Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-07-25
MN kQKQf'C kQffIAf14I0 Nm Disaster to United Estates TrpsM N
When the CommandmgO Officer Re- Y
twd to Heed Repeated Wamgs@ and the Jay Was Saved by lis Subatmn.

unnecessary cruelty of the reprisal but
he was upheld by the military au-
thorities and by the Montana settlers.
Starting on July l3, Bakers expedi-
ton made its way by leisurely marches
down the river until they reached the
point opposite the mouth of Pryor
creek where the survey of the pre-
vious year had stopped. They reached
this place about the first of August
and went into camp at the place where
the battle was afterward fought, while
Hayden and his corps of engineers
made preparations to resume the sur
vey. No signs of any Indians had
been seen on the march and vigilance
was relaxed, especially as the force
was sufficiently large to discourage at
tack.
Black Moon On Warpath
Meanwhile a large band of Sioux and
Cheyenne warriors nearly 1000 strong
had invaded the country in a hostile
incursion against the Crows. Their
leader was Black Moon, an Uncpapa
Sioux, most warlike band Of the Dako-
ia federation. Black Moon was a
prominent leader in many battles and
was one of the leaders under Chief
Gall, another Uncpapa. at the destruc-
ton OF Clusters command. He lived
to accept peace and reservation life
with the final roundup of the hostile
bands.
The Indians discovered by their
scouts about August II, the presence
of Bakers command in the territory.
A council was called and the policy
of attacking the soldiers was debated.
Many of the councillors were in favor
Of going ahead with their raid against
the Crows as a battle with SO large
a body OF troops seemed hazardous.
But the prospects of cutting off a
large supply of horses from the com
mand was too much of a temptation.
With a surprise attack, they foresaW
they thought they could inflict con-
siderable losses in the confusion and
get away with little harm to them
selves.
The camp was located on a long
island-like projection along the river.
At it's lower end, it was separated from
the mainland by a slough while a
heavy growth of willows lined its sides
and extended across the lower ex-
tremity of the island. The upper end
was more open with scattered trees
and long grass and connected directly
with the mainland while at some dis
lance away was a ridge of bluffs. The
island offered excellent pasture for the
horses and cattle.
Baker Refuses to Heed Warnings
A few days before the battle some
stray Indian dogs were observed about
the camp and their presence reported
to Major Baker. But the officer, who
from all reports of. the battle was
pretty well incapacitated by hard
drinking, refused to believe that any
Indians were near. Even when, the
night before the attack, several saddles
were stolen from tents of a party of
prospectors who had joined the COM
mand, a picket of six mules taken from
near Bakers tent and a dog killed
which had started to bark at the
marauders in camp, Baker refused to
take any extra precautions.
Lieutenant William Logan, who had
charge Of the guard, on his own mi
tiative the next night practiced extra
precautions, posting his men to cover
the approach from the mainland, plac-
ing some extra herders over the beef
cattle and mules which were driven
in upon the island while the horses
were picketed in the company streets.
During the night, several hundred
hostiles crossed over the slough and
concealed themselves in the timber and
brush at the lower end of the island.
About three o'clock in the morning,
the Indians from the land side made
a rush to stampede the animals. The
herders began to fire and the guard
also got into action. Although a few
of the Indians got among the animals,
the herders succeeded in pushing most
of the animals back to the ~corrals, pro-
tected by the fire of the guards, the
Indians getting away with about Is
head Of cattle. The prospectors, most