Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-22
frfam ,he Detroit Frei ssssst
scalped at Washita-What a Victim
says About It.

A victim of Indian vengeance in the pres
ent struggle along the borders and in the
Territories, and one that will forever have
cause 10 remember it, arrived In this city
Saturday night, departing yesterday for his
home IN New York, near Rutheld, Monroe
Co. His name IS Delos G. Sandbertson, and
he lost his scalp in the battle of Washita.
He says:
81 was IN the infantry. Custer had COM
maud Of the troops. There was quite force
of cavalry with US, but they were about
mile IN the rear when we first discovered the
reds. Some of the troops had been sent
around so as to attack from the other side
The reds were camped in sort of valley,
and we were within eighty rods of them for
half an hour before daybreak. just in the
gray of morning, the firing commenced on
both sides, aud we had it all our own way
tor few minutes, the cursed snakes being
much confused, and not knowing what was
up. At length they rallied, and we could
| hear Black Kettle shouting and ordering.
| The yermin got into holes and behind ROCKS
ANYWHERE they could find place, and be-
can 10 fight back with will. We fired
whenever we could see top-knot and shot
snuaws. there was lots of them, just as quick
as Indians We lust went in for wiping out
the whole gang. When it was fully day
light. we ali gave big yell and charged
right down into camp. The lodges were all
IL standing yet, and lots OF Indians IN them:
AS we ran through the alleys, pig req
Jumped out at me from behind tent, ana
belore could shorten up enough to run him
through with my bayonet, squaw grabbed
me around the legs and twisted me down.
The camp was then lull of men fighting, and
! everybody seemed to be yelling as loud as
, they could. When fell, / went over back
ward, dropping my gun, and had just got
, mart way up again, the squaw yanklng me
by tile hair, when the Indian dubbed my
: gun aud struck me across the neck. ID
a might lust rs well have run me through
- hut he wasn't used to the bayonet or didn'
thlnk. The blow stunned me; 1t didn't hui
in the least, but it gave me numb feelin
all over. l couldn't have got to my fet
then il all alone, while the squaw keI
screeching and pulling my hair out =
handslul.
~ heard some of our boys shouting clos
y by. and the squaw started and ran-one
u, boys killing her not three rods off. The !!
Nc dian stepped one foot on my chest, ana WI
!" his hand gathered up the hair near z
:, crown OF my head. lie wasn't very tenu
y about II, but ierked my head this way al
eli that, and pinched like Satan. My eyes we
NJ partially open, and l could see the bea
in work trimming on his leggings. Suddenl
" felt the awiulest biting, cutting nash
he round my head, and then it seemed TO I
~ lust as if my whole head had been jerk
Gu eu clean of. l never felt such pain in my Ii
H. why, it was like pulling your brains out.
-hi didn't know any more for two or three da
~ and then | came TO find that l had the sor'
llo head of any human that ever lived. Ii I
oW bows killed the viper, they didn't get ba
W. nv scalp; perhaps it got lost in the snow.
eV- was shipped down TO Laramie after .
ne and nil the nursing got haint made the hI
~, grow out on this spot yet. ("