The New York Herald Newspaper, August 24, 1876, Page 3

as ‘THE SIOUX WAR. Sketch of Army Movements on the Powder and Yellowstone Rivers. HUNTING VAINLY FOR THE SIOUX. Ridiculous and Inadequate Provision for the Troops. STRANGE MILITARY BLUNDERS. An Army Scared and Damaged by a Solitary Horseman. GENERAL CROOK'S = ODD ©=—_-BRBAVIOR. Insolence and Ingratitude of the Crow Indian Allies, THEY LOVE 70 EAT AND REFUSE 10 FICHE. Possibility of the Sioux Dispersing to Their Reservation, A FINE CAMPAIGN SPOILED. Report of a Terrible Battle Between Terry and Sitting Bull GENERAL SHERMAN DISCREDITS IT. He Is Well Satisfied with Opera- tions So Far. On Boarp rae Fan ‘West, Neam Moura Powper RIVER, August 15, ase} Via Bismaxcx, D. T., August 23, 1876, The events which have transpired aince the troops, under the command of Colonel Otis, passed this point on the 29th of July have been curiously tlus- trative of Indian campaigns. 4 large force of troops had travelled some thousands of miles to fight the Indians; but, for some reason dificult to explain, when the Indians presented themselves in a Very defiant attitude the troops .ound that their duty called them to some other point. In a former letter t8e HERALD received as full and faira statement of what occurred in the skirmish which took place between Colonel Otis’ command and the hostile Indians encamped upon the banks as the circumstances of the hour per- mitted. The facts were sent forward without com- ment to speak for themselves, with such explana- tion as Colonel Otis thought well to give unsolicited. WHERE SOME ONE HAS BLUNDERED. ‘When the presence of the Indians at Powder River was reported to General Terry there were Rot wanting officers of experience who urged upon the department commander the wisdom of sending ‘strong force to Powder River and striking at the javages; but no attention was paid to this advice, Dn the ground, it is supposed, that it would inter- fere with the general plan of the campaign by de- laying the movement of the main column. It was giso open to the objection that a small force would run the risk of being overpowered and cut to pieces, Whatever may be the value of these reasons one thing is certain, that fifteen days.ago they were within easy striking dis- tance of the Sioux, and to-day one-fourth of the United States army is making forced marches to dis- cover the whereabouts of the men who, during the latter days of July and the first days of August, in- vited our soldiers who happened to pass near them to combat with an insolence justified by the suc- cesses they have constantly obtained in fighting the white man. Itis generally believed that the forces of Sittimg Bull have succeeded in passing to the north bank of the wpat General ‘erry’s column is following their old trail, but there is little ground on which to base this conclusion. It is somewhat turious that an experienced Indian fighter like Crook should have allowed so large @ body of In- dlans to have escaped from his front, and the fact that he never communicated to General Terry any | information of the movements of the Indians has taused quite a good deal of comment. There is no floubt that if the generals in this campaign had tept each other informed of what was transpiring in \heir immediate vicinity that the issue would not bave been so disastrous to the army and the tountry. DISGRACEPUL NEGLECT BY THE GOVERNMENT, The preparations made by the War Department to carry on operations against the Sioux were ridiculously inadequate and altogether unsuitable to the nature of the country. Huge wagon trains have been sent out that creep over the ground and 2 many cases cannot be passed through the coun- bry where it is necessary to fight, instead of good mules, which could go anywhere cavalry or in- fantry could pass without delaying the column im making bridges and roads. In one of my former letters attention was called to the disgraceful neglect shown in not providing proper means of transportation for the sick and wounded. This matter comes up again in connec- tion with General Terry's present expedition. Three thousand two hundred men leit the Rosebud Creek to march forced marches tn order to fight the Sioux, and it is impossible that so large a number of men should undergo fatigue and hardships, exposed ts they are to sudden changes of temperature, with- Dut some among them falling sick and requiring care aud attention, yet the only provision made for conveying the sick and wounded was a single travoie, or Indian horse litter, so that the out-of-iack philosophy 18 again triumphant. The same heed- lessness is shown in the suppiy department; aud, although the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers atford very facility for supplying the troops in the fleld with all the necessities of life, the men are chieny fiependent on pork, crackers and coffee, a diet that @onld ruin any stomach. Yet, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the men do not grumbie, but Willingly support the privations and fatigues to Yellowstone and | NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1876.-TRIPLE SHEET. which they are exposed, only asking in return that their generals may place them in front of the enemy and give them an opportunity to avenge their com- rades. MORALE OF THE SOLDIERS. From the moment we crossed the Yellowstone to the present time the soldiers have shown the best spirit, and should we succeed in overtaking the In- dians they will no doubt give a good account of themselves. The march from the mouth of the Rose- bud Creek up the Rosebud Valley to the peint where We met General Crook’s column tried the metlle of the infantry severely. The heat was overpowering, Tanging from 109 in the shade to 122 in the sun. The foot soldiers acting as flankers to the column were obliged to sit sometimes for an hour in the sun perched on the sides of treeless hills without even a leaf to cover them, and {t is wonderful that numbers of them were not prostrated by heat during the march. The column crossed and recrossed the bed of Rose- bud Creek, which at this time had lost the dignity of a stream, and was simply @ chain of stagnant pools. As it was necessary for the working parties under Lieutenant E. Maguire to make bridges and render some of the longer canyons practicable for the passage of the wagon train, our progress was disheartening!y slow. It was with real satisfaction that the troops received orders to pitch their tents for the night in a broad bottom surrounded by low hills, where there was good grass for the horses of the command. EXTEEMES OF TEMPERATURE. While here some stupid fellows started a rumor that a horse and dead soldier, belonging to company Cof the Seventh cavalry, had been found by the pickets, but the rumor proved to be wholly ground. less, During the night the temperature suddenly changed, the heat of the day being followed by & heavy downpour of rain. The temperature con- tinued to fall, and next day stood 51 degrees in the { shade, @ difference of 65 degrees within twenty-four hours, So bitter was the cold thas the soldiers lighted fires whenever the column came to a halt, and officers and men stood round and found a fire in August quite welcome, though but a few hours before we had been exposed to sunstroke weather. GENERAL TERRY'S INDIGNATION. Meeting General Terry at one of these fires, on the occasion of along halt, our conversation turned naturally on the campaign, its causes and probable iasue. General Terry, im common with all army officers who have expressed their opinions on the subject to me, condemns in the strongest terms the Indian policy which has hitherto been adopted by all parties in this government. He naturally enough thinks it is scandalous that one branch of the government should supply the savages of the plains with im- Proved arms and ammunition with which to kill the soldiers of the United States army and the helpless pioneers of the Western States. He does not de- sire a war policy which brings great discomfit and danger and but little or no glory. He thinks that a firm and honest policy, based upon common sense would speedily put an end to these Indian outbreaks, and that the first step should be the tak- tng away of all breech-loading arms froin the differ- ent tribes. A@ these arms were in many cases bought in good faith muzzle-loading guns might de given to replace them. The advantage in arms secured to troops in this manner would be of itself a guarantee aguinst Indian wars, Generat Terry also thinks that if the €ndfau3 wert placed under the War Department a great many of the abuses which arise from the division of authority and diversity ot views of the two branches of government would dis- appear. BOUGH COUNTRY FOR MARCHING. Our march now lay through a succession of aban- aoned Indian camps, showing that we were ona fa- vorite hunting ground of the Sioux. The bleached bones of buffaloes and now and then the shaggy head of this monarch of the plains, testifying to the recent passage of Indian hunters, were met with from time to time, scattered among wickyups or temporary shelters made of saplings and tree branches, but so far no signs of the hos- tile Sioux were encountered. Our _ pic- turesque but dirty Crow and Ree allies had brought in information of the near approach of the Sioux, and we were in hourly expectation that the savages would appear to dispute our progress. The country was eminently favorable for their sys- tem of warfare. Plains scarred by deep canyons, which might conceal an army from view and yet were invisible at a few hundred yards distant. Right and left ran continuous lines of bluffs on either hand, offering positions that, defended by resolute and well armed men, would be almost impregnable. | BAD SCARE BY THE CROWS. Suddenly, while standing around a fire at a tem- porary halting place, we were startled by a quick succession of unearthly yells, and soon after a band of Crows, painted hideously, burst into camp at full gallop. They report “heap Sioux” coming toward us—more Sioux than they had ever seen before. This our informant expressed clearly in lan- guage showing us the Sioux mounted and coming fo cut our throats. The interpreter soon after arrived and confirmed us in our interpre- tations of the Indian sign language. Two companies of the Seventh cavalry, under Captain French and Lieutenant De Rudio were sent forward to support the scouts in case of attack, while the column was closed up as rapidly as the dificult nature of the ground would permit. This proved a false alarm, | and we camped for the night after a march of some nine miles from our first halting piace, and we lay down HALP IN HOPE, HALF IN PEAR of meeting the Sioux warriors on the morrow. Reveille sounded at three A. M., and about an hour and a half later the column began its march. Nothing of consequence oceurred before about | eleven A. M. of this day, When we were startled by | @ simultaneous rash of the Crow scouts from all points, uttering their unearthly screams, while at the same moment figures were discov- ered on the distant blum. By general sent these were pronounced Sioux, troops were immediately formed in line of battle, and the scene suddenly became ani- mated in the extreme. One battalion of the Seventh cavalry, under Captain Weir, formed a mounted skirmish line at full gallop, aided by the Second cavalry, drawn up in column on their flank, under General Brisbin, and Lieutenant Low's battery @ three guns. The trains were closed up, and the companies of the Fifth infantry, under General Miles; the Sixth, under Colonel Moore, and Twenty-secoud, under Colonel Otis, were extended along the flanks, and moved in the rear a8 supports. For a few moments all was expec. ation and anxiety. A SINGLE HORSEMAN ADVANCED con- The | from the timber aud there was @ muttered exclama- | has been settled beyond question. tion from many mouths, “there they come.” As | portant skirmishes in this region asa finer campaign we strained our ears for the report of the first gun the horseman advanced toward the skirmishers making signs of friendship and was allowed to ap- proach. It proved to be Cody, the scout, better known as Buffalo Bill, dressed in the magnificence of border fashion. He announced that we were in front of General Crook's command and might put off all bloodthirsty thoughts for that day. The col- umn then resumed its march. MORE DANGEROUS THAN 1HE INDIANS. It is worthy of note that, though not a shot was fired, Colonel Weir's battalion of the Seventh cavalry had twelve men dismounted in the gallop to form the skirmish line, and two men of one company had their legs broken. This result is in part due to the system of sending raw recruits, who have, perhaps, never ridden twenty miles in their lives, into active service to fight the best horsemen in the world, and also to the furnish- ing the cavalry young, unbroken horses, which be- come unmanageable as soon as a shot is fired. Sending raw recruits and untrained horses to fight mounted Indians is simply sending soldiers to be alaughtered without the power of defending them- selves. Some four miles from the point where we formed the line of battle General Crook was found encamped, WHAT 18 THE MATTER WITH CROOK! He did not leave his camp to meet General Terry, | @ circumstance that caused no little comment. The conduct of this officer through the campaign has been, to say the least, peculiar. On consulta- don General Terry learned that Crook had been following for several days a heavy trail, supposed to be leading in the direction of Powder River. Had this information been sent to General ‘Terry by courier, a8 could easily have been done, the forces of that general, which were encamped on the Yellowstone, could have easily moved down to cut off the Indians’ retreat northward, or advance up the river until they met Crook’s column, when the trail could have been followed in whatever direction itled. This is what the public interest required, but for reasons dificult to understand General Crook allowed General Terry to march into his camp without making an_ effort furnish him with information as to his movements, ‘The fact that General Terry isa volunteer general, and not a West Pointer, may, perhaps, have some- thing to do with it. Inquisitive people are also ask- ing how it came to pass that so distinguished an Indian fighter as General Crook allowed a large body of Indians, encumbered with their families and their wounded, to escape from him. It ts admitted now that the trail which the column ts following must be eight days old. In the first day’s march of twenty-five miles made by the united column three Indian camping places were passed, indicating that when the Sioux column passed over the same ground it was marching at a very slow rate, not hurrying in the least. THE INDIAN FORCE is divided into three columns, which during the day march on parailel lines and at night camp together. From the indications the outward column on the left contains the wounded, as there are traces of some 200 traverses on which wounded warriors are usually carried, and the rocks in the road of the col- umn have been moved away where they would in- terfere with the passage of the traverse. It is pre- sumed the wounded from Custer’s fight are with this column. MOVEMENT OF GENERAL MILES. in order to prevent the Sioux from crossing the Yellowstone and escaping into the British posses- sions General Miles was ordered to take the Fifth infantry and two guns and return by forced marches to the supply camp on the Yellowstone, where he was to embark his troops on the steamer Far West, and, placing some companies at the point of crossing, patrol the Yellowstone between Tongue and Powder rivers, using the steamer as a kind of gunboat. At five P.M. the Fifth infantry began its return march overa road cut up by the passage of a heavy train during the day and though the men were fatigued and worn out by the long day’s march, it did not halt unti! some sixteen miles had been gone ove’ Here a short halt was made for a few hours, when the march was resumed. At ten o’ciock in the morning the head of the column reached Rosebud Creek just as the Far West appeared coming up the river in answer to & despatch sent by Captain Sanger, commandant of Camp Supply, to Captain Grant Marsh, to whoge en- ergy and courage the army is deeply indebted in this campaign. Grant Mgrsh is A MODEL STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN | and has the honor to have been the pioneer in tak- | ing a steamboat up the Yellowstone and Big Horn | tivers. The result of the opening up of these rivers will be invaluable to Montana, which is sadly in need of some easy highway by which to reach the great markets of the East. The navigability of the river At this late period of the year, on the present tmp, the Far West carries supplies, forage, artillery, ammuni- tion, &c., to the amount of 1,201 tons, and the Cap- tain says that he believes the river can be navigated as far as the Crow River, near Fort Ellis. If this should prove correct an easy road would be opened to the Yellowstone National Park and the splendid game country that lies to the north. The work of patrolling the Ye |- lowstone, between Powder and Tongue rivers, is done very thorough!y by General Miles, who has his headquarters on board the Far West, and unless the Indians have already croased they will find it pretty diMicult to elude the vigilance of the force empioyed in the work. LOOKING FOR INDIAN TRAILS. Scouts have been sent below O'Fallon’s Creek in order to hunt up any [Indian trafls that might exist, but they returned last night and reported that no trail could be found. Unless@the Indians have already passed north by Powder River there is good reason to believe they are still in front of Terry’s column unless they have dispersed at Powder River. There is @ small trail leading north, but it was evidently made by a war party or a band going to Fort Peck in aearch of arms and ammunition, and a fresh trail has also been discovered some twelve miles eagt of Tongue River, but it ts not important, THE INDICATIONS AT PRESENT are that the Indians will continue to retreat as far as the Powder Mountains, where they probably make @ stand, or they will separate Into small bands, and so elude pursuit, In either case the patroling of the Yellowstone ought to give good resulta. News of an important battle may be expected within a few days. If General Terry fails to come up with the Indians within the next week all hopes of punishing them this summer will be at an end, and the campaign will degenerate into @ series of unim- south will to | is impossibie. TRIP OF A HERALD CORRESPONDENT AND HIS SCOUT THROUGH THE INDIAN HAUNTS—IN- SOLENT AND UNGRATEFUL BEHAVIOR OF THE CROW ALLIES—THEY SHOW THE WHITE FEATHER WHEN ASKED TO FIGHT—A DAY OF FRUITLESS SCOUTING, On Boarp Far WEST, NEAR Powpar Riven, August 17, 1376, Via Bismaxck, August 23, 1876. Leaving the united columns of Terry and Crook to be looked after by my colleague, as soon as tt was definitely known that the two commands were in future to move together, your correspondent, ac- companied by his trusty scout, set out to regain the column of General Miles, which had left for the Yellowstone on the previous night. Burke, the HERaxp scout, is a model frontiersman. When asked if he were afraid to ride with the cor- respondent through the dangerous country lying be- tween Terry’s camp and the little supply camp on the Yellowstone he replied promptly, “If you are going I'll go with you. I'll be ready in five minutes. My horse 1s broken down, but if them Indians get jafter us there isn’t any use trying to run away, be-, cause anyhow they would be sure to catch us.” With this consoling reflection he went off saddled his horse, and within five minutes was ready for the Journey. There was just enough danger to make our journey interesting. The nature of the country favored surprise, and there was no guarantee that at any moment we might not hear the savage yell of some Indian scouting party huntiog us for our scalps. Right and left the broken hills were seamed, with valleys in whose dark recesses hundreds might be in secure concealment, and as we travelled over the dusty track which marked our advance we cast from time to time anxious glances wo the right and left and most frequently beyond us holding our breaths. Now and then the wind would seize the thick lying dust and whirl it aloft tn col- ums as when raised by a party of horsemen dashing along at full speed. FREQUENT SOARES. These scares were frequent during the first hours, but gradually we became used to the phenomena which caused them, and by the time we had accam- plished twenty miles we had persuaded ourselves that the Indians were too busily engaged elsewhere ; topay much attention to us. The event justified this confidence, for though darkness over- took us and we were obliged to aif on @ hillside in a drenching rain until the night cleared enough to allow us to follow the train nothing of consequence occurred until our eyes were gratified by the sight of the yellow waters of the Yellowstone. In accordance with a curious custom that obtains in the United States army the supply camp is placed on the bank of the river furthest from } the enemy, so that in case of a scout or small detachment being pursued by the Indians they might be massacred before help could reach them. Passing the night as comfortably as possible, lying on the bank of the river, there was plenty of time to reflect on these subjects. In the morning Captain Salger, who commands the supply camp, kindly sent a boat to convey as across the river. A warm welcome and good breakfast having restored the HERALD correspondent’s morale, he could ad- dress himself” to the question of descending the river to joim General Miles, who had pushed on ‘th such rapidity ag to have set at naught all calculations. It was announced at the supply camp by Indian couriers that some 450 Crow Indians would arrive the same day, on their way to join General Crook! Lieutenant Clark, of the Second cavalry, had been ieft behind in order to take charge of these warriors and scouts. A8 soon as the Crows arrived the Lieutenant went to work to get them into fighting shape. They had come with old men and boys, and a small number of squaws, and required reorganization. Nothing could be more picturesque than the ‘ APPEARANCE OP THESE CROWS and their splendid physique quite dwarfea the sol- diers of the garrison. The chiefa and old men assembled, and having passed the pipe listened to a few words tothe point spoken to them by Lieu- ‘enant Clark through an Interpreter. The orator of the Crowa, Blackfoot, @ splendid man, over six feet high, rose and replied with the dignified grunts of his race. He said he had travelled ,far, and was hungry and that a8 soon as he had eaten he would then talk | with the white chief. He and his tribe had come | down to fight the Sioux, and recover from them the land which belonged to the Crows, and when he had eaten he would have a talk. Inorder to put the Indians in good humor one day’s rations were tssued to the noble red men, and soon the chiefs were en- gaged in the work of distributing, which they ap- peared to do with order and fairness. The scene, however, was far from giving a high idea of the Indian race. As the groups lay eround patiently waiting their share of sugar, bacon, hard tack and coffee, men, boys and women amused themselves hunting in each other’s raven locks and evidently relishing the captured game. There is a strange mixture of cleanliness and squalidity in the Indian’s diet But as he never seems to change his underclothing he has at all times an odor repugnant to our olfactories. When the serious business of eating had been accom- plished the chiefs and leading men assembled before Lieutenant Clark’s tent and discussed the grave question a8 to whether they would proceed further desire and willingness to fight the Sioux. When it came to the question whether or not they would proceed to Powder River they showed A STRONG DESIRE NOT TO MOVE one inch, They were full of brave words, bat when it came to deeds it was too much. Another ques- tion, the savages felt they were the masters of the situation, and meant to do very much as they pieased, The result of a stupid and vacifating In- dian policy was plainly visible in the mingled arro- gance and indifference with which they treated our officers. It was evident they neither feared nor respected the United States Army, althongh they were not too proud to crouch down about the tents while the white man was eating in the hope of being invited to share the meal, The proposition clearly put to the Crow chiefs was whether or not they were willing to go down the river under Lieutenant Clarke, scouting the left bank as far as Powder River; but they managed to evade this tssue with great cunning. They would go by any road except the one they were asked to go, and though they, professed great desire to meet the Sloux, they were very careful to avoid coming in contact with him. This being the state of their minds, their picturesque council by the camp fire broke up with @ promise that in the morn- ing they would give a final reply. | crossing. The ONE WHO WOULD FIGHT. Good Heart, the chief soldier, came to say that even if the chiefs would not go he would get @ num- ber of the young men together and would go with | them. The matter was talked over and smoked over during the night, but the morning found our Crow friends tn the*same chicken-hearted frame of mind. At first they said the young men would go on, and asked how many days’ rations they would get, and being wild five they seemed contented. Then they wanted ammunition. This they were told would be issued to the young men who were going on the warpath, and when asked how many would 0, they said they would see as soon as the young men who had gone in of their ponies returned. Then they demanded that the ammunition should be given to the chiefs to be distributed among the whole tribe, and afterward they inform the white chiefs how many of the young men would accompany them. As {t was evident they were only endeavoring to obtain supplies of food and ammunition without making any return, this cool proposition was properly rejected, and as it was evident that the Crows had no intention of entering on the war path Lieutenant Clark embarked his dismounted soldiers in Lieutenant Reed's Macki- inaw boats and proceeded down the river to rejoin General Terry’s command, THE CROWS! INGRATITUDE. 48 a signal instance of the loyalty of these Crows it may be mentioned that they absolutely refused to furnish thirty ponies to mount Lieutenant Clark’s cavalry detachment, although they had an tmmense supply of ponies with them and full payment was offered in food and blankets, and yet for years we have been feeding and protecting this tribe of savages, It t3 clearly time to adopt a policy that will insure some respect im return for our gifts to these savages. The journcy down the river in flat bottom boata was happily accomplished without tnterrup- tion from the hostiles. Oncea few horsemen were seen in the hills, and as their movements were sus- Piclous we landed and prepared to entrench our- selves to resist attack. The appearance of two mounted Indians on the bank with a flag and waving a letter, put to rest all apprehension and the same evening we reached the encampment of General Miles’ command near the mouth of Tongue River. About the same moment Muggins Taylor, the scout, arrived with word from General Terry that the Indian trail ran in the direc- tion of Powder River and that the hostiles would probably be found in that direction. General Miles was on board the Far West, with Captain Grant Marsh, search would PATROLLING THE RIVER, but arrived during the night. Without amoment's delay he ordered the camp to be broken up, and, taking the soldiers and supplies on board, moved down to Powder River to head off the Indians. Ar- rived at this point, a detachment, under Major Rice, was sent down in the Mackinaw boats to Opallon’s Creek, where {tf was gupposed Indians might endeavor to cross. On the 16th a scout came in and reported a@ small trail near Tongue River. As it was supposed General Terry’s column might be fighting with the Indians and that small bands might escape dcross the river, the Far West aguin set out on patrol duty. When within twelve miles of Tongue River two officers, the HERALD correspondent and two soldiers were put ashore to scout the banks of the river and try and find any indications of fresh country was of the most villainous nature up hill and down valley, and our road lay over rocks and through mud banks, the horses sometimes sinkiug to their knees, On the sides of the high hills there were plentiful traces of Indian ponies, but they were all 60 old it was impossible to say when they were made, but it was evident they were not of recent formation. General Miles was now satisfied that no Indians had crossed nor were crossing above Powder River, and that we could devote all our attention to that por- tion lying between the Powder River rapids and Fort Buford. On our return to camp we found the forces of General Terry encamped on the Yellowstone at the mouth of Powder River, The command had metyno Indians, and, in all probability will meet none this season. GENERAL TERRY'S MARCH TO THB YELLOW- STONE—LIKELIHOOD OF THE SIOUX BREAK- ING INTO SMALL BANDS AND SNEAKING BACK on the warpath, although they professed great | TO THREIB GRASS IN THEIR RETREAT—THE PERILOUS POST OF COLONEL RICE. Ow Boanp rue Par West, NEsB GLENDINE CREEK, August 18, 1876, f Vis Bismark, D. T., August 23, 1876. } ‘The forces under General Terry, which left Rose- bud Creek on the morning of the 11th, arrived yes “terday afternoon on the Yellowstone by the valley of Powder. They had met with no Indians on their march. On leaving Rosebud Creek the column had followed the large Indian trail, which was found to lead almost due east to the Tongue River. Fol- lowing the course of this stream for some miles, it again turned dug east through a rough and dificult country, the chief features of which were rolling hills, clad with pine trees and deep valleys, which rendered the march very fatiguing. The trail struck the Powder River some forty miles from its mouth, and then turned down stream, reaching to within about nine miles of its mouth. Here again it strikes toward the east, leading in the direction of the Little Missouri River, where the bands Sitting Bull are in the habit of wintering. It is thought that they will try to escape from the troops either by crossing the Yellowstone and going north or by breaking into small bands and sneaking back to their reservations. They have burned the grass behind them so as to stop pursuit and the want of forage will render this measure very effective against our cavalry horses, which are al- ready very much worn out. The scouts say the main trail is at least uine days old, but @ small trail has been discovered which is compara- uvely recent. This band was headed off by the patrol kept moving up and down the river by Gen- eral Miles. In consequence of the system of mag- nified scouts employed by our General against the Indians the troops are unable to keep up an effec- tive pursuit. General Crook has ieft his supply train entrenched on Goose Creek, where it !s now practi- cally useless. It is not always practicable to have the supply train accompany the column, but there is no good reason why it should not follow at some dis- tance in the rear. The use of bullock teams has been suggested by General Miles, They would have the advantage of living on grass and being available for food as the other supplies were exhausted. ‘This suggestion merits the attentive consideration of the generals and others responsible for the RESERVATIONS—BUBNING THE of 3 organization of expeditions against the Indians, Under orders from General Terry a reconnolssance of the Yellowstone River was made to-day by General Miles, with two companies of the Fifth infantry, the pounder field piece and one Gatling gun No recent traces of Indians wero found, but General Miles resolved to leave a detachment of troops under «the command of Colonel Rice, to whom the army is in- debted for its effective trowel bayonet. This officer will be charged with scouting along the banks of the river and preventing the Indians crossing m his vicinity, a task his well known energy and decision well fits him to discharge. His post 13 a dangerous one, as with a small command of not more than sixty men he may at any time be called on to fight overwhelming numbers of well armed | savages. This despatch will be carried overland by special HERALD courier, who leaves the steamer at Glendine Creek. General Terry will continue the pursuit of the Indians on the 20th of August, REPORTED BATTLE WITH THE INDIAXS. CHICAGO, August 23, 1876, A despatch just received at the military headquar- ters here, says that an« Indian who arrived at the Standing Rock Agency on the Missouri River, yestefday, reports that a severe fight took place ten or twelve days since between the troops and the Indians at a potnt north of the Black Hills, and that the losses on both sides were very heavy, but the troops held possession of the fleld. The In- dians broke into bands and dispersed over the coun- try, with the troops in pursuit, ACTION OF THE UTES. CHey! x, Wy. T., August 23, 1876, The Utes who deserted Lieutenant Spencer at ; Cheyenne River on Friday last arrived at Rawlins to-day and turned over their arms to Sheriff Rennie. TEBRY AND CROOK IN HOT PURSUIT OF THE INDIANS—ATTACK ON THE BERTHOLD AGENCY BY THE SIOUX—REPORT OF A TERRIBLE BATTLE BETWEEN TERRY AND SITTING BULIA Sr. Pavn, Minn,, August 23, 1876, A epecial despatch from Bismarck, Dakota, to the Pioneer Press and Tribune says that a white scout, pamed Burke, has just arrived from the mouth of the Rosebud River with despatches. Generals Terry and Crook, after making s junction and following up the main Indian trail, left their wagons, tents, &c., took thirty-seven companies of cavairy and eight of infantry and were making forced marches, expecting to overiake the Indians before they reached the Yellowstone River, ‘The night before last a large war party of Sioux ap- peared on the opposite bank of the river from Berthold agency and demanded supplies, and on being refused they opened tire, which lasted about fifteen minates, They then withdrew and struck south toward Fort Lia- coln, A large party of Black Hillers, who left here for the Hills afew days ago, ana who have been unable to break thoir camp four miles from Fort Lincoln, owing to heavy rains, were attacked on Sunday night and loat seven horses. Later despatches just recerved from the commanding officer at Standing Rock says, Indians from Sitting Bull’s camp report aterribic battle between Sitting Bull and Terry and Crook’s combined forces, The In- dians were repulsed and have scattered, Terry and Crook, however, aro reported as having sustained ag neavy losses as the Indians, GENERAL SHERMAN DISBELIEVES THE RREPORE OF AN ENGAGEMENT WITH THB INDIANS—HE HAS EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE OFFICERS axD TROOPS, WasHinaTox, August 23, 1876. The General of the Arimy says at midnight that he places no confldenco in the report of the Indian at Standing Rock that there has been an engagement with the Indians and United States troops north of the Black Hillis He has great faith tn the eMcaey of Goueral Miles’ patrol of the Yellow. Stone, to prevent the Sioux from crossing, and “says that the officers and men aro doing splendidly, Every reliance must be put in their excellent judgment and great experience. They will do the best that cag be done, Ho !s perfectly satisfied and pleased, Sitting Buli must be punished and not merely let off by sar rendering, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, VixevarD Havex, August 22, 1876, Arrived, United States practice ship Cousteliation from New Bedfcrd on a cruise; United States traming ship Supply, from New London on a cruise; Unirer States steamer Wyoming from Newpor’ ou a cruisa, OBITUARY. LOUIS ANTHONY GESCUEIDT, M. D, ‘This eminent physician, one of the mort distinguished in this country, died at his residence, near Hastings, on the Hudson, very suddenly of heart disease, on Sunday evening last, 20th inst., at the age of sixty- eight, He was born in Dresden April 8, 1808, and, being designed for the Church, was educated at the Kreuz Schulo in that city; but exhibiting ata very an extraordinary aptitude for scientific ine vestigation his education for the ministry was aban- doned and he entered the Dresden University, where his progress in tho natural sciences was so rapid, especiilly im botany, that he became the travelling companion and scientific associate of the Crown Prince of Saxony, afterward Frederick August IL, im hig Dotanical pursaita, At nineteen Dr. Gescheidt entered the University of Leipsic, where, in the short space of two years, he graduated with great distinction, Re turning to his nativ came the assistant of Dr. A. Carus, the great piiysiolo, nd Dr. ¥. A, Vou Ammon, the most eminent oculist in Europe, and aiterward devoved bunseif to the practice of med. lene. Upon the appoarance of the cholera in Berlin he wag sent by the municipality of Dresden to investigate thé uature of thut epidemic, and while in Berlin acted at the assistant of Diefenbach, the disunguished anab omist and operative surgeon. Upon bis return Dresden be published a small work of great mort upon certain diseased of the eye, then imperiectly kuown, and was rapidly rising to eminen when ' the course of political events 1 Germany turned hig attention im a new direction, Like many of the patriotic young men of his country De wus an earnest advocate for a united Germauy and @ more liberal government, which he lived tw seo brought about, but which were then senti- mentsinjurivus to all who advocated them, and beng unyielding in bis convictions he emigrated to the United States in 1836, und settied tm this city as a prac- tising physician, where bis worth and ability were soon recognized. He continued in the active practise of his profession for thirty-five years, becoming tn time the physivian of the Astors and a number of the chief families of New York. Ip 1970 be rewired with ao ample torsune, the fruit of a laborious and most useful professional lite, t¢ & veautful spot on the bauks of the Hudson, neat Hastings, where be has lived for the lust six years, practising valy im this city when solicited by tmtimate friends of in peculiar cases to which he was urgeatly called {row bis yreat eminence, as in the recent case ol Commodore Vanderbilt. He was a man of such ex teusive aitainments and natural skill that he was dis- tinguished in ail branches of bis profession, and hit Professional honors and rewards came’ as the natural result of his great abiliny, for he was a man of remarkable modesty, with an honest German contempt for everything like pretension, sham or quackery. He hada nobie personal presen inteiiectaal head, dignitied aud courteous his gentle voice im the sick Fr and suffering. possession marked effect upon tl A prominent merchant of thi it the it och in New York Dr. Gescheidt, as good an oculist as | am. Go home and put yourseif under his treatment.” One of the marked characteristics of this eminent was in his attention to the poor, whom he was evel Foady to visit in their own abodes, and attend tub tously with the same assiduity and fidelity and treat icacy that he would the most distia patients. There is no greater bi foe pubile lows, abd the death of bysician, His death 18 @ public lea fF Goschetdt 18 Jose not easily supplied, He leaves a widow aud daughter, HIRAM H. DAVIS, OF HARRISON, ™. J, Twenty or thirty years ago one of the best knows places among drovers, cattle dealers and horsemen, outside of the metropolis was Davis Hotel, on the turnpike road, Hartison township, New Jersey, a mile or so from Newark. There used to congregate mea from all parte of the country and from Canada It owned by Mark Davis, who purchased bali SS Harrisou for a mere song. His son and beir, Davis, has just died from rheumatiom and other causes. Mr, Davis was well known to the clase of abovo referred Cp gee Usk ig a for # portion of it lung singe, The balance ts worth $150,006,