Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-18
BATTLE OF HORSE
CREEK IS RECALLED
Searching for Graves Of Dead Army
0ffioeds Killed BY Sioux
Long Ago.
STORY OF A FRONTIER EPISODE
ny g. L. SUBWAY.

Fouts and his men, Philip q. Aloen' ho-
Pward McMahan and Richard oregor' who
lost their lives a half century ago In the
battle Of Horse Creek.
The work is undertaken under orders
from Captain Roy 3. Harper OF the
quartermaster's corps Of Omaha, ana the
remains are to be sealed In lead caskets
and removed to the Military cemetery
AT Cottonwood canyon. little east OF
North Platte.
The graves now lie under field OF
alfalfa about four miles west OF the city
Of soottsbluff. close by the old ruin OF
Fort Mitchell. This fort was first built
BY Bruce Husband Of the American Fur
company and was named Fort Fonte-
nellie, for Lucien Fontenelle. the father
of Logan Fontenelie. But Il was later
named Fort Mitchell. after General Nit
eheil At the time Of the interment OF
Captain Fouts and HE companions.
was called Camp shuman. and was
substation OF Fort Laramie.
1t would be impossible 10 find these
graves now were II not for the memory
of oid-timers. who thirty years ago. came
Into the valley riding the range. OF look
tnR for homesteads
Last winter IL was my privilege 10 look
tional Library. ana through the Kindness
lof George +. Hyde OF Omaha. and ID. w.
Butler Of washington. am in possession
of some details OF the battle OF Horse
Creek and the events that led up 10 II.
that are not ordinarily found in histor-
les.
Beean with Friendly Indians.
During the winter OF isst-S6 there were
around Fort Laramie about 1900 Indians.
who professed to be friendly. and said
that the war tribes had made II very
dangerous for them 10 pursue their usual
vocation OF hunting and trapping. I'M
der orders. they we're fed and sustained
through the cold weather. but the Off
Gals at the fort had good reason 10 be-
lieve that there we're a number that were
carrying word 10 tho war braves. Every
movement Of the soldiers seemed to be
quickly transmitted. almost instantly. into
1.-THE enemy's camp
II was therefore deemed advisable 60
remove the friendlies from this central
scene OF hostilities, and consequently on
June II. 1866. a company OF 1856 soldiers
under Captain Fouts. was commissacned
to act as an escort for the friendlies.
who, IN the number OF 100. including
squaws and pappoosea. were inclined 20
so. They were 20 be taken 70 Juiesburg.
and part OF them 10 Kearney.
Charles Eiston had charge Of a num-
her that ne was trying to develop into
scouts for the United States While try
Ing TO make them useful to the govern
ment. and while they appeared 10 be
doing according 20 instruction. he had
his mIsgivings and frequently was led
70 believe they were better scouts for the
Indians.
Captain Fouts proceeded carefully down
the river on the south side. and lest a
nervous finger should press q trigger
prematurely. most Of the guns were un-
loaded. There was nothing Of q sus-
plcious note occurring except occasional
aignai fires on the hills bordering the
Hawhide and Sheep creeks. and oc-
casionaily q fire arrow lost itself in the
dark vault Of the nky.
Trouble starts over Women.
These weird manifestations OF an
undercurrent Of hostility were naturally
trying 70 the nerves OF the families os
Captain Fouts and Lieutenant Triggs.
which accompanied the party, ana espe-
cialiy 90 because MrA. Bubanks and
daughter. and Miss Laura Roper. recently
captured from the Indians. and whose six
months In captivity had famlliariEed them
somewhat with Indians signs and their
meaning. expressed grave apprehension.
On the night OF June Is. they went into
camp on Horse creek, the Indians on
the west side ana the soldiers on the east
side OF the creek. The Indians proceeded
10 give dog feast. and the officers were
unable 20 discover what was In the air.
Three hundred and eighty warriors went
into council. and the outcome was a
tremendous fury at certain Of the white
soldiers who had taken young Sioux
Dquaws into their tent and kept them
there for hours.
on the morning OF the 18th the advance
guard started with the wagons at /
O'Clock. the inteation being 20 cover the
eighteen miles TO Camp shuman. whers
they would camp in the meadows ad-
3acent and near by. The wagons were
strung out for a mile or more. wher
rapid firing was heard In the rear Cap
tain Fouts' zeal for peace was the al.
rect cause OF his death. The delay In
cident 70 loading and distribution OF
ammunition gave the Indians an al
vantage. The captain had gone bach
across Horse creek 10 hurry the Indians
and they had killed. stripped and mu
tslated him. and had fled three nilel
toward the river and were making war
like demonstrations. while the sauawi
and pappooses were crossing the river
riding OF swimming beside their swim
ming ponies.
Immunity Offered and DecIiaed.
The rear guard had AZ first run towar,
the front. but the advance guard me
them half way ana together they charged
after the Indians. when near at hans
Charles Eiston was sent forward to OF
fer those who would accept Il and com
On peacefully. immunity from punishment
They met his offer with a shrek OF de
fiance and charged furiously.
The Indians numbered more than 90
warriors. ana when at a distance o
about 800 yards they commenced firanl
and Il was answered In telling effect b,
the military. While those IN front wen
checked By the fire OF the 0allaehe
rifles. beth TANKS OF the Indians ad
Tanced a. II 70 hem them IN and Gu
them of. over the hills from the ives
side Of Horae creek poured dozens an,
hundreds Of the red men and an orden,
retreat was taken 10 the uagons. whlcl
IN che rnaauffsaa had 49,. ar..r.. 49,. a.