Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1876 — Another Fight With the Indians—Gen. Crook's Report. [ARTICLE]

Another Fight With the Indians—Gen. Crook's Report.

ft Fdty IZreran:, Wy., Sept 16. Qcn- B. fl. Dram, Chicago, Hl.: The following dispatch has Just been received from Gen. Crook: Hbxd Bia Hoaw *wx> Yamowirroics > ExnrornoM. Cams n zak Owl Cbssk, > / V DaKOVa TsatBiTOBY. Sept. 15. 1 Gen. Sheridan, Chicago: Matched from Heart River, passing a great manytoalls of Indians going down all the different streams we crossed between Heart River and this point, apparently working their way in toward the different agencies, althou'gh'soihe of the trails seemed fresh. Our animals were not In condition to pursue them. From the north fork of Grand River I sent Capt. Mills, of the Third Cavalry, with 150 men, fiiounted on ofir strongest horses, to go in advance to Peadwood to procure supplies of provisions. On tbe evening of the Bth, near the Shin Buttes, he discovered a hostile village of thirty add lodges, and -lay by there that night, and attacked them by surprise yesterday- morning, capturing the village, some prisoners, and a number of ponies, and killing some of the Indians. Among the Indians was the chief, American Horse, who died from his wounds after surrendering to us. Our own casualties were Blight, but among them was First LieuL Von Lattewttk, of the Seventh Cavalry, wounded seriously in the knee and leg, •fade amputated. In the village- were found, beside grtat quantities of drfod meat and ammunition, an army guidon? portions of ofllcers’ and non-commissioned officers’ uniforms, aad other indications that the Indians of village had participated in the Custer mWeacre. Our main column got up about noon that day, and was shortly after attacked by a considerable body of Indians, who, the prisoners said, belonged to tbe village of Crazy Horse, who was camped somewhere between their own village and the 1 Little Missouri Rivet. This attack was undoubtedly made under the supposition that Caph Mills’ command had received no reinforcements. The prisoners further stated that most of the hostile Indians were now going into the Agencies with the exception of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull with their immediate followers. Crazy Horse intended to remain near the head waters of the Little Missouri, 1 and about one-half of Sitting Bull’s band, bering from sixty to 100 lodges, had gone north of the Yellowstone, While the remainder of that band, with some Sans Ates, Minneconjous and Uncapapas, had gone to the vicinity, of Antelope'Buttes, there to fatten their ponies and to trade with th»> Rees and others. I place great reliance on these statements, from other edrtobbratory evidence which I have. These Indians with Sitting Bull will •mount probably to 300 or 400 lodges, and in my onlniqn can very easily be struck by Gen. Terry’s column, provided, it go in light marching order find keep under cover. Our prisoners also in their conversation fully confirmed in every particular my opinions as already telqgrpphed you. We had a very hard mar?h here from Heart River, for eighty consecutive miles. We did not have a particle of wood, nothing but s little dry grass, Which Was instiffleient even to cook coffee for the men. During the greater portton of the time we were drenched by cold rgins, which made traveling very heavy. A Seat many of tbe animals gave out and .d to be abandoned; the others are now in such a weak condition that the greater niitnber of them will not be able to relume the campaign until after a reasonable rest. . I Should like to have abpqt 500 horses, preferably the half-breed hotees* raised on the Laramie plains, or in the vicinity of Denver? and acclimated to thia country. I intend to carry out the programme mentioned in my last dispatch, via Fart Lincoln, and shall remain in the vicinity of Deadwood until the arrival of my wagon

trfiin.

GEORGE CROOK,

Brig. Gen.