Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-24

grazing on the prairie undisturbed and no
enemy in sight. When the charge was made
the spirited horses of the Seventh cavalry
carried that battalion a little more rapidly
over the plains than the Indian ponies OF the
mounted infantry and it was expected to first
strike the enemy with the Seventh cavalry.
The tramp of at least 600 horses over the
prairie fairly shook the ground, and, although
complete surprise to the Indians in the
main, it must have given them few minutes
notice, for as the troops charged against the
village the Indians opened a hot fire upon
them. This momentarily checked the advance
of the Seventh cavalry, which fell back but
only for short distance and was quickly
rallied again and charged forward at gallop.
driving that portion of the camp of the
Indians before them.
DEADLY FIRE.
At the same time the battalion of the Fifth
Mounted infantry under Captain Snyder
charged forward up the very edge of the
valley in which the Indian camp was located,
threw themselves upon the ground, holding
the lariats of their ponies in their left hands,
and opened deadly fire with their long range
rifles upon the enemy with telling effect.
The tactics were somewhat in the Indian
fashion, but most effective, as they presented
small target when lying or kneeling upon
the ground, and their ponies were so ac-
customed to the din and noise Of an Indian
camp, the buffalo chase and the Indian habits
generally, that they stood quietly behind
their riders, many OF them putting their
heads down to nibbe the green grass upon
which they were standing. During the
desperate fight the horses and ponies were of
course exposed The infantry men had be-
come SO attached to their strong and hand
some ponies that when one was shot it was
real bereavement to his owner, and in more
than one case it was noticed that tears filled
the eyes Of the soldier as his favorite pony
fell dead.
Sergeant McHugh had galloped forward with
his Hotchkss ach-loading gun, keeping in
line with the mounted infantry, and went
into action. throwing shell into the camp with
decided effect. The infantry swept around
to the left to inclose that portion OF the camp
and force the Indians into a deep ravne
The battalion Of the Second cavalry had
stampeded nearly every animal In the valley,
and portions of that command were used i'm
mediately in circling the camp in order to in
close 1t entirely.
AS passed completely around the Indians
over the ground occupied by the mounted
infantry and Second cavalry to the line occu-
pied by the Seventh cavalry was shocked to
see the lfeless body of that accomplished
officer and thorough gentleman, Hale lying
upon the crest of little knoll with his white
charger dead beside him. little further on
was the body of the young and spirited Biddle.
Captains Moylan and Godfrey were badly
wounded, and in fact great part Of the line
encircling the camp was dotted with dead
and wounded soldiers and horses.
The loss of the Nez Perces was even more
severe The fight had been sudden rapid
and most desperate on both sides.
CAUGHT IN AN IRON GRIP.
From what was at fret a wide circle the
troops gradually closed their lines, forcing
the Indians into narrow ravine. and charg-
ing them on all sldes until the grip Of iron
had been completed. In this way the losses
on both sides had been serious. considering
the number engaged. Captain Carter. in one
charge. had thrty-fve per cent OF his men
placed hors de combat. but felt positive We
had secured the beleagured Indians in their
camp beyond the possibility of escape. did
not therefore. order a general assault, as
knew 1t must result in the loss OF many
valuable lives and possibly might end in
massacre. I therefore directed the men to
hold their ground, and then from high point
watched the fight going on further down the
valley.
AS the cavalry charged the camp few OF
the warriors, including White Bird, ran out,
secured their horses and fed to the hills. AS
the battalion OF the Second cavalry swept
down the valley the Indian herd became some
what separated. Captain Tyler captured some
300 OF the ponies. Lieutenant Jerome another
large band. and Lieutenant McClarnand, who
had swept on still further, finally secured up
ward OF 300 more three or four miles down
the valley. While driving them back the
small number OF Indians who had escaped
undertook to rescue the animals, and made
several counter attacks, which we're all sue