Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1913-03-29
OLD FIGHTER DIES
Sergeant Rogan Had Won Medals
for His Bravery.
His Rescue OF He Captain In an 40
tlon Against the Nez Perees at
the Big Hole Basin a
Notable Feat

Rock Springs, Wyo.--First Sergeant
Patrick Rogan, retired, one of the two
noncommissioned officers OF the Sew
enth infantry who received medals OF
honor for gallantry in action against
the Neg Perce Indians at the Big Hole.
Montana, on August 8. 1877. died here
recently. Sergeant Rogan had served
for 80 years in Company A. Seventh
infantry. before being retired, taking
part In a number of engagements
against the Indians in Montana. Wyo.
ming and Dakota. but 1t was at the Big
Hole, when Chief Joseph was trying
to escape from General Howard. that
Sergeant Rogan won his decoration,
and incidentally saved the life Of an
officer, now a brigadier general on the
retired list Of the army.
The Seventh infantry had been sta
toned in Montana for seven years.
protecting travellers and settlers from
Cheyennes and Sioux. when. in July,
1877, word was received at Fort Mis-
soula that large party OF hostile Nez
Perez Indians, under Chief Joseph,
were coming over 10 Lo trail In their
efforts to escape from General How.
ards troops.
On August Col John Gibbon, com.
manding the Seventh infantry. left
Fort Missoula with Companies A. ID,
F, G, Tand X IN pursuit of the Indians,
making 25 miles the first day. The
following day a march of 80 miles was
made. and. after following the Indians
three or four days longer, they were
discovered. on August 8. camped In
the Big Hole basin The main camp
was pitched on the south bank of the
river. in an open meadow, partially
surrounded by dense thickets OF will
low.
At daylight an Indian rode out of
the willows directly in front of Lieut..
James II. Bradley's position, en- route
to the pony herd on the hillside. The
Indian was instantly shot. The In.
dams were surprised, and rushed from
their lodges panic-stricken. When they
recovered from their surprise they
opened fire upon the troops. with ter
rible effect. The troops were then
formed into two lines, back to back,
and the order was given to charge
through the brush in opposite direc.
tions. for the purpose of driving out
the Indians.
In this part of the action Lieut..
Charles A. Coolidge, while CALAMITY
leading his company. was shot through
both thighs. The lieutenant's predica.
ment was seen by Sergeant Rogan.
who did not hesitate. but carried
Lieutenant Coolidge to a place of safe.
ty. 1t was not for that brave deed that
Sergeant Rogan was given the medal
of honor. He received 1t for his gal.
lantry in obeying orders, and verify.
ing and reporting his company while
subjected to a CALLING fire from the
Indians.
Three officers and nineteen enlisted
men were killed in that fight, the of
ficers being Capt. William Logan and
Lieutenants Bradley and William l..
English. Colonel Gihbon and Lieut.
Charles A. Woodruff. the latter re
tired brigadier general. were wounded
Lieutenant Coolidge was wounded
three times in that action, but recov
cred. His commission as captain was
dated from the day of the fight. August
9, 1877, and 10 years later he received
the brevet of major for his gallant
service. He became colonel of the
, regiment in 1909. and is now on the
retired list as a brigadier general. liv
Ing in Detroit.