Veterans of the civil war, and men who have been years on the frontier,
who have participated in many of the most sanguine Indian campaigns
ever fought, say this was the most hotly-contested field they were ever
on. They tell us that never have they seen such cool and determined
fighting, at such short range, kept up for so long a time, by Indians;
that never have they known so many bullets placed with such deadly
accuracy, and so few to fly wild as in this fight. Nearly every man
engaged in the action, white or red, officer, private soldier, or
citizen, seemed a cool, deliberate sharpshooter; and the fact that
after the first assault both parties kept closely covered all day,
alone accounts for the fact that so many survived the fiery ordeal. The
Indians did splendid work and elicited from the beleaguered soldiers
expressions of admiration for their marksmanship, as well as for their
bravery and prowess in fierce, close work.
An old sergeant, who was with the Seventh at Gettysburg, when it aided
so nobly in holding Little Round Top, says there was no hotter place on
that historic hill than he found in the Big Hole on the 9th of August,
1877.
After the battle General Gibbon issued the following congratulatory
order to his men:
[Regimental Orders, No. 27.]
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH INFANTRY,
BATTLE-FIELD OF THE BIG HOLE,
_Montana Territory, Aug. 11, 1877_.
The regimental commander congratulates the regiment upon the
result of the conflict here with the hostile Nez Perces on the
9th and 10th inst. While mourning for the dead, Capt. William
Logan and First Lieut. James H. Bradley and the twenty-one
enlisted men, who fell gallantly doing a soldier's duty, we can
not but congratulate ourselves that after a stern chase of over
250 miles, during which we twice crossed the rugged divide of
the Rocky Mountains, we inflicted upon a more numerous enemy a
heavier loss than our own, and held our ground until it gave up
the field.
In respect to the memory of the gallant dead, the officers of
the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty
days.
JOHN GIBBON,
_Colonel Seventh Infantry, Commanding._
Official:
LEVI F. BENNETT,
_First Lieutenant and Adjutant Seventh Infantry._
In this connection it is deemed proper to give the following facts in
regard to General Gibbon's record as a soldier:
He was born in Pennsylvania and appointed to the Military Academy at
West Point from North Carolina. Graduated July 1, 1847, brevet second
lieutenant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant September 18, 1847.
Served in the Mexican war and in the Seminole war in Florida. Promoted
to first lieutenant September 12, 1850. Served as instructor of
artillery at West Point 1854 to 1859. Promoted to captain November 2,
1859. Served in Utah 1860-61. Was chief of artillery on General
McDowell's staff, October, 1861, to May, 1862. Brigadier-general of
volunteers May, 1862.
Was in the battles of Grangeville, Manasas, South Mountain, and
Antietam. Brevetted major-general of volunteers for gallant and
meritorious conduct at Antietam. He held an important command at the
battle of Fredericksburg, where he was severely wounded. Was brevetted
lieutenant-colonel U.S.A. for gallant and meritorious services at the
battle of Fredericksburg. Was severely wounded at the battle of
Gettysburg while commanding the Second Corps, and brevetted colonel
U.S.A. for gallant and meritorious service in that action.
He also held an important and responsible command in the Richmond
campaign, and was brevetted brigadier-general U.S.A. for gallant and
meritorious services at Spotsylvania. Was commissioned major-general of
volunteers June 7, 1864. Brevetted major-general U.S.A. for gallant
and meritorious conduct in the capture of Petersburg. Mustered out of
the volunteer service June 15, 1866, and commissioned a colonel U.S.A.
July 28, 1866. Promoted to brigadier-general U.S.A. July 10, 1885,
and appointed to the command of the district of the Rocky Mountains. He
commanded the column that rescued Reno from the Sioux Indians in June,
1876.
An officer who has served with him several years, and knows him
intimately, says:
"He is an able writer and deep thinker, a thorough soldier, and no
politician; honest, strict on duty, and genial and kind off duty. He is
brave as a man can be in battle. A true and loving husband, a kind
father, and the truest kind of a friend. A thorough sportsman,
temperate, modest, and as careful of the wellfare of the humblest
enlisted man as of his chief of staff." Capt. Constant Williams, in a
private letter to the author, under date of December 23, 1888, says: "I
wish to bear testimony of the noble bearing of General Gibbon during
the whole time the fight was in progress, under the most trying
circumstances. His coolness and utter indifference to danger were so
marked, and so admirable, that I have ever since that day taken him as
my model for a commander."
Yet, notwithstanding this long record of brilliant services and
well-merited rewards; notwithstanding this great and good man has grown
gray fighting his country's battles; notwithstanding he has acquired,
by study and experience, a military education and training second to
none ever acquired by an American, a man who was suddenly elevated from
private life to the high office of Secretary of War has recently seen
fit to publicly reprimand him for what he was pleased to term a
disobedience of orders. The alleged offense consisted in General
Gibbon's having pardoned a private soldier, who had been by
court-martial convicted of a misdemeanor and imprisoned. He had served
several months of his term, when General Gibbon, under whose orders the
court-martial had been held, deeming him already sufficiently punished,
issued a pardon and ordered him released. The One hundred and Twelfth
Article of War expressly authorizes such action on the part of
department commanders, but the Secretary of War, deeming his power
greater than that which makes the laws, had previously issued an order
forbidding commanding officers to issue pardons in such cases, and
General Gibbon was accordingly severely reprimanded for a violation of
this order. He appealed to the President, and that "Man of Destiny,"
ignoring the organic law of the land, approved the action of his
Secretary.
Thus, a man who has rendered such distinguished services to his country
as to merit the gratitude and reverence of every loyal American; a man
who has spent the best years of his life in fighting his country's
battles and in studying and obeying her laws, was insulted and degraded
by men who, so far as true moral worth is concerned, are unworthy to
sit at the same table with him.
Capt. William Logan entered the regular army before the beginning of
the late war, and rose from the ranks through the successive grades of
corporal, sergeant, second and first lieutenants. He was commissioned a
captain October 4, 1878. He saw a great deal of active service during
the civil war, and bore an excellent reputation as a brave soldier.
First Lieut. James H. Bradley had been in the army eleven years, during
the greater portion of which time he had been in active service on the
frontier; had participated in several Indian campaigns, and had
repeatedly distinguished himself for coolness and bravery in the face
of danger.
First Lieut. William L. English was commissioned a second lieutenant in
the One-hundred and First Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, May 1, 1863.
On March 5, 1864, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, and mustered
out of the volunteer service June 7, 1865. He was appointed a second
lieutenant in the regular army June 18, 1867, and promoted to the rank
of first lieutenant October 24, 1874. His record is also that of a
brave and capable officer.
Of the other officers who participated in the fight and survived its
dangers, the following facts will no doubt be of interest to the
general public:
General Gibbon is now (February, 1888) in command of the Department of
the Columbia, with headquarters at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
Captain Comba is on recruiting service at Pittsburg, Pa. He is within
two files of the rank of major, and in the usual course of events will
be promoted to that grade within a year or two. Captain Sanno is
stationed at Fort McKinney, Wyoming, and Captain Williams at Fort
Laramie, Wyoming. Captain Browning died in Paris, May 1, 1882, and
Captain Rawn at Lancaster, Pa., October 6, 1887.
Lieutenant Coolidge was promoted to a captaincy, vice Logan, August 9,
1877, and is now stationed at Camp Pilot Butte, Wyoming. Lieutenant
Jacobs was promoted to a captaincy in the Quartermaster's Department,
1882, and is now stationed at Atlanta, Ga.
Lieutenant Jackson was made a captain November 14, 1885, and is now
stationed at Fort Washakie, Wyoming.
Lieutenant Woodruff was promoted to a captaincy in the Subsistence
Department for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of the Big
Hole, and is now on duty at General Gibbon's headquarters, March, 1878.
Second Lieutenant Van Orsdale was promoted to first lieutenant August
20, 1877, and regimental quartermaster June 1, 1885, and is stationed
at Fort Laramie, the present headquarters of the Seventh Regiment.
Lieutenant Harden is detailed at West Point as instructor in tactics.
Lieut. Francis Woodbridge is on indefinite leave of absence at Detroit,
Mich., awaiting retirement on account of ill health.