Feeling my horse giving away I threw myself from the saddle and catching the nearest Indian as he turned disabled him so that he fell to the ground in a short distance.
They were now all scattering under whip and spur, having turned the moment I leaped from my horse. I had now come in sight of the party and observed a fresh band endeavoring to cut off the level party and back flagman.
Mr. Morton (rear flag) finding his pony too much excited to be managed jumped off, successfully repelling the Indians with his carbine. Messrs. Schuyler and McCarty, rodmen, went to his assistance, though only armed with small revolvers. The Indians shooting as they passed, struck Mr. Schuyler in the leg, the ball passing through the fleshy part of the thigh, wounding him severely, but not seriously.
The mules of the line wagon becoming unmanageable were unhitched and fastened to the wagon securely while the instruments were being secured and preparations made for a general attack. By the time I had reached the wagon the men were concentrated and prepared for any attack in force. The Indians now molested us but little, occasionally making a dash and firing a few shots then dashing away again. We moved slowly towards camp keeping out-flankers and in a short distance met Lieutenant Smith with a few dismounted men. The first alarm being given by Morton's pony coming in followed close by a few of the red devils, camp had been struck and the wagons loaded preparatory to moving out to meet us. An attempt was made to stampede the stock, but it resulted in a miserable failure, the Spencer carbines of Lieutenant Smith's detachment telling with effect.
As it was unwise to separate the force, and as Mr. Schuyler's wound needed attendance, we deemed it best to come into Sheridan, it being only fifteen miles. I cannot too highly commend the conduct of the men, they were all cool and ready. Messrs. McCarty, Morton, Schuyler, Scott and Wheeler (leveler), were especially noticeable for presence of mind and cool courage at a very critical moment. Lieutenant Smith and his men, by prompt and vigorous action alone, saved the stock and rendered the safety of the line wagon certain. About seventy Indians were engaged, of whom four are known to be killed. Several others seemed hurt from their actions though nothing certain is known.
The fight has demonstrated to me the inefficiency of our escorts and the need of more men upon the line, especially with the front and rear flag and level party.
These men, engaged as they are, have no chance to observe any movements about them and could be surprised very easily and shot down without an opportunity of defense. The fact of my being surprised myself, and allowing these Indians to get behind me and within fifty and seventy-five yards before discovering them, although always on the lookout, proves that we cannot feel safe without extraordinary precautions. My horse was severely wounded, but was able to come in here where he will receive every attention and will in a short time, I think, be fit for service—say one or two months. I must repeat urgently what I have before reported, the necessity for a good strong horse, fast enough to outrun an Indian pony, strong enough to carry my heavy weight, with endurance to keep up his speed for miles if necessary, and hardy enough to stand constant hard riding such as will enable me to see all of the country as we pass it.
Our loss in property was as follows:
- Two shovels—(abandoned from necessity.)
- One flag—
- One chain—overlooked and left lying on the ground.
- Private loss.—One field glass (mode of loss unknown, probably cut off by a ball.)
- One spur—(cut off by ball, saving the foot.)
Part of this property may be recovered.