Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-22
One of Capt. Catlin'S Men Re-
lates the Story OF
THE FIGHT WITH INDIANS
But the Montana Men Did Not Receive
the Credit to Which They
Were Justly Entitled.

In the Bitter Root Times of August IS
appeared the following account of the
battle of the Big Hole, written by Amos
Buck, formerly of Butte, but now a
prosperous merchant of Stevensville.
Various accounts of the battle with the
Nez Ferce Indians have been published,
but all the old-timers who have perused
the subjoined article are agreed in say
ing that it is the most authentic account
ever given to the public. The story is as
follows:
1t may not be out of place at this date
to write you a brief sketch of the battle
of the Big Hole, that occurred just Il
years ago today August0. Much has
been said and written concerning this
battle in years past and gone. and even
to the present day We ind sketches OF
the memorable event written in eastern
magazines. In writing up this matter |
will give it just as l saw it. l will only
write concerning the part that was taken
by the citizens under Captain John b.
Catlin, who had command of that COM
pany.
The outbreak of the Nez Perez Indians
at Mount Idaho in June. 1877, where de-
struction and death followed in their
wake, caused great excitement among
the settlers of the Bitter Root valley, and
more SO when the news reached here
about the middle of July that Chiefs
Joseph, Whitebird and LOGGING Glass.
with 800 followers, Were on the LO 10
trail, headed toward Bitter Root valley.
The settlers here quickly sized up the
situation, and brought their families and
qua1tered them at Fort Owen. About
the 25th of July news came that the ad-
vance guard of Chief Joseph's band had
reached the Lo Lo hot springs. Cover
nor Potts had previously issued a proc
lamation calling upon the citizens
throughout the state to report for duty
at once at headquarters on the Lo Lo.
Helena. Butte, Deer Lodge and Missoula
responded quickly to the call, together
with about 100 citizens from the Bitter
Root valley. Captain Rowan. post COM
mandant at Fort M%issoula, came with all
of his available forces of United States
troops, numbering 40 officers and men.
We marched up the 10 10 about five
miles, where Captain Rowan called a
halt and ordered all hands at work
throwing up Qualifications. Governor
Potts came down from Helena and es-
tablished his headquarters for the time
being at this place. We then numbered
500 men. all told. In the meantime, Chief
Joseph and his entire band had moved
down to the Woodman Flats, about four
miles above our camp. Reports came to
us that Chief Joseph desired to surren-
der. Captain Rowan, under a flag of
truce. marched up to within one mile of
the Indian camp, where he met Chiefs
Joseph and Looking Glass, who had come
down under a like flag of truce to hold
a council with the white men. Captain
Rowan told them that he was sent there
by the great White Chief to ask them to
lay down their arms and cease hOstilities.
Chief Joseph replied hat he did not come
here to tight the white man; that if left
alone he YOU not modest Il thing be-
longing to the white man; that he had
been driven from is home in the Lapwai,
and that he was going to the Yellow
stone to find a new home for his people.
Nothing could induce the Indians to sur
render, and a meeting was agreed upon
for the next day. In the meantime Cap
tain Rowan said he would talk to his
people II report at the next council.
No better results We're obtained at the
next meeting, and for three days the
counc was kept UP. At the last meet
ing Chief Joseph said to captain Rowan:
Tomorrow morning at sunrise l will
move on. l will never turn back. l do
not want to fight, but if the white men
insist, l will fight. and fight hard. My
people will never surrender"
True to his word, the chief came. Every
man of u force was at his post ready
for the fray. The Indians came down
to within three-fourths Of a mile of our
Entertainments and then turned up a
mountain and went around us. Captain
Rowan with his little force of 40 men
dared not make an assault, neither did
he consider it good policy to let the citi-
zens start the fight. A few stray shots
from the Indians found their way INTO
II camp, but no one vas hurt. The
Indians moved on down the Lo Lo md
turned up the Bitter Root and camped
for the night on Carleton creek. Cap
tam Rowan returned with his troops to
Fort MissOula, the citizens returned to
their respective homes. and thus ended
the first campaign at Fort Lizzie on the
10 La trail. The Indians then moved on
through the valley. They committed no
depredations until they reached the
upper valley. There they killed some
cattle belonging to the settlers and ran
sacked the house belonging to Billy Ed
wards.
During this time General Gibbons, in
command Of the United States troops,
was on his way down to intercept the Nez
Perces. At Fort Missoula, Captains
Rowan and Logan of the Third nfantry
Joined him, and they marched on up the
valley. While Genera Gibbons and his
command were encamped on Rye creek,
Captain John B. Catlin, who had raised
a . of "a volunteers, rendered to
Gibbons the services Of himself
and company. The general very cordially
thanked Captain Catlin and told him thai
his men might come along. and if desired
could take part in the campaign.
AS this was practically the beginning
of that memorable event which will b.
known in history as the battle of the Big
Hole, / will here give the names of those
who composed the company of citizens
under Captain Catlin:
Dave Morrow, Sam Chaffin. Newt Chat
fin. AL Lockwood, Myron NJ. Lockwood,
Alex Mitchell. Oscar Clark, Amos Buck,
Anthony Clafin, v. Burcli. San Dun
Riley Cooper. Lind c.. Elliot, Fred
Heidi. John Armstrong. Jacob Baker.
,nnhell MitELell Rarnltt AilL.ur-an