Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-07-30
FRONTIER LIFE.

FRONTIER LIFE.
To the Editor Of the Journal.
Perhaps it may be interesting to those who
peruse the pages of your paper to receive an
occasional sketch of frontier life from one
who has soldiered on the plains. AS most OF
my time from September 1861 to December
1869, was spent among the different tribes of
Indians who inhabit the mountains and plains
of New Mexico and Arizona, learned much
of the customs of that strange people. will
give you at this time an account Of the strong
affection of an Indian.
In October 1862, while en- route from Cal
afornia to the Rio Del Norte with my regi-
.nent, we were obliged to pass directly through
the Pemoe villages in Arizona, TO procure for
age for our horses, as our march thus far had
been very long and fatiguing one. The Penn
oes are peacible tribe numbering sbont 5000
warriors. Their villages are situated in q
pleasant and fertile valley on the banks of the
Rio Gila, which is very productive. The In
dians cultivate corn and wheat which they
raise with very little trouble. Just before ar
irving in the village were met by large
company of Indians mounted AMI armed each
man with his bow and arrow. At first they
seemed to be very much alarmed at our war.
like attitude, but upon being informed by our
Mexican guide, Don Diargo. that our object
in visiting them was to purchase corn and
wheat for our animals aud that we were going
then to fight their old enemies, the Apaches,
the whole band rode along in the direction of
the villages but soon returned with the prin-
cipal chief of the tribe, who welcomed us
with a shout that would raise the hair on the
head Of any one but an Indian. We were
conducted into the villages. where immediate
ly upon our arrival we were surrounded by
large number of painted warriors, who were
all eager to examine our carbines, pistols and
sabers.
Our commanding officer informed them
through our interpreter that the object of our
visit to their villages, was to purchase corn
and wheat, in exchange for Government
blankets, or whatever surplus truck we might
have, for Uncle Sans scrip was of no value
to them. We soon had all the forage that we
wanted. In the afternoon, on the day of our
arrival, my kunkee purchased chicken of
an old Indian woman, in exchange for small
piece of bacon. After cooking the chicken,
Veali and retired into our little tent, made
of a blanket hung on two poles, to protect us
from the sun and to enjoy our delightful re-
past. soon noticed an old, but noble look
ing Indian watching us very attentively. No
doubt our method of cooking was something
new to him. could speak the Spanish Ian
guage sufficiently well at that time to make
nlyscn understood, ana most OF the IeinOe
chiefs could converse in Spanish.
Thinking my Indian friend would like to
join US in our bountiful dinner, invited him
to be seated on the ground by our side, at the
same time handing him piece Of chicken and
hard cracker, which was about hard enough
to draw tears from the eyes of a shark.
Saw that he enjoyed it very much, and we
were soon on the most familiar terms. lie
informed me that he was great chief, and
that he had taken many scalps from the
Apaches He was very much pleased to learn
that part of our mission in that country was
to fight the tribe who have always been so
troublesome to the peaceable Pemoes. After
eating our chicken and hard-bread, with as
much water as we wanted from the clear and
sparkling Gila, then produced my pipe for
a sociable smoke, but Judge of my feelings,
when, after turning every pocket wrong side
out, not crumb could l find, and in fact,
there was not two ounces of the weed in the
Regiment at the time. When my old Indian
friend ascertained the cause of my sorrow, he
united small buckskin sack, which was sus-
pended around his neck, and handed it to me,
saying, "Help yourself" Imagine my sur
prise and JOY when l found it contained a
quantity of native tobacco. l filed my pipe
and passed the sack back with many words Of
thanks in the best Spanish of which was
=
hand when he emptied out the contents of the
sack, telling me to take the whole. l then
offered to pay him, but could not induce him
to take anything as pay for the tobacco. He
called me his friend. Some of the men tried
to purchase tobacco of him, but he would not
sell them any. had very pretty little PEN
knife which gave him, which he received as
gift, and was very much pleased with it.
After these little ceremonies had passed be-
tween us we were the best Of friends; and
many a time while stopping in the villages,
have accompanied the old chief into his viii
| lage, hand-n- hand, which is considered by
the tribe great honor conferred upon guest.
| have slept in his wigwam all night, feeling
as safe as in my mothers bed, and shall al
ways remember with pleasure the many
pleasant hours spent in his society. l think !
never had a more firm or true friend than the
old Indian; and while with him always tried
10 prove by every act of kindness that was
a true friend to him. He would often say to
me, ''Come, stay, live with me and you shall
be great war chief among my people" After
remaining in the villages about three weeks,
hearing that Gen. Sibley commanding law
less band of Texans, WAS marching up the
Rio Grande to Fort Craig, we were ordered
TO march for the latter place.
On the day of our departure from the vii
lagos, and just after forming ranks, l DIS
covered in the distance and direction of the
upper village a solitary horsenan coming
full speed. When he arrived a little nearer,
saw it was my old Indian friend, he rode
up to where was standing and presented me
with buckskin bag well filed with tobacco,
/ saying, stake this and remember your Indian