The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-18
LAST DITCH OF SIOUX
Lame Dser's Futile Stand Against the
Invincible Whites.
FROM GENERAL MILES BOOK
Thrilling Episode i'm Frontier Fight
ing-The March To and Fight
on the Big Muddy-Oenerai
Miles Narrow Escape.

tribes composing the Sioux or Dako-
<ah nation had been prosecuted with
such vigor and success through the
latter half of 1876 and the early part
OF 1871, that by spring. 1877. all except
one band had been brought into COM
pIete and final subsection. Lame Deer's
band was still on the warpath. and
that doughty chief had boasted that
no force strong enough to beat him in
battle could overtake him or come
near his camp in his chosen Businesses
so while proper dispositions were oe-
ing made of those Indians who had
surrendered a command was being
eouipped TO teach Lame Deer and his
band that the white man could APP
preach his villages.
After their people had surrendered
and confidence had been restored. IL
was explained to White Bull Ter The
Ice). Brave Wolf. Hump and others
who acted as hostages at the canton
ment, now Fort Keogh. that II was
very important that the only hostile
camp left in the country shouid De
brought in. They acauiesced fuliy.
and in fact seemed much incensed be-
cause Lame Deer had stayed out.
knowing that his depredations would
be charged to their people who were
disposed to remain at peace. Wnen
the command was ready to move May
-. A.. "
along as guides, as they were well ac-
uuainted with the habits and haunts
of those who were still in hostility.
-Four troops of the Second cavalry
had been sent to report to me. with
this command, two companies OF the
Fifth Infantry and four of the twenty
second Infantry. / started up Tongue
river. Montana. on the 9th or May
and after a march OF So miles from the
Yellowstone / crossed the tran OF
Lame Deer's camp. where he had
moved west toward the Rosebud about
the middle of April Foreseeing that
some of their men would be watching
our command, we passed on apparent
iy as IL not noticing the tran or seek
ing their camp. After a short march
beyond the trail the command went
into camp apparently for the night on
the Tongue river: then after dark,
leaving our wagon train with an es-
cort of three infantry companies, we
marched directly west under cover or
the darkness with the balance Oh the
command. straight across the country
as 1t was possible to move oody OF
mounted troops.
HIDING IN A MOUNTAIN POCKET
Although 1t rained during a part of
the night we marched as rapidly as
possible in a country of that broken
character distance Of some 30 miles
TO high divide between the Rosebud
and Big Horn, a spur OF the Won
mountains. Here we concealed our
selves in a pocket of the mountains
This is a term used for describing a
small park surrounded on all sides ex-
cept the entrance by hlgn pluns oi
ridges. The scouts were then sent out
and, carefully accommodating the coun'
try. they found that the camp OF Lame
Deer had passed only a few days be-
fore Both the white scouts and the
Indian performed their duties thor
oughly. and from the top of higf
peak they discovered the Indian VII
iage some Is miles In the distance.
Here we had an exhibition or m
sharp eyes of the Indians accustomed
10 hunting game. When first seen tn
camp was not recognized by the whit
men. but the Indians declared the,
could see the smoke over the village
To me IL looked like mist of whit
cloud against the side OF the noun
tain until'I examined II more CAREFUL
with a field glass The Indians ais
announced that they could see ponie
grazing on TIE hills. This was discoN
cred to be correct by their companion
but not without using their feel
glasses.
How to get to this camp was n
next question. 1t was impossible
approach 1t during the day time. s
the command was concealed unit
night and then moved a short distan,
up one ravine and down another a
the time keeping under cover OF II
hills in a wav not to be discovers
Thus we approa ched point with
eight miles OF the village. where v
remained until o'clock the next morl
Ing. Then we started. moving slow
to the valley Of the Rosebud and tbs
80 49, "a tkVp or m
and az o'clock a. ~, May 2, and tu
at the dawn OF dav we found ourselv
in close proximity 10 the indian "
iage.
During this march as day was brea
ing and all nature seemed so peacef'
Il appeared very strange that a DO,
Of men should be going TO such a de
perate encounter. At that time 4
prairies were covered with a rich gre
grass. the trees were in full folial
the air was filed with the fragra
odors OF beautiful wild flowers, al
the birds were greeting the morni
light with their sweetest melodies.
we had been going to some peacef
festival. the scene could not have be
more propitious.-
The dismounted troops were unal
10 follow at the rapid pace that
mounted command now found nec'
sary to take In order to enable them
reach the immediate vicinity of the ]
dians just at dawn. or as near III
time as possible. The camp was on
tributary OF the Rosebud known as |
Big Muddy. but called by the India
..Fat Horse creek" They had given
this name because in spring the grs
there was 50 abundant and rich n
their horses feeding upon II alws
grew strong and fat.
A CHARGE UP THE VALLEY.
The mounted infantry and scouts
der Lieutenants Casey and Jero
were ordered TO charge directly Up
valley and stampede the Indian hors
while the battalion OF cavalry follow
at a gallon and attacked the car
This attack was CALAMITY made. !
command under Lieutenants Ca
and Jerome stamDeded the entire h
OF ponies. horses and mules. some
IN number. and. drove them I'VE m
up the valley. where They roun'
them mp and by long circuit brOul
them around 10 the rear OF the &
mand which was engaging the India