On October 26, 1876 Oskaloosa Smith wrote the following account of the wagon trains as they moved to resupply the encampment at Tongue River.



DURING THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF THE SUMMER, commencing August 8 at the mouth of the Rosebud and ending at this camp on the 6th of September, scarcely a wild Indian was seen. The season of operations was ordered to close on or before October 15th, and troops were ordered to be cantoned for the winter at the mouth of Tongue River. The entire 5th Infantry was sent there to commence building, so that the troops and stores might be protected from the severe winter climate, and no time was lost. Six companies of 22nd Infantry were left at this point [cantonment at Glendive Creek on the Yellowstone] to receive the stores from the boats, which could go no further up the river, and convoy them to Tongue River. Afterward, added to this force were two companies of 17th Infantry. These were all small companies, numbering about 35 men each. They had performed the escort duty, making nearly three trips each month with a train of 100 wagons, without molestations by Indians, until the last trip. On the 10th inst. at noon, the train left here, and that night camped on Spring Creek, 14 miles out. The next morning they were surrounded and attacked by a large number of Indians, and in the skirmish numbers of mules were wounded, which caused a stampede and some loss of animals. The escort was so harassed that they were compelled to either abandon several wagons and some property, or else to return to this place; the latter course they prudently pursued, arriving late on the evening of the 11th. The train was refitted and started again on the 14th, the commanding officer of the station, Lt. Col. [Elwell S.] Otis, taking command of the escort, consisting of C and G of the 17th Inf., and G, H, and K of the 22nd Inf., being a force of 11 officers and 185 men. The roster of officers was as follows:

Lt. Col. Otis, 22nd Inf., Commanding 1st Lt. [Oskaloosa M.] Smith, 22nd Inf., Battalion Adjutant Act. Asst. Surg. [Charles T.] Gibson, Surgeon Co. C, 17th Inf., Capt. [Malcolm] McArthur, 2nd Lt. [James D.] Nickerson Co. G, 17th Inf., Capt. [Louis H.] Sanger Co. G, 22nd Inf., Capt. [Charles W.] Miner, 1st Lt. [Benjamin C.] Lockwood Co. H, 22nd Inf., 1st Lt. [William] Conway, 2nd Lt. Sharpe Co. K, 22nd Inf., Capt. [Mott] Hooton, 2nd Lt. [William H.] Kell

At 10 o'clock A.M. [October 14] the escort and train moved out gaily. The day was beautiful and every man was in good spirits, feeling that they would meet the enemy before returning. That night camp was made in the beautiful bottom of the Yellowstone, 11 miles away. Early in the evening a thieving pack of Indians approached the camp and were fired upon by the sentinels. They beat a hasty retreat, leaving a pony with all its trappings and a leg broken. There were no more alarms that night. At daybreak the next morning [October 15] the train was on the move, drawn up in four lines and surrounded by the escort which was disposed as follows: advance guard, Co. H., 22nd; advance right and left flankers, Co. C, 17th; right flank rear, Co. G, 22nd; left flank rear, Co. G. 17th; rear guard, Co. K, 22nd. It was Sunday morning and a prettier one never broke forth. Upon gaining the entrance to Spring Creek three miles from camp, three men joined the train, who proved to be scouts from General [Colonel] Miles' command at Tongue River. They were en route, four in number, from General Miles with dispatches for Glendive Creek; on Saturday afternoon [October 14] they were attacked at Spring Creek by a large number of Indians, one of their number was killed, and all their horses were either killed or badly wounded. The remaining three men were driven into the bushes, were they kept the Indians at bay until the darkness of night let them escape and they were thus enabled to join our troops. The body of the dead scout was found and buried. He was not at all mutilated and his gloves were on; evidently the Indians had not found him, but his gun and ammunition could not be found.

About this time the Indians made their appearance on the left side and in front, and opened fire on Scout [Robert] Jackson and Sergeant [Patrick] Kelly, Co. F, 22nd Inf., who were mounted and in advance. They had run into a large party of Indians, and after discharging their rifles at them, they fell back, closely followed by about thirty, their clothing being literally riddled by bullets but their bodies entirely unharmed. These two men did a great deal of scouting, coming in close quarters several times with the Indians, and showed a great deal of pluck and bravery. The number of Indians kept increasing; the left flank advanced and the advanced guard charged them, opening the way for the train, which was enabled to ascend to the high table land. Then to our front signal smokes were raised, which were immediately answered by some vast ones off toward the Yellowstone, and Indians were seen coming from all directions, until the train was surrounded by from 400 to 500. During this time we had gained the ridge and hills leading down into Clear Creek and here the enemy had taken position expecting to prevent our progress, but skirmishers were sent ahead and the road was cleared, so that we gained the creek and watered the stock in full view of the foe. But they were not idle; they collected on the further side and set afire to the prairie, expecting to burn us out and to advance under cover of the smoke and signally defeat us, but our troops gallantly charged them, answering the Indian yell, and drove them in all directions, so that the train could move on, though it had to pass rapidly over the line of burning grass.

As soon as the top land was reached beyond Clear Creek, the enemy came in strong force against all parts of the escort. There were eighty-six wagons to guard, but they were in four lines and surrounded by our skirmishers. The prairies were burning, the smoke was suffocating, and the enemy hurled his whole force with desperation against the train, bent upon its capture, so that he would be well provided with food and ammunition, but they were kept at some distance by the advance upon them of the skirmishers, and not a shot damaged the train. The roar of musketry was terrific. There was no artillery; it was simply an infantry fight. They were repeatedly charged in front by C, 17th, and H, 22nd, and in the rear, which was the most pressed, by G, 17th, and K, 22nd. Company G, 22nd, during all this time, had a galling flank fire upon them. This was kept up under a march of 15 miles until nearly 5 o'clock, P.M., when the train was corraled for the night, and shots were still exchanged until 7 P.M., when it became too dark to see. In this struggle a number of Indians were knocked from their horses; many of the latter were killed and a number were running around riderless. These Indians had never before come in close range of infantry, or been subjected to such a musketry fire.

It was expected that they would the next morning be on us again, but we moved quietly from our camp. After going a mile or more a shot was occasionally fired. About this time a note from Sitting Bull, written by a half-breed Frenchman [John Bruguier], was found on a stake near the road, demanding reasons for traveling over the road and scaring the buffaloes, and ordering the troops back, telling them to leave rations and powder or he would fight them again, and signed "your friend, Sitting Bull. Please write soon." No attention was paid to the letter. After the troops had passed Bad Route Creek, seven miles from the night's camp, two men came forward bearing a flag of truce. They were allowed to enter the lines, and were found to be Indian scouts from Standing Rock Agency with dispatches from General [Lieutenant Colonel William P.] Carlin. They had been ordered to visit hostile camps on business and had just arrived that morning. They said that the hostiles had met with considerable losses the day before and wanted to come in to make peace. Word was sent to them that a few of their headmen might come in unarmed. They did so, stating that they were tired of fighting and wanted to make peace. They wanted ammunition to kill buffaloes, and food for present use, and they would leave at once. They were told that ammunition could not be furnished them, but a small quantity of rations would be given them, which was accordingly done and they left us in peace. During this fight several men were struck with spent bullets, and only three men were wounded—Sergeant [Robert] Anderson and Private [John] Donohoe, Co. G, 22nd Inf., and Private [Francis] Wraggle [Marriaggi],Co. G, 17th Inf. The Indians were poor marksmen. Our men were under fire for a long time and it is wonderful that no more men were hurt. All of our troops showed great fortitude and bravery and many of the men were recruits. . . .