here for over four hours the
battle waged, the braves Graves crawling to
the edge of the coulee and exchanging shots
with the more adventurous of the enemy.
head, hand, q piece of blanket or robe
anything was enough to shoot at. It was
contest in which skill and cunning in
ground came largely into play. It is stated
that several were badly injured by heavy
stones thrown across the narrowest part of
the ridge from one coulee into the other.
Two Piegans attempted to gallop down the
ridge for the purpose of ascertaining the
strength and position of the enemy, one
was killed outright, and the other badly
wounded and the horse killed under him.
In all during this time about a dozen Black
feet were killed, and large number
wounded. It is impossible to say how many
Crees were killed.
braves behind small butte, which in a
measure commanded the Cree coulee. and
the fire from them and from their friends
in the coulee became hotter and hotter. un-
til the Crees. becoming alarmed, began to
effect q strategic movement to the rear bv
the river. At this instant Jerry Potts.
half-breed Piegan Che afterwards became
famous as police guide). who was recon-
noitering around the bank Of the ridge
facing the river, perceived the movement,
and made sign to his companions in the
coulee to charge; and charge they did.
Some on horseback, some on foot. they
poured over the ridge and down the coulee,
driving the now panic stricken Crees before
them, and killing without quarter. A large
number of the latter were forced out of the
ravlne over the point of hill to the north.
The descent here is some twenty or thirty
feet, and almost perpendicular, and over
this pursuers and pursued both rushed
horses and men tumbling
over each other, the men fighting and
for dear life, until the bank
cry: The Crees plunged into the current,
and moved across almost in solid mass,
while the Blackfeet halted on the brink and
shot them down like sheep. To use Jerry
Potts expression-''you could fire with
your eyes shut and be sure to kill q Cree
The scene now, and during the charge, must
have been one not eaeily forgotten. The
the air reeounded with the report of rifles
and the deafeaing war cries Of the Black
feet, while thick and fast came the death
yells of the Crees.
The slaughter did not end at the river.
The Blackfeet followed the Crees across,
and being joined by large contingent Of
their brethren, who had crossed higher mp,
the butchesy went on. and ut one spot
where the CEees made sort Of stand,
about Fifty Of them we're killed. Il Is =
matter Of fact that in the confusion and
excitement Of the pursuit, come of the
we're killed by their own friende.
while Cgees, HiHglin9 vi d The Blaekfeet