The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-10-01


pass was the better, but it was located
approximately lis miles away. It was
necessary, however, for Miles to antic-
ipate every possible contingency. The
Bannocks might try the Boulder pass,
or they might move farther around
Clark's Fork pass. He felt the Indians
were likely to come out through the
latter pass. Not to be found mapping,
Miles sent Lieutenant Bailey with 40
men to occupy the Boulder pass. He
then undertook forced march with
the remainder of his men to the Clark's
Fork pass.
Scouts had already been sent to the
Grow agency to urge the Indians there
Bannocks. The request placed the
Crows in a peculiar position, for they
were friendly to both the whites and
the Bannock Indians. The scouts, after
noting the hesitation of the Crows,
explained the Importance of arresting
depredations on other reservations as
well as upon the neighboring settle
ments. AS a further inducement, the
Crows were offered rations and am
munition. besides all the stock they
could capture from the Bannocks. An
agreement was reached. The Crows
would go along upon the arrival of the
Miles command.
when will the command arrived"
asked one Of the Crow leaders, when
Miles with his small band of IS men
marched past.
That is the only command there
| is" was the reply. 1T is composed en-
tirely of experienced Indian fighters,
and every man in the command was
| medicine man. No greater force was
needed to go out against. the Ban
q f,yrft1 how in
| formed.
But the Crows were not impressed.
Nothing could be said to influence
them to join the command. They re-
fused to go with SO small force.
Remain then where you are" the
Crows were told.
An hour or two after the command
marched by, two strong and hardy
desperate-looking Grow Indians rode
up.
I'VE are not afraid; we are going
with you" they announced boldly. Soon
others followed. The bravest came first.
Then followed the more prudent, the
more tinid, until at last IS Crow
warriors had joined the Miles COM
expedition than group of white SOL
diers, who were outnumbered twice
over.
The Clark's Fork pass, by forced
marches, was reached just one day in
advance of the Bannocks. Every pos
sible precaution was exercised to avoid
detection, should the Bannocks have
horses, pack mules were concealed in
pocket in the mountain. Scouts were
sent to the elevations, keeping out of
sight, but scanning the country with
field glasses or telescopes. Occasionally
an officer would perform this duty.
Any sign of approach of the Bannocks
was to be quickly reported.
| About II o'clock on the following
morning the hostile Bannocks were
sighted on the top Of a mountain. They
were vending their way slowly down
circuitous, rocky trail some 10 or IL
miles away and along the Clarks Fork.
Unaware of any checking force, the
for about six miles, coming within that
distance of the Miles command. Their
horses were unsaddled and turned out
to Craze. VidetteS were posted on the
adjacent bluffs. Camp fires were built,
for apparently the raiding Indians felt
they were safe.
A level plain two or three miles in
extent formed part of the distance
between the two camps. If the check
dettes would quickly take notice. Miles
decided to remain in concealment. A
constant watch was kept on the Ban
mock camp the balance of the day.
Under cover of darkness Miles moved
to within two miles Of the invaders.
Two Indians from the Crow agency
| were called by Miles at nine o'clock
that evening. They were asked to crawl
up and take careful note of the Ban
mock camp. Miles calculated that the
Crows, wrapped in their blankets, if
discovered could disguise their move
ments and be mistaken for members
of the camp out looking after their
horses. It was between IL and o'clock
before the Crows returned. They re-
ported the Bannock camp to be in a
strong position. It was difficult to ap-
proach. The sage brush, as high as q
horses back, afforded excellent pro-
lection. Furthermore, the ground was
wet and soaked due to the torrential
rains which had fallen for several
hours. Rewarded for their hazardous
work, the Crows were informed that
an attack would be made at once and
that the Crows were expected to assist.
Their part was to capture the Ban