American Interest.

American Interest.-

Autograph letter signed by a R. McDonald, Captain of Infantry and addressed to Mr William F. Kam, reading “At your request I take pleasure in certifying to your gallantry in action during the operations continued over the four years immediately following the fall of the gallant Custer. First in the affair of Cedar Creek, M.T. Oct. 21, 1876 when the fifth Infantry held by General Miles gave Sitting bull his first whipping, forcing Bull Eagle with five hundred Indians to surrender at Cabin Creek, M.T., four days after the fight. Again, at Wolf Mountain, M.T, January 8, 1877 when the said Fifth led by its distinguished Commander once more…defeated Sitting Bull and his crafty and desperate aid Crazy Horse, forcing the surrender of the latter savage…likewise White Bull and over four hundred of his following. Sitting Bull and his savages escaping to the British possessions. In this affair it became necessary to storm a steep hill crowded with Indians which commanded our position, in this I had the honour to lead your company being its commander and the duty falling t its 58 men in all,, and most gallantry did the men respond, charging the hill under a withering fire, climbing and fighting , the savages stubbornly contesting every inch, we succeeded in routing them ending the fight, the enemy suddenly drawing away. Last of all, in the expedition under the same doughty Chief, to head of Chief Joseph at the head of the Nez Perce nation, flying for life to the Majesty’s Dominions but in the end had come, for on his trail was a .. hound tireless as death, which… forced him to stand and fight and after a bloody conflict lasting two days, in which many fell, compelled him and the whole nation engaged in those desperate two days to (ask?) for mercy and submit to unconditional surrender. Thus crowning the operations of this most gallant and distinguished officer in Montana with a well deserved halo, which only the Montana pioneer can fully appreciate, as the result of these operations has been to enable he and his family to retire at night in safety”, two pages, yellowing and soiling, some splitting along folding marks, 4to, Fort Keogh, Montana Territory, 26 February 1885

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