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

The exciting times on the AehOW-
stone did not end with the sixties.
but continued until the conclusion OF
the Sioux war. During that period any
whites who entered that region, did
so at their peril But where Is the
man who win not face danger to be
the first In q new gold field?
In the winter of 1873 the report
was circulated in Bozeman that gold
had been found on the Rosebud. This
news had its usual effect Of filling
every old prospector and every would
be prospector with an uncomfortable
desire to see what truth there was in
the story. With this purpose in view
company was organized to go to the
Rosebud.
At the same time Bozeman business
men, also obedient to the gold lure;
planned to send out a party to look
into the ACCESSIBILITY Of urging settlers
to take homesteads on the Yellowstone.
These companies joined forces for mu-
tual protection, comprising in all 149
men, under a chosen leader.
Their supplies, camp equipment, etc,
were carried by wagons and pack ami
mails They had plenty of ammunition,
and as an additional precautionary
measure, took with them two pieces
of artillery that were in charge of their
head gunner, a man who had been in
the Civil war
The company left Bozeman Feb. IS,
going down the north side of the Vel
loWstone. At first the men we're care
less, and could not be induced by the
more experienced in Indian warfare
to dig rifle pits. when camping. 1t was
thought these needed a lesson. Two or
three of the initiated we're sent out
into the hills, and little later came
tearing into camp shouting, Indians!
Indiansw It is needless to say there
were no Indians, but there was no
trouble about pits being dug after that.
Some, if not all Of the wagons being
drawn by oxen, the progress Of the
company was not rapid-about 10 miles
a day-and it was not until the last
of March they crossed the river, and
spent four or five days prospecting
on Porcupine creek. No gold being
found there they moved on toward the
Rosebud. When about eight miles from
the Yellowstone, two hunters who had
been out for game, came galloping
into camp, followed closely by II IN
dams. The latter were stripped for
battle, and had cached their blankets
and provisions a half-mile from the
train of the white men. These sent out
a detachment that captured both blan-
kets and provisions.
The following day, some men dis
patched to find the road, we're at
tackled but drove the Indians away
by their telling shots. At the same
time, picket was shot by the attack
ing band, but not killed Like all we'll
instructed travellers In the Indian
country, it was their custom TO form
the wagons into a corral, by forming
an oval with the front wagons drawn
close together, and the back ones ar
ranged In the same manner, with a
chain across the openings. Within this
corral the stock was penned, whenever
from Indians were feared. In
forming this corral, the tongues Of the /
wagons were all inside, instead Of out
side, as in the film of the Covered |
Wagon"
The night after the picket was shot
the corral was made too small to &C
the stock, and it had to
be herded. One Of the herders, seeing
an Indian near, fired at him and
either wounded or killed him. An hour
later Indians charged the camp, but
we're driven back. 1t Is possible that
5he charge Of the Indians was to bear
away their wounded comrade, as it
was believed that, If one Of their dead
was scalped his journey to the sand
hills" would be a rough and rugged
road.
On crossing the Rosebud they found
! fresh Indian trail 80 feet wide, in
iicating that a large number Of the
enemy were in the vicinity. The men
needed no urging to dig rifle pits that
evening, nor on following days. 1t was
veil they were prepared, for the next
morning they we're attacked. No white
men were killed, thanks to the pits
hey had constructed. One Of these
outside the breastworks had been
abandoned by its occupant, and into
his an Indian crept. Safely ensconced
here, he was shooting down one horse
after another in the corral when the
zig gun was brought out and leveled
n the direction of the pit, where the
indian had barricaded himself with
Try wood. The gun was discharged,
md blew wood and Indian into frag-
nents. When morning came and 1t was
light enough to take accurate aim, the
indians became wary about making
targets for the whites. They
lid not dare lift their heads, and If
hey raised an arm to shoot, it was
likely to be hit.
Running parallel with the corral
vas a coulee, In which the Indians
lad hidden during the night. 1t was
to dislodge them. Three
we're formed, one to enter
he mouth of the coulee; another to
ttack from the opposite direction, and
he third to go directly across from
he corral, and charge the Indians
rom above. When all was In readiness,
nd the companies set out, one Of the
ield guns was fired, and then began .
he fight The Indians being taken