On my way back to
the command I discovered a large party of Indians. I got close enough
to observe them, and they proved to be Cheyennes, coming from the
south. With this information. I hurried back to report.
The cavalrymen were ordered to mount their horses quietly and remain
out of sight, while General Merritt, accompanied by two or three aides
and myself, went on a little tour of observation to a neighboring hill.
From the summit of this we saw the Indians approaching almost directly
toward us. As we stood watching, fifteen or twenty of them wheeled and
dashed off to the west, from which direction we had come the night
before.
Searching the country to see what it was which had caused this
unexpected maneuver, we observed two mounted soldiers approaching us on
the trail. Obviously they were bearing dispatches from the command of
General Merritt.
It was clear that the Indians who had left their main body were intent
on intercepting and murdering these two men. General Merritt greatly
feared that they would accomplish this purpose. How to aid them was a
problem. If soldiers were sent to their assistance, the Indians would
observe the rescuers, and come to the right conclusion that a body of
troops was lying in wait for them. This of course would turn them back,
and the object of our expedition would be defeated.
The commander asked me if I had any suggestions.
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