Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-24
Open Evenings till 9.

General Howard, stating that he had turned
his cavalry back to Idaho, and was going
to move his infantry down the Missouri river,
leaving the battalion of Colonel Sturgis, six
troops of the Seventh cavalry, on the Mis-
souri, river. This made it clear that what
ever encounters we might have with the
Nez Perces We were entirely beyond sup
port.
IN SEARCH OF THE ENEMY.
At daylight on the morning of the Both the
command had had it's light breakfast and
was In the saddle pushing on again in search
of the enemy, every one realizing the proba-
bity that conflict would soon occur.
Lieutenant o. F. Long, July 8, had been
sent out very early in the morning to eX-
anime the trail. He reported by Indian
scouts, and reported the recent movements
of the Nez Perces. This officer rejolned the
command and was active and brave in the
engagement that followed.
Our Cheyenne and Sioux Indians had now
assumed more serious attituue. They were
we'll in front of the command, with their
scouts and lookouts a long distance in ad-
vance, and began to show more earnestness
and activity than they had heretofore. Sud-
denly one of these advance scouts. young
warrior, was seen bounding at full speed
back over the prairie. He said some thing
in Sioux or Cheyenne to the In6ians as he
passed them, and 1t was evident that he
brought information of the discovery Of the
Nez Perces' camp. Then an almost instan-
by these savages. Hats coats leggings.
shirts. blankets. saddles and brides were
quickly thrown into one great heap in a
ravne, or cache" as the Indians call it..
A lariat was placed over the neck of each
war pony. and a double knot around his
under jaw. The warrior painted for the
fray was bedecked with the usual gorgeous
long and high headdress of eagle feathers,
and wore buckskin covering about the
loins, which was his only clothing, except
nf
upon their war ponies, with rifle in hand,
they looked like game champions prepared
for the fray, or the ideal picturesque war
rlor arrayed for the fight. They appeared
to be perfectly wild with delight, and as
unlike what they had seemed twenty min
utes before as two scenes of drama
similar spirit was manifested among
the entire body Of troops 'The Nez Perces
over the divide" was the word that was
passed quickly in low tones from mouth to
mouth along the entire column. The COM
mand Immediately took trot. with an oc-
cas!onal canter, where the ground would
admit of 1t, over the rolling prairie and the
grass-covered valleys. Rounding the NORTH
east base of the Bear Paw mountains the
distancs that was supposed to be a few
miles proved to be eight. and the disposition
of the troops was made while they were
at a trot or rapid walk. and the pace quick
ened to gallop ard charge as they nelred
the camp.
StRRoDNDlNG LIE INDIAN lAMf.
Orders were sent by Lieutenant Baird of
my staff to Captain Tyler's command 0he
Second cavalry to sweep around to the
left and then down the valley and cut OF. IL
possible. the herd of stock from the camp. In
order, to use familiar phrase ito set the
Indians afoot" The Seventh cavalry was
thrown in line OF battle while moving at
gallop. the commanding officer. Captain Hale.
riding In advance. He presented the ideal
picture of the cavalier. splendidly mounted
on spirited gray horse, and he wore a
jaunty hat and light cavalry short coat.
while his whole uniform and equipment were
in perfect order. Inspiring his followers
to courage by his own example and
splendid heroism with a smile upon
his handsome face. he dashed forward
to the cruel death awaiting him. The
battalion of the Fifth infantry under Captain
Snyder was deployed In the same manner, a
little In the rear of the Seventh cavalry at
first and finally extending the line to the
left charging directly upon the camp, while
the battalion OF the Second cavalry was
sweeping the valley of the vast herd OF 800
horses, mules and ponies there grazing This
gallop forward. preceding the charge, was
one of the most brilliant and inspiring sights
ever witnessed on any field. 1t was the
cr0wning glory Of our twelve days forced
marching.
The Nez Perces were quietly slumbering in
their tents. evidently without thought Of
danger. as they had sent out scouts the day
before TO see II there were any troops in the
vicinity. and the scouts had reported none
discovered. but that they had seen vast
herds Of buffalo. deer, elk and antelope quietly