The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-11

Morris, Perry and Whipple quickly arrested
these onsets and sent the Indians back with
severe loss. But as darkness came on our
comrades did not take q very hopeful view
of the field. Cut off from all communities
ton with the outside world. our water sup
lighting man OF the line-a single one, long
and thin-and with Indians numerous
enough to encircle our whole front,
the night was cherries indeed.
New barricades we're constructed on
both IS, sides es. The Indians were
deied their foos. Many of our officers
risked their lives by going in the night to
the spring to bring back water TO refresh
their men, greatly encouraging them. In
the daytime it had not been safe to pass
from one part of our line to another. To
avoid a shot; our officers found that they
must creep. like children, to and from the
front. One hearty officer. Captain Pollock,
whom Captain Miles commends for bravery,
when asked how he, so large 8 mark, had
passed from the center to the flank Of his
company, answered in a half whisper, ''Oh,
being too fat to crawl, l rolled"
Matters were vet substantially unchanged
as dawn. except that an offensive plan had
been promulgated. 1t was, first, to recover
the spring; second, that every man should
have his breakfast, not emitting a cup of
coffee for each; third. to withdraw Captain
Miller's artillery battalion TALL that were
serving as infantry from the front line.
Fourth, at an hour appointed Miller WAS to
form a column, move ont southwark, pierce
the hostile curve, and. when just far enough
across. face to his right and roll up that
line. The howitzer battery and all other
troops were to support and follow up Mil
ler's movement if it should be success
full. But Joseph. seeming to anticipate
some continuance against him, had his "
1ffArasua vrInu He ank in vnoAS0vp N rapl ~
ponies, some 800 strong, and directed them
across the space which was not covered by
our troops. He did it doubtless with q
view to stampede our animals and possibly
break our ranks and terrify our men. They
ran swiftly, AS a herd of wild animals can.
turned from their straight course by the
discharge at them of q few pieces: and they
disappeared as suddenly as they came with
out doing any perceptibie damage.
Our operation for the second day CON-
menced about snnrise. Miller had OTIS
battery so located as to shell the bushes and
hollows in the neighborhood of the spring.
Perry's and Rodney's men, who were wait
ing on foot near at hand during the she'll
ing, at the command n with no little
shouting, a a series of charges from
hillock to hillock. till the ground was
cleared of enemies far and near. In
mediately picket posts were so chosen md
oeCupAeu, bhh1 ~ A16n, going WIFI II pail 10
the water could not again be molested.
Soon, little fires had started and camp ket-
ties were steaming. The handy soldier
cooks. sent from each company, made ready
the hot coffee and warmed no the food. 40
that before two hours had expired officers
and men had been cheered and refreshed by
a respectable breakfast. The third thing
devised, to take away from the front several
companies, Wal not 80 easy to execute.
There WAS strong protesting: oh. no Gem
eral, our lines are too weak already! 1t ID
not SAFE" But the general remained firm
and shouldered all the risk. Captain Miller
then cautiously Withdrew his four compa-
mics; while Capts. Miles and Perry stretched
out their battalion lines to fill the gap go
created. II was fortunate for us, perhap
that Joseph did not comprehend what We
were doing. SO made no attack while the
companies we're in motion. Miller at 2:aO,
the time designated. was just ready to start
across the ravine held by the Indians. His
entire command. IN waiting. were filled
with hope and expectancy. prepared to take
up the parts assigned them, when 10, a big
dust; IL rose some two miles away toward
the southeast.
1t WAS Capt. Jackson's troop that had
been coming from Fort Klamath with in
structions to join us; they were escorting
supplies. Immediately the expectant srtil-
lery battalion Was ordered to push out and
meet the coming cavalry. Miller moved at
once and rapidly, taking the Indians by
surprise, so that only moderate skirmishing
arose when he Was crossing their lines. II
required, however. moro than an hour to
bring in the new troops, some fifty strong,
and the provisions.
Milierfs column began TO move quickly
toward us. and TO encounter quite . storm
Of bullets htfully striking the ground around