Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-10-05
Terrible Fight VIII. Grizzly Rear.

correspondent of Western newspaper
writes from the Wind river valley, Rocky
Mountains, under date of August 30, as fol-
lows -
After our camp Lad been pitched on Bear
Creek, we sailed ont TO gather some wild
cherries, gooseberries, and currents, that
grew IN great abundance about the Camp
Mr.. Crutcher, the guide, Major Gordon,
Lieutenant Siambaugh aud several others of
our party accompanied by a number of SOL
ders, repaired to the creek near by aud be.
gan eating the fruit with which its banks
were lined
Presently, Major Gordon's attention being
attracted by peculiar noise near him, he
called to Mr.. Crutcher and asked who the
man was. Crutcher gave one look and a
cry of "Bear bear ~ aud beat hasty re-
treat. Standing on his hind feet and draw
ing the limbs through his mouth with his
paws, was a monster Rocky Mountain griz-
ely bear. All bands at once retired to a re-
spectlul distance, and we were discussing
how we should attack the beast when a
shot rang out upon the air, followed by the
crashing of the bushes and cries of "Help
help ~ Rushing forward we witnessed ter
rife conflicts. 1t appears that at the time of
our discovery of the bear in his retreat
private soldier OF the cavalry, named Eugene
Lambert, was so near the animal that he
could almost lay his hand upon him. Deem.
| ing HlEul lnDOsslDlt Aluuuku II Is DlOudplG
that tho bear had not yet seen him), Lam
bert, who was armed with q carbine, took
deliberate aim and fired. The bear was
standing with his breast to the soldier at the
time, and the shot was well l.delivered before
the lore leg; but scarcely had the rifle cracked
when the monster, ultering terrific erowl,
rushed upon the unfortunate man. But little
of the struggle could be seen on account Of
the thickness of the bushes nor could any
one fire for the coseness of the combatants.
The bear had closed with Lambert, and, al
though the poor mans cries were pitiul, we
could render him no assistance. Over and
over they rolled on the ground, crushing the
brambles and even shaking young trees in
their struggle, until at last the bear was seen
to suddenly release his hold and limp away.
All of this occurred in less time than it has
, taken to tell it. We at once picked up the
poor soldier and found him covered with
, blood. With the aid of water from the
brook we revived him and bore him 10 the
+ camp.
Having no surgeon, a soldier by the name
of White, who had once served as a hospital
/ steward for some time, aided by Major Cor
= don, proceeded TO examine the unfortunate
! mans wounds. The scalp was torn from
i. the crown of Ills head, and hung down over
! the left car which was cut entirely In two
i Parts. The cheek was laid open near the
temple, and the flesh on the back, near the
!, left shoulder had been tom so that the air
;. from the lungs escaped in small puffs. In ad-
!, dition 10 these wounds, Lambert, in defend
Z ing himself, had thrust his lett arm into the
4 bears mouth, and it was badly crushed. A
4 bloodier or more pililul object than the
= wounded man could not be imagined. After
= repeated applications of cold water the blood
=. was staunched and the wounds sewed up.
# No one thought he could live, but Lambert
n said he would speedily get well. During the
g evening three bears came down and sat on
= the bluffs near our camp, but, as the soldiers
p said, we had not lost any grizzlies and so
4 did not attack them. I; was a sad night in
h camp, owing to the unfortunate adventure
,f oi tie afternoon, Nevertheless, we managed
=, to cut up and ca good part OF the bear
4, His iiesh was palaiable, and he would, when
4 dressed, have weighed not less than nine
hundred younds.