All this took up valuable time, and night was coming on.  The Indians were fighting desperately to keep us from reaching their village, which being informed by couriers of what was taking place, was packing up and getting away.  During that afternoon it was all we could do to hold our own in fighting the mounted warriors, who were in our front and contesting every inch of the ground.  The General had left word for our wagon train to follow up with its escort of two companies, but as it had not made its appearance he entertained some fears that it had been surrounded, and to prevent the possible loss of the supply train we had to go back and look for it.  About 9 o’clock that evening we found it, and went into camp for the night.

Next morning we passed down the creek and there was not an Indian to be seen.  They had all disappeared and gone on with their village.  Two miles further on we came to where a village had been located, and here we found nearly everything belonging or pertaining to an Indian camp, which had been left in the great hurry to get away.  These articles were all gathered up and burned.  We then pushed out on the trail as fast as possible.  It led us to the northeast towards the Republican; but as the Indians had a night the start of us we entertained but little hope of overtaking them that day.  Upon reaching the Republican in the afternoon the General called a halt, and as the trail was running more to the east, he concluded to send his wagon train on to Fort McPherson by the most direct route, while he would follow on the trail of the red-skins.

Next morning at daylight we again pulled out and were evidently gaining rapidly on the Indians for we could occasionally see them in the distance.  About 11 o’clock that day while Major Babcock was ahead of the main command with his company, and while we were crossing a deep ravine, we were surprised by about three hundred warriors who commenced a lively fire upon us.  Galloping out of the ravine on to the rough prairie the men dismounted and returned the fire.  We soon succeeded in driving the enemy before us, and were so close upon them at one time, that they abandoned and threw away nearly all their lodges and camp equipages, and everything that had any considerable weight.  They left behind them their played-out horses, and for miles we could see Indian furniture strewn along in every direction.  The trail became divided, and the Indians scattered in small bodies, all over the prairie.  As night was approaching and our horses were about giving out, a halt was called.  A company was detailed to collect all the Indian horses running loose over the country, and to burn the other Indian property.

The command being nearly out of rations I was sent to the nearest point, Old Fort Kearney, about sixty miles distant for supplies.