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Finerty, John F., 1846-1908. (John Frederick) / War-path and bivouac : or, The conquest of the Sioux : a narrative of stirring personal experiences and adventures in the Big Horn and Yellowstone expedition of 1876, and in the campaign on the British border, in 1879
(1890)

Chapter XIII. The Sibley scout.--A close call,   pp. 161-180 PDF (4.6 MB)


Page 162


12rAlA-PTi'I AND) MIOUAC,
fine a ty pe of tlhe young Aimeri-ean officer as coul(l be found
in the service, and I know that he has not gone backward
since. iis father, Colonel Sibley, a retired army officer,
had died in Chicaco, and several members of the famiiiv
still reside in that city. I had, of course, to obtain General
Crook's permission to accompany the party. The General
seemed somewvhat surprised at my request, and hesitated
about letting me go. however, Le finally consented, but
warned me thaat I might get into mnore trouble than, perhaps,
I anticipated. Lieutenant IPourke asked me what kind of an
epitniph I would lilke in to write for mne, and the other
officers rallied ine good-niatturedly about my proposed trip. I
felt elated at havingr obtained leave to go, and hastened to in-
form Si bley, who expressed himself mulch. pleased at my reso-
lution. Grim. Captain Wells only said to his orderly-" Bring
Mr. Finerty a hundred rounds of Troop E ammu-nitioni."
This command was munch more eloquent than an oration.
   The party mustered at noon, beyond the creek, each man
took a double supply of cartridges, and as much food as
IVould last for some days. I think it was a mistake to start
in daylight, but the scouts seems anxious to get forward, as
the General was impatient for definite information of time
Sioux. The scouts led us to camp on Big Goose creek, dis-
tant about thirteen miles from. Crook's headquarters, and
there we remained until about sundown. After we had
s-addled up, Pourier thought he observed a horseman watch-
ing u1 froin a shallow ravine. Gruard started off in hot pur-
suit, but wa-s unable to comie uip wAithi thle suspicious object,
whichl ran off like the wind, and was soon lost siglht of in
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