The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-14


Z sasM III any mar,els 1t unfold,
HThatin nature seems to be 4
earpoDsing probability;
RiAce - them your own vnlaAfioo,
Dat I'll give heed to to nnesatton.
Twas - the march to Vfstoris Il think
the Col stately and be1pee the ordeps
sams sD reinforce Gen. SoetA thae ~ vssy
remarkable and astonishing circumstance oc-
CURED, which | am about to relate, and
which will cndeavor to give as nearly -
possible on his own words:
Our route lay Immediately Across an e1-
tensive prairie, along which our train OF G0O
wagons dragged its cunbroas length, like
some monster serpent gorged With prey,
winding lastly 70 ito lair. Save the Ascep-
tions 81 the "mirage," which full often
cheated our weary troops into the hope OF
dimpling and refreshing waters soon to be
reached, and the consequent disappointment,
nothing occurred for sometime to vary the
monotouy of the march. At length about
midday or little thereafter, sound like
muttering thunder, or rather like the low
rumbling Of an earthquake, drew all eyes
toward the right, from whence in the far dis
lance, was seen rapidly approaching dark
like line, rs if of clouds. Faster and faster
il came, until, to the establishment and de-
light Of all, with rush that shook the
very earth, 10000 Mustangs sprang in full
view.
"a mighty Picbald led the way,
Fit leader 70 that mass OF life
Bounding forwnrdin front OF the now mo-
tionless multitude, the wild chief OF the
Pampas, his stately head high lifted, slowly
approached our cavalcAde with an AIR OF
mingled wonder and suspicion.
After scanning il for some time, as though
| rr.fh = w.1H mud nj
gry snort he wheeled and darted back to his
troop. A scene of momentary confusion
now ensusd; but in q far shorter tlmc than
would have been required to marshal one
fourth the number OF men, the whole mass
was thrown into the form Of wedge, the
leader forming the apex, and the other
males of the troop the sides Of the triangle,
the feeble ones and the colts being thrown
into the centre.
Before any one could form the most re-
mote conjecture ~ to the cause of this sin.
gular movement, at . wild cry from their
leader, the column was put in motion, and
then
as the wild winds come, when forests are ndsd
As the waves rush, when nayies are stranded"
full on the centre Of our devoted line they
broke like an avalanche. For some mo.
| ments, from out the cloud Of dust came
Mingled crash, and groan, and curse, and Yell
I As though within the realms Of hell,
All hands had broken loose.
When the dusty canopy was lifted, sixty
wagons, with teams and teamsters, strewet
the road, mingled in with everything horse
| foot and draxoons--that came within tn,
sweep Of that living bosom Of destruction
| with here and there crushed and mAnglet
Mustang, struggling wildly to follow it's fsl
lowe.
Alta distance Of some $50 or 200 yards
the drove stopped, just in the order It ha.
passed through, with the exception Of thu
mighty piebald now brought up in the rear
After gazing few seconds in apparent ex
ultation, shrill neigh Of defiance scenes
to give the signal for retreat. and the Who'll
swept away like vision. No dream, how
ever, ever yet realized the ruin which riete
around.
Except those who were with me, none,
am sure, ever saw such n sight, the like Q
! which, while lifo lasts, | never expect I
look upon again.
JoHS or OXFORD.
NorE.-The Coloneps recollection il r.
markably vivid as regards oil the cirouu
stances, from the fact that he barely escaped
. having been very nearly caught by one {
the corners of the base Of the isosceies tridr
ole. He was then Captain of dragoon'
escorting the train, and frequently sre sks
terms Of high admiration Of that brillial
mannuvre Of the Horse Chief Of the Pra
rie.-f Spirit Of the Times.