Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-01-01
SUDDEN ATTACK.
The Big Foot Band Of Indians At
tack the Troops.
A BLOODY HAND-TO-HAND CONFLICT.
News Reaching Pine Ridge Agency an Out.
break Follows--Flgliting and Incendlar-
ism settlers Fioclsing In--Danger
OF Frontier Towns.

WouNAEp KNEE CREEK, Neb., Dec
| 80. Bright and early were the troops
up yesterday morning. AZ o'clock
they were ordered 10 be in readiness.
At that hour the cavalry and dis
mounted troops were massed about the
Indian village, the IIotchkiss guns over
looking the camp, not fifty yards away.
Colonel Forsythe ordered all the In
dians to come forward away from the
tents. They formed in a half circle and
were counted.
The dismounted troops were then
thrown around them company X,
Captain Wallace, and company B, Cap
tain Varnum-and the order was given
10 twenty Indians TO go and get their
guns. Upon returning 1t was seen that
only two guns were brought
Detaehments at once began 70 search
the village, resulting in thirty eight
guns being found.
AS this task was about completed, the
Indians surrounded by companies K
and began TO move. All OF sudden
they threw their hands 10 the ground
and began firing rapidly at the troops
not twenty feet away. The troops were
AT great disadvantage, fearing shoot
ing their own comrades.
The Indian men, women and children
then ran 70 the south, the battery firing
rapidly as they ran.
Soon the mounted troops went after
them, shooting them down on every
sids. The engagement lasted fully an
nour and a half To the south many
took refuge in ravine from which it
was difficult to dislodge 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 shoot
ing the Indians down wherever found,
no quarter being given by any one.
Captain Wallace, X troop, with cav
airy, was killed and Lieutenant Car
lington, Of Arctic fame, was shot
through the arm at the elbow The
troops are still firing from the camp and
pursuing the enemy i'm every direction.
To say that il was a most daring feat
for 100 Indianssto 10 attack 500 cavalry 4aS-
presses the situation but family. Il
could only have been insanity that
prompted such deed.
II is doubted that either buck or
n squaw out Of all Of Big Foots band
will be left TO tell the tale Of the days
treachcry.
The members Of the Seventh cavalry
have once more shown themselves 10 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
FIGHTING ABOUT PINE RIDGE.
RussELLvuLE, Neb., Dec. SO.-When
the news of yesterdays fight at |
Wounded Knee creek reached the
agency at Pine Ridge pandemonium
broke loose among the 5000 Indians
gathered there and a large number of |
these broke away The friendly In /
dians, including Red Cloud, joined the
army forces under General Brooke. At /
sundown fighting had commenced with /
in three miles Of the agency buildings |
and determined effort was being 4
made by the reds 10 reach and burn the |
agency. An Indian village Of friendlies 1
in plain sight Of the agency was seen TO /
go up in flames just before dark.
These facts were from an official
courier who was an eyewitness 10 the
trouble that occurred at and near the
agency. He came here by order of the
agency authorities, bringing special
and 10 warn the settlers
everywhere 10 be on their guard.
The captain Of the Rushville home
guards received official notice from the
agency yesterday afternoon to make
every possible preparation for defend
ing the town and 20 see that adjacent
settlers were notified. Soon the terri
ied people came in and before midnight
The town was crowded. II is thought
By all cooler heads that no danger,
however, or at least no immediate dam
ger. threatens the railroad towns.
Yesterdays battle has made il almost
certain that a bloody war win follow
GENERAL NILES REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3O.-Onicial dis
patches from General Miles dated Rapid
'ity, 5. d., were received last night by
ieneral Schofield, telling Of a fight in
he Bad Lands between the Indian hos
lies and the white troops. The dis
patches were first sent by General
Brooke to General Miles. The first is
a. follows. ssii iifesi,ir had fntt fr,,,,,t,s !
4 cavalry and held the Indians till
forsy ythe reached him with four more
roops last night. At $50 this morning
While disarming the Indians the fight
commenced. ] think very few Innians
nave escaped. think we win have this
natter in hand as soon as all are in po-
,ition. There WAS no precaution omit
ed The fight occurred near the head
II Wounded Knee creek. have Just
80, many ~ tho Indians ~ -ha x,-er,f ont !