New-York tribune., 1908-08-16
CAPTAIN FETTERMAN's BOAST.

Tie Indians particularly delighted in making life
Z burden 10 the wood cutters. Near the fort
hll called Sullivant Hill. which a sentry stood
al day long, watching for signals from the wood
cutters, II an unusually large force of Indians
attacked them. the wood cutters would signal for
more help and additional detachment would be
sent from the fort. On December 81 1886, the look
out signalled that the wood train had been
rallied and was attacked in force about a mile and
half from the fort a relief party OF forty-aine
men from the 18th Infantry twenty-seven troop
ers from the % Cavalry was ordered out. Captain
" j Fetterman who had little experience in Ind
ian fighting. but who brave if somewhat
iEpetuous officer asked TO be put in charge of the
relief party. General Darlington acceded to his
quest and gave him positive instructions relieve
the wood train and drive back The Indians. but on
no account 10 pursue the Indians beyond Lodge
Trail Ridge. long. high ridge the fort,
tending from SClivant Hill With Captain Fetter-
mans party went two civilians, Wheatley and
Fisher both armed with new breech- ding rapid
hflng rifles. which they were eager try in Indian
warfare
-etternan had made the boast that with eighty
men he could ride through the whole Sioux nation.
he now had elghty-th three men, and the sequel
proved how little he knew OF the Sioux as fighters
~aen he made his boast. The Indians who were
attacking the wood cutters were soon apprised of
re01eTEnan's approach and Immediately withdrew,
allowing the wood train to break coral and go
Us way unmolested- The Indians seemed 10 realize
mat the man in command of the soldiers not
an experienced fighter They kept just out of
range and taunted the soldiers and made insult
ING motions. and. in short. tried by every means
70 keep the command following them. In this
they succeeded Fetterman so eager 10 pun
,sA the redskins that he forgot his orders and
pursued the Sioux across Lodge Trail Ridge Once
over this ridge he in the power Of the Sioux
Red Cloud had posted hundreds Of Indians in
ambush
General Darlington soon found that something
J,
an escort Of four TO join Fetterman's party,
but the doctor soon returned with the information
mat the wood train ali right but that when
he attempted 10 cross the valley join Fetterman
ne found il full of Indians, who were swarm
ing about Lodge Trail Ridge and that there
was no sign OF the soldiers TO be observed The
alarm caused by this information was deepened
when the sound of heavy firing was heard from
over Lodge Trail Ridge, indicating that herce
battle was IN progress General Darlington dis
patched 6fty-four infantrymen to relieve Fetter-
nan. and little later forty men were sent out
reducing the garrison at the fort TO a very smaH
number. Indeed small the number of de-
tenders within stockade that General Darlington
released al the prisoners from the guardhouse'
armed all the quartermaster's employees and ciu-
zens and then mustered only 119 men, not enough
10 defend the walls in of attack
The wives and children of the men in the first
Detachment nearly crazy with anxiety ana
THIS deepened when orderly galloped IN from
The relieving party and stated that the valley on
the other side Of the ridge filled with Indians
and that sign of Fetterman was to be seen
General Darlington ordered the two relieving parties
70 consolidate and told them 10 unite with fetter-
man. He ordered in the wood train, when gave
hin hifty-four men TO spare for the relieving eN-
petition Later in the afternoon Captain len
Eyck's men returned with details of the appalling
disaster. In the wagon were forty-nine OF fetlef-
mans men, leaving thirty-four unaccounted ior-
Ten Eyck had remained the defensive on ihe
brow OF the hill though the Indians had trled oy
every means TO make him follow them into the
valley He found the bodies Of the soldiers ~heFe |
hey had fallen. and there WAS evidence OF Ter
risls conflict Oh the hill The soldiers had taken