Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-11-07
Belmont Chronicle


One Of the editors with the recent ex-
carsion to the plains, gives the follow
ing description of a buffalo hunt In
which the excursionists indulged:
Preparations were at once made for the
promised buffalo hunt, the desire for
which was greatly stimulated by the
sight of herd of the immense animals
quietly grazing few miles away. Those
of the party who were not armed were
supplied with arms by Major Dallas,
commanding the post, and Lieut.. Sheets,
an experienced Nimrod, took command
of the expedition. A few Of the party
were mounted, the rest filling the wag-
ons; and, accompanied by some of the
ladies of the fort in a carriage, the long
procession started off over the plain to
the low hills, where the men were form
ed i'm line extending perhaps mile and
q half along the edge of the bluffs. The
horsemen then started off to the rear of
the buffalo, which could be seen mile
or two away, and after time came gall
loping up chasing toward us herd Of
the great animals, some forty in number.
Before the buffalo came within range of
the line, they turned and broke away.
and the inexperienced hunters exclaim-
ed thst the game was lost. The horse
men, however, dashed after them, and
presently a solitary buffalo came thun-
dering toward us. AS he came within
from the portion Of the line near him,
and he halted, turned, moved slowly a
little way, and fell dead. Presently an
other. followed close by horseman, gal
loped within range, and the bullets of a
score Of gyms laid him lifeless on the
plain.
In this way for two or three hours, by
hard riding, single members of the herd
were driven up to different parts of the
long line of rif1emen and despatched, and
by three o'clock ten huge buffalo lay
around within a circle of a mile or more,
and our thirst for blood was satisfied. A
herd of beautiful antelope, some thirty
In number, came bounding toward us,
and if part of the line had not left their
positions, some of this tempting game
would have been secured. But the ex-
citement of the hour had left wide gap
in the line, and they escaped unharmed.
The enthusiasm Mt our success was inn
mense, and the amateur huntsmen crowd
ed around the PROSTATE game, each anx-
ious to secure q trophy. The tongues
and tailsof the bufialoes were soon cut off,
and locks of hair were pulled from the
shaggy names. The whole affair had
been admirably managed, thanks princi-
pally to the officers of the fort, who drove
the game within reach of the footman,
and no accident occurred, although in
the excitement the minnie balls several
times whistled around the hOrsemen and
those who ventured in front of the lines.
Although the line was 80 long and the
men at u considerable interval apart,
nearly every one could boast that he had
shot ut buffalo, and many had the as
surance that their balls had taken effect.
A few were especially fortunate in bring
ing down q buffalo by their single shots.
A few hindqunrters were cut from the
game and placed in the wagons, and the
party then returned to the fort immense
ly elated with their unexpected success
In the chase. The buffa1oes shot were
all males ofhuge proportions, larger than
an OK, and weighing, by rough estimate,
from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds.
None, probably, are more highly pleased
ut the success of the days work than the
reverend gentleman from Illinois, who,
twoor three days before, had caused some
sport by excitedly firing half dozen
shots from the train at drove Of domes-
tic cattle peacefully grazing near station.