The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-11-22

the night up enc ravine and down into
another but keeping in the direction of
tne village. Thus a point within about
eight miles of Lame Deer's camp was
reached. A stop was made until one
O'Clock / n the morning. The command
then moved slowly to the Rosebud val
ley. At four o'clock on the morning of
May T., just as the day was dawning,
Miles found himself close to the vii
lage.
Lame Deer had established his camp
on a tributary of the Rosebud known
as the Big Muddy. The Indians called
when they grazed their ponies in that
vicinity the animals grew strong and
fat.
The time for taking decisive action
had arrived. Lieutenants Casey and
Jerome were in command Of the
mounted infantry and scouts. These
officers were ordered to charge direct
ly up the valley and stampede the In
dian ponies. A battalion of cavalry
was to follow and attack the camp.
The movements were successfully un-
dertaken and completed. The entire
herd Of Indian ponies, horses and
ed and driven about five miles up the
valley. Here they were rounded up by
a long circle drive and brought around
to the rea Of the command engaged
in attacking the Indian village. The
sudden onrush of the mounted infantry
and scouts caught the camp unawares.
The Indians fled from their tepees,
carrying along only what they had in
their hands at the time, speeding
quickly to the high bluffs and hills be-
yond the camp.
In the excitement that followed one
group of Lame Deer'S followers became
Separated from the rest Of the tribe.
Just before the attack was made Miles
ordered his Sioux and Cheyenne In
dian guides to shout to the Lame Deer
followers that If they threw down their
arms and surrendered, their lives would
be spared. He waS anxious to capture
some of them alive, for through them
and the exercise Of their influence he
hoped to secure the surrender Of all the
hostiles.
Gallopfng up to the separated group
Of warriors, it was apparent that they
recognized the Importance OF the de-
mand. The members of the party
"How-how-kola" (friend) Miles called
out to assure the Indians of his good
will, and extended his hand to Chief
Lame Deer. The Indian leader grasped
Miles hand. In the meantime Miles
adjutant, George w. Baird, was doing
the same thing with Iron Star. the
head warrior of the Indian camp.
Shortly afterward an incident occurred
that nearly cost the life OF Colonel
Miles.
One of the white scouts, filled with
more enthusiasm than discretion, rode
forward to join the group of soldiers
aN| 0ff;oNrr with hHi1nc rrnc1In,o hlvy tn
insure the safety of his superior officer.
This white scout drew his rifle and
covered Lame Deer with the weapon.
Observing the gesture carefully Lame
Deer evidently thought the scout in
tended to shoot him. With a powerful
effort he wrenched his hand from the
clasp of Miles, stepped back a few
PAGES, raised his rifle to his eye and
fired.
Miles quickly sensed the dangerous
position in which he found himself. He
saw the determined look ON Lame
Deer's face, his set jaw and wild eye.
The open muzzle of Lame Deer's rifle
was pointed directly toward him. Real
izing his danger Miles instantly whirled
his horse from Lame Deer. The animal
slightly settled back on his Launches,
when at that very moment the rifle
fire flashed within 10 feet of him. The
bullet whizZed past Miles breast and
lodged in the body of a soldier near
Miles side.
Adjutant Baird lost the grip ON Iron
Stars hand at the same time. All ef-
forts to secure the peaceful surrender
OF the Lame Deer band were futile.
A hot fight that lasted but a few Sec
onds ensued. The scattered warriors
who were fighting the Miles command
went down quickly beneath the accur-
ate and deadly fire Of the soldiers and
scouts. The main object Of the expedi-
ton having been accomplished, Miles
turned back and stopped at Lame
Deer's camp. The casualties were four
soldiers killed, one officer and SIX
soldiers wounded. Fourteen Indian