Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1856-10-30
The Horse Avalanche.

tci tHC STORY as TWAS tOlu;
Il sDy marYels it unfold
hat ia nature seems u lie
Surprising probability.
Place on them your Capitalization;
But sti ] give heed TO the nlrration.
l. was on the march to Victoria. II
think the Colonel slated and before The
orders came to reinforce Gen. Scott. tina
The very remarkable and astonishing cir
cumstance occurred which | ain about
10 relate. and which | will endeavor
TO give as nearly as possible in his own
words:
Our route lay Immediately across an
extensive prairie. along which our train
of 600 wagons dragged its cum brous
length. like some monster serpent gorged
with prey. winding lsBily TO lis lair.
Save the deceptions OF the "mirsge,"
which full often cheated our weary troops
into the hope of dimpling and refreshing
waters soon to be reached and the con.
sequent disappointment, nothing &C.
Cured Tor some time TO vary the monot-
ony Of the march. At length, about mid.
day, or little thereafter. a sound like
muttering thunder. or the low rumbling
of an earthquake, drew all eyes toward
the right. from whence. in the far dis
lance was seen rapidly approaching q
bark like line, "a if Of clouds. Faster
and faster il came, until. 10 the aston.
ishment and delight Of oil. with a rush
that shook the very earth, % 90 mus
tsngs sprsng in full view.
"a mighty Piebald led the way,
FIt leader 10 that mass OF lifen
Bounding forward in front of the now
motIon!ess multitude, the wild chef of
the Pampas, his stately head high lifted
slowly approached our cavalcade with
an air OF mingled wonder and suspi
cion.
After scanning il for some time, as
though calculating our strength. with
wild and angry snort he W he eleJ and dar-
ted back TO his troop. A scene of mo-
mentary confusion now ensued; but in
far shorter time than would have been
required TO marshal one-fourth the num-
Der OF meE, 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
moe conjecture rs - the cause OF Ibis 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
renlel,
As the waves rush, when naviei are strand
ed"
full on the centre of our devoted line
they brokeiike an avalanche. For some
moments. from out the cloud OF dust
there came
Mingled crash, ami groan, AMI curse and
yell,
As though within the realms Of hell,
All hanls had broken loose"
When the dusty canopy was lifted. six
ty wagons. with teams and teams.ers
sirewed the road. mingled in with every
thIng-horse, foot and Dragons that
came within the sweep Of that living be-
som of destruction, with here and there
crushed and mangled mustang, strug-
Cling wildly TO follow its fellows.
AT the distance Of s1me 40 or 200
yards, the drove stopped. jus, in the order
II had passed through, with the exception
of the mighty piebald now brought up in
the rear. After gazing in apparent ex
ultation. shrill neigh OF defiance seemed
TO give the signal for retfeat. and the
whole swept AWAY like a vision. No
dream. however, ever yet realized the ruin
which rioted around.
Except those who were with me. none
i an sure. evefSsaw such sight, the
like OF which, while life lasts, never
expect TO look upon again.
JOHN OF OXFORD.