Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-08-07

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when the order was given to search the
warriors. The work was proceeding in
an orderly manner About a dozen Of
the Indians had been searched, when,
suddenly, like a flash, the rest Of the
warriors jerked guns from under their
blankets and began firing into the
ranks Of the soldiers who only mo-
ment before had moved almost within
gun length. Indians without guns
rushed into the melee with tomahawk
IN one hand and Scalping knife in the
other
When Colonel ForSythe reached the
Pine Ridge agency with his command,
he reported rs Of his men killed and "a
wounded. He also reported that 50
dead Indians were counted on the plain
where attempt was made to disarm
Big Foot's band, and where the fight
began. Eighteen more dead Indians
were found on other parts Of the
ground. This did not include the In
dams killed in ravines where the
dead were seen but not counted. Six I
were taken to the agency badly wound !
ed. and six others we're with the party /
of % men and women which Captain /
jackson had to abandon when at
tackled by about $50 Brule Indians
from the agency. This accounted, 1t was
stated, for 80 killed and left but few
alive and unhurt. The women and
children ran to the hills when the
fight started. Comparatively few of
them were hurt. while only a few were
taken to the agency. Later, a total Of
80 Indians was counted, of which
number 81 were wounded. If the Brules
had not made their attack an accurate
count would have been made, but the
ravines were not searched With only
q remnant of the Indians left, Gen
sral Brooke revoked his order for
rains to carry the Indians south under
guard, which indicated that but little
was felt from Big Foot's
oand in the future A party of 40 was
as being held by scouts at
he head of Mexican creek, but this
group, composed Of both sexes, would
De brought in by the cavalry from the /
Rosebud agency, If the report was !
ound to be true.
Indians Desperate
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, in his COM
nent, said that those Indians under
Big Foot were among the most des-
)erate. There were 48 of the remainder
# Sitting Bulls following that joined S
Big Foot on Cheyenne river, and 80 7
hat broke away from Humps follow '
ng when he took his band and Sit {
ing Bulls Indians to Fort Bennett, {
making in all nearly 100 warriors Be- a
ore leaving Their. camp on Fort Chey-
nne river they cut up their harness I
nd broke their wagons and started (
outh for the badlands, evidently not {
to return, but to go to war,
'roops were placed between them and {
he badlands and they never succeeded
q joining the hoStiles there. All their Z
movements were anticipated and their /,
evere loss at the hands of the Seventh q
avalry may be wholesome lesson to q
he other Sioux" T
General Schofield said the fight was Il
most unfortunate occurrence but he S
id not see how it could have been Il
voided. He forwarded a telegram to &
ieneral Miles, and expressed thanks 81
} officers and men of the Seventh ii
avalry for the gallant conduct they a
ad displayed Medical Director Bache Il
Pine Ridge made a report of the 3
casualties among the troops to the Ell
urgeon General Of the army as fol- p
'ws: Il
capt. Wallace, Is men of Seventh II
avalry and one Indian scout killed. Ia
{. Darlington, Seventh cavalry; 1t.
awthorne, Second artillery, and 38 r,
en- wounded. Many of the wounds d,
ere severe. Hospital steward was al
lied. Have also about 80 wounded e. =,
ldians. men, women and children" y
Special Agent Cooper, at Pine Ridge, III
rwarded telegram to the commits "
1ner Of Indian affairs saying that in az
onday's fight, $50 Indians were killed re
Id 80 wounded and captured. He also IN
ated that Indians attacked q wagon 81,
ain on the Tuesday following two ~
lies north Of the agency, killing one
ldier Of the advance guard. az
When the news Of the fight was re- IT
wed at Fort Keogh on Wednesday, sl