Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-03
WAR IN THE BAD LANDS.
Captain Wallace, of the Seventh
Cavalry, Killed
Big roots Warriors Open Fire on the
Soldiers instead Of Giving Up Their
Arm. At er the Surrender.


Big roots Warriors Open Fire on the
Soldiers instead Of Giving Up Their
Arms AZ er the Surrender.
Couriers from the Bad Lands who arrived
at the Pine Ridge Agency announce that
bloody and desperate conflict occurred on
Porcnpine Creek between the United States
troops and the hostiles
Bright and early were the troops up. AT
O'Clock they were ordered to be in readiness TO
move. Al that hour the cavalry and dis
mounted troops were massed about the Indian
village, the IIotehkiss guns overlooking the
camp not fifty yards away. Colonel Forsythe
ordered all the Indians to come forward away
from the tents. They came and sat in half
circle until counted. The dismounted troops
were then thrown around them, Company K.
Captain Wallace. and Company r. Captain
Varnum
The order was iheu given TO twenty Indians
to go and get their guns. Upon returning it
was seen that only two guns were had. A
detachment nj once began TO search the village,
resulting in ihiity eight guns being found.
As the task was about completed the Indians,
surrounded by companies and B, began 10
move. All o asudden they threw their hands
to the ground and began firing rapidly at the
troops not twenty feet awav. The troops
were at a great sadeantage, fearing shooting
of their own comrades. The Indian men,
women and children then ran 10 the south
battery firing rapidly as they ran. Soon the
mounted troops went after them shooting them
down on every side. The engagement lasted
fully an hour and a-haif 70 The south many
took refuge IN a ravine, from which il was
difficult to dislodge them.
1t is estimated that the soldiers killed and
wounded number about fifty. inst now it is
impossible to state the exact number of dead
indians There are many more than fifty,
however, xii ed outright The soldiers are
shooting the Indians down wherever found
no quarter being given By any one
Captain Wallace, X troop. with cavalry,
was killed, and Lieutenant Darlington, Of
Arctic fame, was shot through the arm at the
elbow. The troops are slill firing from the
camp and pursuing the enemy in every direc-
ton.
To say that il was most daring feat, 12C
Indians attacking 500 cavalry, exp presses the
situation hut family. II could only have
been insanity which prompted such deed
1t is doubted that il before night either a
buck or squaw out of all Of Big Foots band
viii be left to tell the tale OF this days
treachery
The members of the seventh cavalry have
once more shown themselves 10 be heroes in
deeds OF daring. Single banded conflicts were
seen all over the field The Heath OF Captain
Wallace causes much regret. The poor fell
low met his death by blow on the head from
IA ware club.
CAPTAIN wALLACRs RECORD.
Captain George p. Wallace was the Junior
captain of the seventh cavalry. He was born
in South Carolina and educated at the mill.
tary academy Of that State He was appointed
a cadet at West Point September 1, 1865 He
graduated in 1872 and was assigned to duty in
the seventh cavalry. -Four years later he was
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant Dur
ing all this period he was with troop l., and
most of his service has been in the North.
west. lie was regarded as one of the most
gallant officers in the service lie was pro.
NOTED to Il captaincy in September, 1882, and
sianls M 81 IN tn. linz La nf Il.nnrs ~ tLnt