The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-08-13

CAMPING ON THE YELLOWSTONE.
A detail of some six or seven hundred
men was sent ahead on the 9TH to open
a road through a strip of brush and
timber that skirted the banks of stream,
while the rest lay in camp, except a
squad sent with the working men as a
guard.
About 10 a. m. detail, guards and all
came rushing back to camp, reporting
horde of Indians ahead who outnnmber-
ed the detail, and caused lively retreat.
We saw a cloud of dust rising to the
west of US, also the detail rushing back;
the bugle blew boots and saddles. We
formed in line 10 await orders, but no
immediate move was made.
About noon we started on the march,
but having to make roads and guard the
Indians of, We only made three-mile
march that afternoon, most of the time
through heavy dust, with the weather
extremely hot
During the afternoon We passed over
half mile stretch of nearly level ground,
scattered over which We found the largest
specimens of petrifed trees | ever saw.
However, we were not allowed to exam
Inc curiosities. except as we jumped from
our horses, leaving them in the ranks.
/ now have a piece of stone L Clipped
from one of those stumps with my larlat
pin.
That night we camped on the east
bank of the Little Missouri, and were
scarcely settled when the pickets were
driven in by the reds. A brief skirmish
followed, but the steady fire of musketry
and cannons soon compelled our willy
enemies to seek cover.
NV company was stationed On the
outside or northeast corner of the camp,
directly in front Of a butte some 200
feet high, almost perpendicular on the
side next to us. Just as the sun went
down we
DISCOVERED SEVERAL INDIANS
on the top of this butte looking down at
us. We momentarily expected them to
take advantage of their position to fire,
or roll some large powders down. But
before they had time to practice any of
their deviltry, cannon-ball went whiz-
zing over our heads, and the reds scam
pered out of sight.
The next morning as we formed in
line, in the usual order of changing the
positions, our company was placed next
the rear Of the column, preceding only
Co ii. The order of march across the
Little Missouri was in single column.
No sooner had the head of the column
entered deep canyon on the opposite
ade than general fusillade began.
The Indians seemed to hover around,
ever watching for an opportunity to
practice their sneaking mode Of warfare
rom cover.
Nature had evidently fashioned here
q perfect ambuscade for the Indians. ]
have no doubt they intended when We
entered that canyon to there wipe US out
Of existence. The head of the column
even with the aid of the cannon, hac
considerable trouble in dislodging the
reds at the entrance. In this skirmisl
our Blackfoot Indian guide was wounded
being shot In the breast, the ball coming
out Just below the shoulder-blade
As We crossed and entered the canyor
we found it creek bed, probably ;
living stream only in the Spring, wher
the snow was melting on the surround
ing hills The banks of this creek, whicl
We followed for four miles, were perpen
dlcular, and from 10 TO % feet high
a continuous coal belt extended on eacl
side Of this canyon, from three to eigh
feet in thickness, as far up as We fol
lowed it, and probably on up the canyon
We finally had to
DIG ROAD OUT,
and We came out on the top of higl
ridge.
As We had about reached the top @
the ridge private of Co. III fell bacl
out OF the ranks He had scarcely lai
has arms down when a squad of the re-
devils leaped up from the canyon an,
tried TO capture him. He sprang to hi
horse, and while mounting received
slight wound in his hip and a ba
through his cap. The Indians secure
bis weapons and put off again.
We had been all OF the forenoo
making this four miles, and getting on
OF the canyon. About one-half of Il,