The National tribune., 1896-08-06

answer. However, the troops arrived
next day, accompanied by an immigrant
train of $50 wagons-a colony on their
way to Idaho. We now had about 5000
soldiers in our command.
On July 9 we crossed to the west side
of the Missouri River, and went into
camp for few days. 1t was the in
tention to erect buildings and establish
Fort Rice there, and one regiment Of
Minnesota infantry was detailed for fort
duty. The Government boat Isabella
arrived and assisted us across the river.
She was laden with supplies for the ex-
pedition and the new fort.
The command broke camp July 19
and started on our trip farther into the
wild country, leaving the regiment of
infantry and few sick cavalrymen in
charge of the fort. A march of 20
miles brought US to the Cannon Ball
River, and we entered into very differ
ent country from that on the east side of
river. The grass was all buffalo, scenery
the wonderful and antastically-shaped
buttes of which so much is written.
They are apparently piled up around
on the prairie from 100 to 500 feet high,
in ali manner of shapes, making at once
weird yet picturesque formation, which
imparts portion of its own lonesome
ness to the beholder.
By the 24th of the month we had
travelled rery many miles and reached
the Hart River Here we corralled the
wagon-train, left some soldiers and inn
migrants in charge, and on the 26th
organized scouting party. We saw
plenty of Indian signs
On the 2Sth we were in the saddle by
3 a. m., and had marched 20 miles,
when the column was halted by the
scouts coming back on the dead run and
reporting a large Indian camp a few
miles ahead of us. After a short con-
versation with the commander, through
the Interpreter, the scouts proceeded to
Headquarters wagon and
CHANGED THEIR INDIAN COSTUME
for soldiers uniforms This was nec-
essary precaution, so that they would not
be confused with the hostiles.
The Orderlies were soon flying along
the lines with orders. We commenced
forming in Gne-ofbattle, consisting of
three lines, Co. B being in the middle,
or second line.
After We were in proper position we
ran our horses few miles towards the
Indians, halted, and each soldier No. 4
taking the horses and following to the
rear.
After advancing and manuvering for
short time we We're met by the reds
about four miles out from their camp,
the first gun being fired at 1:30 p. m.
The usual desultory fire in front was en-
gagged in by the reds to attract attention
to that one point, with the intention OF
making a grand rush elsewhere. How.
ever, the scouts and officers seemed to
anticipate surprises, and were constantly
watching all quarters.
The first intimation the center and
rear of the column had of any change
was the sight Of three or four cannon
rushing past US to the rear as fast as the
horses could run. Turning to the real
we saw several hundred red devils max
for our wagon-train, which was about &
mile back of US. Fortunately their in
tentions were discovered in time, and the
ready response Of cannon checked theil
wild ride before any serious damage re
suited. After few shells had been fireC
into the horde they concluded they bac
no further use for that wagon-train.
The prairie seemed alive with indians
; bent on our immediate destruction
They lodged about behind rocks OF what
ever cover they could find, blazed ava,
at us, and were out of sight again. Tbs
, splendid discipline of the soldiers and
DESTRUCTIVE CANNoNADIAG
would soon have decided the battle
the Indians had concentrated or masse,
as the soldiers; but this is not their wa
of fighting, and they presented YER
irregular line for return fire. Thi
necessitated manuvering by the soldier
to secure the desired results from thei
!; mode of fighting.
!, ITO be continued.l
/ n, pi.bavdcnp hat