The National tribune., 1899-10-19

TORTURES A
this state of affairs by bad management
poor whisky, smallpox and other diseases
They pretend to do some farming and raise
kind of flint corn.
One company (G) of 9Th Iowa Cav, Capt
Moreland, is to be left here to do garrison
duty. Two companies of infantry have
been brought here by boats to stay the
coming Winter. We had a rainstorm and
cioudburst last night that flooded our
camps and washed away many of our
tents. Some horses were drowned. The
weather is cool.
Sept 3.-On the march. We have left
the Missouri River and are travelling north
east; are near the boundary line of the
British territory. Our scouts report the
hostiles are only little ways north Of us, in
Canadian domain, where we cannot follow
them. We have camped at several lakes
OF alkali wafer Immense herds of buffalo
are in sight almost continually as far as the
eye can reach in every direction, also lots
OF elk and antelope: There is no timber;
good water is scarce; grass is excellent
Sept. S.-We have turned south, having
abandoned the chase after the hostile
Sioux near the Turtle Mountains The
Indians have moved farther north from the
boundary line and are now in the Pembina
country. 1t is reported by our scouts that
Little Six and Sitting Bull are congre-
eating all the bands of hostiles on White
Horse Plains north of the Turtle Mountains:
at any rate, Gen. Sully has decided to aban-
don the pursuit, as we cannot follow them
into Canadian territory, and we have started
on our return march toward civilization and
home
Our boys feel good and rejoice that We
have passed the turning point of our Sum
mer's campaign. Our little rugged Cana
dian ponies are in the pink Of condition and
stand the hard marching and poor water
better than the large American horses that
the rest Of the command have, and who are
now walking and leading their horses.
while we ride and think it no extra task to
run our small ponies three or four miles.
with all accoutermcnts, after buffalo.
which are constantly in sight in all direc-
tons, but just out Of range and promptly
stampede when We begin 10 chase them.
We are living on game. There are wild
ducks and geese by the million. Good
water is scarce. We have no wood. but the
grass is good. 1t is getting cool; had a
sharp frost We are thinly clad and are
getting ragged.
RETURN TO FORT RICE.
Sept. 12.-We have reached Fort Rice,
and are camped on cast side of the river and
Just below the fort. On arrival here we
found our mail, the first in two months.
We were glad to hear from home once
more. Many Of our boys are sick and
worn out. They are to be left here and
later are to be transported down the river to
hospitals at Sioux City, Iowa.
We found much excitement here when we
arrived. An emigrant train of citizen
miners IN charge Of Capt. Fisk, about 500
people, men, women and children. with an
escort Of about so soldiers, had left here
about three weeks after We started, in Julv
and followed our trail, intending 10 make
their way through the Black Hills and then
on west into the newly-discovered gold
fields in Idaho and Montana.
When they were about 200 miles west
tney were attacked by large body of In
olans, and corraled for defense. Two of
our boys who were of the escort, Charlie
White, OF Co. A, and Joe Sampler, of Co. G.
mad succeeded in making their escape, and
py thelr almost superhuman endurance and
bravery succeeded in reaching the fort.
almost famished and very exhausted, and
brought the news, thus saving the lives of
the whole party.
flVe hundred picked men and horses have
peen detailed to go out and bring Capt. |
5lsk and his party back. Col Dill, of the
9 9o'n wis., Is TO command this relief party.
VIII go also. We leave tomorrow.
The second brigade, commanded bv Col