The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02
In AIN INDIAN CAMPAIGN
AN EXCITING EPISODE IN THE Ex-
PERIENcE OF MAJOR siBLEY.
IL In Recalled by General Burt he
cause of Sibley's Transfer Ia
Philippines.


Lieutenant General Miles, to take effect
Aug IS. and VIII proceed by transport sail
ing from San Francisco about Sept. for
Manila. 10 join his proper station in the
Division OF the Philippines
The dissolution % the staff OF Lieutenant
General Miles and the above order. which
appeared in the daily papers recently, re-
calls 10 my miE6 one of the most thrilling
episodes OF the frontier days OF long ago,
an episode which showed the daring and
pluck or a junior Lieutenant. fresh from
West Point, In his first real conflict with
the red men OF the plains. This was
Lieutenant Frederick W. Sibley. then CT
Troop + OF the Second Cavalry, but for
several years a member OF General Miles's
staff. incidentally desire TO go on record
ss saying that in thirty-two years service
on The plains. Sibley is the only officer
ever knew or heard of who got the best
Of the Indians by strategy.
IL was back I'm July, 1876. when General
Crook had his historical fight in the con-
quest of the Sioux. General Crooks COM
mand was in camp on Goose creek. The
general expected a wagon train and REIN
forcements to appear every moment AS
they did not do so. he determined TO send
out a accommodating party along the base
of the mountains northwestward, to locate,
81 possible, the Indian village and to take
q general observation of the country. Lieu
tenant Sibley, with twenty-five picked men,
drawn from the regiment. detailed TO
accompany the scouts, Frank Gruard and
Baptiste Fourier, OH the reconnaissance.
The scouts had ventured forward on our
projected route about twenty miles, two
nights previously, but having seen several
parties OF Sioux, returned to camp and
made their report. The party mustered at
noon beyond the creek, each man taking
a double supply of cartridges and as much
food as would last for some days.
A RECONNOITERING PARTY.
was a major in Crooks command at the
time and from my diary find the following
having been graphically told me by one
OF the members OF the party: 1.-The scouts
led us TO camp on Big Goose creek, distant
about thirteen miles from Crooks head
quarters and there we remained until about
shutdown. Early the moring of Friday,
July Z. We were again i'm the saddle, press
Z ing on cautiously toward where the scouts
believed the Indian village to be. When We
had reached a point several miles from our
late bivouac and close TO the Little Big
Horn river, Gruard, motioning US to halt,
assembled "a rock mound directly in our
front, leaving his horse slightly below the
crest. We observed the scouts movements
with some interest, because knew we
were in the enemy's country and might en-
counter Indians at any moment. Scarcely
had the scout taken a first cautious look
from the crest OF the ridge when peculiar
motion of his hand summoned Baptlste
Fourier 10 his side Baptiste dismounted
also, leaving his pony below the crest.
b He Joined Gruard and both scouts keenly
observed the country from between the
rocks on the summit Of the bluff through
their glasses. Their observations finished
they mounted their ponies and came gall
Looping back to us in hot haste. BE quick
and follow me for your lives" cried Gruard.
We mounted Immediately and all followed
his lead. lie led US through bluffs of red
sandstone, which formed. as it were, the
footstool OF the mountain chain, and we
We're obliged sometimes to make our horses
leap down rocky lodges as much as six
or seven feet. perhaps, in order to follow
his course. We soon reached a bluff of
sufficient size to conceal our horses on
its westerly side, while those o, us who
were provided with fed-glasses, namely,
Sibey. Gruard, Fourier and myself, went up
into the rocks and waited to see what was
coming.
What did you see, Frank?" asked Sib-
ley of the scout.
Only Sitting Bulls war party" Frank
replied. 81 knew that they would be here
around the Little Big Horn without COM
ing at ALL"
We did not have long to wait for con-
firuiation OF his words. Almost as he spoke
groups OF mounted savages appeared on the
bluffs north and east of us. Every moment
increased their numbers and, scattered out
in the Indian fashion, they seemed U cover
the billy country far and wide. Most of
them were in full war costume, which added
greatly TO the picturesque character OF the
scene
They appear not TO have seen us yet"
observed Gruard. Unless some OF them
hit upon our trail this morning. we are
comparatively safe Gradually the right
wing OF the war party approached the
ground over which had recently ridden.
We watched their movements, as may be
supposed. with breathless interest Sud-
denly an Indian attred in a red blanket
halted. locked for moment at the ground
and then began 10 ride around I'm a circle.
Now we had better look out" said Gruard.
That fellow has found our trail. sure. and
they will be after us in five minutes"
RETREAT ORDERED.
What. then. are TO do?" asked sib-
ley In calm, steady voice.
well. We have but one chance to escape. -
said Gruard Let US lead our horses into
the mountains and try TO cross them. But
In the meantime ier prepare for the
worst"
Then we left the rocks and went down
among the soldiers. who. poor fellows,
seemed ready to face any fate with manly
courage.
Lieutenant Sibley said to the men: MEN.
the Indians have discovered us. We will
have to do some fighting. If we can make
an honorable escape. all together, we will
do it. If retreat should prove impossible
let no man surrender. Die in your tracks.
because the Indians show no mercy"
'All right. sir was the simple and SOL
diery reply of the men. and without more
ado the whole party followed the officer
and the scouts up the rough mountain side
which, at that point. was steep and diff
cult TO discouraging extent.
1--WE continued to retreat until we struck
an old Sioux hunting trail on the first ridge
a.. 81.