Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-11-16

the night I'D one ravine and down into
another but keeping in the direction OF
the village. Thus point within about
eight miles of Lame Deer's camp was
reached. A stop was made until one
o'clock in the morning The command
then moved slowly to the Rosebud val
ley. At four o'clock on the morning OF
May z, just as the day was dawning,
Miles found himself close to the viii
lage.
Lame Deer had established his camp
on tributary of the Rosebud known
as the Big Muddy. The Indians called
the stream Fat Horse creek" because
when they grazed their ponies In that
vicinity the animals grew strong and
fat.
The time for taking decisive action
had arrived. Iieutenants Casey and
Jerome were In command Of the
mounted infantry and scouts. These
officers we're ordered to charge direct
~ 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
mules, numbering 450, were stamped
ed and driven about five miles up the
valley. Here they were rounded up by
q long circle drive and brought around
TO the rear Of the command engaged
in attacking the Indian village. The
sudden onrush Of the mounted infantry
and scouts caught the camp unawares.
The Indians fed from their tepees,
carrying along only what they had In
their hands ct the time, speeding
A. 10
yond the camp.
In the excitement that followed one
group OF Lame Deer's followers became
separated from the rest Of the tribe.
Jusk before the attack was made Miles
ordered his Sioux and Cheyenne IN
dian guides 10 shout 10 the Lame Deer
followers that IL 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 70 secure the surrender OF all the
hostiles
GalIoplng up to the separated group
Of warriors, it was apparent that they
recognized the importance Of the de-
maad. The members Of the party
their arms upon the ground.
How ow-kola" Cfrien-l Miles called
out to assure the Indiaiis of his good
VIII, and extended his hand to Chief
-same Deer. The Indian leader grasped
Niles hand In the meantime Miles
adlutant, George w. Baird, was doing |
tae same thing with Iron Star, the
head warrior Of the Indian camp. |
Shortly afterward an incident occurred |
that nearly cost the life OF Colonel
Niles.
One Of the white scouts, filled with |
more enthusiasm than discretion, rode |
forward to Join the group Of soldiers
and officers with Miles, presumably TO
nslare the safety of his superior officer.
rhis white scout drew his rifle and /
covered Lame Deer with the weapon
the gesture carefully Lame
Deer evidently thought the scout In
ended TO shoot him. With q powerful
sffoxt he wrenched his hand from the
.lasp OF Miles, stepped back q few
races, raised his rifle to his eye and
ired.
miles quickly sensed the dangerous
,esifion IN which he found himself. he
,aw the determined look on Lame
0eerss face, his set jaw and wild eye.
rhe omen muzzle Of Lame Deerg rifle
vaS PAINTED directly toward him. Real
ling his danger Miles instantly whirled
Ii horse from Lame Deer. The animal
LIGHTLY settled back on his launches,
gaaen &C that very moment the rifle
Ire flashed within 10 feet OF him. The
lsagles whixzed past Miles breast and
edged sn the body Of soldier near
Hi1ea side.
Adimtant Baird lost the grip on Iron
stars hand at the same time All ef-
ortx to secure the paacefM surrender
& the Lame Deer band were futile.
! hot fight that lasted but few Sec
nds nngued The scattered warriors
mo were fighting the Miles command
tnrf aomn quickly beneath the acclr-
a and demdly fire OF the soldiers and
eoarfs. Isae main object Of the expedi-
Ion having been accomplished, Miles
Iarmad back and stupped az Lame
laAf's camp The casualties were 1Max
pldEsrx killed. one officer and stx
sldlarB wounded. FCmTteen 1ndiani