PREVIOUSLY
While being ambushed, C Troop, the "Walking Soldiers" and the Supply Wagon headed for cover afforded by The Little Powder River Tributary campsite.
Lakotas justifiably angered by the Burdette Gang pursued them to the campsite. The Marshall also in pursuit caught up with the gang. A temporary truce with Boss Burdette was agreed upon. All escaped into the Army campsite.
That night, the Lakotas built numerous ridgeline campfires to intimidate the Army and two civilian groups encamped and on alert below. All awaited dawn. And now, our denouement.
Tuesday - Powder River Campsite
Western Sector
"The sun will be up soon , Sir," said Sergeant Quincannon.
Captain Brittles replied, "And enemy campfires have been extinguished. The Lakota could come any time now. Let's walk the perimeter and check on the men."
"Aye, Capn'. There are some Cheyenne too."
Center Sector
"You see anything, Crane?," questioned Trooper Stone.
"Nope. But, that don't mean nuthn'. They're out there as sure as you and I are here," answered the Corporal.
"Check your weapons everyone," said the Marshall.
Two hours later desultory fire commenced against the north side of the encampment.
"Commence skirmisher fire," ordered Lieutenant Carpenter. "Aim careful an' slow. They're in heavy cover."
Soon weapon's fire started on the south side versus the dismounted cavalry.
Chief Long Eagle spoke, "Shoot the horse soldiers!"
"I told you, they were out there, Stone. Troopers, commence fire," ordered Corporal Crane.
Not long after.
"Buckmaster, they stopped firing at us. Explain," demanded Lieutenant Parmenter.
"I seen this afore Lootenant. They ain't got much ammunition after last years battles so they shoot at us here and there when they like. They are in heavy cover - hard to hit. So we use up lots of our ammunition when we shoot back. They might start again or not. Hard to say."
Wednesday
Near 12:30 pm, Captain Brittles convened a Council of War
"Gentlemen, there were no Lakota campfires last night or noises and since dawn no hostiles have been seen. Opinions?"
Parmenter spoke first. "Sir, they could still be out there on the north and south sides behind the hills. However, at the Rosebud Battle last year, General Crook said the Lakotas left at end of the the first and only day of that engagement."
"Maybe," remarked Chance. "Should we send out patrols?"
Further conversation ended though when Lieutenant Carpenter excitedly ran into the meeting. "Sir, there is commotion in the western sector." All turned to look. "The Burdette Gang mounted and...." but it was plain to see what was happening.
"Don't look back boys. Let's git outta' here," said Boss Nathan Burdette.
Laughing, Joe Burdette and Mumps congratulated themselves. Then Joe shouted, "Them soldier boys was napping and sure surprised when we jumped the bushes!"
"A good thing the Lakotas left so we could get away," said Mumps.
"And trick the Marshall breaking our truce," said the Boss. "Heh, heh, ha, ha."
As the four turned a corner....
"Hou."
"Red Hat, you varmint!," shouted Boss Burdette. "How....?"
"Burdette, you just killed us!," screamed Mumps. "I should never....," but he didn't finish his tirade because....
The sound of considerable rifle and musket fire plus war whoops came through the pass. The arrows though were silent.
"Now we know the hostiles are still here," said the Marshall.
Thursday
Two hours after sunrise following another uneventful night.
"Buckmaster?," questioned Captain Brittles.
"Three smokes means they want to parlay, Capn'. Look...."
"Four braves are coming out to talk. We need to meet them. Otherwise it would be an insult," said the Scout.
"Sir, what if this is a trick?," objected Parmenter.
"Doubtful. We'll mount up and discover what they want to say," said Brittles. "With honors; guidon, bugler and the Sergeant Major too - show 'em our bearing. Accompany us Marshall, if you please?"
"Sure."
Bugler Daws thought it was a trick when Lakota horsemen began appearing on the rise.
Quincannon glared at him. "Steady laddy."
One warrior showing no fear proudly rode forward.
"It's Red Hat, Sir," said Buckmaster. "He wants to speak with the Soldier Chief."
Brittles rode directly forward to Red Hat saying, "I'm the Soldier Chief."
"Hou!" Then he spoke with the Scout saying, "Lakota honor was satisfied yesterday with the deaths of the Burdette whites and the gold they paid to ransom one of their own for violating a young woman."
"Then why the battle?" demanded Brittles.
"After translating. "The Burdette people shot up their camp which riled up the warriors, especially the young ones. Several women and children were killed."
"Then tell him, we accept his reasons and the battle is ended," said the Captain.
"He agrees, Sir."
The leaders stared at each other for a long time and nodded to each other. Then the Lakotas casually turned their war ponies about and trotted away, never looking back.
Brittles held his men in place as the warriors lining the ridge turned their ponies and....
Quietly rode away.
The Marshall said, "We've just avoided another Indian War."
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
The unmistakable sound of clattering sabers, jangling canteens and many hooves were heard approaching on the opposite side of the camp.
So Trooper Riley and Lone Bear successfully reached the fort to bring rescue.
"Troop, HAL-ALT!," ordered the Colonel.
He then rode forward to meet Brittles.
"We're glad you're here, Sir. A large Lakota war party pinned us down for several days. Red Hat's camp was treacherously shot up by civilians of The Burdette Gang who were all killed. It's all over now with satisfied honor on both sides. We lost only one man."
"Honor! It's no honor attacking the Army when the warriors are supposed to be returning to their agencies."
"Captain Brittles, we'll rest the night but get C Troop ready to move out. C and F Troops will pursue the hostiles in the morning. The infantry will remain here as a base camp."
"Sir, with all due respect, won't we unnecessarily risk another Indian War?"
"I'll be the judge of that Captain. Now do your duty."
"Yes, --- Sir."
CLOSING REMARKS
J.W Vaughn in With Crook At The Rosebud, dedicated his book, "To the men and warriors of both sides of the battle who fought for the right as it was given them to see the right."
Much was kindled by desperate bad actors who unnecessarily set the frontier ablaze. A familiar theme surely.
THE END
