Evening star., 1897-03-20
Written for The Evep1na Star.
ENEMYtwl1cRE HOGS.
An Interesting Episode of the Late
Sioux (nmD0iRn.

An Interesting Episode of the Late
Sioux Campaign.
The weather had been remarkably fine
up to December %. and 1t was a relief to
us when we received orders to march to
White Clay.
We had been camped at Oelrich, SD,
since our arrival. and what with being con-
stantly out on pal trdl duty looking for the
Sioux to make attempt to break
through from the Bad Lands. it was
peasant break in our nonotonous existence
to be ordered intof active service.
We arrived at White Clay at noon on the
Gath. and found fhes camp fires Of Short
Bull still warm, he having silently stolen
away upon our approach and Joined his
friends in the Bad Lands.
We we're joyfully welcomed by Lieut..
C-y Of the st Infantry, who command
ed two troops of Cheyenne Indian scouts,
guarding the government beef camp four
miles up the river.
After pitching camp the clouds became
lowering and shortly thereafter the snow
fell thick and fast. covering the earth with
it's soft. fleecy mantle. The cooks of the
variouc troops were on the alert, and eX
erted themselves to the utmost of their
ability to prepare, out of the scanty means
at their disposal. an appetizing meal for
the following day.
fires msny were the stories told of former
Christmas ewes. spent in the far east un-
der more favorable circumstances. Our
night guard was doubled on account of our
close proximity to the hostiles. and after
smoking pipe the majority Of us retired
to our tents to seek much-needed rest.
Scarcely had the camp become silent, save
for the measured tread of the headquartcr
sentinel, when the approach of body of
htrsemen was heralded by the sharp chal-
lenge of one OF our pickets. Shortly there
after five horsemen were brought into
camp by the officer in charge of the out
&c SITS. who desired to the commanding
officer.
Col. s. was awakened. and one of the
horsemen. who seemed to be greatly ex-
cited. informed him that they had been
out in the vicinity of Craven creek on a ten
days hunt. Upon returning to their ranch
that evening, while unsaddling their horses
ttey heard strange noises coming from the
interior of their cabin. Upon investigating
they found it occupied by a band of hos
tiles, who were holding a ghost dance"
Being totally unprepared for such an
emergency, and after holding hasty con-
sultation among themselves. they came to
the conclusion to ride to our camp for as
sistance.
Col. S. Immediately ordered Troop l
to saddle up. and. in command of Lieut..
H, to repair to the scene and develop
the enemy if possible.
1t took but q few moments to get in the
saddle. and after a brisk trot of about
eight miles we came to the ranch. Every
thing seemed quiet No lights appearing
in the cabin, Lieut. H ordered ten men
to dismount and surround the cabin while
three made for the door: the remainder of
the troop to act as a reserve. Everything
being ready, the lieutenant closed in on the
cabin. Arriving at the door. he endeavored
to force 1t in being covered by the other
men. armed with pistols and carbines. A
few blows with the butt end Of a carbine
ard the door gave way. No sooner were
the men in the cabin-which was in total
d&rkness-than they were assailed by a
voliey of squeals and sQueaks and scamp
ering of feet. one trooper being hoored by
having one of the ''hostiles'' dash between
his legs. Everything was in confusion for
a few moments. the men inside firing their
revolvers into the darkness; those outside
awaiting the appearance of the enemy.
This rather, one-siaed skirmish lasted for
several minutes, when the flash from one
of the revolveis disclosed to the view of the
party not band of hostile Sioux, but a
group of terrified trembling and thorough
ly demoralized p0rkers. The lieutenant or
dered a cessation iof ,hostilities and light.
After making a. thorough examination of
the cabin and surroundings we came TO
the conclusion that the only "hostileS' in.
at near the brave ranchers' cabin were
that group of frightened pigs.
To say that our friends, the ranchers,
We're crestfallen is putting 1t mildly, and
they submitted to the chatting of the troop
ers with very bad grace.
After being canuoued by Lieut.. H
about bringing such Z sensational report
into camp and rousing the command at
night for the purpose of herding their
pigs, mounted and started back to
camp, arriving at l am. in no enviable
frame of mind, but satisfied at least that
we had not come in contact with anything
worse than live bacon.
We were soon in our hunks. and gradual
ly sank to sleep and pleasant dreams, 70
arise at the first note OF reveilie and
Christmas morning on the bleak plains of
South Dakota. ALFRED f. LEWIS,
Late Sergeant Major.
Fort Leavenworth Cavalry Squadron.