Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-01-06

Bulls presence, and the presence OF the
troops at Fort Peck.
"These Indians all told us that Sit
ting Bull had been on the Porcupne
and moved down to the Missouri river.
NV scouts Mr. Lambert and young
Joe Culbertson both knew the Indians
and say they can be depended on.
With this information felt very much
elated at the prospects OF finding Sit
ting Bulls camp on this side OF the
Missouri river where can get at him.
Following down this trail, leaving the
main road at Milk river. halted Tor an
hour and half"
Reach Indians Rear Guard
On the morning Of Dec. Z, the COM
unand left Milk river at 4:30 O'Clock,
following Sitting Bulls trail until 1t
came near the timber along the Mis-
souri, river Indians were seen on the
right of the line of march.
IAN Indian whom I have since
learned was Little ASSinniboine, Sit
ting Bulls brother came up TO WITHIN
20 yards OF my rear guard, but owing
to the fact that camps of the Xank-
tonais were scattered along here |
had given strict orders not to fire az
Indians on this side of the river until
they opened on us. So this fellow got
away without being molested.
'Deploying my command ! waited
until the scouts and mounted men
moved out as far as the river Wnen
they returned and reported that noth-
ing was seen, I again moved forward
when Indians appeared and as soon
disappeared in front and to the right
again with @ and 1 com
panies In line and H company in the
rear, I continued down TO the river
until I passed the point where the
trail ran across the river on the ice.
Soon after I halted and allowed the
men to cook breakfast at 8 o'clock. AT
1890 a. m, sent CulbertSon and two
mounted men across the river TO look
around and see what was over there.
They had hardly reached the opposite
shore when Indians we're seen, and a
brisk fire opened. My men we're driven
back. when company II was ordered
TO drive the Indians out Of the timber,
which was done In fine style under
brisk fire and moving through the
brush and timber to the foot OF the
hills
THE advance Of company H de-
yeloped In part their numbers and
fully their impregnable position against
my small command. Without artillery
considered well the prospects OF sue
vas greatly IN favor of the latter"
1t was a momentous decision which
Baldwin had to make. Since Brughier
had left Sitting Bulls camp some 80
odd lodges had joined him, increasing
lis warriors to around 600. Consulting
lis officers. Baldwin found they were
n doubt as to the chances Of success
against the medicine man. The Off
;ers advised against making the at
ack.
Remembered Clusters Fate
Here was another time" writes
when the opportunity was
{ hand but not enough men to make
success certain. / never came so near
lverruling what / believed to be the
light course In this matter and making
IN attack but without a shadow OF a
nance OF even a partial victory, and
With every chance Of having my COM
nand annihilated. I did this with the
reatest reluctance personally-W1th-
rev n company to the north bank Of
he river at 2 p. m.
Sitting Bull had set a trap for me
which / discovered without doubt !
nd avoided. Just as H company re-
urned, three Indians belonging to the /
amp OF Medicine Bear, who is camped I
n the Missouri river below the mouth |
4 Little Porcupfne, came In. One Of |
hese Indians, Shield, who has been /
scout at Lincoln, said he was In 4
sitting Bulls camp this morning when /
little Assinniboine came in after riding |
~ so close to my rear and reported |
ny presence"
Medicine Bear unfolded the plan of .
mbuscade, which was believed by Mr.. I
ambert and young CulbertSon, both 4
( whom knew the Indian. When Sit
ing Bull was advised Of the presence
( the Baldwin command he moved his I
odges over to Bark creek, a small |
tream. and left his young men IN the 4
Ills and timber to await BALDWIN, /
ppruach, thus drawing him on until 4
e could get the Baldwin command IN |