Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-01-07
Indian Forays Upon White Villages.


With war parties returning from {
foray upon the settlem cnts, says Gen
Custer, the first object is to place as
long distance as possible between
themselves and any party which may
be in pursuit TO accomplish this, ns
soon as they have completed the dc.
struction and bavoc.of which the set
TORS are the victims, the entire party
usually numbering from fifty to on,
hundred warriors, collect at a point
near the settlements previously agreed
upon, and at once begin their flight
toward their village, probably located
at least two hundred miles from the
scene Of their attack. Being mounted
as all war parties are, upon tho fleet
est of Indian ponies with extra animals
driven along, little or no rest for either
pony or rider is taken during the first
lwenty-four hours, by which time II Is
no unusual feat for war party TO
traverse q distance of one hundred
miles.
During the early part of the fight
every precantion is adopted to prevent
leaving a heavy trail, or one easily to
be followed; to this end, instead OF
moving. as is customary, in single file,
thereby leavinga clearly defined path,
each warrior moves independently
of bis fellows, until all danger from
pursuit is safely passed, when the
party falls into single file, and, with a
chief Mt the head, moves along in al
most unbrokcn silence. If during an
attack upon the frontier settlements
the Indians should encounter unex.
pccted and successful resistance, neces-
stating premature withdrawal and
fight on their part, they still resort
10 stratagem in order to secure their
safety. In accordance with plan
previously formed and understood by
each member of the party, and speci-
ally provided for an emergency, the
war party finding themselves about to
encounter successful resistance on the
part of tho fronticrsmen beat o hasty
retreat; but instead of taking their
fight in single direction and in one
party, thereby leaving an unmstaka-
bic clue for their pursucrs, tho entire
party breaks up into numerous small
er bands, each apparently fleeing in
an independent direction, q few OF the
best mounted Usually falling behind
to attract the attention of the pursu.
ers and give time TO those Of the party
who are burdened with prisoners aud
captured stock to mako good their es-
cape. eth
In such an emergency as this, rem
devious for the party has been pre-.
viously fixed upon. Its location is
usually upon or near water course or
prominent land mark, distant perhaps
thirtyor forty miles ;thitber all small
er parties direct their course, each by
separate and usually oircuitous
course. Should either of these small
Ter parties find themselves closely pur-
sued, or their trail being followed and
all efforts to throw the pursucrs of
prove nnavailing, they relinquish the
plan OF uniting with the Others at the
established rendezvous, as that would
imperil the safety of their comrades,
and select q new route leading neither
in the direction of the rendezvous nor
OF the village, in order not only to
elude but mislead their pursuers. =.
Then ensnes long aud tiresome fight,
until, having worn out or outwittcd
their pnrsucrs, OF whose movements
they keep Themselves thoroughly in
formed, they make their way In safety
TO the village. At tho latter, look
outs arc constantly kept on some
prominent bill 10 waich the coming of
the absent warriors, and give notice Of
the approach. A war party returning
from a successful raid into the settle,
ments, and bringing with them prison
ers and captured stock, is an event of
the greatest importance TO every occu-
pant OF the village. Having arrived
within few miles Of the village. and
feeling safe from all danger from pur-
suit, the chief in command of the war
party causes signal smoke to bo
sens up from some high point along
the line of march, well knowing that
wa'cniu. eyes near the village are %
me alert and will not fail to observe
the signal and understand its meaning.
1t ls wonderful to what q state of
perfection the Indian has carried this
simple mode of tclcgrapbing. Scat.
tered over great portion ofii,e plains,
from British America in The north al,
most 10 tho Mexican border op nc