The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-07-20
bayonets was not calculated TO prolong
Custer. the Cavalryman,

Nine years ago party of forty-eight
disheartened and weary men, most of
them wounded, and all suffering from
thirst and hunger, fought under the
broiling sun OF the Kansas plains
against combined body of Cheyennes,
Kiowas and Arrapahoes. Ten days pre-
viously this party had pitched their
camp, after long days march, on the
banks OF Pond creek, q small stream in
the extreme west of Kansas that helps
to form the Smoky Hill river. Having
seen no Indians for many days they felt
secure, and their first evening on the
little stream was passed in singing,
smoking and telling stories. At dawn
Of the next day the two men who were
on guard saw three shadowy forms steal
ing in among the herd of horses pick
eted just outside the camp. Giving the
alarm the guards started in pursuit, but
had gone only few hundred yards when
they were surrounded by ut least hun
dred redskins, and before relief could
reach them borne off captives, never
more to be heard from.
In those broiling July days water was
obtained only by the darkness of mid.
night, and then in small quantities and
at the greatest risk. Provisions were
rapidly giving out, but mule flesh had
been found not unpalatable. Night af-
ter night were seen the innumerable
camp fires of the dreaded foe on the
bluffs of the little stream. Day after
day the naked and hideously painted
devils charged fercely on the little cor
raj of chained and slightly barricaded
wagons, their wild yells and storm of
hurting arrows being met by the uner-
ring bullet of the soldiers, and many a
brave bit the dust. Thus for ten long
days was the unequal conflict kept up,
hundreds against handful; and while
hope waned, the row of newly made
mounds Just outside the wagons in
creased in number, and the wounded
moaned and tossed under the thin tent.
Their only hope was in the efforts of the
bold scout, who, under cover of dark.
ness, had stolen from the environed
cala aud started for the distant Platte,
where Custer, with the gallant Seventh
| regiment, was protecting the settlers
along the fertile Republican and Little
Blue rivers. The scouts last words
| were: /" If 1 amt back in five days
you uiy huOW tuhb We bouc up. liz
| was never known to break his word
The evening of the ninth of July was
also the evening of the fifth day of thei
imprisonment, Just before sunset, {
cloud OF dust foated heavily over a dis
tant eminepce. Beneath it's shadow the
forms of horsemen were discernible, ant
the intensity of suspense was redoubled
At last one ghastly, blood stained
smoke begrimed and wounded man
too weak to bear carbine, cried out
q" It's Custer thank God, it's Custer
He had tainted from Joy.
In a few moments more the dimmes
eye could make out the slight form anC
bold carriage of the debonnair cavalry
man, as, with his long hair streaming
in the wind, crowned with its whit
sombrero and black plume, he dashed
up to the corral and cried out: Her
we are, boys; are we in time p " Yes
thank God |" was the answer, aud chez
after cheer from the rescued band ran,
out on the evening air. Even tn
wounded crawled from their tent to SCI
and Greer the noble Seventh with Custe
at its head.