Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-02-21
IN vx1~1e kk~-.-L~S<>o Wne Scene of Big Bme against Chynnes m
MN wv (Duu |vu(DIIIuI1IuIS and Sioux by Last Major Expedition Gng NN
From Fort egh Whn Cd Nelson A lilies w
Il Led 400 TROOPERS In the Tongue Rr to Engage 500 Indians UdI en stream HohUnv il

down directly to the banks OF the
stream. Off to the left rises the butte
which was appraised as an excellent
position for sharpshooterS. OFT in the
distance were the rising hills n
benchlands covered Sparsely with I'M
derbrush and pine trees. Just above
the river valley proper removed a short
distance, rose a sharp elevation. Dip
ping eastward from this and along the
base of the high butte ran a depres-
sion that carried the waters from the
higher lands in the spring season. The
troops were a little to the north OF
this scene. They awaited the passing
of the night to more definitely deter
mine their next move. The dawn Of
another day brought occasion for quick
and decisive action.
Early on the morning of Jan. 8, says
Mr.. Thompson, about 600 warriors ap-
peared in front of the troops, the Sioux
flanked on the west and the Cheyennes
on the east of the river valley. They
looked formidable and vicious determi-
nation was written in their painted
countenances. Leaving their ponies
under cover, the Indians advanced on
foot to the attack. The right flank Of
the soldiers formation was contacted
by 300 warriors. They filled every ra-
vine and overlooked every bluff crest.
They occupied positions of advantage.
The right flank of the troops failed to
yield to the first onslaught. Chang
ing their tactics. the Indians attacked
on the left Of the troops that were 10
Gated on the east side of the river.
Here the heaviest fighting occurred.
The soldiers countered by driving the
Indians OCCUPYING the commanding crest
of the high butte from their position.
This action neceSsitated quick move
s~now-covered ascent. The crest of the
butte was recognized by both sides as
a point of advantage. Driven from it,
the Indians made a desperate attempt
to recover it and charged on foot to
within SO yards of the line of infantry.
They were then thanked by Major But
ler'S wing and severely defeated. 1t
was in this charge that Major Butler
had his horse shot from under him.
At the start of the fight in the early
morning, the weather was bitterly cold.
There were some indications that the
sky might clear, but as the morning ad-
vanced the clouds appeared to be more
ominous. While vision was not OBJ
structed by the gathering shades pro-
duced by the t%hickening clouds, the
duVdllCt VI JIlt lIOOpS Was IldUe SOIlt-
what difficult on account of the neces-
sity of noting each step to be taken in
the deeply laid snow upon the ground.
Holding their position at the top of
the butte, from which an effective fire
vas poured into the battling Indians,
the flanks of the troops drove the enc
my back over three rough piney bluffs
where it was impossible to ride a horse.
The progress Of the troops was SO diff
ficult that they frequently fell in
scaling the snow and ~ice-covered cliffs.
Shortly afterwards the Indians retreat
ed with haste into the Wolf mountains
and moved toward the Rosebud valley.
The clouds grew heavier during the
progress of the engagement. Flakes of
snow were falling and before the con-
flict ceased a binding snow storm &C
companied by a fierce, cold wind came
up to make the advance more difficult.
The soldiers moved forward in pur-
suit Of the defeated Indians. The trail
through the hill country was marked
by pools of blood here and there where
the Indians had fought. Evidences of
blood were also seen on the ice where
they crossed the river going westward.
The pursuit continued on through the
Wolf, or the Panther mountains, as