Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-02-20
CHAPTER XIX.

That night there was rejoicing at the
new stockade. For over d week not
courier had managed to slip through
in either direction. Alarmed for the
safety of the little garrison, the COM
manding officer Of the post away up at
the gorge Of the Big Horn river had
sent two troops of cavalry to scout the
slopes of the mountains and look into
the state of affairs at Warrior Gap.
They found countless fresh pony
tracks all along the foothills east of
the Greasy Grass and in the valleys Of
the many forks of the Dele Agie-the
Grow name for Tongue river-but not
an Indian did they see. They marched
in among the welcoming officers and
men at the bustling post to find them
selves hailed as heroes. "We'ye been
cut off from the world for at least ten
days." said the commandant. 'Our
couriers have been killed, captured or
driven back. Even our half-breed
scouts refuse to make further trial.
They say Red Clouds people cover the
land in every direction. Our wood
choppers only work under heavy guard.
The contractors, freighters and work
men threaten to strike unless they get
their money. The sutler refuses them
further credit. The euartermaster has
paid out every cent and says his requi-
sition for $40, 600 was ordered filled, and
the money ought to have been here
week ago. All will have to stop if the
money doesn't come. We're safe
enough. The Sioux don't dare come
- IL Il
But we can't finish the barracks in time
for winter at this rate"
A stout-hearted soldier was the COM
handing officer at Warrior Gap. He
had with him now four strong COM
panies of infantry and troop of horse.
He had, he said, but one anxiety, so far
as holding the fort was concerned
some few of the officers and quite
number of the soldiers. as has been
told, were burdened with their wives
and children. If these could only be
moved under strong guard to Frayne
on the Platte, he could snap his fingers
in the face of Red Cloud and his whole
gang until they too got breech-load-
ers. Its only question of time!"
said he. Sooner or later the interior
department will be fool enough to arm
the redskins all over the land with
magazine rifles, and then there will be
lively work for the war office. Any
day." said he, further, eve may eX-
pect the coming of whole regiment
from the Platte posts, and then Mr.. Lo
will have to light out. Meantime, if we
hadn't this trouble about the workmen
e /,
children. we'd be all right
So back to the Big Horn rode the
squadron to report all safe at Warrior
Gap, barring the blockade and almost
on the same date out there started
from Laramie, on the long march up
the Platte and over across the sage
covered deserts, a strong force of foot
and dragons; ard up from the Sweet
water, far to the southwest, came this
venturesome little party of ten,
bringing the much demanded money,
and all the while, with his far-riding.
far-seeing scouts in every direction.
Machpealota, perched in the noun
tains back of the building post, warily
watched the dispositions and daily
work, and laid his plans accordingly.
Not a warrior was permitted to show
himself near the stockade, but i'll
sleepless Gordon, five miles out, they
surrounded the Gap. Not messenger
had managed to elude their vigilance
by day, not one had succeeded in slip
; ping into the little camp by night.
Yet with every succeeding morn the
choppers and fatigue parties pushed
farther out from the stockade, in grow
ing sense of security, and the Indians
let them come.
Full week before the Laramie col
umn could possibly reach the noun
tains, however, Red Cloud was warned
of their coming, their numbers, and
compassionate many horse soldiers,
SO many heap walks" Unmolested
the squadron from Fort c. F. Smith,
the Big Horn River post, was permit
ted to retrace its steps. In fancied
safety, born Of confidence in that won