Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-29
MORE DEvILTRIES BY THE .CN.
TUTORED..
The Sioux Murder Two Soldiers.
A Thrilling story and Wonderful
Escape.
[Correspondence of The Star. |


FORT FETTERNAN, WYOMING TERRITORY.
November 1lth, ls69.-EditOr Star: Another sad
tragedy presents itself i'm this quarter. Two
more victims OF the "untntored' sleep in our
graveyard. Let this new horror be ehronicled
against barbarism and preached against its tole
ration, that the Government, which has hitherto
submitted in mistaken mercy 10 the atrocities
of these murderOus fends, may consider
whether il Is best TO let her own faithful sub
jects and soldiers suffer at their hands, rather
than visit just, swift, and terrible retributIon
upon the Indians.
On Thursday last, three men-McKenna,
AcAlltstsr and W Wentworth-of X company. I'd
cavalry, went out from this post hunting. Night
overtaking them near the entrance to La Prelle
Canon. hfteen miles from here, they turned into
secluded glen, stationed one of their number
to watch, and the other two made down their
beds and went to sleep side by side. About
midnight-it being cold-the watehman made
hre. Fatal mistake! Soon after this he laid
down with his comrades, doubtless not intending
TO go TO sleep. One of his comrades Went
WORTHY awakening for a moment, warned
him of his imprudence, but received an
assurance that all was well, and again fell
asleep. Ii is probable that the sentinel did the
same. few minutes afterward a terrific dis
charge of firearms from every side of the
sleepers, in such close proximity that the pow
der burned their faces, proved the folly of their
watchers feeling OF security. One of the men.
Mckenna, did not move, ball had pierced his
temple, another his heart and four had entered
his breast. McAlister sprang up with a single
exclamation and fell back dead, pierced by half
dozen bullets. Wentworth, who was sleeping
between the two, was not scratched. Being a
man OF great nerve and much experience with
the Indians, his plans were instantly matured
and as quickly executed. Seizng his pistol O. he
slipped from the side of his dead comrades, he
shot the Indian he confronted as he rose; jumped
over his PROSTATE body-knocked down the next
In his path with the butt of his weapon-dodged
the rest-sprang in among the ponies from
which the sayages had dismounted and run
rfr nnnh fIa l.ar Il
under cover of its friendly bushes ESCAPED
his pursuers and came barefoot over the rag
ged rocks and Prickly pears to the
post, where he arrived about o'clock in a con-
ditiOn to move the heart of the most unfeeling
The flesh of his heels and the balls of his feet
were worn to the bone, and on their raw surface
he had made most of his terrible march for life.
On receipt of the information the company in
stantly proceeded to the place and found the
bodies as he had described, but, strange 10 saw
neither scalped or mutilated. Stranger still,
their guns, ammunition, overcoats, saddles and
bed blankets, were all there undisturbed One OF
their horses had been shot and left the other
three were taken OF by the red devils. Captain
Egan was accompanied by Black Coal and an
other Arrapahoe of Medicine Mans band who
assisted him materially i'm deciphering the trail
and reading the signs of the war party
Jose Merayell, the post gside, was also
matters. He and Black Coal agree
that the fact of the Indians not taking the guns
and other property is attributable to their hay-
ing luarrel among themselves over the dyi-
sion Of the spOils, which may have been settled
10y the chief having them leave everything
there. They estimate the force at about sixty.
and say all the indications show them TO have
been Sioux, and probably of Red Clouds band.
The story Of Wentworth 's escape NAV be deemed
rather hard to swallow, but it is true. neyerthe-
les, as any OF the officers of his company will
readily avouch. Nor is this the first THRILLING
adventure of which he has been the hero.
Though but private soldier he is an old from
tiersman, and possesses the esteem and CONT
dence OF his officers to an unusual degree. He
is "dead shot," a man without fear, well
skilled in Indian tactics, and fairly entitled TO
rank with those men of whom Kit Carson was
the unequaled chief. He says this is the most
unaccountable of all his escapes; and we doubt
not i'm after years when the old soldiers relate to
their children the stories of his adventures fkis
one will be received with some allowance, how
j. H. P. JR.