In a few minutes we heard two or three shots in the direction in which our dispatch courier had gone, and soon after we saw him come flying around the bend of the creek, pursued by four or five Indians.  The Lieutenant, with his squad of soldiers and myself, at once charged upon them, when they turned and ran across the stream.

“This will not do,” said Lieutenant Ward, “the whole Indian village will now know that soldiers are near by.

“Lieutenant, give me that note, and I will take it to the General,” said I.

He gladly handed me the dispatch, and spurring my horse I dashed up the creek.  After having ridden a short distance, I observed another party of Indians also going to the village with meat; but instead of waiting for them to fire upon me, I gave them a shot at long range.  Seeing one man firing at them so boldly, it surprised them, and they did not know what to make of it.  While they were thus considering, I got between them and our camp.  By this time they had recovered from their surprise, and, cutting their buffalo meat loose from their horses, they came after me at the top of their speed; but as their steeds were tired out, it did not take me long to leave them far in the rear.

I reached the command in less than an hour, delivered the dispatch to General Carr, and informed him of what I had seen.  He instantly had the bugler sound “boots and saddles,” and all the troops—­with the exception of two companies, which we left to guard the train—­were soon galloping in the direction of the Indian camp.

We had ridden about three miles when we met Lieutenant Ward, who was coming slowly towards us.  He reported that he had run into a party of Indian buffalo-hunters, and had killed one of the number, and had had one of his horses wounded.  We immediately pushed forward and after marching about five miles came within sight of hundreds of mounted Indians advancing up the creek to meet us.  They formed a complete line in front of us.  General Carr, being desirous of striking their village, ordered the troops to charge, break through their line, and keep straight on.  This movement would, no doubt, have been successfully accomplished had it not been for the rattle-brained and dare-devil French Lieutenant Schinosky, commanding Company B, who, misunderstanding General Carr’s orders, charged upon some Indians at the left, while the rest of the command dashed through the enemy’s line, and was keeping straight on, when it was observed that Schinosky and his company were surrounded by four or five hundred red-skins.  The General, to save the company, was obliged to sound a halt and charge back to the rescue.  The company, during this short fight, had several men and quite a number of horses killed.