Aug. 11 1877

My darling Louis:

I wrote you a note day before yesterday and will write today as we send out a courier.

I am getting along well, our train came up last evening and we expect Genl. Howard today. The Indians have all left. We had a hard fight lost 2 officers killed, 10 soldiers and 6 citizens. “K” Co[mpany] Sgt. Stortz, Private Kleis (the carpenter), and Mus[ician] Stinebaker were killed.

I was shot in the heel of the left foot and in both legs above the knee, fortunately no bones were broken. The Genl and I were the only ones mounted, both are horses were shot, I got mine into camp and he was shot again, we ate some of him yesterday. I left the gun back the night we struck the village. It started up at daylight and was attacked, one of the horses was shot and fell on Bennett lamed him some and of the three men with the gun one was killed and two wounded.

Our men charged the village in fine shape and the reason we didn’t hold it was there was so much brush and high bluffs that we couldn’t occupy all of the places at once. The Indians suffered severely, I think there loss cannot be higher than seventy-five or a hundred.

We killed them right [and] left. Hurlburt of [company] “K” killed the Indian that shot [First Lieutenant] Bradley. Jacobs killed three, ??? two, Hardin 8, ???? one each, I didn’t get a chance to kill any of them I was carrying orders for the General [and] I was all over the field and was lucky to come off as well as we did. The officers and men behaved well and gave the Indians the worst handling they ever had before.

[First Lieutenant] Bradley [and] [Captain] Logan were both killed dead.

It looked blue for us here on Thursday afternoon, the Indians set fire from the brush and hills, their idea was to follow up with fire and charge us while it reached us, I began to fear I should never see you again, some of the wounded levered up their heads and expected to be killed, I got my two revolvers said my prayer in thinking of you and Bertie and determined to kill a few Indians before I died, our heavenly father was on our side and the wind changed and blew [the fire] away from us.

I didn’t know how much I loved you until (obscured by fold) see each other again.

We shall start this afternoon or tomorrow for Deer Lodge, I expect to get home in about ten days (10).

Darling wife, I do love you so much and want to be with you, but I shall not be of much assistance for a month or two.

Don’t worry about me in the least. Remember me to all of our friends. Lots of love and kisses for you and Bertie

Your devoted husband,

Charlie