Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-01
AN INDIAN BUTCHERY
A Catholic Mission Fired by the Red
ReneSadeS.
Staying OF INNOCENTS
Timely Arrival of the Battle-
Worn Troopers.
AN EFFORT TO AMBUSH THE TROOPS

OMAHA, Dec. ga special to the
Bee from the Pine Ridge Agency says
"Couriers from the Bad Lands who ar
rved here this morning announced that
bloody and desperate conflict occurred
this morning on Porcupine creek be-
tween the United States troops and the
hostiles. Big Foot's band had been sur
rounded by the troops, and when the
former was being disarmed by Colonel
Forsyth a bloody encounter took place.
captain Wallace, commanding X troop,
OF the Seventh Cavalry, was killed;
Lieutenant Darlington of the same regi-
ment, was shot in the arm. Several
soldiers were killed, and a number Of
Indians bit the dust. Great excitement
prevails here among agency employees,
and also among the friendlies, many of
whom are relatives of the young bucks
now on the war-path. Grave fears are
entertained for the safety of this post.
"Details of the battle are expected
hourly. The courier who brought the
news could only give the facts relating
to the onset. The above news was sub
Stimulated by an official dispatch re-
ceived at headquarters of the depart
ment of the Platte. 1t caused great
deal of excitement and regret.
1T had been fondly hoped by all the
department officers that the difficulty
would be averted without bloodshed,
especially as the campaign seemed to be
on the eve of closing. The manner in
which the Indians acted, however,
caused some of the Indian fighters to
feel that treachery would be practiced
when the troops came TO the actual work
Of disarming them. These fears have
been realized.
1.-The Seventh Cavalry is the regiment
the contingent of which died around
Custer in 1873, and the fate of some Of
hts members now will have an effect on
the survivors which will not be at all
friendly toward the hostiles."
now THE FIGHT COMMENCED.
WOUNDED KNEE CREEK, NEB., Dec.
29.-Bright and early were the troops
up this morning. At 8 o'clock they
were ordered to be in readiness to move.
At that hour the cavalry and dismounted
troops were massed about the Indian
village, the Hotchkiss guns overlooking
the camp not so yards away.
Colonel Forsyth ordered all the In
dams to come forward away from the
tents. They came and sat in half
NllIiE HHlll tOuHltu, i lie C1SlnOunteu
troops were then thrown around them.
Company K, Captain Wallace, and
Company b, Captain Varnum. The
order was then given to 20 Indians to 90
and get their guns. Upon returning it
was seen that only two guns were had.
A detachment at once began to search
the village, resulting in 80 guns being
found.
I'm rpl, al.
the Indians, surrounded by Companies
K and B, began to move. All of sud
den they threw their hands to the ground
and began to fire rapidly at the troops,
not go feet away The troops were nj a
great disadvantage, fearing shooting of
their own comrades.
The Indian men, women and children
then ran rapidly to the south, the bat
terry firing rapily as they ran. Soon the
mounted troops were after them, shoot
ing them down on every side. The en-
gagement lasted fully an hourand a-half
To the south many took refuge in
ravine from which it was difficult to dis
lodge them.
II is estimated that the soldiers killed
and wounded number about fifty. just
now it is impossible to state the exact
number of dead Indians. There are
many more than fifty, however, killed
outright. The soldiers are shooting the |
Indians down wherever found, no guar
ter 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 still firing |
from the camp, and pursuing the enemy
in every direction.
To say that ii was a most daring feat
-l2 Indians attacking 800 cavalry--ex-
presses the situation but family. 1t could |
only have been insanity which prompted |
such deed. 1t is doubted that if before
night either a buck or squaw out of all |
OF Big Foots band will be left to tell the
tale OF this days treachery. The mem
bers of the Seventh Cavalry have once
more shown themselves to be heroes in
deeds of daring. Single-handed conflicts
were seen all over the field.
The death of Captain Wallace causes
much regret. The poor fellow met his
death by blow on the head from war
club. Full particulars cannot be given
until some time tomorrow.
The unexpected and serious turn this
Indian difficulty has now taken was
great surprise to all the military and
agency officers, and it now seems impos-
sible to avoid protracted Indian war,
for no sooner had the friendly Indians
encamped about the agency heard the
news of the battle, than they rushed to
their ponies, and after donning their
war array dashed away TO the hills near
the agency, and as / write they are con
centrating northwest of the agency.
What few troops are still here
are deployed about the agency
building as skirmishers to repel
an attack Several times during
the afternoon stragglers from the Indian
camp have sneaked up to the agency
and fired into the buildings. At about 2
O'Clock brisk fire was kept up between
the Indian police stationed in front Of
the agency and the Indians, several
hundred shots being exchanged. No one
was hurt, however, but an attack is
expected. As there are less
than 800 soldiers now here the result of
an attack may be very serious unless the
Seventh or Ninth Cavalry return here
this evening.
The situation now is exceedingly seri-
Gus. The change here will result in {
the Indians who were on
their way in from the Bad Lands. Dur
ing a skirmish here this afternoon two
soldiers We're wounded and hostile {
Indian killed less than 200 yards from I
the centre Of the agency. Indians who
heretofore have been friendly appear
in earnest in their desire to
go on the war-path, and the smoke from
burning buildings few miles from the
agency is already DlainIV seen The