The New York Herald Newspaper, July 30, 1876, Page 3

A THRILLING TALE. Romance of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. DE RUDIO'S PERILOUS ADVENTURES Graphic Details from the Pen of the Lieutenant. ALONE IN THE BURNING WOODS. The Warrior in Tom Custer’s Buckskin Suit. THIRTY-SIX HOURS OF AWFUL SUSPENSE The Brave Conduct of Private O’Neill of Company G. ‘Those who have read the accounts of the disastrous attle on the Little Big Horn are familiar with the ame of Lieutenant De Rudio, who was cut off from sig command and lost for thirty-six hours. The par- ticulars of his a¢ventures while endeavoring to get to ‘the fellows of his command has not yet been given to the public, and but for the kindness of a friend in this sity, to whom he has written a letter containing an ‘account of his adventures, the interesting story given below might never have reached beyond bis own small tircle of army companions. Through the kindness of Lieutenant De Radio's friend we spread before our readers a story of thrilling adventuro and miraculous escape equal to anything ever conceived in the mind of a novelist. It contains troth which makes it stranger than fiction, and shows what a world of romance and interest may be concealed in a single line of telegram, Every one knows that De Rudio had been cut off from his companions for thirty-six hours, but the story of bow that time was an element of spent has been reserved for him to tell, LIRUTKNANT D& RUDIO'S LETTER. The letter is dated “Camp on the north side of the Yoliow Stone River, opposite the Big Horn, July 5, 1876,” and, referring to the disastrous battle ot the Little Big Horn, it says:— “I bad a narrow escape at the battle of the Little Big Horn on the 25th and 26th of June, and I will endeavor to give you my experience of ‘Indian fighting. At about ten A. M. on tho 25th of June, alter baving marched all night, General Custer’s scouts returned and reported that they had discovored an Indian villiage, about fifteen miles distant, on the Little Big Horn, and that from what thoy bad seen they supposed tho Indians to bo retreating before our advance. We continued our march two or three miles farther, when a halt was ordered, and Gencral Custer began preparations for attacking the enemy. He de- tailed companies H, D and K, under the command of Colonel F. W. Benteen, to take the left of our route, with orders, so I hear, to sweep everything in his way. Companies M, A and G were put under the eommand of Colonel Reno, and being temporarily attached to company A, I found myself with this @ivision, General Custer took companies E, 1, F, L and © and occupied the right of the line of attack. ‘The remaining company (B) was lef to guard the pack train, After marching two or three miles, our command, the tentre, was ordered to trot and hold the gait until we reached the river, six or seven miles distant Having feached the river we forded, and on reaching the plain beyond the opposite bank we were ordered into line of Dattle. Everything being as was ordered, we started on a gallop, and for two miles pursaed close on the verge of an immense and blinding cloud of dust raisod by the madly flying savages ahead of us. The dust cloud was 80 dense that we could distinguish nothing, so Colonel Reno halted the battalion, and, after mounting, formed a skirmish line, the right flank resting on the edge of a dry, thickly wooded creek. While the horses were being lod to shelter in the wool the Indians opened’ a galling fire ou us, which was immediately responded to, the skir mish continuing for about halfan hour. It was now discovered that on the other side of the creek, in a park-like clearing, there were a few lodges, and the whole line crossed the creck to find the lodges de- verted and be received by about 200 yelping, yelling redskins, Tho fire from the numerically superior force necessitated a retreat, which was almost impos- uible, as we were now surrounded by warriors. When we entered the engagement we were only 100 strong and the fire of the enemy had made havoc in our little band, THE DESERTED GUIDON. ‘When we were half way over the creek I, being in the rear, noticed a guidon planted on the side we bad Jeft, and returned to take it, When coming through the wood the guidon entangled itseli in the branches nd slipped out of my hand. 1 dismounted to pick it up and led my horse up the south bank of the creek. As 1 was about to mount, my horse was struck with a bullet, and, becoming frightened, he ran into the In- @ians, leaving mo dismounted in the company of about 800 Sioux not more than fifty yards distant i" UT ovr Prox ms couma%n, They poured a whistling volley at me, but I was not wounded, and managed to escape to the thicket near by, where 1 would have an opportunity of defending myself and selling my Ife ata gopd high figure. In the thicket I found Mr. Gerard, tho interpreter, a balf breed Indian, and Private O'Neill, of Company G, Beventh cavalry, The first two of the quartet had their borses, while O'Neil, ike mysolf, was dismounted. 1 told the owners of the horses that the presence of the animals would betray us, suggesting at tb that they bo stampeded. They declined to act on the suggestion, and I left them aud crawled through the thick underwood into the deep, dry bottom of the creek, where I could not be easily discoverea tnd from whence I hoped to be able, under cover of larkness, to steal out and rejoin the command. 1 had aot been in this hiding place moré than ten minutes when I heard several pistol shots fred in my imme. diate vicinity, and shortly thereafver came the silvery Dut to me diabolical voices of several *squaws” 1 me time raised my head with great caution to see what the wouien were ut and to discover their cxact lagation. SQUAWS AT SCALPING. I feund the women at the revolting work of scalping s soldier Who was perhaps not yet dead. Two of the adies were cutting away, whilo two others performed ‘sort of war dance around the body aud its mutilators. 1 will pot attempt io describe to you my feelings at witnessing the disgusting performance, You, NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JULY 30, 1876.—TRIPLE as the father what another terrible occasion. 1 confess I thought of my dear wife, my dear children, relatives and friends, whom 1 of a family, can father would imagine feel on such a would probably see no more, and there before my eyes was being performed what, in the event of dis- covery, would bo my fate. I determined to hope to the last, dic as I had lived, and seil my life as dearly as possible. Finally the squaws went away, probably to bunt for more victims, and I employed the time thinking of my perilous position. SURROUNDED BY FIRE, While thus engaged I heard a crackling noise near me, which on investigating I tound proceeded from the barning wood, the Indians having ignited afire. The wood being very dry the fire made rapid headway, and 1 was forced from my hiding piace, I crawled out of the creek bottom the same way I had ap- proached, and as 1 was about to ascend the bank I heard a voice calling, “Lieutenant! Lieutenant!” 1 could see no ono, but tho call was repeated, and ad- vancing afew yards in the direction from which it proceeded I found all three of the party I had left a short while before hidden in the bottom of the creek> Mr, Gerard told me he had left the horses, tied to- gether, where! had seen thom, and followed down after me. 1 found that the party, like myself, were afraid of the progress of the fire; but fortunately for jus the wind subsided anda little rain fell, which, thank God, was sufficient to arrest the flames and revive our hopes that we might be able to remain there till night It was now three o’clock P, M.—six more hours to wait— and you may imagine how immensely long we found them. Durimg this time we could hear and often seo Indians around us, and could hear them talk quite near us. AWFUL SUSPENSE, I cannot find words sufficiently expressive to describe my many thoughts during thoso six or seven hours of suspense. Many times I asked myself if it was pos- sible that I should end my life in so barbarous, in- glorious and obscure Sometimes I would answer myself that it could not be; I had gone throwgn so many dangers, had made sacrifices my adopted country, I could not think I should die in such a way. 1 could not believe I had been preserved so long to end in so unjust and obscure a manner. Finally the timo came when, under the protection of night (it was very cloudy), we wore able to come out of our hiding place end take the direction of tbe ford, which was two miles to the south, through an open plain, Mr, Gerard and the scout mounted their horses and the soldier and myself took hold each one of a horse’s tail and followed them, Mr. Gerard proposed that, in caso he should be obliged to run and leave us and succeedod in joining the command, he would notify Colonel Reno, the commander, of my position, Dur- ing our transit “through the open plain we passed many Indians returning to their village and could hear but not seo them, as the night was very dark. We reached the wood near what we took to be the ford wo had passed in the morning, but we wero mistaken and had to hunt for the crossing. forded the stream, but found it was ata bend and that we would have to ford it again. When we recrossed the river we ran full into a band ot eight savages, ANOTHRBR THRILLING ADVENTURE. The two mounted men ran for their lives; the soldier and myself jumped into the bushes near us, I cocked my revolver, and, in a knecling position, was ready to fire at the savages it they should approach me. They evidently thought from the precipitate retreat of the two mounted men that all of us had decamped, and began to talk among theinselves. In a few minutes, to my surprise, they continued their course, and soon after went out of bearing. 1 raised up from my posi- tion, approached the bank of the mver and called to the soldier, who immediately answered. We then saw that the fords were all well guarded by the savages, and that it would be very dangerous to attempt to crogs any part of the river. Of course, we did not know the condition of our regiment, and knew nothing about the extent of their defeat, so that we hoped a manner, so) =6omanv for Once we if we could find a good hiding place for the night wo could wait for the prob- able return of our command in the morn- ing, and could then easily join them. We also hoped that the Indians would leave during the night, Accordingly we searched for a good place in the thick underwood and briars near the river and there waited with much anxiety our fate on the morrow. The night passed, and in the dim dawn of day we heard an im- mense tramping as of a large cavalry command, and the splasning of the water convinced us some troops were crossing the river. I imagined it was our com- mand, as I could distinctly hear the sound of the horses’ shoes striking the stones. I cautiously stepped to the edge of the bushes to look out (1 was then no more than three yards from the bank of the river), aud thought I recognized some gray horses mounted by men in military blouses and some of them in white bats, They we and those that had already crossed the river were going up « very steep Ddiuff, while others were crossing after them. I saw with a buckskin jacket, pants, top boots and white hat, and felt quite sure I recoguized him as Captain Tom Custer, which convinced me that the cavalrymen were of our command. 4 A DANGEROUS MISTAKE. With this conviction I stepped boldly out on the bank and called to Captain Custer, “Tom, don’t leave | us here! Thedistance was only a few yards and my call was answered by an infernal yell and a discharge of | 300 or 400 shots. I then discovered my mistake and found the savages were clad in clothes and mounted on horses which they had captured from our men, Myself and the soldier jumped into tho bushes (the bullets mowing down the branches at every volley) and crawled off to get out of range of the fire. In doing so we moved ibe top branches of the undergrowth, and the Indians on the top of the bluff fired where they saw the commotion, aud thus covered us with theigafes, We now decided to cross a clear. mg of about twenty vards and gain another wood, but — before doing this | took the precaution to look out, ‘The prospect was terribly discouraging, for on our im- mediate right, pot more than fifty yards distant, | saw four or five Indians galloping toward us. Near by me there were two cottonwood stumps nearly touching each other, and. behind this Blonder barricade myseif aod | the soldier knelt he with his carbine and I with my revoiver, ready do few of the savages before they could kill us We de- termined not to fire until they camo so near that fo could not miss them, and there we waited. 1 bed given up hope and made myemind up tu it that the end had come. They had not scen as, and when the foremost man was just abreast of me and about ten yards distant I fired. THKY KILL TWO INDIANS. They came in Indian flie and at my fire they turned & rightabout and were making off, when Private O'Neill Grea his carvine atthe second savage, who at that moment was reining bis pony to turm bim beck. ‘The Drivate’s ave was true and his carbine trusty, for down, to for a , 1 thought, going out of the valley, | rein, threw up his grass to sleep Mr. Indian dropped his paws and laid down on the his long sleep. The gentleman I greeted rode a short distance and then did likewise. The rest of the party rode on, turned the corner of the wood and disappeared, We remained in our position, expecting every moment that a hundred desparate savages would appear to put bluffs continued, but after we had fired our shots it ceased aud we retired to the thicket, where we awaited possessed alternately by bope and despair, From our position we could see the Indians on the bluffs, their horses picketed under cover of the bill, and a line of sharpshooters, all lying flat on their stomachs, We could hear the battic going on above us on the bilis, the continued rattle of the musketry, the cheering of our command and the shouting of the savages. Our hopes revived when we heard the familiar cheer of our comrades, but despondency fol- lowed fast, for we discovered that our wood was on fire, our fal IN THE CRUCIBLE AGAIN. - The sharp crackling of the burning timber ap- proached nearer and nearer with awful rapidity, and we had to shift our position, We crawiéd almost to the edge of the wood, when wo discovered that the fiends had fired both sides. We moved around until we found a thick cluster of what they call ball berry troes, under which we crept, The grass on the edge of this place was very green, and as it bad been raining a little before, and there was no wind, when the firo approached our hiding place it ran very slowly, so that I was enabled to smother it with my gauntlet gloves, Tho fire cone sumed all the underwood around us, and was almost expended by this time. There we were in a little oasis, surrounded by fire, but comparatively safe from the element, and with the advantage of secing almost everything around us with- out being seen, We could seo savages going backward and forward, and one standing on picket no more than seventy or eighty yards from us, evidently put there to watch the progress of the fre, At about four o'clock P, M. this picket fired four pistol shots in the air at regular intervals from each other, which I interpreted as a signal of some kind, Soon after this fire we heard the powerful voice of a savage crying out, making the same sound four times, and after those two signals we saw 200 or more savages leave the bluffs and ford the river, evi- dently leaving the ground, About one hour after the same double signals were again repeated, and many mounted Indians left at a gallop. Soon the remainder of thoge left oa tho bluffs also rotired, HOPE BRIGHTENS. Rope now revived, the muskotry rattle ceased and only now and then we could hear a fur-off shot, By six o’clock overything around us was apparently quiet and no evidence er signs of any Indians were near us. We supposed the regiment had lett the fleld, and all that remained for us todo wasto wait for tho night and then passtho river and take tho route for the Yellowstone River, and there construct a ralt ‘and descend to the mouth of Powder River, our supply camp. Of course during the thirty-six hours that we were in suspense we had neither water nor food; at ten o'clock P. M. we dropped ourselves into the river, the water reaching our waists, crossed it twice and then carofully crawled up the bluf's and finally reached the broken, bigh country, took our direction and slowly and cautiously proceeded southward. A CAMP FIRE IN THE DISTANCE. After marching two miles I thought I would go upa very high hill to look around and see if we could ais- cover apy signs of our command, and on looking around I sawa freon my left, and in the direction where jupposed the command was fighting during the day, probably two miles from us. Of course we made two conjectures on this fire—it might be an Indiau fre and it might be from our command The only way to ascertain Was to approach it cautiously and trust to chance, Accordingly we descended the bill, took the direction of the fire, climbing another and another hill; we lictened a whilo and then proceeded on for a milo or more, when on the top of a hill we again stopped and listened, We could hear voices, but mot distinctly enough to tell whether they were savages or our com- mand. Wo proceeded a little further and heard the bray of a mule, and soon after the distinct voice of a sentry challenging with the familiar words, “Hatt! WHO GOKS THERE ?’? ‘The challenge was bot addressed to us, as we wore too far off to be seen by the picket and it was too dark, but this gave us courage to continue our course and approach, though carefully, lest we should run into some Indians again. HOPE FULFILLED. ‘We were about 200 yards from the fire, and I ro- solved to call out to the picket and tell him who I was. I told my companion to be ready to follow after me, and when 1 bad well surveyed the ground I cried out | “Picket, don’t fire; it Lieutenant De Rudio and Private O'Neill,” and started to run, We received an answer in a loud cheer from all the mombers of the | picket and Lieutenant Varnum, This officer, one of | our brat and most eflicignt, came at once to me and was very happy tu see me again, alter baving counted me among the dead, and his joy affected me so much that I eptirely torgot the adventures of the | thirty-six hours just past, and was happy to be once more im the company of my brave comrades. My first question was about the condition of the ' regiment. I was in hopes that we were the only suf- ferers, but I was not long allowed to remain in doubt, Lieutenant Varnum said Le knew nothing of the five companits under Custer, and that our command had sustained a loss in Lieutenants McIntosh and Hodgson, My dear friend Varnum now procured me some coffco and bard bread, but 1 was so happy and excited over my escape that I could eat nothing, but drank the It wag about two o'clock A. M. when I got coffee, into camp and I soon after tried to go to sleep; but though | bad not slept for two nights I could not close my eyes. 1 talked with Lieutenant Varnum about | the battle, narrated to him adventures and narrow escapes 1 bad had. Morning soon came and 1 went to see the officers and | toid them that the Indiaos bad left, and 1 supposed there would not be any attack made by them that morning. There, my dear friend, you have my versonal story | of the great fight, and the rest you will jearn from the newspapers. At cight o'clock we saw cavairy ap- | proaching, first a few scouts and then a dense column, and soon learned it was Genera! Brisbin’s command coming up to our relief, Presently a long line of in- fantry appeared on the piain and General Gibbon came up. Ab! who that was there will ever forget how our | hearts thrilled at sight of those biue coats, and when | Generals Gibbon and Terry rodo into our camp men wopi like childrem, Yours truly, CHARLES C. DE RUDIV. P. S.—I should do injustice to my feelings if 1 should omitto mention the fidelity aod bravery of Private O'Neil He faitbiully obeyed me and stood by me like abrosher, 1 shall never cease to remember him and 8 services to me during our dangerous compapion- ship, This brave soldier is highly thought of by his ‘ anend tous, During all this time the fire from the | } ment and corfusion in the savage ranks everywhere, | his cheeke for deiiverance (rom a horrible | Colonel 3. D, Stargis, of the Seventh cavalry, as sa- company commander, and, of course, evor will be by me and mine, ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE. The following graphic account of the battle of the Litue Big Horn, bearing the same date as that of Lieu- temant De Rudio, is from the pen of an eye witne: The Hexatp has published several accounts of the great battle, but still the outline of the fight is not yet full rounded, for {rom time to time accounts reach us, each contaiming something new, tending to throw light on little details which, to the curious public, ure always interesting, aud, to the military student, in- structive :— THE ACCOUNT OF AN BYE WITNESS. 1t was Sunday morning, June 25, and the sun roso up red and warm, Lazily the long squadrons of horse wound over the nilla, followed by hundreds of pack animals, heavily laden, ‘The sun began to pour down and feel uncomfortably bot, when a commotion was observed among the dusky scouts in trout, Several were galloping wildly to and fro, and presently the death song of the Crow Indians roso on the air and floated over the hills, *Weare going to have church,» quietly remarked a lieutenant, and I could not help thinking thousands and thousands of church bells were at that moment calling together in tho East a million of worskippors. Presently two or three Indians came rushing back ‘on their wiry ponies, their long black hair streaming on the wind, and reined up in front of our idolized yeader, The words they said were few, bat they filled him with delight, and there was the old gleam in bis eyes as he called his oMcers around him The village was Just abead and we were sure it could not get away, There was a murmur of many voices as the news reached the mon, a tighten:ng of girths, and then the heavy squadrons bore down the hiilside. How the earth trembled as the 600 horse thundered along the | slope! THK LAST CHEER. \ Reno kept straight ahead and crossed the ford; Cus- | ter turned to the right and followed down the ridge. Reno was already engaged in the valley below, aud as Custer rode along the ridgo above him he raised his hat, and a cheer to their comrades burst trom the throats of tho 250 men who were following the stand- | ard of their beloved commander, On down tho ridge with Custer they rode, over a little ridge, disappeared from sight, and we never saw them again alive. That cheer was the last sound we ever heard {rom their lips, Meantimo the battle raged in the valley, and Reno was struggling with overwhelming masses of savages who presved him with the coolness and desperation of trained troops. Is it any wonder they tought well? Bebind them was their village, their property— all they owned and loved im the world— | aud before them only death at worst, Har- assed in front, flank and rear, Reno fell back to the hill near where he bad parted with Custer, and, the Indians seeing that side of the village safe for the prosent, galloped off to meet the terrible mau who was thundering down the ridge to attack their town on the | other side. We did not understand the movement then, but we understand it now, and while we stood on the bill wiping the sweat from our brows and waiting to catch our breath, we could hear faintly the sound of volleys in the direction in which Custer bad gone. In an hour they ceased and all was still I confidently expected Custer had carried the village and would soon appear in the valley below. 0 evidently became uneasy as minute alter minute went by and still no word from Custer. WHERE WAS CUSTER? Captain Weir was pushed outin the direction in which Custer had gone, and gallantly drd¥e the Indians tn front of him along the ridge. At every step they wcreased in numbers,and despite the dash of the brave company and its leader the ludians soon became so thick he was obliged to send word he could advanco no further, and feared he should bo cut olf trom the main body. Reno atonce ordered him hack. Ail this time Reno aud his men had not been idle. Large num- bers of Indians were fring on them at stated intervals, and masses of savages were now seen coming up the valley and along the ridge which Custer had gone down, Reno saw bis peril and disposed his men tor a desperate struggie. It was not long coming, and des- perate indeed it was. The earth seemed covered with howling tends, who rushed dowo upon us and were repulsed only’ to be repiaced by tresn masses, ‘The people inthe Kast were quietly coming from their ces of worship as that fearful tragedy was being en- acted on the far off banks of the Big Horp. Custer was dead and around him Afteen otticers and 250 d soldiers. The squaws wore stripping the dead bodie smashing in the skulls of tho dead with stone mallets, aud mutilating the poor belpless forms in a manner too horribie to relate. Ob! tt wasterrible, terriblo, and God grant it may never happen again in our conntry. Fortunately we did not know the fate of Custer at the time, and were too busily engaged in fighug tor our own lives to think of lim or any one else, Three o'clock came, and still the battle raged; maoy had fallen, and every hour added fearfully to the Mist of killed and wounded. At the present r: ie mortailty how long would wo last? [made a meutal calculation aud said about ten bours; but when we Decame weak in numbers the savages would rush cown ma body and finish us at one fell swoop, Ob, it was terribie, terrible; but the end would soon come. Al- ready the Indians were massing in@ravine just in front and preparing in overwhelming numbers for a grand charge, Brave old Benteen saw it and deter- mined not to wait for the onset; he sprang over his feevie breastworks, und calling on bis company to fol- low him, dashed into the ravine. CHARGE, The Indians were taken completely by surprise and broke, but too late, for Benteen was upon them, and, before they could get away, he had killed ten and wounded as many more. ‘The savages were evidently astonished, and no longer felt safe in the ravines. So fur we bad fought only on the defensive, and the In- dians seemed to regard us as their certain victims But Benteen’s gallant conduct filled us all with anew courage alu evidentiy alarmed the enemy. The day was hot and we had uo water; many bad not tasted a drop of wuter since the night before, and some not for ix hours, The men’s tongues were dry and n; few could speak plainly, and the woundod | begged ‘piteously for a drink o} er. The narrow | river ran at the foot of the bluits cely 200 yards | distant, but the timber on the opposite side was lined with Indian shurpshooters guarding every drop of the precious fluid. Waren! waren! Who could go down the side ot (hat steep hill and come up alive? Notone, A ravine was found leading down aimost to the river, and again Beuteen formed tora charge. He said he would wake a feint against the bills, pour a few volleys into the woods below, and, wuile the Indians were voutused, the men must rua down the ravine, fll the camp kettles and get ba under cover, The strategem succeeded admirably ; 61 Indians no lounger trusted to a purely defensive policy on the part of the troops; and when the men spraug up, shouted and poured ib volleys, there was excite: and even the men beyond tho river thought w soldiers were coming down upon thom, Under cov of the smoke and volleys the meu with the camp ket- tles bad reached ‘the river and filled them, when the Indians discovered what was going on and railed. They fred heavily, but it was too late; scores of kettles, containing wany gallons of wa were on their way up the ravine, and an abundant supply for present ase tiad been secured. Two men were killed and six wounded in this attempt to get water for their famisbing comrades, vut the loss was considered light compared with the service rendered. The Indians had taken every precaution to cut cs off from water, and they no doubt felt greatly discouraged when they found wo had beaten them. The water revived both our spirits aud courage aud the men went ac their work with a will The battle lasted all day, and at night the Indians drew off to their village pear by, leaving @ strong cordon of pickets about our camp. A NIGHT OF WATCHING. It was a borribie night, aud we jay ou our arms amid the dead and dying. The Indians were holding a creat scalp dance below us, and again | could not help think- ing, while these infernal feuds were holding their | orgies on the Plains, perbays burning the bodies of scores OF prisoners they had captured alive, the people at home were quietly fliling the churches for evening worship. { need not lengthen out the horribie recital Sufiice it to say that with the dawn of the morning the battle im again and raged until one o'clock ‘noon, when the Indians drew off im great baste, and we knew relief was at band Ali ‘evening we waiched, but no one came, and we jay down ‘to rest again in doubi, No Indians were about, however, aud early the next moruing General Givbon's column was des- cried coming up the valley. Never was the grasp of brother's Land more welcome in a foreign jand than the sight of those blue jackets. Geueral Terry was Gonetal Gibbon, and when he rode into our wor thany a gallant tellow did wot feel ashamed to let 0 general see te of heartfelt gratitude rolling down ath. The General was also deeply affected, aud did all that was possible for our speedy relief aud comfort, RECRUITING SERVICE, Wasuixcrox, July 29, 1876. The following is tho detai! for the recruiting service frow Uctober 1, 1876, to Ovtober 1, 1878:— Colonel J. L Gregg, of the Eighth cavairy, will relieve perintendent of the mounted ri tion at the depot, St. Lous, M of the Twenty-secund intantry, H. King, of the Ninth intauiry, as superintendent of | the geueral recruiting service siation, New York; Ma- jor Alexander Chambers, of the Fourth infaatry, in command of the depo: at Governor's Iatand, New York Harvor; Major J. &. Yard, of the Twentieth infantr will relieve Major & ©. Mason, of the Twenty-first fantry, in command of the depot, Columbus Barracks, Obie. RECRUITING FORK THE FRONTIER. Lieutenant Miller, of the recruiting depot, No. 17. Hudson street, bas enlisted a good number of men ru ag service 8 Colonel D. 3. Stanley, will relieve Colonel J, daring the last fow days for service in the Wost Sixty men have aiready gono forward, and about the same uumber are ready to foliow, SHEET. NAN Lame Deer’s Story an Old False- hood Revived. CROOK IN A TRAP? THE LATEST WAR paces Kees We Is Sheridan Wants One Hundred Men for Each Cavalry Company in the Field. MUNITIONS AND STORES ON THE WAY. Indians Returning to the Agencies After Participating in the Massacre of Our Troops. ARRIVAL OF COLONEL OTIS’ COMMAND AT FOBT BUroRD. Fort Burorp, D. T., Juty 24, via Bismark, D. T., July 29, 1876. The detachment of troops under the command of Colonel Otis arrived safely here this evening, and will proceed up the Yellowstone to join General Terry in the morning. There is no news of importance from Terry’s com- mand, Nothing is known here of the rumored destruction of the steamer Far West, by fire. Itis regarded as @ baseless canard. WOUNDED BRAVES SEEKING SUPPLIES. Friendly Indians met with on the river report that some thirty wounded Sioux warriors had crossed the Missouri on their way to the Fort Peck Agency, where they expect to be received with open arms and supplied with medical stores. NECESSITY OF TREATING THE SAVAGES AS ENEMIES. It would facilitate greatly the operations against the hostile tribes if the different agencies were forbidden to receive any Indians who are at present absent. The only chance of ending this war suc- cessfully depends on compelling the hostile savages to take care of their wounded and their families, This morning we passed an Indian camp of twenty lodges, on the west side of the river. They were supposed to belong to friendly Indians, as their lodges were made of canvas and three or four men were visible among the crowds of squaws, the bucks evidently being absent on some expedition, ANXIOUS INQUIRIES AT THE WAR OFFICE QUIETED BY A DESPATCH FROM GENERAL SHERIDAN—IS GENERAL CROOK IN A TIGHT PLACE ? Wasuixotox, July 29, 1876, At the office of the Secretary of War anxious inqui- ries were made to-day by Representatives and Delogates trom the frontior States aud Territories as to the truth of the report that General Crook had mot with a severe loss alter having engaged the hostile Indians. Adjutant General Townsend immediately telegraphed through the Secreiary of Wur’s office to Delegate Steele, of Montana, at the Capitol, that a despatch had | beon received from Lieutenant General Sheridan, at Chicago, saying that there was no truth in the report, Notwithstanding this grave apprehensions aro enter- tamed that General Crook 1s in a position to be called upon for severe fighting with tho Sioux Indians, and ; that he may possibly meet with a reverse which will cost him the lives of many of his command. AN OLD FALSE REPORT REVIVED. Cuxyexnz, Wy., July 29, 1876, There is no authority for the report of General Crook’s fight. The Fray report was made by him at Sydney, two weeks ago, and contradicted from Lure by later TS LATEST NEWS FROM THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER. Bismarck, D. T., July 29, 1876. The Far West arrived from Fort Benton to-day, No news had been received at Fort Buford on Wednesday from Terry, TheC. Trecoll had passed into the Yol- lowstone River. The Durfee was sixty and the Josephine seventy-five miles below its mouth. HEAVY RAINS AND THEIR RYYECTS. The recent heavy rains will renew tho grass and pre- vent its burning, which General Crook feared some days ago, and may affect favorubly the stage of the water. The water in the Upper Missouri, however, is low, and it is feared that the government will meet with diMculty in forwarding material and supplios for the Yellowstone posts. YOR THE BLACK HILLS, ‘Tho steamer Mead will arrive hore to-morrow, bring- ing 150 passengers en route for the Black Hills, Tno Far West brought forty. INDIANS RETURNING TO RED OLOUD AGENCY— CRAZY HORSE WANTS A NEW TREATY. Omana, Nob., July 29, 1876, ‘An official telegram from Fort Laramie, says:—A courier has just arrived from the Red Cloud Agency, and says that Red Cloud told him that Crazy Horse was coming into the agency very soon, and that his band was now on the way there. ‘'wenty lodges had already artived. ,Crazy Horse sent word to Captain Egan that be would see him, sbake hands, make @ treaty and ne \d hia band be trendiy lodians. The Indiaas lately arrived wiil not talk about qhe Nght and pretend to know nothing about it, ‘A council was held at the Cheyenne camp while the 2ourier was detained tore to talk over the change from the civil to the military authorities, Many opposed 1, Red Cloud has expressed action at the change. Foars are entertained tbat any attempt to deprive the Indians of their ponies and artns will ineet with ro- sistance, aa they master # large force well armed, whilo the number troops at the post is very small. It is thought that they will allow themselves to be numbered without opposition. LATEST REPORTS FROM THE MISSOURI RIVER AGENCIES, Cnevaxnxx, Wy., July 29, 1876, Previous reports via the Missouri River agencies aro in pars confirmed by news received at Fort Laramio from Red Cloud to-day. Ruan arrived at that agency are said to have come from Cray’ Horse's band and state that that chief, with @ portion of his band, had left Sitting Bull’s domains and are en route to the agencies, avowedly to treat for peace. TRANSPER OF THE AGENCIES. The turning over of the agencies at Red Cloud and Spotted Tail has been effected without difficulty, While a majority of the Indians are aisposed to submit grace- uily thereto, quite a number express dissatisfaction at having soldier fathers placed over them, and a final council om the subject is being hela at’ Red Cloud to-day. INDIANS GRUMBLING OV! Some dissatiataction its fel THEIR RATIONS. by the Indians at the meagre supply of food, which consists entirely of corn, iributing the deparvure from the who have joined the hostile bands to this fact rather than to a denire for war. An apprehension of inability to carry out the orders to disurin ali these Indians before allowing them to re- turn to the agency existe at Camps Sheridan and Rob- inson, POSITION OF TROOPS. Two companies of the Fifth cavalry go to Camp Sher- idan, increasing the force at that post to lour com- winie at Cainp Rovinson there are only three companies, exclusive of one of the Third cavairy at Siduey Crossing, not far distant, YOUNG RICHARDSON KEPORTRD BAFR, ‘The report made by Jobn Marsch, in forwarding the memorandum book belonging to L. P. Richardson, is | contradicted by W. H. Hibbard, who arrived bere thia evening, baving met Ricvardson and @ coachload of passenger: jot Creek on the 26th inst, GENERAL SHERIDAN ASKS CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAVALRY REGIMENTS NOW IN THM INDIAN COUNTRY—NO NEBD YOT YOR YOLUNTERRS. Wasutsatos, July 29, 1876. The Secretary of War has sent to the House of Kep- Fesentatives the despateh of General Sheridan recom- D ! | | for volunteers no} mending an increase of the companies of the Second, ‘Third, Fourth, Filth and Seventh cavalry to 100 men, as was done for the two regiments on the Rio Grande, and submits an estimate for the number of men re | quirea im addition to the 25,000 men whieh are author- ized by law. The number which will be required to fill the regiments of cavairy on the frontier and in Texas to the maximum number of 100 men to each company will be 2,500, and the expenses therefor $1,654. 700. General Sheridan says in the te’ogram aboge aliuded to-—"Ihe events which have occurred to the troops ana my knowledge of the Indian strength and affairs at the agencies and in the fold, will not warrant me ab the present time in asking for volunteers, I nave no objection to asking for them as svon as I conscien- tiously believe their services necessary, but I do not from the gisaster that came to Custer from a divided command desire to take the responsibility of asking , thereby entailing om the govern~ ment an enormous expense. If Congress will Ipercase the companies, as was dove for the two regiments om the Rio Grande, we can fill them up at once, and they will be suiticieptly large to meet the wants of the vice and relieve the public mind of the constant fear of disaster to our present insuflicient force in the Indian country, This could be done at much less expense than ling for volunteers, a8 the organizations are al- ready prepared, end the winter would be on us before we could get volunteers fairly in the field,’? TROOPS FROM THE SEABOARD GOING FORWARD, Newront, R. L., July 29, 1876, Companies E and F, First United States artillery, lately stationed at Fort Adams, under command of Captains Frank s. Taylor and Chandler P, Eaton, with Iievtepams William F, Reynolds, Isaac T, Webster and Edward D, Wheeler, lefi here to-night for Fort Leavenworth, to join General Crook’s command, vie Fall River line steamer to New York. Another com: pany of the samo regiment, which has been station at Fort Warren, Boston harvor, was also on the same steamer, The band from Fort Adams and a large number of people were on the wharf to bid the troops good-by. BATTERY A, FIRST ARTILLERY, ON THE WAY. Boston, Mass., July 29, 1876, Battery A, First artillery, trom Fort Warren, Ofty- five men, under Captain E, Van A. Andruss, left here by the Fall River route to-night to go with other por- tions of the regiment to reinforce General Crook’s col- unin tn the Yellowstone campaign aguinst the hostile Sioux, . TROOPS TO THE FRONTIER. The United States Quartermaster’s departmeat ye terday applied to Mr. Samuei Carpenter, General Easte ern Passenger Agent of the Ponnsylvanta Railroad Com. pany, for the immediato transportation of some 308 troops to the Indian frontior, A special train will leave Jersoy City with the men this morning at eleven o'clock, and it is expected that it will reach St Loum in twenty-nine hours, The troops will be rusbeé through to Fort Leavenworth by Wednesday, and will be distributed thenve to their allotted regiments. The soldiers are gathered trom tho different posts and gare Tisons of the Department of the East WASHINGTON. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Wasurcron, July 29, 1876, EFFECT OF THE BLUFORD WILSON TESTIMONY— GREAT EXCITEMENT AMONG THE PRESIDENT'S FRIENDS—A VERY BITTER FEELING AROUSED— BABCOCK BADLY DAMAGED. ‘Tho New York papers were eagerly read to-day, bes cause the local journals did not publish Bluford Wile son’s testimony, some particulars of which were suf ficiently talked of last night to awaken very general curiosity. Mr, Wilson’s testimony has aroused great bitterness of feeling among the friends of General Grant, some of whom say that Wilson is in aconspiracy with Mr. Bristow to bring disgrace on the President, and it ts hot improbable that there will be within a few . days some ‘striking back.’? That part of Mr. Wilson's testimony which relates to General Babcock has created a good deal of feeling. It is known that the President said after the exposure of Babcock's agency in maidtng public tho letter to district attorneys, and, when ho ecnt him from the White House, that be thought he ought to ask for acourt martial. Army officers here have spoken often, and iu very severe language, of the disgrace which Babcock inflicts on the army. Mean- time Babcock Is still allowed to hold the important position of Superintendent of Public Buildings, and he has not, so far as is known, asked for a court martial. As some of the administration journals are trying to fling suspicion on tluford Wilson, it is proper to say of him that he isa very able, honorable, frank and courageous man, who did his duty a8 Sollcitor of tne Treasury without fear or favor, and with very groat ability managing maby complicated affairs amid vexa- tious hindrances with uncommoa skill and effect. ble lits bitin SR 5 FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT, Wasuinetox, July 29, 1876, DEBATE IM THB HOUSE ON THE SECRETARY. ROBESON REPORT—PLAIN TALK ON BOTH SIDES—THE DEBATR ADJOURNED UTIL MON- Day. In the House to-day there was one of the regulation Presidential campaign debates on the report of the Committce on Naval Adairs, The defenders of the minority avd majority reports wero both heard, and @ strong partisan feeling appeared to animate the olo- quence of exch of the speakers. The most notable speech was that of Mr. Frye, of Maine, whe 2 the courso of the debate said:: “Why is it that a dignified committee like the Judiciary Committee has parcellod itscit into a system of detectives, compelled to prowl around among whiskey men and among the discbarged employés of the Treasury Department to find the President bas been dabbling in whiskey frauds? Why would that committee try to bring down the great rame of this great Republic in the eyes ot the whole world? The necessity of the party seems to require it I put the same question to the Naval Committee, “Why did you sit with closed doors for months * Why did you close the mouths of the republican members of the committee? and whp did you make that report which bad no vindication ig evidence, from the beginning to thé end? Because the necessities of the party. roquire it”? At the conclusion of Mr Kasson’s speech the pre vious question was seconded, and the matter went over until Monday, when it will take precedence over all other business. In the House evening session a large uamber @ speeches were made on various subjects, the House rea maining in session till ten o'clock, Nome of th¢ specches were of any public importance except one by Mr. Morrison, of Illinois, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, on the subject of bis Tariff bili, which, however, he said woald not be pressed during the present session, GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES.s WASHINGTON, July 29, 1876. THE PRESIDENT AND THE SUNDRY CIVIL APe PROPRIATION BILI. Tho Sundry Civil Appropriation bill if the President withholds bis signature, wiil not become a law on Moa- day next, as bas been stated, for Sundays are not counted in the ten days, at the end of which, if Come gress js still in session, a bill becomes a law without his signature. This bill was sent to the President on Friday, the @ist inen, and, unless approved by him, cannot become a law uotil Wednesday, Augusi 20, The Elevea Days’ Pro- visional act expires on Monday, July 31, eo that Tues- day, In the above contingency, will be unprovided for, and the lighthouse establishment and other branches of the public service not otherwise appropriated for will have to suspend operations on that day unless some tion is taken to prevent embarrassing or disastrous results that might ensue. THE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN THE TREASURE, A communication was received from the Secrotary of the Treasury, io ponse to the general inquiry re- contiy addressed to the heads of all the executive de- partinents relative 1o the proposed reductions of theup clerical force to (he compromised extent of 786 Secretary Morrill, on whose department the Feduction would fail most heavily, informs the tee that it would unquestionably cripple the service, but he furnishes a detailed echedule, the places where reductions will, in the judgment the departineat, do the least barm in case the piated compromise should prove to be the ulllmatam, Anmether meeting will be held oa.