The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-09-30
EYE WITNESS TELLS OF
THRILLING INDIAN BATTLE
John w. Williamson OF Nebraska, Relates
Details of Fearful Encounter Between
the Pawnees and the Sioux.
GREAT TRAGEDY OF THE WESTERN pLA

small band and that he could whip
them If they came. When we got OIL
higher ground. however. we saw that
the hills were fairly alive with Sioux,
of whom there were probably 1000
Things looked discouraging.
They were not prepared TO meet
such formidable foe, and soon began
to weaken. At this point Sun Chief,
who was head chief of the whole band
of Pawnees, took command, and the
discord which had existed was over.
come.
"The Sioux were moving rapidly to.
ward our line when sun Chief asked
me to ride out toward them with q
white flag, in hopes that the Sioux
had trail agent with them and that
he would hold them back when he saw
a white man with the PGwnecs.
"It was Il pretty hard thing for one
man to ride out and face a band of
1000 Sioux ready for battle. and l did
not like to do it. However, told the
interpreter. who was in citizens
clothes, that if he would go with me
we would go to meet the advancing
Sioux. We rode to within eighty rods
of them and l waved Il white handker.
chief as signal to the trail agent, if
there should happen to be one, but no
attention was paid.
"Now the enemy ceased riding in
circles. and. lying fiat on their ponies,
made dash. We wheeled and raced
for our lives to the Pawnce position.
This opened the battle. The piwnce
braves had gathered on the hills at the
brow of the canyon, while the squaws
and pack horses were in the canyon
below.
THE squaws were chanting mourn.
full song and danced a slow measure
in long lines or half circles to instill
bravery into their warriors. The out
numbered Pawnees could not stand
long against the attack of the Sioux.
The fight Immediately became very
close almost hand to hand, and the
Sioux gained position where they
could shoot down into the canyon on
the defenseless squaws and children.
"The Pawnee warriors We're grad
ually driven from their position on the
hills down into the canyon, which was
rapidly being surrounded by the Sioux.
I saw that it was Il hopeless case for
the Pawnees and sent word to the
chiefs to make break down the can
yon before the Sioux should get behind
us.
Before the word had had time to
reach them, as if by Il preconcerted
plan, the thongs which bound the
packs were loosened or cut and the
whole band of Pawnees fed at full
speed. The Sioux pursued along the
sides of the canyon, shooting down on
the struggling fugitives, and many
were killed III this way.
They followed us until we reached
the river. into which we plunged. and
soon reached the south bank, but many
of the Pawnees Were killed while
crossing. We then started along stream
down the side of the river. and in less
than three miles met several hundred
soldiers marching up stream on the
other side.
The soldiers offered to go with the
Indians TO the scene of tile battle and
rescue the meat and their packs, but
the Indians would not have it. They
said they would not take it If it would
be brought TO them
In all about $50 Pawnees were killed
and those who escaped lost everything
they had except few packs OF
blankets which served as saddles for
the squaws.-New York Herald.