Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-08
NO. 265
Correspondence.
For the Kennebec Journal.
A RACE FOR LIFE.

In July, 1868, | arrived in Fort Craig,
New Mexico, with my company. We
had Just returned from a sixty days scout
in the mountains, and our horses were
not in the best condition for another tramp
until they had had little time to rest and
recruit. The men We're nearly all worn
out with our long and forced marches
through deep rayines, and over steep
mountains; when closely following an
Indian trail, we were not supposed to
kindle any fires, even when camping for
the night, as that would give the Indians
notice of our whereabouts, consequently
we are supposed to subsist on raw bacon
and hard tack, served up perhaps on
rock, while our horses are quietly nipping
the luXuriant blades of grass, or feasting
on the tender boughs OF the Mosquieto.
As | said, we had just returned from a
very successful hunt after a rowing band
of thieying Appaches, who had stolen and
run off lot of stock from an old lla-
cienda in the little town of Los Crusas.
However, we recaptured nearly all Of the
stolen stock, and punished the Indians
severely. And now that we had arrived
in comfortable quarters we hoped that
we should be favored with few days rest,
and perhaps enjoy quiet Fandango with
the dark eyed Senoritas of Parahhan, {:
small Mexican town on the banks of the
Rio Grande. But alas, how soon we were
doomed to disappointment. One fine day,
just as the dinner call had sounded, and
we were all anticipating a luxury consist
ing of IA boiled duff, which was rare
thing for us, as that part of the country
did not abound in luXuries, we were start
| led from our pleasant reverie by hearing
| the quick notes of the bugle sounding
''boots TO saddle" This call is one well
known to every cavalry soldier, for then
he knows that there is work to be done.
We were obliged to bid adieu, for the
time. to boiled duff and coffee. The loud
commands of the captain could be heard
above the clamoring of voices, the rattle
Of sabres, and clicking of carbines, order
| ing the men to fall into line by twos, and
forward march!
The cause of the alarm, as we soon
learned, was that band of rowing Appach-
es had attacked and were running off our
stock, which had been grazing on the
plain below the Fort, in charge of Mex
lean heardsmen. One of their number
had been dispatched to the Fort to give
the alarm, and one man had been shot,
and the Indians were running the stock
into the mountains. We being all the
men at the post at the time, of course
every man reported for duty must go. We
had about fifty men in all, who were well
mounted.
The herd of stock consisted of mules,
old worn out horses, and few beeves be-
longing to the post The object of the
Indians was to get the stock headed tor the
mountains, thinking if they could do this
that they would not be pursued. But we
were in good time to head them off, and
before they had gone far we were upon
them Their numbers were about equal
to ours, therefore every man singled cut
his Indian and started for him. As the
Indians were all well mounted on ponies,
we had to make running fight 1t was
my good fortune to be mounted on an ex-
cellent horse, one that had rode through
from California, and although | had six
horses during my term of service, never
found one that could stand so long march
or so swift of foot as this little California
horse.
Immediately after coming up with the
Indians, | singled out L tall chief mounted
on splendid pony. This Indian was
making directly for the mountains, no
doubt with the object of escaping us alto
gether. He was dressed in all the beauty
Of a warriors costume. having his head
adorned with eagle feathers, choice
ornament with the savages. His pony
was arayed with all the fancy trap
pings of Il great chief
Seeing nearly all of the boys engaged
in hot pursuit of the painted savages,
started for the old chief. determined to
capture him ii possible. Being mounted
on an animal fleet of foot, ! had the ad-
vantage OF the Indian, who seeing that
was rapidly gaining on him, made the
Ea- inn m "a
little group OF hills in the distance.
knew that if he should succeed in gaining
them my chances of securing him would
not be the best. Consequently | urged
/ on my horse to his utmost speed, loading
and discharging my carbine at his pony,
hoping to disable him; but Just as | had
begun to think that he would escape me
altogether, well directed shot struck the
pony in the leg, when he plunged forward
and fell upon the right lee of-the Indian,
holding him fast Thinking that | was
now sure of my game, charged freely
upon him. When within about twenty
wards OF him, and before could discharge
Il shot from my revolver, what did he do
but seize an arrow from Kiote skin,
suspended from his shoulder, and aim it
directly at my horse? The arrow, true to
its aim, struck my noble horse in the
breast, bufNlng Nsei hetily 70 tie hedu'
killing him almost instantly, My toe was
still held firmly under his pony, with
broken leo. As soon as my horse fell the
Indian continued to discharge arrow after
arrow at me, one of them passing through
my blouse, but doing no further damage.
Three shots from Colts Navy revolver
settled the business with the Indian. He
was the largest redskin that ever saw,
being over six feet in height. | soon saw
some of the boys coming TO my rescue.
As the Indians were all killed or wound
ed but five, who had succeeded in gaining
the hill before being overtaken, the
a wounded We're soon dispatched. l then
+ mounted behind one of the boys and rode
: into camp. BY the time we arrived at the
fort our appetites were well sharpened by
the days adventure. None of our num-
/, ber were killed, and but four We're
/ 4 - rel,.