The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-22
COLORED TROOPS.
THEY WHO FoUGHT 80 MOLLY.
The sable Heroes Arrive I'm Chcy-
enne-How They Were Received
by Our Cftizens-Thc Hand
serennde.

- -
1t was bruited on the streets yesterday
afternoon that Capt. Dodge's D COM
pany, Ninth cavalry, colored, would ar;
rive on Nc. 4 train from the west, and
soon a crowd began to assemble to gaze
upon them. There was a good sized
delegation from the post present, in
Guiding the Fifth cavalry band, which
was ordered out by Lieut.. Davis to SER
enade the dark skinned soldiers.
By the time the train arrived several
hundred people were gathered on the
platform, among whom were many col
ored folks. Just as the train stopped
the band burst forth in fine style with
"Hail. the c~onquering hero comes.n
The colored boys occupied two cars in
the rear of the train, and Sergeant
Merrill, of Capt. Payne's company,
who was wounded at Milk creek, and
other soldiers, were on hand to greet
their colored friends as they emerged
from the cars.
They bore abundant evidence of hard
marching, looking pretty badly used up
as to clothing. Some of them man
aged to find carrying capacity for ham
bones, slabs of bacon, etc., which gave
impression Of an immediate siege. A
motley crew they are, too. Sergeant
Albert Fowler is the lightest in color
and most intelligent. They number 43
and represent all shades Of black. But
in every face there is seen determine
ton. One Of them has a face exactly
like that of Cetewayo, the captured
king of the Zulus, if the illustrated
likenesses Of the latter are true.
They are very modest about their 81
mile ride in "a hours, and other achiev-
ments, and do not realize that they did
anything extraordinary. But the re.
greet of all of them is that they didn't
have a chance to get even with the
Utes for killing all but four Of their
horses; and, by the way, even these
four were wounded.
Some friendly persons furnished Q
keg Of beer and glasses for the boys,
and, although beer is a Teutonic bever.
age, it was soon proved sufficiently cos.
mopolitan to tickle the African palate
in a delightful manner.
The company is under the command
of First Lieut.. Hughes, Capt. Dodge
having gone through the day before, in
order to report to Gen. Pope, at Leav'
enworth. The company boarded the
G. C. train, and as 1t moved off the
boys rolled out three hearty cheers for
the citizens of Cheyenne.
From Denver the company will pro
coed to Fort Union, New Mexico, where
it will be remounted, the horses being
even now In waiting. Then the field
will be taken Immediately, in order to
operate against the Apaches and Nava-
joes who have been lifting hair SO reck-
lessly of late.
The representative of the LEADER
engaged Lieut.. Hughes in conversation
about the merits of his company. He
said colored soldiers compare well with
white soldiers. They have been tried
several times and were never found
wanting. They are easily disciplined
and will never hesitate to go where they
are led. They will follow their officers
anywhere, and display great coolness
and determination. They hate Indians
with all the ardor of Indian hatred
toward black soldiers, and they are
always anxious for an opportunity to
vent their spleen. Lieut.. Hughes at
tested to their good staying qualities,
and expressed himself as willing to
trust his welfare to them as readily as
an equal number of white soldiers.
Relative to their movements from the
time John Gordon informed them of
the siege of Capt. Payne's command.
until they entered the pits along with
the besieged, Lieut.. Hughes preferred
to be silent. 1--WE simply did our duty,
and there didn't happen to be much to
do" said he, '.for Payne was safely en-
trenched." 49,