Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-01-24
How E. MI, Locke Saved Command
OF Captain Clark From Massacre

us were peeled down for hard work.
We we're allowed only half a dog tent
to each man. Miles had only the fly
Of wall tent for his quarters.
I'VE arrived at Fort Peck on the
Missouri river July 6, crossing on one
of the river steamers. While we we're
there, we were paid off and what a
lot Of beer bottles soon covered the
ground In that vicinity. Post traders
from all over the country brought beer
there in wagon trains; more came by
the boats, and the price Of 81 bottle
did not seem to cause any delay IN
wiping out the available supply.
"On the morning Of the l4th boots
and saddles was sounded and within
an hour we were moving slowly north
ward. As we proceeded on the trip, we
picked up and disarmed such breeds
as we came across. We went into camp
the night of the 10th about IL miles
south of the Milk river. Captain Clark
was sent in advance to capture some
breeds. His force consisted OF company
of mounted infantry under Lieuten-
ant Borden, and troop c Of the Sec
ond cavalry under Lieutenant Hopper,
the 81 Crows and the interpreter.
Chief Little Wolf came with US. I was
along as quartermaster sergeant. About
noon that day the Crows who had been
In advance, came back with the re-
port that a big band Of renegadeS from
Sitting Bulls outfit was camped ahead
Captain Clark at once wrote a mes
sage for Miles and sent 1t back by
Council, a recruit.
Council was decidedly green, hay
ing been but short time over from
Ireland. When he reached the main
party he came up at a gallop. yelling
at the top Of his voice: Miles, Miles,
be-P furnishing the paper con-
tanning the message. Miles read the
note and ordered an advance.
In Tight Spot
eve with Clark, were in a pretty
tight hole. 1t was an open country
and we stopped in a natural hollow,
like an immense buffalo wallow. we
were formed in a horseshoe shape,
cavalry on one bend. infantry on the
other, while between the calks at the
open space, the Crows would dash
forth ct times to keep it open. The
Indians were on all sides Of us and
we were getting it hot.
"At the first shots, we dismounted
and the fight began. The first man
shot was a bugler who got bullet IN
the leg. Then another man got bad
wound IN the neck. Every little Whne
horse would be killed. noticed after
a time that our boys were beginning
to borrow ammunition from each
other and that the supply was running
short. To stay there without help and
without ammunition meant massacre
at the hands Of the Indians, who far
outnumbered us.
$50 I went to Lieutenant Hopper
and asked permission to ride his horse,
Felix, a fine race animal, to try TO
get a message to Miles for help Cap
tain Clark asked how I expected 70
get through. I explained that ne could
direct the Crows to make a charge
and as the enemy scampered away
from that side, I would make dash
for It. Captain Clark said that as the
Sioux were closing in, we would be
massacred as soon as our ammunition
gave out, and he would let me go.
III never forget an incident that oc-
Cured Just then. The Crows and Sioux
were deadly enemies. Standing stark
naked IN our lines, was a young Crow
yelling defiance at the Sioux. With
every word intense passion could sug-
gest. he tainted them and challenged
them to send forth some champion TO
meet him IN battle.
~WeIl, I started I stripped down and
rode bareback. Felix had hard mouth
and as I had only watering bride
on him I could do nothing but let
him run. As the Crows charged, 1
followed, and as they spread out to
attack the foe broke through the
Sioux line and was off at fun speed
70 find Miles.
miles had his troops in line OF