Arriving at Sheridan they easily found the Indian trail, and followed it for some distance.

On the eighth day out from Fort Wallace, the command went into camp late in the afternoon, on the Arickaree, which was then not more than eight or nine feet wide at that point, and only two or three inches deep.

It was evident to the men that they were not far from the Indians, and it was decided that the next day they would find them and give them a fight.
Early next morning, September 19th, the cry of "Indians" startled the command.

Every man jumped for his horse.

A half-dozen red-skins, yelling and whooping and making a hideous racket, and firing their guns, rode up and attempted to stampede the horses, several of which, together with the four pack-mules, were so frightened that they broke loose and got away.
The Indians then rode off, followed by a few shots.