Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-01-28

be recognized as friendly. l had sent
word to Colonel Royal, and he sent up
Major Walkers company and came on
with the rest. I placed the Pawnees
J on the left and two companies Of the
Fifth cavalry in the center and one Of
Captain Prices on the right. told
Major Eugene Crittenden to take COM
mand Of the center and l would take
the reserve and send up reinforce
ments as required.
when we all got started told the
bugler behind me to sound the charge
and we were among the enemy before
they had any idea that we were with
in thousand miles. Then heard the
rafting of rifles on the right and left.
plainly distinguishing the basso sound
Of Buffalo Bill's' trusty rife, old Lu-
cretia Borgia.'
Buffalo BIZ got pretty well around
the village when he went in on Cap
tain Prices right. AS he advanced he
saw a chief on a horse charging about
and haranguing his men. He and his
party laid for him, and as he came
nearer Buffalo Bill shot him of his
horse and got the animal. This was
the celebrated race horse Tall Bull,
which he Cody rode for long time
and with it won many exciting races.
When he came into camp Mrs. Tall
Bull said that 1t was her husbands
horse, leaving no doubt about the fact
that Buffalo Bill had killed the chief.
ION this occasion the Indians had
two white captives-Mrs. Alderdice Of
Missouri. whom they killed during the
fight, and Mrs. Weigel of Kansas, who
had been shot in the back with a pis-
tol bullet. which broke rib. but was
ed below her left breast. Fifteen hun
dred dollars in gold, silver and green
backs, which was gathered in the
camps, was given her, and she went
back, remarked and proved up her
claim. Next morning we dug grave
on hill above the village and buried
! Mrs. Alderdice, the surgeon reading
the service.
II detailed a board of officers to
count the dead Indians, and notwith-
standing that it is their custom to car
~ away the wounded and to hide or
bury the dead we found sixty-eight
dead bodies on the field"
As chief Of scouts under General
Phil Sheridan, and the men were rest
ing at Fort Mcpherson after a haz-
ardous expedition and long and sue
cessful chase. It was q quiet June
evening, and we were enjoying refresh
ing breezes. A detail had left the fort
to water the government herd Of
horses and mules in the nearby Platte
river when shots were heard. Every
one was on his feet in moment, for
it was learned that a party Of Sioux
Indians had dashed from the cotton
wood trees, shooting, shouting and
waving blankets, and had stampeded
herd Of about 400 animals. The In
dams had killed two Of the herders and
wounded another. Some Of the herd
ran for the corral, where they were
accustomed to go for the night, but the
Indians got away with about 200 and
started for the bluffs south of the fort.
All was excitement, but, as was my
custom, l had my war horse, "Old
Buckskin joe" near at hand and was
mounted In time to make recon-
noissance and note the direction In
which the Indians had disappeared
with the government stock.
General William II. Emory had his
bugler sound the "boots and saddles"
and by the time I returned for in
structions FIVE troops Of cavalry were
busy saddling up, getting their arms,
ammunition and some supplies. One
company-I, Fifth United States cav
alry-were the first troops saddled and
ready for the chase. Their officer,
young lieutenant by the name Of Earl
D. Thomas, now Brigadier General
Thomas and in command Of the de-
partment Of Colorado, was just out
from West Point, full Of ambition and
delighted to be in command In the alb
sence Of his superiors. General EN-
ory and myself agreed on the necessity
Of quick action. and. to the delight Of
young Thomas. he was ordered with
his troop to follow me. while the other
troops as soon as ready would follow.
"Fours right! Trot! Gallop" And
we dashed off. We followed at gal
lop until dark. but did not get sight
Of the Indians. and the tracks showed
that they were whooping 1t up on the
run. A halt was called to give the
|puffing horses rest. and Thomas con-
sulted me. His orders were to follow
land recapture the animals. told
Thomas could follow the trail at
night If necessary and awaited his an
swer. II will follow you, Mr.. Cody, as
was told to do 80. and will 60 wher-
ever you propose" After short rest,
Mount and forward" was the order,
and the chase was continued. During
the night the Indians repeatedly dou'
bled on their trail. We did not reach
Medicine creek. where we got water
for men and horses. until II o'clock the
next day.
The trail showed that the indiana
were headed southwest. In the direc
ton Of Red Willow Springs. Knowing