mˈɪlz hɐdbɪn sˈɛnt baɪ kɹˈʊk tʊ əbtˈeɪn səplˈaɪz fɹʌmðə blˈæk hˈɪlz bɪkˈʌz ðɛɹ səplˈaɪz wɜː ɹˈʌnɪŋ pˈɛɹɪləsli lˈoʊ, ænd æt tˈaɪmz, ðə mˈɛn hædtə ɹᵻzˈɔːɹt tʊ ˈiːɾɪŋ hˈɔːɹsflɛʃ tə sɚvˈaɪv.
Mills had been sent by Crook to obtain supplies from the Black Hills because their supplies were running perilously low, and at times, the men had to resort to eating horseflesh to survive.