The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-07
ssPHE PESKY REDSKINS. ~

| tunjfy efBers before he leaves the city; ii not
il will be rented.
'sPHE PESKY REDSKINS"
BRAVES ON TEE WAR PATH-FIRINs Al THE
NAIL TFsAIs-LoOKING FOR BRgsH.
A letter to the Chicago Times gives some
particulars Of the Indian movements, ia In
dian territOry= The Indians evidently mean
business now. Within the psss three days
they have made attacks on ourUail wagons
and in each case soldier was seriously
wounded. That any account Of these incl
dents may be better UNDERSTOOD it is neces-
ssry that should explain that our nearest
railroad station aa9d regular postoHfice is
Dodge City, distant from here 9sfHiles, ne az
" due north. The mail service between here
and there is perfoF1led under the direction
ambulance, or lighs wagon, drawn by mules
Is used. There are two stations between
here and Dodge City,-the first at the
Gimarron crossing, 80 miles from here the
second at Bluff creels, b miles further AT
each of these-the Raules are changed. By
this arrangement the mail wagon is enabled
20 make round trips every four days. The
stations haveusually been guarded by four
or five men and a. n6u-eommissioned officer,
though recently tha5 number was increased.
The last outgoing mail, accompanied by
the usual escort, a non commissioned officer
and two men, exclusive of the driver, Left
here last Friday, the 19.h. Between /
land 2 O'Clock on that day, Just as
the mail wagon had crossed Buffalo creek,
a small stream, %, miles from here, four
| Indians firedinto it from an ambush, one
of the shots seriously wounding Corporal
Shearer in the upper part OF the thigh. The
corporal was sitting on the drivers seat.
The guards hurriealy seized their arms.
while the driver piled the whip to his team,
and galloped up the hill. The Indians who
were mounted, followed, and commenced
discharging their 7evolvers in their usual
unsteady manner. BY this time the soldiers
began to set their work in and fireGssevezal
shots. One OF the Indians was seen TO
tumble from his horse and then
ALL DISAPPEARED.
The wagon continued on. Early On ,yester-
day mornIng Saturday it arrived in Dodge
City, delivered the mail, end received a fresh
lot. Onaarriving at Fort Dodge, which is
only short distance from the town, she
guard in charge learned that Major c. E.
Compton, special inspector, and Dr.. Glover
Perm, medical director of the department.
were about to start for Camp Supply, ac-
companied 10y IA men. 1t was then ar
ranged that the mail should accompany these
officers ard their escort. Major Compton
and DIR. Perrin occupied an, ambulance,
while the escort was equally divided aud
placed in two others; the mail wagon
brought up the rear. Ths little train
left Dodge City some time time before noon,
and trotted briskly along. Nothing haepened
until the party reached Buffalo creek. They
passed the locality where the mail wagon
had been attacked on its way up, had crossed
the creek and were coming to the conclusion
that there were no Indians about, or that if
there were any, they were afraid to attack
so large party, when suddenly party of
Indians sprang up as it were cut of the
ground, and fired volley into the wagons.
On leaving the creek crossing, there are two
roads leading up rather sharp hill, known
as the old and new road. The new road is
the most Travelled, and, although the easiest
to ascend for loaded wagons, is bounded on
each side by deep ravines and high banks al
ternately. Among these natural covers the
! Indians had posted themselves 40 strong. But
as good luck would have it, the little train
had taken the old road. The Indians notice
this at once, and commenced changing
| their position Bot n effect their moyemen MT
it became necessary for UhoIn to show them
selves. 1t was then portion of tieun com
| menced firing at the soldiers. The escort OF
IA men and the mail guard jumped from
their wagons and deployed as skirmlshers, al
the same time moving toward the top of the
hill. continued fire was kept up all this
time, the Indians discbarging their revolvers
very wildly, and while on the run. After
the escort and train had reached the sum
pose themselves further, disappeared be.
hind the banks and into the ravines. It is
estimated the Indians fired
/ MORE THAN A HUNDRED SHOTS.
There were many "close calls" of course.
i A number of the leaJen messengers went
whiZzing by in very close proximity tC
Major Compton and DIR. Perrin. Still only
one soldier was struck-Private O'Shean.
one OF the mail guards. A bullet passed
through the fleshy part of his arm, above
the elbow. AS to the Indians. il ia no;
known what injury they sustained. Durine
the skirmish one was seen to fall off his pony
but he may have been only slightly wound.
ed. The Indians showed themselves again
and, in fact followed the ain for about two
miles, but they kept at respectable dis
tance. 1t is said that an Indiar
will take anything, but there is one
thing he never takes, viz, chances
The arrival of the mail one day ahead o.
time, bringing the news of the two attacks
has created considerable excitement in the
post. As 1 write, a portion of one of the
cavalry companies stationed here is getting
ready to 90 up the Dodge City road to meet
a government train of 10 six-mule teams
and wagons, on its way here, and which is
expected to arrive at the Cimarron crossing
this evening. 1t is thought that this large
: number of fat mules will raise the cupidity
of the braves in an extraordinary,
degree, and that, as it is pro-
jected by only seven or eight men,
exclusive of the drivers, it is necessary to
hasten to its protection. The expedition, if
it may thus be called, consists of 40 men of
company 1, 9th cavalry, and is commanded
by Captain Chaffrey. This officer is a vet
eran Indian fighter, and should il become
necessary, he will not hesitate to let the
Indians know that the government has not
yet decided to include mules among its
annual gifts to them. A raid or dash into
the post is looked for at any time. The
greatest precautions are being TAKEN. Lee
& Reynolds mules are hobbled and herded
carefully during the day, and securely cor
raled at night. The escort for the mail
wagon will hereafter consist of ~ men.