Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1876-08-10

the creek, in 8 part-lke clearin
there were a few lodges, and t
whole line crossed the creek to ff1s
the lodges deserted and be receiRs
by about 200 yelping, yelling rees
skins. The fire from the numerical
superior force neceasitateda retrea
which vas almost impossible, as 8
were now surrounded by warrior
When we eatered the engagement vi
were only 100 strong and the fire Of
the enemy had made havoc in our
little band.
THE DESERTED GUIDoN.
When we were half way over the
creek I, being in the rear, noticed a
guidon planted on the side we had
left, and returned to take it. When
coming through the wood the guidon
entangled itnelf in the branches and
slipped out Of my hand. 1 dismount-
ed to pick it up and led my horse up
the south bank of the creek. AS ]
was about to mount, my horse was
struck with a bullet, and, becoming
frightened, he ran into the Indians,
leaving me dismounted in the compa-
ny of about 800 Sioux not more than
fifty yards distant.
CUT OFF FROM HIS COMMAND.
They poured whistliug volley at
me, but I was not wounded, and man.
aged to escape to the thicket near by,
where I would have an opportunity
of defending myself and selling my
life at a good high figure. In the
thicket I found Mr.. Gerard, the in.
terpreter, half breed Indian, and
Private O'Neil, of Company G, Sew
enth cavalry. The first two of the
quartet had their horses, while O'Neil
like myself, was dismounted. l told
the owners of the horses that the
presence of the animals would be-
tray us, suggesting at the same time
that they be stampeded. They declin-
ed to act on the suggestion, and ]
left them and crswled through the
thick underwood into the deep, dry
bottom of the creek, where I could
N % easily discovered and from
whence I hoped to be able, under
cover of darkness, to steal out and
rejoin the command. I had not been
in this hiding place more than ten
minutes when I heard several pistol
shots fired in my immediate vicinity
and shortly thereafter came the sill
very but to me diabolical voices o.
several "squaws." I raised my head
with great caution to see what the
women were at and to discover their
exact location.
soUAws AT sCALPINa.
I found the women at the revolt
ing work of scalping soldier who
was perhaps not yet dead. Two o.
the ladies were cutting away, while
two others performed sort of wal
dance aroun'l the body and its mutt
lators. l will not attempt to describe
to you my feelings at witnessing the
disgusting performance. You, as the
father of q family, can imagine what
another father would feel on such 8
terrible occasion. I confess I thought
of my dear wife, my dear children
relatives and friends, whom l woulc
probably see no more, and there be
fore my eyes was being performed
what, in the event of discovery
would be my fate. I determined t.
hope to the last, die as I had lived
and sell my life as dearly az posi-
BILE. Finally the squaws went away
probably to hunt for more victims
and 1 employed the time thinking o
my perilous position.
SURROUNDED BY FIRE.
While thus engag ed I heard
cracking noise near me, which OF
investigation I found proceeded from
the burning wood, the Indians hsv'
ing ignited a FIRE. The wood being
very dry the fire made rapid head
way, and I was forced from my hi
ding place. I crawled out of thf
creek bottom the same way l had ap'
preached, and as I was about to as
cend the bank I heard voice call
ing, Lieutenant Lieutenant 7"
could see no one, but the call wal
repeated, and advancing few yards
in the direction from which it pro-
ceeded I found all three of the party
I had left short while before hid
den in the bottom of the creek. Mr.
Gerard told me he had left the
horses, tied together, where I had
seen them, and followed down after
me
7 found that the party, like myself
were afraid of the progress of the
FIRE; but fortunately for US the wind
subsided and a little rain fell, which
thank God, was sufficient to arrest
the flames and revive our hopes that
we might be able to remain there till
night. It was now three o'clock P.
M-sir mora horlra TO yait-and