Great Indian Battle.
Great Indian Battle.

BY TELEGRAPH.

Great Indian Battle.

The Famous Cheyenne Chief, Black Kettle, Bites the Dust.

Kansas Regiment not in the Fight.

The Indian War

    St. Louis, Dec. 2.--The Democrat has the following special dispatches, dated Indian Territory, Nov. 28: The Cheyenne village, of Black Kettle's bands, was captured yesterday morning, at daylight, by the seventh cavalry regiment, under Gen. Custar, on the north fork of the Witchita river. One hundred and fifty Indians were killed and their bodies left in our possession, and fifty-three were taken prisoners. An immense amount of property was captured and destroyed, consisting of fifty-one lodges, nearly one thousand horses and mules, arms, ammunition, horse equipments, robes, provisions, etc. Capt. Lewis Hamilton was killed in the first charge. Maj. Elliot is missing. One man, of the seventh was killed and fourteen wounded. The tribe is badly crippled, and the Indians, including women and boys, fought with great desperation, from cover of bushes and grass, when driven out of the village. Many of the wounded effected their escape. The victory was complete, and will be a wholesome lesson to the Cheyennes. Black Kettle, the principal chief, was killed. Brevet Lieut. Col. Barnits was seriously, if not mortally, wounded.
    St. Louis, Dec. 2.--An official report from Gen. Sheridan to Gen. Sherman gives some further particulars in regard to Gen. Custar's fight with the Indians. He says that Black Kettle was assisted by the Arrapahoes, under Little Raven, The Kiowas were under Satanta. The camps of the latter were six miles below that of Black Kettle. Between eight or nine hundred head of animals captured were shot. The remainder were kept for military purposes. The General says Gen. Custar and his command started in a furious snow storm and traveled all the while in snow about twelve inches deep. Black Kettle's and Little Raven's families are among the prisoners. It was Black Kettle's band who committed the first depredations on the Saline and Solomon rivers. The Kansas regiment just came in. They missed the trails and had to struggle in the snow storm, the horses suffering much in flesh, and men living on buffalo meat and other game. We will soon have them in good condition, and if we can get one or two more blows there will be no more Indian war. In my department we will be pinched in ability to supply, and nature will present many difficulties in our future operations, but we have stout hearts and will do our best. Two white children were recaptured. One white woman and a boy ten years old was murdered by the Indian women when the attack commenced.
    (Signed)
        P. S. Sheridan
    Major-General, U.S.A.

    Hays City, Dec. 2.--The following is just received: In the field, depot on North Canadian river, at the junction of Beaver Creek, Indian Territory, Nov. 29, 1868:
    General field orders no. 6: The Major General commanding announces, to this command, the defeat, by the seventh regiment of cavalry, of a large band of Cheyenne Indians, under the celebrated chief, Black Kettle, reinforced by the Kiowas, under Little Raven, and by the Arrapahoes, under Satanta, on the evening of the 27th inst., on the Washita river, near the Antelope Hills, Indian Territory, resulting in the loss of 108 of the savage warriors, including Black Kettle. The property captured amounted to 53 squaws and children, 875 ponies, 113 buffalo robes and skins, 585 pounds of powder, 1050 pounds of lead, 4,000 firearms, 700 pounds of tobacco, besides saddles, bows and immense quantities of dried meat and other winter provisions. The engagement resulted in the complete destruction of their village and almost total annihilation of the Indian band. The loss to the seventh cavalry amounts to two officers killed, Major J. H. Elliott and Captain Louis Hamilton, and ten enlisted men. Four officers were wounded, Brevet Lieut. Col. Albert Barents, badly, and Brevet Lieut. Col. T. W. Custer and Second Lieut. T. J. March, slightly.
    The energy and rapidity shown during one of the heaviest snow storms that has visited this part of the country, with temperatures below the freezing point, and gallantry and bravery displayed, resulting in such total(?) success, that reflects the highest credit upon both officers and men of the seventh Cavalry, and the Major-General commanding, while he regrets the loss of such gallant soldiers as Major Elliott and Capt. Hamilton who fell, while gallantly leading their men, desires to express his thanks to both officers and men engaged 1st(?) battle of Washita. II. a special congratulations are tendered to their distinguished commander Bvt. Major-General George A. Custer, for the gallant and ? services rendered which have ? the opening of the campaign(?) against the hostile ? ? of the Arkansas by command of Maj. Gen. Sheridan.
    (Signed)
        B. S. Casey
    Bv't. Lieut. Col., A. D. O. A. A(?)


Source:

Unknown, "Great Indian Battle," The Daily Kansas State Journal, Lawrence, Kansas, Thursday Morning, 3 December 1868, Vol. IV, No. 118, p. 1, cols. 2-3.p>

Created August 26, 2003; Revised August 26, 2003
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