Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-03-14

supply OF water for irrigation, water
horses were captured, which were badly
needed to replace those shot during the
engagement. There was but one white
man wounded. He was shot through
the wrist.
The next day, in anticipation Of an
other attack, was devoted to entrench-
ing the coulee, and here several Of
the party spent the night. Their
amusement during their watch seems
to have been poisoning with strych-
nine some of the pemmican and a
few biscuits, which we're left to do their
deadly work.
The party had to be constantly on
its guard for two or three days, as
Indians we're seen lowering around.
The route chosen for their further
progress was up the Middle Fork Of
the Rosebud until the divide was
reached between that and the Little
Horn, and there they camped. Here
they killed three buffalo. The next
day the party was on the Little Horn.
That evening, one of the men saw
couple Of strange looking wolves.
He fired at them when to his aston
ishment they rose on their hind legs
and ran away. The next morning,
thinking IL to be safe to do so, the
stock was driven outside the corral TO
feed. All at once came the alarm Of
Indians! Indiansl" from a picket
stationed on a hill 1t proved to be
no false alarm, for soon 600 Sioux,
divided into three columns dashed
toward the camp, with the evident
purpose of first killing, or capturing
the stock. Their charge was met by
the artillery and the rifle shots of
the men, who had hurried to the pro-
lection of the stock. This caused the
Indians to retreat, but IL of them
to reach the summit of
hill commanding the camp, and from
their vantage ground, killed one horse
and wounded another. These warriors
were soon driven from their position,
and two either killed or wounded.
The Indians then set the grass afire.
Fortunately the white men had taken
the precaution to burn the grass about
their camp, knowing the Indians often
resorted to this means Of employing
fire as their ally against their enc
mics, and the fired grass did them
no harm. Finding their attack useless,
the Indians withdrew, and the party
went on, until they were within
hah-mile Of the Little Horn where
they camped. They were unable to
drive their stock to water because Of
the Indians, who forced them back.
Here was buried one Of the party who
had been killed, and great pains were
taken to conceal his grave, or the In
dams would disinter and scalp him.
Taking advantage Of this custom Of
the Indians, they prepared surprise
for them. A pit being dug In the form
Of a grave, shell was placed in it
and so arranged that the removal Of
the headboard would explode it.
No gold having been found on the |
Rosebud, the majority Of the company
we're in favor of going on to Goose
creek, where find was reported. The /
minority, composed of those best I
versed in the ways Of the red men /
called attention to their already being |
by the Indians 10 to /, /
and that undoubtedly all the Sioux /
would unite to finish the work they !,
had begun, and annihilate the party
On reconsideration, 1t was voted to
follow the advice of the minority, and
return to the settlements.
The second day Of their return
Journey, on crossing Grass Lodge, they
we're attacked by Sioux and Cheyennes.
The latter all wore white shirts, It
s said, which gave them the appear
lnce Of being in uniform. There were
80 Of them, and the Uncpapas were
urther reinforced by some Ogallala
sioux.
When the Indians charged, some Of
he white men adopted unusual tactics.
few Of them would drop on one
NEE and shoot, and then jump I'D and
I'm few steps toward the advancing
indians. and drop and shoot again.
The advance guard did the same, and
n this manner kept the enemy at bay.
The Indians having taken possession
II a coulee in the rear of the train.
lad to be driven out of 1t. Forty men
COX 1t upon themselves to accomplish
his task, and did it thoroughly. What
indians were not killed, ran away.
This engagement ended the Indian
roubles Of the party. At Beauvais
reek they met war party Of Crows.
Vho welcomed them as having risen
rom the dead. The party, in early
lay fashion, had accumulated a col
ection Of souvenirs OF the expedition,
onsisting Of scalps and fragments Of
indians, such as ears and the Ike
These the Crows borrowed, and held
calp dance that night. And so ended
be Rosebud expedition.