Delaware City press. (Delaware City, Del.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-14
OLD FIGHTER DIES
Sergeant Rogan Had Won Medals
for His Bravery.
His Rescue Of His Captain In an Ae-
ton 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 Nez Perce Indians at the Big Hole,
Montana, on August 8, 1877, died here
recently. Sergeant Rogan had served
Ior 80 years in Company A, Seventh
infantry, before being retired, taking
part IN number of engagements
against the Indians in Montana, Wyo.
ming and Dakota, but it 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
oiheer, now brigadier general on the
retired list of the army.
Inc Seventh infantry had been sta.
TONED In Montana for seven years.
protecting travellers and settlers from
Nheyennes and Sioux, when, in July.
1877, word was received at Fort Mis-
souia that large party Of hostile Nez
Perce Indians, under Chief Joseph
were coming over Lo Lo trail in their
ehorts to escape from General How.
ards troops.
On August Col. John Gibbon, com.
handing the Seventh infantry. left
Fort Missoula with Companies A, D.
f. G, and X in pursuit of the Ind.ans.
making rs miles the first day. The
following day march of 80 miles was
made and, after following the Indians
tnree 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 Fl. 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 bacl;
and the order was given to charge
through the brush in opposite direc.
tlons' 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 place Of safe
ty. 1t was not for that brave deed that
Sergeant Rcgen was given the nledali
of honor. He received 1t for his gal.
lantry in obeying orders, and verify
ing and reporting his company while
subjected to 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 Gibbon and Lieut..
Charles A. Woodruff. the latter a 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
3, 1877, and 10 years later he received
the brevet of major for his gallant
service. He became colonel of the
regiment in 1901, and is now on the
retired list as brigadier general, liv.
ing In Detroit