The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-10-17

the Indian camp az a rapid walk
which soon was quickened to a trot,
slow eallop, and the rush OF wild
charge at the close.
Nothing Is more inspiring and ex-
Vibrating than the march of brave
men 10 battle. All as animation
amid the most intense excitement,
and yet perfect order and calm, de-
iiberate determination prevailed.
Orders were given In as low a tone OF
voice as cunld he rendered distinct,
and frequently by the molten OF the
hand or sword; aud the only noise
was occasioned by the football Of the
rapidly moving changers AND the
slight clanking Of the swords aud
equipments The day had dawned
clear and the atmosphere was cool
and bracing. The rolling prairie was
most suitable for the rapid movement
OF the troops, and the changes from
column TO line Of hattie and the de.
ployment of the different divisions
occurred without a check.
We had taken along with us on tho
march body OF friendly Indians wh0
up 10 that time had been lettering
along In the most listless manner.
riding their heavy ponies or mules,
clad In the most indifferent manner,
but driving before them a hand of
their war ponies, which were cared
for in the most solicitous and skiliful
manner. The moment the alarm
was given, or the report received
that the enemy was within reach,
they were transformed into an ideal,
picturesque band OF warriors. They
mounted their war ponies, which
had no other encumbrance or equip
ment than single lariat with one
end round the lower jaw OF the ami
nal. They were stripped OF all sur
plus paraphernalia. and their bright
coloIed moccasins, leggins, war jack
cts, and war bonnets made brilliant
picture In the bright sunlight, while
their waving locks, as black as the
raven 5 wing, were waving In the air
as they rode rapidly TO the advance.
their faces full OF the ire and spirit
OF the true Indian warrior.
One battalion 81 troops was de.
tailed To rush down the valley Ia
stampede the heard that was then
quietly grazing IN apparent peaceful
security, and drive them beyond the
reach OF the Indians and eventually
round them up and bring them back
In the rear OF the command. This
was accomplished and some eight
hundred horses, mules and p0nise
were thus captured This set the
Indians 'afoot, as Ii was called, OF,
In other words, they were hopelessly
dismounted. The other battalions
charged up &c near the body OF In.
dIans, and, dismounting, fought on
foot, driving them back into small
rayine, and then surrounded them
on all sides. IL WIS desperate
fight while Ii lasted. Nearly a hun.
dred Indians were either killed OF
wounded, and between thirty and
forty officers aud soldiers. Among
the number killed were Capt. Hale
and Lieut.. Biddle, two OF the most
gallant officers In the American serv,
ice, and some OF the best officers ant
soldiers were seriously wounded.
To have continued the contest
would have resulted In still greater
sacrifice on our part and probably 4
massacre Of the entire Indian camp
including men, women and children
When 1t was observed that their herr
had been captured and they wer,
driven into close, narrow rayine II
an open country, the order "Ccas,
firms" was sounded by the head
tquafters' bugler, and the situation
was thoroughly examined and consid
cred.
IL was apparent that the escape o
the Indians-was impossible and tina
IL needed only patience and yigilaDc
to force their surrender. This, how
ever, required iiye days OF ceaseles
atching, during which there was
constant sbarpshooting between tb
two forces. During this time tb
troops we're exposed 10 severe cold
1t rained and then showed, and Tia
ground became covered With a whit
mantle. Severe suffering was expert
enced not only by the troops actiyel
engaged, but particularly by IN
wounded, whom IL was impossible [
shelter properly. Still, with tenas
lity most coDmenrable, the trooE
maintained their position, the Ind
: ans holding out with the hope ths
: some, assistance would come 10 tbel
from sitting Bulls powerful body ,
Sioux Indian. who bad taken refug
7 north OF the Canadian boundary Il
year before, and were known 10 he
full sympathy with any band bosti
e TO the white race or the America
$ government. Aud IT looked at OF
. time as though that hope wss aboi
q 10 be grstiiied.
One morning ~ the snow was gen
I ~ falling over the vast plain OF HI