Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-08
Bloody Bozemun Troll Holds
Records of Deeds of HerOism

A corral Of wagon boxes had been
set up by Gilmore g. Porter, who had
taken a contract to supply the fort
with logs for the sawmills and firewood
for the following winter The corral
was designed as a protection for the
stock from night attacks by Indians
The boxes were removed from IA wa0-
ons and formed into an oval-shaped
enclosure into which the stock was
driven each night. Seven thousand
rounds Of ammunition were arranged
inside the corral and everyone was In
Structed In case Of an attack TO re-
treat to the corral where II was
thought a good defense could be made
until relief came from the fort.
This assumption proved entirely cor
rect. Red Cloud, who led the Indian
thrust that day, was later quoted a.
saying that the total loss Of Sioux
CheyenneS and Arapahoes was more
than / LOO killed and wounded. Other
estimates range from 800 to 800.
When the red men attacked, SOL
diers and civilian workmen all were
able to gain the shelter Of the wagon
boxes. Their leader was grim-1awed
Capt. James w. Powell. He gave but
up from all sides like waves of hor-
nets: Men, here they come. Take
your places and shoot to kill"
In the ARRAY there were az least |
1000 Indians. Their attack was
launched about a. m. ALI that day /
and until late afternoon that tiny |
band of desperate, straight-shooting |
men took everything their foemen |
could dish out and lost but three men. |
Charge after charge was hurled back
Just when 1t seemed nothing could !
f14n Cfn4rv fY.rv,
through.
New Rifles Save Day
AS was the case in the Hay Field
fight, breech-loading, SOC aIiber
Springfield rifles saved the day. After
The defenders had commenced firing.
3 large number Of Indians rode Ia
very close, within $50 yards, and waited
Tor the white men to draw ramrods
Tor reloading, as they supposed the
Did muzzle-loaders were being en-
lloyed. But instead Of drawing ram
rods and losing precious time, the
white men simply threw open the
1reech-blocks of the new rifles to eject
he empty shells and slapped in fresh
mes. They we're thus able to keep up
/ steady, effective fire and the In
Hans were soon glad to withdraw to
! safe distance.
LkCkJJA - "a hA4I w eAEOAA DOA l4ELlt {
lave said that the boxes were made !
# boiler iron, or that they were lined !
With steel and had loopholes through !
he sides. This, according to accounts ,
" men who participated in the battle, q
S nonsense. They were ordinary wood
n wagon boxes, with not a particle Z
# iron anywhere, except the bolts, +
tay-straps and nuts used In holding !
hem together.
The fight took place under a blazing +
un and the defenders fought bare /,
leaded, using their caps and hats as :
containers. To add to r
heir acute discomfort the Indians
hot flaming arrows into the corral.
These ignited scattered bits Of hay
nd dry manure and created a smoke
nd stencil that nearly Strangled the :
men at times Max Littman, a sergeant,
yho survived the fight, said II relief 5
lad not come the men could not have
ontinued to do battle more than an \
ther half hour. They were at the !
oint Of total exhaustion.
indians in Retreat +
Then, suddenly the Indians on the i
ill at the top Of the ridge began, by
wos and threes, to start down the {
teep decline into Big Piney valley.
Then there was heard the boom of
Jig gun to the east. A rescue party
rom Fort Phil Kearney had arrived.
The grimy men inside the corral
umped to their feet and yelled. They
brew their caps into the air, Rugged !
ne another and Sobbed in deliriums
4 10Y. The awful strain was over. Z
For their gallantry under such ter 5
ific odds each man was recommended :
or a medal of honor. They had GER :
ainly earned this distinction-but not
man ever received a medal.