and one officer, was made by Colonel Carrington.  The entire force formed in good order, and was placed under command of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Fetterman, who received the following orders from Colonel Carrington:  “Support the wood train, relieve it, and report to me.  Do not engage or pursue Indians at its expense; under no circumstances pursue over Lodge Trail Ridge.”  These instructions were repeated by Colonel Carrington in a loud voice, to the command when in motion, and outside the fort, and again delivered in substance through Lieutenant Wands, officer of the day, to Lieutenant Grummond, who was requested to communicate them again to Colonel Fetterman.

Colonel Fetterman moved out rapidly to the right of the wood road, for the purpose, no doubt, of cutting off the retreat of the Indians then attacking the train.  As he advanced across the Piney, a few Indians appeared in his front and on his flanks, and continued flitting about him, beyond rifle range, till they disappeared beyond Lodge Trail Ridge.  When he was on Lodge Trail Ridge, the picket signalled the fort that the Indians had retreated from the train; the train had broken corral and moved on toward the timber.  The train made the round trip, and was not again disturbed that day.

At about fifteen minutes before twelve o’clock, Colonel Fetterman’s command had reached the crest of Lodge Trail Ridge, was deployed as skirmishers, and at a halt.  Without regard to orders, for reasons that the silence of Colonel Fetterman now prevents us from giving, he, with the command, in a few moments disappeared, having cleared the ridge, still moving north.  Firing at once commenced, and increased in rapidity till, in about fifteen minutes and at about 12 o’clock M., it was a continuous and rapid fire of musketry, plainly audible at the fort.  Assistant Surgeon Hines, having been ordered to join Fetterman, found Indians on a part of Lodge Trail Ridge not visible from the fort, and could not reach the force there struggling to preserve its existence.  As soon as the firing became rapid Colonel Carrington ordered Captain Ten Eyck, with about seventy-six men, being all the men for duty in the fort, and two wagons with ammunition, to join Colonel Fetterman immediately.  He moved out and advanced rapidly toward the point from which the sound of firing proceeded, but did not move by so short a route as he might have done.  The sound of firing continued to be heard during his advance, diminishing in rapidity and number of shots till he reached a high summit overlooking the battle-field, at about a quarter before one o’clock, when one or two shots closed all sound of conflict.

        Whether he could have reached the scene of action by marching
        over the shortest route as rapidly as possible in time to have
        relieved Colonel Fetterman’s command, I am unable to determine.