Year: 1877




scASr scrrLIga


ana 20 learned that the rSra ~ ,hs fron
tier posts We had lett could neither pro-
cure at Their stations nor press into service
supplies. When this news reached u.s. about Decem
Der 20 We were some seven eight days. march from
We could select, with only half forage for about that
number o days and ratons the lst I'd OF January
We had not yet heard IRON the guides scut 10 the
agencies nor from the spies Crazy Horse and
Tor the time being we were IN something OF maze
Soon hunger and the weather began 70 tell on our
looked as II about 10 lie down and let their bare bones
whiien on the lonesome wids alter the wolves s haa
picked oil them the last tough morse OF their nesn
II marvellous 10 SEQ with what avdity they de-
voured every shrub and blade OF grass they came
upon, the bark OF tho cottonwood boughs being
choice morseI Wc cut down hundreds OF these trees
line OF march and ted the bark 10 our animals.
When one inds himself In the midst OF such coun-
try, wholly dependent on his animals hc is very
glad OF the opportunity 20 engage bimselt for Their


while quite q fashionable sort OF entertainment in
which the best people in our community assisted.
AN INDIAN AND A wooDMANs Axk
one afternoon. while General Crook was cutting
away at stout cottonwood which Lieutenant Clark
and myself had determined to secure Tor nights ior
age, keeps the Battle, stalwart sioux chieI, camo
upon the scene and procuring second axe, showed
US how the red man cou WELD IT, with every blow
srous OF excelling the General Just before the
fell he rested and holding the axe n his lett hand.
with his right motoned In the sign language that
when tho Sioux ana the white man worked together
the stoutest tree would soon fall Perhaps be meant
to imply something than the mere falling OF that
tree. he certainly essayed TO look Important enough
at the moment Imply u "heap' more than he said.


coMPELLED RETURN


With many OF in the condition described
q weeks hard travel after the enemy. without In
forage, would leave very large proportion Of
tho command dismounted. To have gone hunting Tor
Crazy Horses village, ignorant as wo were thon OF ts
PROBABLE situation, night have entailed much more
Than u weeks march outward, not counting Tor the
return home General Crook concluded. therefore, TO
start homeward at once, his situation compelling MIN
ON tie morning OF December 81 we we're to start
home and though there mad not been much suffer-
ing among the troops up to that time there was con-
siderable rejoicing ut the announcement. The morn.
ing broke gloomily enough, and, wnile we wcro well
the day the shortest OF the whole year.
found II long enough before getting into camp that
evening. The scarcely visible through the dun.
cold mist that cnvooped H. aud when seen us ilynt
aud warmth seemed 10 have been cxtingushed Flakes
OF dry cold snow hllcd the air ut times the tenn
perature 10 low thut the impending storm seemed
to be held in frozen stiffness in its ia The story Of
day cold and discomfort intensified each sue
cessive march until the climax was capped on Christ
mas aud Christmas morning, when


MERCURY YRozE


in the bulb of Dr. Gibsons thermometer and OF every
thermometer on the expedition. Building ones house
in such weather but glad to have the material
such tents afforded IL Is not easy
TO picture the intensity OF such cold as We nen expe
or fingers Of nearly one-haH the com.
mand have been frosted, not severely II
Is true but enough show unmisakably the imprint
of the fingers OF old King Frost who appears TO hold
undsputed possession OF the territory hereabouts;
and indeed SO far most OF us concerned, he IS
quite welcome do so Tor shall never again ques-
ton his tite--if forced TO such extremity To
be sure we return with peeled noses ana checks in
dicatvc OF our incursions into frgd ATTITUDES badges
Of sufferings OF which We should be proud per-
haps only there Is little poetry In savage warfare
that one put II all in his eye.


APPEARANCE sun DOG.
During our second days march on the return home
preaching cold AS the afternoon advanced there APP
peared AZ either side OF the declining sun bright
column like the shafts of a rainbow. AS the sun be-
gan to set these shafts fame bright
presented the singular spectacle of seeming
descent OF three suns below the western horizon This
s what called ''sun dog, aud 10 taken certain
indication o the approach OF very cold weather. In
this instance, at least, was no false alarm Next day
the ssme thing was again noticed, and we made most
Of march that day with tho Thermometer below
zero.


TRYING MARCH


Christmas night Major George NJ. Randall, with
about sesents Crow Indians. joined us, having left
Old Fors Reno TWO days previously. Major Randall
had very trying march. From the first he was sur
rounded with difficulties not easy TO surmount. The
Crows had been frightened good deal IN the Rosebud
fight and very eager for another contest with
the Sioux. He had some trouble, therefore, in per-
suading them join him Tor winter campaign, and
ceeded on his way toward US. There great many
impediments too, IN the way OF his successfu pro.
gress in the direction he was Obliged I" take.
tains, and. his supplies being limited, he was
obliged TO operate "long" on experience and
and ''short" on PROVISIONS Fortunately he had had
Indian experience, and was ready 10 devour his
share of raw buffalo meat hot, too-biood hot--when
The animal was killed, and hunger taught him to
scramble tor first OF uncooked liver &c Review
ing such experience Major Randall has had
s very glad TO be avc and IL ready even 10 jest ON
past trials, however rough, though he may NOT crave
10 live over again tho lie just past Marching
through snow from one 10 five feet deep 10 not pleas.
ant, matter how bright the sun, II you are hun
cry and there does not Aappen 10 be a supply depot
within 100 miles of you. Nor does bvouac al night
with scant wood beside q frozen stream help ono
much. To keep warm You must herd closely then,
and Major Randall did herd very closely, but-well,
he has thrown away three suits OF undcrclothing
since


The Major is with US, but the Crows have been sent
back and though they had chance 10 light with us
their toward not without It's advantages.
tile country helps the work In hand Our new sioux
recruits have also returned home and will doubtless
be ready Tor the next burst


When Major Randall joined us we were fortunately
In position TO give him toleraby good dinner. II
was Christmas Day, AID even II II had not been
think we could have rcjoced his heart with fairly
acceptable feast for the place, tor our Commissary
Department thanks TO Lieutenant Rockwell was very
well supplied. To echo the opinion 0f an experienced
oflcerl need only say OF IL, with Colonel Dodge
cit was the best provIsIoned command that has
operated against hostile Indians this Territory,
winter or summer"


SPIES


Since our departure from Fort Fetterman the two
spies sent to look up Crazy Horses camp came into
tho post and reported that they could not find any
signs OF hostes on the Rosebud Tongue rivers.
Since General Crooks arrival at Cheyenne he sent
word TO Major Mason TO send out another party Of
Indians TO try and get Crazy Horse to in, at
least Ind out where his camp


In view Of recent killings near the Red Cloud agency
and on the Black Hills road some action seems
sary to put quieus on the savage parties there
abouts.