DEN1G J THE ASS1NIB0IK 549 



men holding that rank in whichever camp they reside, and their 

 duty is to ride on the outside of the main body to keep any person 

 from straying away and prevent any useless noise or manner of 

 travel. 



The scouts are appointed by the leader and changed daily; their 

 duty being to separate and keep 5 or 6 miles ahead of the main body. 

 These scouts or discoverers are footmen and use the same precautions 

 as before stated. The main body moves slowly forward after recon- 

 noitering has commenced, without any order, and only passing what- 

 ever ground has been rendered secure by the reconnoiterers. During 

 the time before arriving in their enemies' country, or at least before 

 any signs of enemies have been perceived, they run buffalo with 

 horses, kill enough meat for present use and dry and pound more 

 to be used when hunting is not advisable. When signs of the camp 

 are perceived, sentinels are posted every night, who lie down around 

 the camp within 200 or 300 yards of the main body, and 50 or 60 

 steps from each other. All the horses belonging to the expedition 

 are picketed within this circle and near the place where their several 

 owners sleep. These sentinels are changed every night. 



When by means of scouts and other observations they have dis- 

 covered the camp it is approached in the night and the several ad- 

 vantageous positions which the ground affords around it are occu- 

 pied by different detachments of the party, who are to attack from 

 various quarters as nearly as possible at the same time. About day- 

 break a rush is made by the mounted men, shouting the war whoop 

 and firing into the lodges as they pass through. The attention of 

 the horsemen is directed toward driving off every horse found 

 in camp. These, although picketed, take fright at the noise, snap 

 their cords and are driven away. This rush only passes through 

 the camp, and the enemy being raised and armed turn out and pur- 

 sue and a battle now takes place near the camp. Indian fighting is 

 individual fighting, each one for himself, without any military order, 

 line, or file. Orders are given by any of the chiefs or soldiers in a 

 loud voice when some advantage presents itself. Both parties en- 

 deavor to cover their bodies by any objects which are in the way. 

 A thicket is much desired, small trees, stones, bunches of grass, or 

 hollows made by the rain are all occupied, and those who cannot 

 find any shelter jump from side to side, never standing still a mo- 

 ment to avoid any certain aim for their enemy's fire. 



The whole is accompanied with a terrible yelling on both sides. 

 When one falls on either side the war whoop is sent forth by the 

 party who killed and a simultaneous rush is made by the enemy to 

 obtain the scalp and the friends of the fallen man to rescue the body. 

 In these melees of small parties take place the terrible savage strug- 



