Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1878 — BATTLE WITH BANNOCKS. [ARTICLE]

BATTLE WITH BANNOCKS.

An Account of Gallant Gen. Miles’ Last Victory. [Mammoth Park (Wyoming Ter.) Telegram to Chicago Inter Ocean.) A courier just in from Gen. Miles’ camp brings the report of a fight with the Bannock hostiles. On the Ist Miles left the Crow Agency for Clark’s fort. On the afternoon of the 3d the Crow scouts brought in word of the Bannocks coming through the pass. Miles went into camp to prevent being seen by the hostiles, and sent out scouts to watch their movements. The scouts noted the night camp of the Bannocks and reported. The first intention was to attack the Bannocks on the night of the 3d, but it rained all day, end the darkness became too thick for operation. At 2 o’clock on the morning of the 4th Miles started forward to attack with twentyseven men es the Fifth Infantry, Capt. Bennett commanding, and thirty-five friendly Crows. At 4 o’clock in the morning the force reached the Bannock camp, deployed in skirmish line, and, when within fifty yards, commenced firing into the hostiles, who were taken completely by surprise, being all asleep at the beginning of the action. The Bannock camp was protected by steep bluffs in the rear, and a bend of the branch of Clark’s fork in front. The troops on the right of the line fired across the river into the Bannock camp. The Crow allies on the left fell back from the position assigned them by Miles, and permitted a few Bannocks to escape, otherwise every one would have been killed or taken prisoner. The battle lasted for two hours, the Bannocks, though few in number, fighting with desperate obstinacy. The result was that Capt. Bennett, Company B, Fifth Infantry, of Little Rock; a French scout, and one Crow Indian were killed on the side of the troops, and thirteen Bannocks killed. Private McAtee, Company G, Fifth Infantry, was wounded in the wrist, the stock of his gun being shot away. Thirty-four Bannocks, men, women and children, were taken prisoners and sent to Fort Keogh in charge of Gen. Bull, who, with four companies of the Second Cavalry, arrived the day after ( the fight. The Crows captured the Bannock herd of about 200 head of horses. Twentytwo Indian horses were killed in camp. Not more than three or four Bannock warrior escaped. Capt. Bennett was shot through the heart and fell dead early in the action, leaving Miles the only commissioned officer present, Lieut. Bailey being at Bowlder creek. Although a few Bannocks are believed to have gone south to the Shoshone Agency and a few toward Fort Hall, it is believed that Miles closes the Bannock war, as he did the Nez Perces, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Lame Deer’s campaign, and safety for travelers in the National park is believed to be insured for the remainder of the season. Gen. Miles is expected to join the main body of the Yellowstone expedition in two days and proceed through the park.