The National tribune., 1891-01-01

When the last one disappeared over the ri 20
in the direction Of the Platte River we felt
only temporary relief, believing they were
liable TO return and hole" US mp again at any
time. So we began discussing the best way out
Of our trouble. We were agreed that our posi-
ton was untenable, and would have to be aban-
doned. ROchon. being the one most interested,
we left everything 10 him, and he concluded
TO send the squaw and little girl to friends at
| Fort Fettermau, with a note to the command
ing officer advising him OF the presence Of the
Indians on the road, while we would repeat
the proceedings at Horseshoe and set out for
Fort Laramie.
Early nightfall found the squaw and the lit
tie girl on the road with two ponies aud the
light wagon, and what stores could be slowed
away for them, while we were engaged making
preparations for our departure on the follow
ing morning. We had seven ponies, two Of
which we packed with our camp outfit, riding
tho others. Each carried belt Of 100 rounds
OF ammunition and all his pockets would hold
besides, calculating 10 give them q warm recep-
tion should they attack u.s. My counsel to
make circuitous route through the hills was
oyerTuled for that of the road which led down
valley to the bend Of the Plato (slnce Bull
Bend.
As soon as II was sufficiently light to SEQ our
surroundings we set fire TO the last habitation
between Forts Laramie and Fetterman and set
of on our journey. To the right Of the road
was succession of hills terminating I'm a high
sandstone ridge, over which we should have to
pass between Bull Bend and the Bitter Cot
tonwood, and some five miles distant from our
starting-pOint
Before ascending this hight we dismounted
and walked on the side Of our ponies, keeping
them between US and dense thicket Of cedar
that lined the road on our left. While toiling
slowly up this steep incline. keeping, as we
thought, vigilant watch for the enemy in
every possible hiding place, we were startled
by vollcy, fired at close range, which dealt
death aud CONSERVATION 10 our little party.
Smith fell mortally wounded. Martin received
shot through the lungs. The air seemed full
OF Whizzing arrows, and the great wonder was
how any of US escaped death before we could
defend ourselves. had only time to place
blanket under Smiths head, when he expired
without word. We returned a rattling fire
into the thcket where no enemy could be seen,
until our ponies became wounded and unman-
agcable Then we retreated along the base Of
the hill, leaving our dead and the ponies in the
hands OF tho savages
We disputed the ground step by step until
we came TO n sand torrent, which had a small
tree lying down on the dry sand. Here we
halted and scraped mp the sand with our hands
against the trunk Of the tree until it formed
some protection. From this place we kept them
at hay for some 30 minutes, during which
Martin, who had been able 20 follow us thus
not fall into the hands Of the sayagcs alive.
At length he crawled up under the limbs Of
the tree and took his own life with a small
pistol.
The Indians had now gathered behind a point
OF the hill within 30 PAGES Of us, where they
discharged arrows from their unseen position
into the air coming down in showers all around
us. One OF them passed through the boys
moccasin and imbedded itself in his foot When
this occurred We ran to a cavern in the cliff,
which formed the source OF the Sand Creek.
Following this up. we came to n PERCEPTIONS
rock, which rendered il impossible TO proceed
farther. Sitting down we extracted the arrow
head from the wounded foot aud bound hand
kerchief around 10. Then we buried the guns
Of Smith and Martin. which we had taken the
precaution to bring away with u.s.
Being out OF reach of their bullets and ar
rows, the Indians began a new system Of at
tack, rolling stones down into our midst in
such numbers that we were obliged to with
draw 20 the opening, where we met them again.
Taking refuge behind a bank Of earth, we
fought them with such desperation that Sitting
Bull raised the white flag for parley, which
We were glad 10 allow.
Standing on a little eminenee he said
White man killed one Sioux, good man.
Sioux killed two white men. Now satisfied.
IL pale face 90 back to him ranch aud show
lniun cache, Iniun make peace aud 20 way"
and the chances Of being killed while return
ing, aud chose the latter. We first requested
that our ponies be restored TO US as a part of
the consideration but Bull being in a position
70 dictate terms refused this lie would not
even allow the boy TO ride. Placing the two
first fingers OF his right hand astride the index
finger Of his left he indicated by galloping
motion that the boy would run away If allowed
10 ride his pony. Now began the most irving
part OF the whole aiiaiF-tO march back by the
side Of the mounted enemy, each party eying
the other with distrust, and carrying their guns
ready for any emergency. We kept the saw
ages at a respectful distance to our left while
our brave boy hobbled along at our side with
out n murmur.
While watching them for treacheTy found
had good opportunity 10 count their number
which i did several times, aud found them 10
be 81, or just 10 less than were at the ranch the
day before. Notwithstanding Bulls statement
" that we had killed one Sioux" we had good
reasons Tor not believing him. At the saddle Of
the Indian who wore the spots of tal!ow and
charcoal hung the entire scalp Of poor Smith,
with its long haxen locks matted with blood,
aud i thought how badly we needed him and
how well he deserved better fate.
When we arrived at the ranch we found that
the roof had fallen in and tho fire was still
sinOldering under It's covering of earth. The
Indians disnountod and formed around the
doorway, while We were inside preparing to
move tho dirt aud embeTs from the buried
stores. In order 10 enable myself to use the
shovel TO n better advantage / laid belt Of
cartridges down near me. An Indian seeing |
his opportunity, seized il, when / grappled
with him and threw him over a pile of earth |
Then Others came 10 his aid, and We were
obliged TO present our guns for a second engage
ment. As neither seemed willing to bring on |
the attack the affair ended by the savage keep
ing the ammunition. When we reached the |
stores Bull took charge OF the keg of whisky |
neither drinking il himself nor allowing Others |
TO do SO, aud i was glad il was to DO reserved
for some future use. During the interval when
they were absorbed In fea-ting and plumber, we
silently withdrew 10 the hills near by and made |
our way 10 Fort Laramie, where we arrived
two days later without further interruption.
Placing the boy in the hospital, / returned
with ID Troop Cd Cav, and gathered up our
mutilAted dead and buried them side by side |
In one shallow trench near the road. marking
the spot with cedar post, bearing the inscrip-
ton: WIN. Smith, formerly Of London, Eng
land, and lately member Of the Ilth Ohio |
Cav; and James Martin, Of Jackson County,
Mo. Killed by Indians Aug. %, 1867"
SETTLED Al Last.