The New York Herald Newspaper, September 17, 1876, Page 5

——— CROOK'S VICTORY. A Large Indian Village Surprised by Colonel Mills and Destroyed. GALLANT CAVALRY FIGHT. Custer’s Little Big Horn Guidon Recaptured, With Valuable Stores and Plunder. OOMPLETE INDIAN DEFEAT, Wany Braves and Some Squaws Killed and Captured—Balance of the Band Scattered. SMALL LOSS OF TROOPS. Lieutenant Von Lentwitz Shot in the Knee Suffers Amputation of the Leg. The Hungry and Wayworn Troops To Be Sup- plied with Food from the Black Hills, Dakota, Sopt. 10, 187 Via Hor Cugx, Wy. f., Sopt 16, 1876. ‘Two fights with tho hostile Sioux occurred yesterday] band of about 150 braves was surprised at dawn, their village destroyed and their ponies captured by a detachment of the Third cavalry under Colonel Anson Mills. Tho main column, under General Crook, over- took the troops in advance about noon, and about three o'clock it was attacked by Indians belonging to the Beighboring villages, numbering about 500, LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. One soldier and ono scout were killed in that engago- Ment, and eight soldiers* wounded, one of whom died this morning. About forty Sioux were killed and twenty-one were made captives, A HUNGRY AND WEARING MARCH, The column marehed three days southwards from Heart River, through a constant storm of cold rain, with moagre* rations meted out to hungry palatea Several hundred worn-out horses wero abandoned on the march, and on this day the famishing soldiers broke from thoir ranks to kill them, 1n order to secure tho meat. Camp os Ow. Crerx, } 4 HAZARDOUS ENTERPRISE, General Crook dospatchea 150 men of the Third tavalry to guard the pack train to Deadwood city and tad with supplies to relieve the troops. The service was extremely hazardous, because of the multitude of |mall trails discovered by the scouts, which all turned toward the Black Hills, and a concentration of the In- dian forces upon the detachment was feared. The de- tail for this service was not made larger, because there ‘were no more horses in command whose strength was @qual to the rapid tharching it required. Colonel Mills ‘was in command, andI accompanied his little force, which was divided into two battalions, under Lieuten- Qnts Crawford and Von Lenwitz, Although wearied with three days’ marches of thirty-Gve miles each, the detachment left camp in the evening ina thick mist, which interfered seriously with its progress. Frank Gruard, the scout, guided its course. A storm was raging, and several halts ‘wore necessary in order to consult the compass; but he clouds suddenly broke and the north star appeared ‘Wo camped at one o'clock. The storm continued the Bext day. About thirty miles from the main column Gruard discovered indications of the proximity of an Indian village, as we wero approaching slim buttes, ‘nd we halted on the table land, concealed behind a knoll The Indians were watched while thoy were herding their ponies, of which there were Brent numbers; bat it was doubtful how many traves wero in tho party, Mills do- tired to attack them at once; but after ®& consideration, fearing the band might be much stronger than it appeared, he determined to wait until daybrosk. Every precaution was taken to prevent the enemy from ‘discovering us, We marched buck two miles, and bivouacked in a pocket formed by two Canyons in tho deep mud, and, drenched with battering Tain, Colonel ‘THE PLAN OF ATTACK was fully di ed. Lieutenants Crawford and Von Lenwitz were to get positions on two sides of tho hollow in which was tho village before its inhabitants should awake, Their men were to be dismounted a mile’s distance from the village, the horses to be left there in charge of the packers, and the troops were to advance cautiously on foot. Twenty-five mounted men were led by Lieutenant Schwalka Lieutenant Bubb ‘was to remain in chargo of the mules and horses, During the night several alarms occurred. At two O'clock all was in residence, and the detachment formed ranks. In profound darkness, fog and rain it advanced slowly to the position of the previous even- ing, and there halting, the guide went forward to find the way to the village. After waiting half an hour he emergod out of the obscurity again, and we again moved. Afterasecond halt the mules§and horses, with about thirty men, of whom I was one, remained Dehind, while the main body advanced. At the first tound of firing we were to advance rapidly, bat sautiously, and if the enemy proved too strong we were to secure and hold some favor- able point ugtil rolieved. There was in these Qrrangemonts an anticipation of another disaster like that which befell Caster and his gallant Seventh. The ‘waiting im the chill, wot darkness, straining the ear in vain for the sound of the fray, was full of DREAD, ANXIOUS SUSPENSE. The dawn bad pot begun when a white soldier, pa- trolling a bill, espied a horseman coming at fuil gallop Yoward us It at first appeared to be an Indian, bat proved to be Captain Jack, tho scout, who said the Gght had begun, and we were to advanco as rapidly as possible, We dashed forward through the mist and veached a round top of bluifs, from whence we saw flashes of guns a mile below, while now and again dull fetonations reached us against the breeze. Here wo Wet Gruard and a private, who brought an order from Colonel Mills to despatch a courier to General Crook Immediately, asking reinforcements, Two men volua- Weered for this service and galloped off to execute the order, We then advanced INTO THR VALLEY UXDER Fin, ‘The fusilade was continavos, and bullets came whiz- wing from nearly every acclivity. A low ridge hid the qillage from view, and at its foot were herded 200 cap- tured ponies. Gaining tho ridge the fire upon us be- fame nearer for a time, but woll restrained by our skirmishers commanding the village, The attack had beon accidentally frecipiated. The troops had ad- anced in double column for two miles, when they game within sight of the herd of Indian ponies; the NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER .17, 1876—QUADRUPLE SHEET animals wero frightened, and rushed like a hurricane toward the village. This accident caused a change in the method of attack to be ordered immediately, Lieutenant Schwatka, with bis twenty-! forward at a thundering gallop, and, close upon the heeis of the ponies, swept through the crowd of lodges, A strange sound was heard, produced by the cutting of the lodge-skins with knives, quickly followed by reports of guns, and the Indians were seen Scrambling up tho steep banks and into the gullies, ‘With YELLS OF DISMAY. Hardly was Schwatka well out of their range when Crawford and Von Lentwitz’s men opened fre, and their balls riddled the tepees before their occupants were fairly awakened. Owing to tho precipitate attack Von Lentwitz had not time to secure his a signed pofition on the further side of the creek, and the effect of a cross fire, there fore, was not gained, and the Indians who escaped in that direction secreted themselves and acted as sbarpshooters, Schwatka had captured tho main portion of the herd, but many ponies had os- caped. A few wore caught by the Sioux, who began to ride around on the hille, firing at the troops where they bappened to be most exposed. Others were seen to canter away over the bluffs in the West It was surmised they wero going to raise the neighboring bands to theirassistance, and preparations were strep- uously made for a desperate defence of the position commanding the villago until General Crook, with the column, snould arrive. GALLANT ComDUCT OF OvFICERS. Lioutenants Crawford and Schwatka made repeated charges which drovo the Sioux from those points from whieh their fire was annoying. They both made rapid explorations of the hills to gather up stray Pontes so that they should not be secured by tho Indi. ans, In these they had many pistol encounters with the Indians and forced them to retire repeatedly. The gallantry by both of these officers was splen- did, RILLED AND WOUNDYD. In the at the village, there had been sov- eral cast . our troops, as follows :— Private A. , alias “Weasol,”” was killed by ‘a dullot in the head and an arrow in tho body. Charles Foster, wounded severely. Sergeant Kirkwood, wounded, Augastos Dern, severely wounded, Lieutenanté, H. Von Lentwitz, severely wounded in the kneo, af evening. Sergeant Edwards Glass, severely wounded in tho right arm, Corporal Edward Mackeman, slightly wounded. Private William Dubois, slightly wounded, HOLDING THE POSTION. Colonel Mills took and occupied every point used by the enemy to annoy our troops, and caused rifle pits to be dug with the only shovel which had been brought, 1 was placed in charge of one, with two men in it, on one of the ridges overlooking the village, while anothor was advanced toa point beyond, which sorves as an outpost, Most of the fighting had ceased when the sun was up, At four o’clock a second courier was sent back, mounted on astrong Indian pony, to hasten General Crook. Two sojdvers and myself volunteered to go, and one of thegormer wus selected. The village was eccupied by the soldiers, but not until the Indians were driven from a steop hill commanding its approach, The booty was safely inspected and removed, 00x FikeD OF FicuTING. Lieutenant Crawford was sent with nine cavalrymen to charge them, the braves holding the hillsides, and while he was making a circuit through a hollow to escape observatiog they opened conversation with our mtorpreter by shouting overiures 10 a truce, {Stabber, a chiof, said, “I am tired of fighting; have had enough of it this sum- mer; want goto agency ugain.’? He was interrupted by the approach of Crawford’s party, who went up the mountain checring and received a volley. They killed two Indians with their pistols, The wails of [the squaws who were hidden in the hill were heard at intervals, UNEXPECTED FOOD FOR THR TROOPS. The pack train was led into the village and loaded with 6,000 pounds of dried meats and fruits found there, The lodges were full of splendid robes, bead work, deer and elk skins, guns, ammavitioa, saddles, &e, &c, Bat trophies of far more significance were thero, Colonel Mills took from a lodge the GUIDON OF CUSTER’S CAVALRY, Tho overcoat of a slaughtered officer of the Seventh cavalry was found,and soveral saddles of troopers killed on the Little Horn, while the horsesin the hera bore the mark of the devoted regiment, ORRTIVICATRS OF LOYALTY, The letters which I quote, found on the bodies, are an ironical commentary on Indian policy :— Sporrep Tait Acxxcy, Jan. 14, 1876. ‘The bearer of this, Stabber, belonging to this agency, ‘will travel north tu visit his people, He will return to this agency within ninety days, without distarbing any white man. If bo needs any little thing you will not lose by giving ittobim. This is true. F. G BOUCHER ‘Wuirrsxoxx Acexcy, D, T., Fev., 1876, To Axy Usrrrp Srarxs Ixpiax AGENT :— ‘This is to cortily that Chargiog Crow, an Indian be- longing to Santee’s band, is @ trae man to terms of treaty and uses all his influenee with nis people to do right. I cueerfully recommend bim to favorable con- sideration «: all ‘ours, respectiully. E. A. HOWARD, United States Indian Agent, CROOK'S ARRIVAL, Tho couriers sent to Crook met him on bis marob. He hastened forward'as fast as bis jaded and hungry troops could come, For two days the flesh of horses has been issued to them for food. At noon the column appeared and gladdened the eyes of Colonel Mills and his detachment, who were instantly expectant of an attack by the indians im force, Firing had ceased, except occasional shots trom the ravine on thé west side of ‘the village, where {t was supposed a sin- gle wounded Indian Isy, determined to SKLL WIS LIVE D¥ARLY, During the morning soldiers had been killed by shots from the raviue. Gemeral Crook determined to catch the Indian alive, and caused the interpreter to make a promise of life to him. Bullets\were the only reply. Soldiers posted behind him on the opposite bank had pourea their fire into the ravine for hours, bus still the Indian’s gan was not silenced. Passing from the ridge to the village soldicrs were salated by bullots, Troops wore deployed below the mouth of tho ravine to make the approach cautiously, They crawled, with loaded guns, Bullet atter bullet was sent over their heads from the depth of tho ravine and they RETURNED BUT DID NOT SILENCE the fire, The excitement spread through the camp ‘and the mouth of the ravine became the focus of a crowd. Several officers joined in the siege, the strong noldfwas approached by hundreds of eagor soldiers under the delusion that they were to see an Indian- made prisoner. ‘4 SURPRISE. Hitherto only single shots had come from within; but suddenly there was a volley sent through the approaching troops, which caused an indiseribablo rush away from the spot, and the wildest confusion rojgued. ‘Tho ravine was full of Indians, who, afer the first Gharge in the morning, had fled there te hida The fe men dashed | Volley wounded Private Kennedy of the Fifth cavalry, ‘The siege became more tragic und earnest. Captain Munson was foremost peering over the steep bank into the ravine, when he slipped in through @ dense bramble and tound himself among the Indians, The dry water bed was narrow and deop and hidden by brush. Several warriors lay face downward in this trench, and had built small breastworks across it with mud and roots. Bebind these were a score of squaws and children. Some of these were wounded, and the mud was drenched and bushes spattered with their blood, 4 DARING DEED. Munson gallantly seized a squaw, and, putting her Papoose on bis back, shoved her out. One buck was lying on a dead infant, Muuson had barely a glimse of the interior of this strango stronghold, and then dodged backed to escape the muzzles of five guns over hishead. Bullets hissed both ways, the soldicrs press- ing forward to fre. They several times swayed back- ward before the fire of the Indians, and the roar of musketry was liko that at Antietam. Baptiste, the Pawnee scout, dashod in ana caught two other squaws and a young brave. They said the rest WOULD SUERENDER, bat when quarter was again proposed they answered with bulicts, John White, known as Buffalo White, a friend and follower of Buffalo Bill, was shot through the heart, Baptiste just escaped a ball, to kill the savage who fired it, and scalped him in an instant, A talk was meanwhile held with the women who had been rescued, Ono of them, who was wounded, said she would go into the ravine and induce the Indians still alive to surrender. Sho went, and soon after led forlorn looking group. There were several squaws and two bucks, one of them named Black Wolf. On entering the strong- hold there were found three dead squaws and one dead brave. American Horse or Iron Shields was found hor- ribly wounded in the abdomen. Ho was brought out and cared for by the surgeons, but died this morning. THE CaPTives were twenty-one in number. When they surrendered they seemed to expect immediate death. A squaw dia- covered her dead papoose in a tepec, and was a pic- turo of intense woe. TUM INDIANS REAPPRARING. Captives said that Crazy Horso’s village was on the other side of Slim Buttes, and that some of their people had goue to bring his band to their assistance, About three o’clock mounted Indians began to swarm on the ridges and attacked tho camp. Thoy made strong efforts to find a weak point in our skirmish line, which had been thrown acrors the village, making a circuit of the whole command Firing was rapid for two hours. An attempt was made tocut off Lieuten- ant Sibley, who had charge of some led horses in rear of tho column, and was just approaching camp, but they failed. , A battalion of infantry of four companies, under Major Burt, gallantly carried several dificult points of the Buttes, charging the mounted Indians on foot and pouring from the crests which they gained a terrible firo upon them. About twenty Indians wore killed on this side of the camp. The cavalry did equal execu- tion, Our skirmish line around the camp was about six miles long, and as evening fell the flash of guns was still continued. Major Burt, in a final charge, drovo the Sioux over the highest ridge occupied by them with ringing cheera. The casualties on our sido in these afternoon fights were four. Private Fitz Henry, Ninth infantry, wounded in the log. Sergeant Scribner, Fifth cavalry, wounded in the thigh, Private Dorn, Fifth cavalry, wounded in the hip and orm. out a AVTER TOE BATTLE, The spoil of the village not useful for subsistence was distributed among the men who captured it, Its pro- vision of meat and fruit will support the troops until we reach the Black Hills, The lodges and débris wero then burned, During the night the Indians senta few shots into camp. This morning the work of destrac- tion was completed. Many fino robes burned, The Indians indulged in a little sharpshoot- ing, but with no effect, The column took up the march, with flanks carefully guarded against any attempt of tho Sioux to recapture the prisoners and ponies. SEVEN INDIANS KILLED AND OX® SOLDIER WOUNDED. Two companies of the Fifth cavalry, acting as rear guard, surprised a small body of Indians who ventured from their hiding place, supposing the camp doserted. Seven braves were killed. Private Wadden was wounded in the leg. A march of twelve miles was made to-day. Some of the wounded squaws were left among the rains of the village, where their friends will find them. Captain Jack killed and scalped an Indian a mile from the column during tho ongagement of yesterday afternoon. were SITTING BULL ESCAPED, Captured Indians say Sitting Bull bas crossed the Yellowstone and that the other bands are returning to the agencies, The captured horses havo been distrib- uted among persons engaged in the capture of the village. One formorly belonging to Caster’s cavalry fell to your correspondent, The wounded are all doing well, They are carried on mule litters furnished with capturod tars and blankets, A FORLORN HOPE. COLONEL MILLS LEADS A PARTY TO THE BLACK HILLS FOR SUPPLIES, Cnook Crry, Buack Hitis, Sept, 12) « Via Four Lanamix,’ Wy. T., Sept 16, Tez | Yesterday morning General Crook despatcned a party of the Fifth cavalry men from his camp on Owl Creck to pross forward to the Black Hills ané send back pro- visions for the hungry troops, Colonel Milis was in command, and Lieutenant Bubb, commissary officer, was sent to buy food. The driod meat and frat captured jn the Indian village noar Slim Butte was not sufficient, as was supposed, to sus- taim the columa aantil it could reach the Black Hills, and on the 10th horses were again butchered and issued as rations, + ‘The advance party was a sort of forlorn hope. The captured Indians bad said that many war parties were prowling near the Belle Fourche River and foothills, especially braves of Crazy Horse’s band. The relief party was mounted on captured Indian ponies, Wo ieft the main column in @ donso mist and bitter storm and marched by the guidance of the com- pass alone, Our trail deseribed many eccentricities, During the night following it was impossible pr distin- guish any landmarks. The darkness was impenotra- ble, Next day wo wore cheered by the breaking of the mist and a glimpse of the sun, and ospied the outlines of the Bisck Hill, By rapid riding wo reached their base, at the mouth of Whitewood Canyon, at dusk. Leaving most of the party thero, I galloped on with Captain Jack and Hawalian Frank to Crook Vity. The Indian, Black Wolf, had hinted it was deserted by the minors on account of Sioux perseca- Mon, but we were delighted, after rattling through the timbered gulch, to see the lights glimmer in the dark- ness, PLENTY OF FOOD. is stored here, and General Crook will to-morrow be met at the Belle Fourche by loaded wagons and a herd of beeves, StOUX OUTRAGRS. The Black Hills are infested by hundreds of Sioux, and people are killed daily. Milton Province was murdered ten days ago while haoling hay in Whitewood Canyon. The Indians cap- tured three tons of hay, At the same time they attacked Nathan Wierchir's train going to Fort Pierre, A teamster brought back tho news, but the rosult of the fight is not known, as it ‘Was progressing whon he escaped. Day before yesterday a party of Sioux attempted depredations 200 yards from the main street of Crook City, and were forced to skedaddle by a hot fire from the citizens, At Rapid City within the past two weeks five white men have been killed and great numbers of horses stolen, A party of citizens pursued the Indians and killed one, iosing one of their own number. Tho war of savage life and civilization is at its height in these mountains, and its nature is horribly desper- ate, Citizens do not limit their revenge to an imitation of tho Indian custom of scalp. ing, but when they kill a Sioux thoy cut off his head, exhibit and sell it at auction, ‘Tho village, near Slim Butte, captured on the 9th, belonged to the band of Roman Nose, a Brulé chief, and contained thirty-four lodges, —-. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE EN- COUNTER. . Cuxyxyxx, Wy. T., Sept. 16, 187 A courier who left General Crook’s command Sep- tember 10 brings the following news:— September 9.—Since General Crook’s column turned south toward the Black Hills, on the Sth inst., there has been considerable bardship through wet weather and living on bacon and hard, bread, and a good deal of grumbling. On the 7th it was decided to send a portion of the pack tram ahead, ander the escort of Colonel Mills, with fifteen men, on the best horses of each company of the Third cavalry, making 150 in all. Lioutenants Von Lentwitz, Schwatka and Crawford composed the subordinate officers, with Lieutenant Bub», Fourth infantry, chief commissary ; Tom Mvore, chief packer, and Frank Gruard, General Crook’s chiet scout, Tho latter was to servo both as guide and scout, and on yesterday evening ho discovered, through tho rain and fog, without being himself observed, a hostile Sioux village, consisting of forty-ono large lodges and a band of sevoral hundred ponies and a few American horses, MILLS’ VICTORY, Colonel Mills concluded to attempt the attack with his 150 men, without waiting to seod word to Gon- eral Crook for reinforcements. He fell back a fow miles, hid his command in a raving, and at two o'clock this morning marched for the village, which was situated on a little croek, tributary ot Graud or Owl Creek. He formed on the north side before daylight, and ordered Lieutenant Schwatka with Company M to charge through the village, while tho rest of tho force, dismounted, wero to form a skirmish line on cither side, and pick off tho Indians us they came out, The latter were completely surprised, and scattered out ‘‘pellmell,” half naked, returning the flro tosome extent, Their ponies were effectually stam- poded, Owing to Mills’ emall force he only succeeded in securing the lodges and property theroin and about 140 ponies. There was an immonse quantity of dried meat, ber- ries, &c., all that Crook's whcle puck train could carry and sufficient to postpone the proposed purchase of supplics. Thero were wagon loads of robes ahd say. agos’ spoil of all kinds, ‘ho guidon of the Soventh cavalry, which Custer used in tho Little Horn mas- gacre,‘and various little articles of wearing apparel also captured on that occasion, and a quantity of corn stored at the mouth of Powder River as late as August 4, where Torry was fired on, was among the spoils. Tho whole march and showing since Torry and Crook inet goes to confirm the soundness of the latter’s views of tho encmy’s probable destination and whereabouts since leaving their camp on the Little Horn. CASUALTIKG. Lieutenant Von Leutwitz, Company C, was seriously ‘wounded in tho knee, Private Medbury, Company C, wounded, Charles Foster, Company B, wounded, Augustus Doru, Company D, wounded. Sergeant Glass, Company E, wounded, Private Wenzel, Company A, was killod in the action of the morning. “CROOK ON THE SCENK OF ACTION, About seven o'clock word had reachea General Crook, fifteen miles back with tho main body. He came for: ward with sections from the cavalry, reaching Mills ut eleven o'clock, ‘Tho latter had kept up a good picket fight during the forenoon. Crook was very much disappointed because Mills did not report the discovery last night, as there was plenty of time to have got up the entire command, and so offectually surrounded the Villago that nothing could have escaped; but the Gen- eral 18 also pleased, too, all things considered, THE SIRGE OF THR CANYON. About 100 yards from the villago is a little ravine, in which a band of seven warriors and fifteen women and children were safely lodged 1m a cavern of rocks, and it was in trying to dislodge them that Mills lost bis killed and most of his wounded. General Crook de- sired to gave the women and children, and by means of Gruard’s wterproting a parley ensued, and the war- riors came out, one chief, American Horse, being mor- tally wounded. Beforo this parley was effected, however, Frank White, a citizen, was shot through the heart, Privates MeKoun and Kennedy, of Company 0, Fifth cavalry, wero wounded. CRAZY HORSK’S BAND, About twonty minates past four o'clock this afternoon there was a saddon picket firing, which began on Colonel Mason's front, and resulted in the wounding of Sergeant Aehraiber, of Company K, and Privato Dorn, Company F, Filth cavalry. It proved to be the result of reinforcements received from Crazy Horse’s band, and a running attack was made all round the circle; but the troops were quickly thrown out and the enemy driven off in every direc- tion, The latter got about a dozen horses, too poor to getintocamp. The village was thoroughly ransacked and the spoils divided. Colonel Miils and his mon got the ponies, ‘There wero found passes to good Indians from Indian Agont Howard, of the Spotted Tail Agency, dated ro- spectively January 14, and February, 1876. Much ainmunition and many guns wore found in the lodges. SUPPLIMD YOR THE WINTER. All the ovidence is to the effect that these Indians wore prepared for the water. Thero were probably 1,000 warriors connected with {t, and their chief is Roman Noso, formerly of tho Cheyenne Agency. It i# regretted that other of the larger villages wero not surprised and dostroyed. But this affair demon. strates tho good policy of astern chaso after the In- dians, even by the foot soldiers. ‘ Supt. 10, 1876. There was a little picket firing througbout last night and this morning. After the command was on tho march a number of Indians came down on the roar of the columa, but wore met with a warm reception by Captain Summers’ battalion of tho Fifth cavalry, who, covering the enemies in the ravines, killed several and disabled others, SOLDIERS WOUNDED. Private Foster, of Company F, wounded. Private Mudden, of Company M, woanded, Private George Clautier, of Company D, wounded, ‘The command marched filteea miles to-day towaMt the Hills, bringing the catire number of sick and woundedgon twelve litters, Medicat Director Cloments amputated tne right log of Lieutenant Von Lentwitz last evening, and Private Kennody died of his wounds, No other amputations or deaths are likely to occur, AMBICAS HORSE DRAD. The wounded chief American Horse died last night. Most of tho captives wore brought along, but a few squaws were sent back with the General’s advice to the hostile bands to go into the agencies, behave thi selves and ail would be well with them. Colonel Mills, with Lieutenants Babb and Gruard, will go through to the Hills to-morrow with a view of securing future supplies. GENERAL SHERMAN WAITING FOR CROOK, General Sherman is now at Fort Laramie, awaiti the arrival of General Crook or advicos from him as to @ point of meeting for council 1 UP THE YELLOWSTONE. | WHAT A HERALD SCOUT SAW AND EXPERI- ENCED IN A TRIP ON boOsnd THR JOSEPH- INE—ACTIVE INDIAN KIFLES ALONG THE RIVER DANK. Powpre Riven, Ivorax Couxtry, d 1876, On the afternoon of the 2ist | Butora on board the steamboat Josephine, which steamed out in com- pany with the mboat Yeliowstoue, ‘They travelled together up the Yellowstone River without accident until the morning of the 22d, when we met a little Mackinaw boat with a sergeant and six sol- diers, who reported Indians scatterod along the banks of tho river for thirty miles on eitner side, We encountered no # of hostile Indians until about cleven A. M. on ihe 23d, when we were about 100 miles from the mouth of tho river, We bad given up all idea of meeting with Indians, and I had gone on shore in pursuit of a deer which I saw on the north bank, when suddenly I heard firing, and rushing to the bank of the river, I saw some INDIANS FULING ON THE STRAMBOAT Yellowstone, which was some half wile betind us. Tho Indian fire killed ono man, named Dennis Shields, belonging to the Sixth regiment of infantry. At this time our boat was taking in wood. I immediately went on board the Josephine and reported what I had seen, Ina few minutes tho Yellowstone came along- side, Just®then Indians appeared on the opposite blaff, and fire was openod on them from both boats. They disappeared almost immediately and no further loss was suffered on eithor boat, put there was quite an excitement vn board the boats, BAGGAGE FOR BARNICADES. Baggage of all kinds was used to form barricades, but we had no further use for them, though we saw Tudians on tho banks at several places along the river ay tar as Glenaive, where we arrived the next morning. Here we found one company of infantry encamped, under Colonel Rice, The Indians bad been all round them for some days, but had made no general attack ‘on the post, Glendive Is some eighty miles below tho mouth of Powder River, Our next oxcitement, after loaving Glendive, was to find a small boat tied upon the south bank near somo high blulls, There were some fresh tracks about the boat, « scalp and somo Indian trinkets in the boat; a few hundred yards turthor up we heard a shot fired ahead and saw a man coming out of the brush looking back at overy step as If afraid that somo one was following him, Wo 1 Ma SPRANG YOR OUR RIFLES, but soon saw {t was a white man and took him aboard. He was the most pitiful looking specimen I over saw. He was muddy all over, barefooted, bareheaded and badly wounded in the mght arm, and so footsore that ho could scarcely walk, He proved to be « packer from Terry’s command, and had left the mouth of Powder River in company with one Henry Pique, a deserting soldier, When near the point where we picked him up they had seon Indians on the bluff, and Attenspted to cross, Seeing a small boat on the oppo- sito side, one of thom swam across and brought it over. hey started to get their mule and camp outit they had leit behind. They had got only a tew yards when they were fired into, and the deserter was killed and Pickens was struck in the arm, but gained the biutt, Ho was chased by Indians back into the brusb, and there remained until we picked hin ap. No more Indians were seen until late im the afternoon, wheu a few appeared on tho north sido of the river, ‘They were evidently pickets; and nothing furthor of im- portanco occurred until we met the steamboxt Carroll comtag down from General Terry’s headquarters, THE MOUNTAIN MEADOW MASSACRE. Sart Laks, Utah, Sept. 16, 1876, The following special despatches have been received concerning the Lee trial, now in progress at Beaver, Utah :— Braver, Utah, Sopt. 15, 1876, Seven witnosses testified for the prosecution to-day, all new except Joel W. White, fixing murder on Li ‘The case will probably go to tho jury to-morrow even- ing. TNE BVIDENOR, The first witness was D. H. Wells, who testified that Lee, in 1857, occupied the position of farmer to the Indians in Southern Utah, and, perhaps, some place in the militia, Labon Merrill testified as to the council held at Cedar City, which had under advisoment the destruc- tion of the train; it was understood that before it should be done Brigham Young should be consulted; “| a messenger was sent to Salt Lake City for that pur- pose, and another was sent to Pinto Creek to draw off the Indians and allow tho train to pass on till word came from Brigham Young to the contrary; forty- eight hours betoro tho messenger returned from Salt Lake he heard tho massacro bad taken place; Haight, Higbeo aud Klingen Smith were in the council and Lee was not there. James Haslam testified he was the mossenger sent to Brigham Young by Haight, to whom he explained tbe object of the message; Leo could hold the emigrants corralled waiting his return. Ho rode night and day and stayed two houra in Salt Lake ana returned. Brigham’s message was, “Go, don’t spare hors Hesh 5 those men must be epared; lwt them go in peaco; got back to Cedar on the Sunday following and learno the deed was done, Joe! W. White teatified almost exactly as on the for- mor trial, relative to taking the message to Pinto Creok and taking part in the massacre. HARROWING PARTICULARS, Samuel Knight's imony went to show that ho was driving one of the wagons which contained arms; hesrd the lirst gan fired alter the emigrants had been decoyed out; saw Lee blow a woman’s brains anotber to death with bi others, and at the same time saw the Indians make a rush on the women and chi mn, Whom they slew, Samuel McMurdy testified that he drove the othor wagon after the emigrants had been decoyed. out by a flag of truce, and the whole column commenced mov- ing up the weadow; heard the command w hait, and, looking round, saw Lee put his gun to a woman’s bead and flee; she fell; heard Lee beating a man’s brains out with agan; Lee then came to witness's wagon and shot all the wounded men with bis pistol and dragged tbe bodies to tho ground; only the children in the wagon wero saved, This witness refused to tell whether he took part inthe killing, baton the former trial it camo out that he was the man who, whilo in the act of firing on one of the wounded etmigrunts, said “O Lord, recetvo their sj trite, for it 1s for thy sake we do these things!”” CONCLUSIVE PROOVS AGAINST LEI Nophi Johnson, who went to the meadows as an In- dian interpreter, testifled that ho saw Lee shoot the woman referred to, and Cut a man’s throat ay he dragged hun from ‘the wagon, This witness was ex- tremely careful to tell nothing implicating any ove but Lee, and continually forgetting names and incidents not relating whoily to the defendant. His cross-exam- ination, which was searching, showed that ho could tell sufficient to hang every man who took part in the museacre. Ail he said damaged Lee materially. Jacob Hamlin testified as to a conversation between himself ahd Lee four days after the butchery, iu which the defendant. justitied himself by claiming that it was necessary a$ a tnilitary measure. The testimony of all the new witnesses thus far plainly indicates that they are in @ conspiracy to sacri- fice Leo for the good of the Church. THE MURDRR OF TWO GIRLS, In the Beaver Court this morning Jacob Hamhn was recalied. He stated that Lee turther told hii that an Jadian chief, who lived at Cedar, brought two girls, who had beea biding in tho brash, to bim (Lee) and asked what he should do with them, that they were too pretty to kill; Loe answered that he must shoot them, that they were too big; the Indian then shot oue and Lee throw the oer down and cut her throat; that when Hamlin returned to his ranch he went over the ground and found the bodies af two girls avout the ago described trom thirtecn to Mliteen years, lying near together, with their throats cut as described to him by Lee; that one of the children, who was about eight years old, was at his Louse and claimed the two bodies as her si b and that their name was Dunlap. Hamlin, on being asked by the defence if he had ever told this to any one replied that he had, and more too. Ho said that soon er the occurrence whon he remem bered better than he did now, ho had told tt to Pro: dent Young and George A. Smith, and thut President Young told bim that when the right time came, wo could get a Court of Justico to state it 1p; being further pressed, Hamlin said ho ha any Court of J thought now was just the right Johoson, on being recalled, to the massacre he was sent to any of emigrants to the Santa Clara Rive Bis way he stopped at Harmony. wi be saw Jobo D. Lee, who proposed to Lim to get the emigrants into an amousb to destroy them by the In ‘and 80 got their property; niso that he (Jobnson) replied, ‘Ther has been’too much bloodshed by you already.’ I have been instructod to see them safely shrough, and I will do so or die with them,” that ho then abused him, calling him ugly names; that he identised tho prisoner at the bar as being Joba D. Lee. CLOSE OF THR FROSKCUTION—NO KVIDRNCE FOR LER. The prosecution rested their case, and to the sur- prise of all prevent tn the court room, Lee's attorneys anuounced that thoy also rosted their case aud would not Introduce any witnesses, bat give the case to the Jury on the evidence aiready adduced by the prose- cation, and asked for a continuance of the case until Monday, the iSth, to give them Lime to prepare urgu- ment and inatruction to the jary. The Court adjourned until Monday at ten o'clock, and tnetructed the wit- nesses to remain, as Oler cases pertaining to the mas- sacro were to be dispos-d of DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCH, The following documeutary evidence has been filed by the prosecation but was bot given to the jury :—A letter (rom John D. Lee to Brighdta Young, dated No- vetnber 20, 1857, giving report of the massacre as an Indiwn affair; aletter from Brigham Young to J. W. Denver, Commissioner of Indwn Afairs, dated Sep- tember 12, 1867; a letter from the same to same, dated January 10, 1865; the proclamation of Governor Brig. hath Young, dated Sepiem , 1857; ailidavits of Brigbam Young and George A. Sinith, dated July 30, 1867, and a letter from Brigham Young to Bishop Dame, dated Septomber 14, 1867, not seen the officers ot time to hi this, but he i 5 MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, “Shrdanapal conti Mile. de Belocea will she os to crowd Booth’s Theatre, yg Vea concert in Now | York for the benoit of the Servian and Bulgarian sue ferers, A new and varied bill is presented at the Olympl¢ Theatre this week. “Dick Turpin and Tom King” ig thedrama = * Offenbach’s new opera, “La Boito au Lait,’? will be Produced about the middie of October at tho Bouffese Parisions. Kiratty’s Alhambra in Philadelphia has done th¢ largest business of the season during the past weell with “Le Tour du Monde.” The London Athenaum says of Wagner:—“When ht adheres to recognizea forms and rules be is at his bes and when he departs from them he is at his worse,’ Mr. Dion Boucicault succeeds Mr. George Fawcett Rowe to-morrow night at the Walnut, Philadelphia “Brass” has been very successful in the Centennial City. Miss Charlotte Thompson will star next season in an emotional comedy, entitied “Orly a Womai written by Sessrs. A. E, Lancaster and Juaun Magnus, authors of the ruccessiul play of Conscience,’ The engagement of Me, and Mrs. Florence at Wate lack’s Theatre will end after two weeks more, Tho | “Mighty “Dollar? bas beon a complete success, On Friday evening Mrs. Floreiico will have a benef. The Horticultural Exhibition at Gilmore's Garden will begin on Tuesday and will continue until Friday evening, It will be open day and evening, and special concerts take place at one o'clock P, M. each day. “The Two Men of Sandy Bar” will continue at the Union Square Theatre tll the 30th of September, It will then be succeeded by “The Two Orphans,” which Messrs, Shook & Palmer will revive with its original attractions, “Money” bas proved so successful at the Fifth Aves nue Theatre that the production of Mr. Daly’s now pleco 18 postponed until the 26th inst, Mr. Coghlan continues to grow in the public estimation, On Toes day next the Irish, Scotch, Australian and American ritle teams will visit the theatre, At Buireutb, we are told, an old lady with her son, a long-haired, lanky, wild-eyed mble young Jun, pro- sented herself at the lunatic asylum and requested to be admitted. “think you are mistaken, madam,’” said the director, “probably you want to go tothe theatre”? “No, no,’”? said the old lady, ‘Hang 1s not so mad as that yet,’? Mrs, James A. Oates has not played in New York for threo years, und ber reappearance: at the Grand Opera House to-morrow evening, with a new company, will be welcome, The opening opera will be ‘La Fille do Madame Angot,” which, the French say, drives Offen bach mad, and tho ‘Princoss of Trebizonde,”? “Girofla- Girofla,” “Los Bavards” and “Trial by Jury’ will follow. A musical festival of a remarkably high order of ex- cellence will commence at the Academy of Music, Phil- adelphia, on Wednesday, September 20, under the di- rection of Theodore Thomas, the Women’s Centennial Union taking the cbiof share of interest in 1, There will be an immense chorus and orchestra and a host of soloists, representing tho best musical olements at present in America, The Park Theatre begins its season to-morrow even ing under the managemont of Mr. Stuart and Mr, Hart Jackson, Mr. Chandos Fulton retiring. ‘Clouds,’’ Mr. Fred, Marston’s new American comedy, will be played for tho first timo in thig city, and thorough prepara tions havo been mado in scenery and general equip: ment. Miss Rose Wood, who became popular last som son, will have the principal fomale role, ‘The tenth season of the Theodoro Thomas symphony concerts will begin October 2%, There will be stx cone certs and six public rehearsals, With tho orchesira will be combined a chorus of picked voices, which Mr, Thomas intends to make permanent He sbinke that “by this combination anamber of shorter works for chorus and orchestra can be presented to the subs scribers' and the programmes made moro varied, while tho strict character of the symphony concorts is pre served,’ Miss Augusta Dargon, who has not yet appeared in New York, but whose reputation as a tragic actress ie very high in the West, will begin an eogagoment of one week at the Brooklyn Theatro to-morrow night, She will be supported by her own company, organized for a starring tour this season, under the management of Mr. Georgo Becks. Tho opening piece will be “Deborah” and “East Lynne,” “Queen Mary” and “Macbeth”? will alo bo given. Mile. Aimée will appear at tho Lyceum for one weet only, boginning on September 25, Her return to New York will be made especially attractive by “Giroflé Girofla,” which sho has never sung in this city. A new tenor and a new baritono—Messra. Raoult and Reine—will make their first appearance here, “La Grand Duchease,” “La Pericbolo,” “La Fille de Madame Angot’”’ and ‘La Timbale d’Argent” are the other operas of the season, Aimée will sing snd dance the favorite song, “Pretty as a Picture,” every even ing. A dress rehearsal of the new spectacle, jaba,”? tool place Jast night at Niblo’s Garden, Tho sconery is very One, and the wealth of costumes exbibited show that money has been lavishly expended on the pieca, The ballet, under tho care of M. Blandoroski, executed sevoral difficult measures and elicited much applause Miss Weatherbeo has a part peculiarly suited to hor abilities, while the other members of the dramatie company will show to advantage, As to the character of the spectacle and its plot, we prefer that the publia should go and see for itself to-morrow night, whea the theatre will open for the season. Speaking of Mr, H. J. Byron’s new farcical drama, “The Bull by the Horns,” the Athenaum says:—“It is easy to declare that work of this class has no claim to endure. The present picce is not, however, fitted to support the briefest existence, It hay not even the frail life of theopbemeron, It is nevertheless, wingless, in- vertebrate, A workman is bound to respect his own characters, When a mar ts creating beings that the world will not let dio, he gets, so to speak, withia them, and lives their life. This was tho method of Shakespeare, Goethe, Balzac—overy great writer. We feel that behind Hamlet is Shakespeare, and that the doubts and questionings which perplex and tortare are those the poet's own heart has felt. it is not only im the heroic characters that this is obvious Shake speare isin and behind all his characters alike, H¢ enters as fully into the mind of the gravediggor as tha ot Hamlet. Dogberry is as complete and genuine ¢ creation as Rosalind. Launcelot Gobbo is as true & himeelt as Shylock. We do not exact from Mr. Byrot the workmanship of a Shakespeare, but we do expea him not to make mouths at us before our tace for at tempting to believe in bis invention, We expee patursl results to follow from natural caases, and w decline to gaze upon a puppet show, even if wo are U sce the hand which guides and directs the puppets.” The Strakosch Itolian Opera Company concluded last night a season of six nights at the Philadelpbis Academy of Music, Tho following operas were pre sented: —“Norma,” ‘“Trovatore,” ‘Barbiere,” “Ly crezia Borgia” and “favorita,” 1¢ was a notable som son in many respects, especially in having crowded houses for six consecutive nights in a city where so many operatic managers have met with naught but disaster. Mile. de Belocca mado her first appearance on Wednesday in that fascinating heroine of Rossinl, Rosina, before ahouse that was packed trom parquet todome. Last night sho was greeted wit an audience of like dimensions in “La Favorite,” She won ber way at once into the affections of her auditors in the former opera by her admirable singing (which at dimes brought back recollections of Angioling Bosio), her coquettish, brilliant acting and her beauty, which formed a charming supplomont to her undoubted artistic gilts, Mme. Palmieri is a dramatic singer of the La Grange school, and hor impersouations of Nore ma and Lucrozia Borgia belong to a very high and finished school ot art. ‘‘Semiramide,” one of Rossini’s greatest works, which has not beea heard in New York, at loast sinco the days of Grisi, will be prow sented in Philadelphia on Tuesday next, witn Belosca and Palmieri in the two leading réle, The success of Mr. Strakosch’s soason in tho Quaker City should en tt courage him to essay Nog tema tomn eb at an carly date, espectalls wo such admirable a1 a8 Belocea and Palmer, THE COSMOPOLITAN OPERA, To Tux Eprron oy tHe Hexap:— I see by tle papers they are trying to charaeterisg the Oates Conic Opera Troupe as distinetly “Amer can." Now, one-half the troupe is Rngheh; and {fall were Americans what bas nationality to do with music or merit? This appealing to prejedice t to teoeeme uatiouality for of against public pertormors be frowned upon by tho press—at loast yours, truly, a ‘Naw Youk, Bopt, 16, 1676,