FIGHT ON THE NORTH PLATTE RIVER
David.Gettman October 27th, 2008
A small party of Indians ran off some stock from the vicinity of Fort Laramie in early October, 1866. Lieutenant Bingham, with a detachment from Company C, pursued them on October 3, recaptured the stock, and killed one Indian. Although after a much smaller party, this scouting expedition was performed under the same difficulties as that of Lieutenant Armes the same month, which brought forth the praise of the Department Commander.
Hardly had Company M arrived at Fort Sedgwick in northeastern Colorado when it was called upon to show its mettle. On October 23, Lieutenant Armes, with 25 men from his company, was sent in pursuit of about fifty Sioux Indians who had stampeded a herd of mules and another of oxen near the post. Starting at 4:00 a.m. the detachment traveled until 9:00 p.m., a distance of about ninety miles, when it came upon the Indians encamped in a marsh on the north side of the . Lieutenant Armes divided his party in order to attack from two directions and to separate the pony herd from the camp. The Indians, who were in their tepees, were taken completely by surprise. When they rushed toward their ponies, the troops barred the way. The latter then proceeded to burn the village and at the same time to drive away the stolen stock and Indian pony herd. The detachment turned home that same night and arrived there the next afternoon, having fought a skirmish and traveled one hundred seventy miles in thirty-seven hours. Because it was necessary to cross the North Platte several times, the men traveled most of the distance in wet clothes. The Indians left on the field four killed and seven wounded, and Lieutenant Armes had two men and ten animals wounded. As a result of this engagement that officer recommended that the revolver be issued to troops. Continue Reading »
