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disturbed.At Fort Wallace, this point, the party refitted, and. with the same officers and men, again started. It was on the morning of September 10 that they moved out of the fort upon the open plain, towards Sheridan, the terminus of the Union Paciflo Hallway, the Southern road. But a few days before a desultory band of Indians had visited the vicinity of Sheridan and hilled a Mexican, who was herding cattle. The trail of this party, which led to the north, was fol-Bwed for a distance of thirty miles, but the Indiana id disappeared. The next day, September 11, Colonel Forsyth took Custer’s old trail and camped the same night on Thickwopd creek.GETTING ON THK TRAIL.On September 12 a small war party of Indians wasthe scdiscovered moving towards the settlements, but were considered not worth following. Forsyth therefore pushed en, reaching the Republican river. He crossed that stream, discovering a recent trail, and the same night camped on the north fork of the Republican.The next day, September is, the course was due north, following the windings of the north fork, and by night again struck the Republican. The next day the party struck a trail, which they followed for three days, reaching the Delaware fork ofthe Republican—also called Bobtail Deer creek. During this time no Indians were seen, bat the indications were growing more decided, showing that they were approaching the Indian camp. The trail was broad and freshly made, and the plain was covered with traces of an immense number of animals having passed that way.SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF TM RKDSETNP.On the morning of September 17, before the Forsyth’a hadthe shouts lt;men. The scouts were immediately ordered to pi pare for action. About twelve of the savages rushed upon the scouts, yelling fiercely, firing and wavingrith the Intention of creating a i. Seven animals were thus driven off. The remainder were seized and retained. The scouts, after some brisk firing, drove the savages back. Orders were now given to saddle the horses, but berore the command was entirely complied with the whole vicin; the place suddenly swarmed with Indians.their blankets, withity ofTnepc_ iiyposition occupied by the scouts was greatly exposed. The valley was covered with a high grass, under cover of which the sharpshooters of the Indianswere enabled with comparative safety to approachly range offthe middle of the Delaware fork, about twenty rodsfrom all quarters within easy range or the scouts. Indistant, was an island formed by the channels of the liver. At the time, as is the characteristic of the majority of the Plains rivers at this season, one chan-ewas perfectly dry and the other had but a narrow Hid of water but a few inches in depth runningmb. A ^ - * —--- ---- ..rdies on me norees were searcnea auu an me ammunition brought in. More substantial sand defences were thrown up. The night was warm and pleasant, the wounded were comparatively easy.DiuuA viuvi* i uv uiuua uiov/ ivni invii ^lutii airui*cine man, whoae drum aud shield were captured by Colonel Carpenter. ******JAb. S. BRISBIN.Daring the night, in the stillness of the air, fromip the songs of victory were heardthe savage camp tuned to the mournful strains of sorrow. The dead, who were the evidences of the disasters of the day,IttPOH.TA.VI HUL1TABY ORDEB.were receiving the last offices of the living and the wounded and dyingn and sympathy.the following morning, September 18, at of day, the savages came dashing towardthethereceived the tokens of commiserationOndawn or day,island, in the evident anticipation that the white men had left during the night. A well directed volley, in addition to teaching them the contrary, occasioned several redskins to bite the dust as a consequence of their temerity. During the day two wells were sunk which afforded water. The next thing was something to support life until aid coold be had from the fort, at least eighty miles off. There was now scarcely a pound of food left, and that day was sure to see the last morsel consumed, and poor prospect ahead. The savages were still present. During the day there was souie sharp shooting, but no one hurt, as the sandworks were a complete protection. The same night It rained heavily, which caused great Buffering among the wounded..On the 19th a few savages were seen peeping over the kills, but a few shorn drove them off. About three o’clock in the afternoon twenty-five warriors appeared on a hill opposite the island bearing a white fiag. Orders were given to shoot the first person who came within range. One of the men shouted out to keep loff; “this is no Indian peace commission.” The object the savages pretended to have was to carry off three of their dead who were lying upon the island. When they discovered they ooul way they retire*!.THE RETREAT OF THE SAVAGES.Reclamation of the Women and Children ofo Navajo Indians from Hlavery Territories Adjacent to TheirGENERAL ORDERS—NO. 27.Headquarters, District ok New Mexico,! Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sept. 22. 1808. j The following resolution and instructions of Lieutenant General Sherman are published for tho in formation and government of ail concerned:—(Poijlio Resolution, No. 65.)Joint resolution to aid io relieving f rom peouagf women and children of the Navajo Indians:-B« h resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America In Congress assembled, That Lieutenant General W. T. Sherman be and Is hereby author-tied and requested to use the most edi'dent mean* bis judgmeat will approve to reclaim from peonage the women aud children of the......Navajo Indians now held in slavery in lie terrltory adjacent to their homes and the reservation ou whichMitb« Navajo Indiana have been conhned.Approved, J uiy 27, lBSS.Headquarters Military Division okthe Missouri,St. Louis, Mo. Bept, 8, 190ft. Brevet Major General Ueokgk W. Getty, Comm and ing District of New Mexico (through Major Genera!Bheridan, Commanding Department of the Missouri).GeneralThe joint resolution of both House* ofupon me unanu. wneu iney Congress, approved July 27,1868, embodied in Gene-d not take advantage In this I pal orders, No. 09, from the Headquarters of theIt was evident that the savages had enough of the fight, and firing liavlng ceased several of the scoutsArmy, Adjutant General’s office, under date of August 14, 1868, has already been sent you, and is again herewith enclosed. By this resolution I ammade a reconnolssance to the old camp. Here they found some coffee pots and out of the sand picked a few grains of coffee. This was like a gift of some benevolent spirit who seemed to watch over the devoted band. Fires were mode out of the Indianarrows lying around, and a refreshing stimulant ofasffiiooffee was given to the wounded, whicu seemed to refresh their energies and gave a new lease of strength to endure their privations and sufferings. Fires were also, built in the trenches, and the scouts, as an alternative between starvation or horseflesh, cut fromthe dead animals lying around large quantities ofeat, which they jerked after the fashion of the Indians, and thus secured a suppiy of food for several days.The same night two more messengers were sent to seek relief. These men were Donovan aud Plyly.While the scouts were preparing against an enemyauthorized and requested to use the most efficient means my judgment will approve to reclaim from peonage the women and chudren of the Navajo Indians now held In slavery in the territory adjacent to their homes, and the reservation on which tho Navajo Indians have been confined. By the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United Btates no peison can be held as a slave in any part of the United Btates: but as the language of this resolution is restricted to the “women and children” of the Navajo Indians, I Infer that the Navajo men restrained of their liberty, either as slaves or as )eoiis, have full protection under a former law, and are construed as perfectly able to take care of themselves without our assistance: but thvt the women and children bo held as slaves, or as peons, need the friendly assistance of the orilcen* of our government.I am nnt lawvrr snnnarh fit an* hnur far the
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New York Herald
New York, New York, US
Mon, Oct 12, 1868
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