tribe. At this
place,--named Camp Hayes,--70 miles distant from Camp McLaren, the
expedition lay six days, awaiting the supply train, which arrived on
the 9th. Resumed the march on the 11th, on which day Lieutenant Exel
left on furlough. The 12th was spent in camp. The second crossing of
the Sheyenne was made on the 17th. On the 18th arrived at two lakes
named Jessie[2] and Leda, 90 miles from Camp Hayes. An entrenched camp
was established on the banks of the former (the more easterly one of
these two lakes) which was about three miles long. The camp was called
Atchison, and a day and one-half were spent there in making
arrangements for a vigorous pursuit of the Indians. Companies C and G
of the Sixth were stationed there as a part of the garrison, and five
of the company were left behind there, viz.: Seidel, Eberdt, and
Jakobi, as members of the band, and Kraemer and Reuter, who were too
sick to travel.

[2] This camp was located on the W. 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of
section 28, and the E. 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 of section 29,
township 147 north, of range 60 west, on the northeast side of
what is now known as Lake Sibley, and about 11 miles in a direct
line to the northwest of Cooperstown, Griggs County, North
Dakota.--T. H. L.

On the 20th, all the arrangements having been completed, the expedition
began a more rapid advance in pursuit of the enemy, and on the 24th of
July, 89 miles from Camp Atchison was fought the battle of "Big Hills"
or "Big Mound." As soon as it was known that the Indians were in force,
the train was corralled on the margin of a small lake, Big Mound being
directly to the eastward and distant about one and one-quarter miles.
The Sixth Regiment with one company of Mounted Rangers and a section of
artillery occupied the east front, and threw up a line of earthworks
for protection. As soon as the attack began, Colonel Crooks at once
deployed Companies E, I, and K of the Sixth and A of the Ninth, under
Major McLaren, as skirmishers, and they pursued the Indians two and
one-half miles. Three companies of the Sixth were also deployed on the
left flank, and the Indians were repulsed at that point. Major McLaren
with companies A, B, D, I, and K advanced four miles at a double-quick,
having been ordered to support the troops already at the front, but on
their arrival they were ordered to return to camp.

On the 25th the expedition moved only about five miles to a better
ca