Just at break of day we mounted our horses, and after riding a short distance we ascended a slight elevation, when, not over one hundred yards distant, we looked down into the Indian camp.  The Indians, preparing to make an early start, had driven up their horses and were in the act of mounting, when they saw us charging down upon them.  In a moment they sprang upon their ponies and dashed away.  Had it not been for the creek, which lay between us and them, we would have got them before they could have mounted their horses; but as it was rather miry, we were unexpectedly delayed.  The Indians fired some shots at us while we were crossing, but as soon as we got across we went for them in hot pursuit.  A few of the red-skins had not had time to mount and had started on foot down the creek toward the brush.  One of these was killed.

A number of our soldiers, who had been detailed before the charge to gather up any of the Indian horses that would be stampeded, succeeded in capturing thirty-two.  I hurriedly looked over them to see if Powder Face was among them; but he was not there.  Starting in pursuit of the fugitives I finally espied an Indian mounted on my favorite, dashing away and leading all the others.  We continued the chase for two or three miles, overtaking a couple who were mounted upon one horse.  Coming up behind them I fired my rifle, when about thirty feet distant; the ball passed through the backs of both, and they fell headlong to the ground; but I made no stop however just then, for I had my eye on the gentleman who was riding Powder Face.  It seemed to be fun for him to run away from us, and run away he did, for the last I saw of him was when he went over a divide, about three miles away.  I bade him adieu.  On my way back to the Indian camp I stopped and secured the war bonnets and accoutrements of the pair I had killed, and at the same time gently “raised their hair.”

We were feeling rather tired and hungry, as we had started out on the trail thirty-six hours before without a breakfast or taking any food with us; but not a murmur or complaint was heard among the men.  In the abandoned Indian camp, however, we found enough dried buffalo meat to give us all a meal, and after remaining there for two hours, to rest our animals, we started on our return to Fort McPherson, where we arrived at night, having traveled 130 miles in two days.

This being the first fight Lieutenant Thomas had ever commanded in, he felt highly elated over his success, and hoped that his name would be mentioned in the special orders for gallantry; sure enough when we returned both he, myself and the whole command received a complimentary mention in a special order.  This he certainly deserved for he was a brave, energetic, dashing little officer.  The war bonnets which I had captured I turned over to General Carr, with the request that he present them to General Augur, whose daughters were visiting at the post at the time.