Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/529

 the Second Nebraska on the right, the Sixth Iowa on the left, one company of the Seventh, or Sioux City Cavalry, and the battery in the center. The command “Forward” was given and, starting at full gallop, in less than an hour the Indian camp was reached. The Indians had formed their line of battle so skillfully that they could only be dislodged by a charge. Although this was the first battle most of the men had ever seen there was no flinching; they moved steadily forward and in less than half an hour the Indians were in full retreat. They were armed with rifles, shot guns, bows and arrows and fought for a time with great courage and desperation. Most of the cavalry, by order of General Sully, dismounted and fought with rifles until the Indians were dislodged when they mounted their horses and joined in the pursuit. Night coming on most of the Indians succeeded in making there escape. The following day General Sully sent out strong parties in a vain effort to overtake and capture the fleeing Indians but they had got beyond his reach. The loss to our army was twenty killed and thirty-eight wounded. The loss of the Indians was estimated at one hundred and fifty killed and wounded, while thirty-two warriors were captured as well as a great amount of provisions and many ponies. The Sixth Cavalry which was in the thickest of the fight, lost twelve men killed (among whom was Lieutenant T. J. Leavitt) and ten wounded. The bodies of our dead were buried upon a knoll near a small lake at the foot of White Stone Hill, from which the battle take its name. On the 11th of September the army was back at Fort Pierre. In obedience to orders General Sully selected a site and erected a log fort. The buildings had accommodations for five companies of soldiers. Before they were completed General Sully returned to Sioux City with most of this troops leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Pollock in command with five companies of his regiment to complete the fort. It was named Fort Sully and was situated about three hundred miles northwest of Sioux City.