The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-07-19

roanc,lon of the Battle of Summit Springs
hitch for many wears was a climax OF the per-
formanee RI so. you probably remember also
that YOU came away from 1t with the Dehef tnal
IN this battle. Buffalo Bill" Cody, the scout
charged through the Indian village al the heau
of the troops, saved one white woman from oeath
At the hands OF the savages and avenged the
killing of another by Staying IAN BULL chiel "
the Dog Soldier Cheyennes
The only thing wrong with this picture Is
that It's ali wrong For the facts OF the Battle
of Summit Springs as they are recorded In sucn
authoritative works as George Bird GrnnelIs
.sThe Fighting Cheyennes' and Two ureal
Scouts and Their Pawnee Battalion are fhese'
In June 1860, eight troops OF the Fifth cav
airy, who had been campaigning In Kansas ana
Colorado under Mai w. B. Royal. were ordered
"a Fort Mcpherson, Neb. for summer campaign
against hostile Indians. especially the band OF
Dog Soldier Gheyennes, led by Chie1 Ihil nnll'
one OF the worst raiders on the plains OF thal
period The troops were placed under the com
mand OF Gen Eugene A. Carr, major OF the
Fifth who had risen to the rank OF major gen
eral In the Civil war At Fort Mcpherson the
command was Joined by three companies Of Paw
nee Indian scouts commanded by MAJ. FRANK
North with his brother Luther IA. North, as
cantain OF one of the companies. The other ON
eera OF the scouts were Captains Gushing ana
Murie and Lieutenants Becher, Matthew's anu
Kisllngberry There too. they were joined oy
two civilian scouts, a certain Garry and William
r Cody. already known as Buffalo BILL
Cars pursuit Of the Indians led him 1oO miles
into the present state OF Colorado. early on the
morning OF July II Norths Pawnees ROUND the
site OF the camp that Tall Bulls people had ie1l
the previous day. after which they mad separat-
Cd into three parties Accordingly Carr divided
tha
nf the cavalry and five or SIX Pawnee scouts ne
followed the left-hand trail toward the north
west The rest of the cavalry, commanded oy
Royal with Cody as their guide, took the right
hand trail toward the northeast and Frank ana
Luther North with Captain Cushing and 90 OF
the Pawnees took the middle trail which led al
rectly north.
FIFTEEN miles up the trail one OF the Pawnees
who had gone with Carr came riding swiftly 10
Major North with the news that some OF his TEL
lows had found the Cheyenne village at the place
now called Summit Springs So the Norths ana
their detachment Immediately turned west and
galloped over to join Carr and his men VINO mao
dsmounted and we're waiting behind ridge OF
sand hills Carr had also sent word TO Royal
hut. after waiting half an hour for that officer
10 appear and fearful lest the hostlles might
learn az the presence OF the troops and escape
he decided to attack.
Ordering his troopers into their saddles, Carr
advanced toward the village which was abou
three miles away When the column reached
long valley which ran almost down TO the VII
lage Carr gave the command to charge. Franz
North was riding very fast horse and ne wa
the first to speed over the brow Of the hill DC
low which the Cheyennes lodges were pitched
Tall Bull and his people had no idea that the
had been pursued closely. AS the day wa
warm. they lounging 10 the shade OF thei
lodges with most OF their ponies grazing on IN