The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-08-05
TWO GUNPOWDER STORIES.


The readers of ST. Nicholas who wer,
interested in the account of eth,
Coolest Man in Russia" printed in thu
number for January, 1878, may like t.
hear OF another exploit which, fol
pluck and daring, fully equaled that O
the young Russian officer. This Incl
dent occurred in 1S47, during our wal
with Mexico, and the hero Of it was {
boylsh Yankee sergeant, named Kena
DAY, then about nineteen years old.
In seeking to capture the City of Mex.
lco, the American army was obliged tc
take first the town of Churubusco
about six miles from the city. After
that, the main approach was by large
causeway, with ditch on each side,
and, at one place, a fortified bridge.
SO the American forces, under General
Worth, had to gain the bridge and
tight upon the causeway; aud, at one
point in the battle, the General found
himself separated from a part of his
troops. whom he wished to rejoin.
In the middle of the caushway, among
other wreck, stood baggage-wagon,
on fire, and, as the General and his
stall approached the blazing cart, they
suddenly discovered that it was laden
with gunpowder! They drew up with
a start, and waited results very anx-
lously. In a moment, however, Ser
geant A. M. Kenaday, then of the Third
U. 5. Dragons, motioned to three of
his comrades, and without a word the
four brave men dashed on to the wagon.
Although they could not tell how
| of hn L.
explode, these men determined to clear
a passage for their chief. The gunny-
bag covers of the boxes were shoulder
ing, and some of them were already
atiame, but Kenaday and another SOL
der mounted into the midst of the
blazing boxes, and fell to work in dead
earnest-quickly tossing them one by
one to the two other troopers, who as
quickly rolled them into the wet and
muddy ditch. Each wooden case, more
over, weighed about seventy pounds,
SO that to empty the cart was no light
labor.
Within few minutes, the cover of
the wagon had burned entirely off, and
the gallant four, almost exhausted with
heat and exertiOn, were soon after
stopped by General Worth. who rode
up to the wagon and ordered them out
This command was instantly obeyed,
and then the General and his staff
spurred their horses and made a rush
past the wagon at full gallop, while the
Sergeant and his comrades followed at
pace that soon put them out of danger.
But they had not yet caught up with
the Generals party when they heard a
loud report behind, and looking back,
saw no trace of the wagon, even when
the smoke had cleared. It had been
blown to atoms by the few cases of pow
der which they had left in it.
And this was not the only act of
bravery performed that day by the
young Sergeant, for later in the same
afternoon he joined in the famous
charge, led by General (then Captain)
Philip Kearny, on the San Antonio gate
OF the City of Mexico. In this
reckless onset, twenty resolute
dragons cut their way into the
city through six thousand of
the enemy's. panic-stricken soldiers.
General Scott, the American Command
er-ln-chief, said it was the bravest charge
ne had ever seen or read of, and full
account OF it may be found in almost ev-
cry history of the Mexican War.
Very different from the Young Ser
geant's powder-exploit, but quite
worthy to be ranked with it for COURAGE |
and self-sacrifice, was the other deed I |
have to tell about. This time, the act
OF bravery was performed by q girl
instead of boy, and the powder, in
stead OF making the danger, was the
very thing which she risked her life to
save. And the heroine of this story be-
longed not to an invading party, but to
small garrison who were besieged and
desperate defense.
This is the way it happened:
Among the important border out
posts OF the Americans, during the war
OF the Revolution, was Fort Henry,
on a bank of the Ohio River.
near Wheeling Creek. In 1777, it was
suddenly attacked by band of Indians
under the command of Simeon Girty, a
white man and Tory, noted for his
cruel hatred toward the Americans,
The Indians numbered nearly five hum
1red, but the garrison in the fort were
only forty-two, and, soon after the ,
'lege began, some thirty of these were
taught in an ambush outside of the fort
md slain. Only twelve men were now
eft to Colonel Shepherd, the American ,
but all these were good
and knowing that surrender ,
meant death for their wives and chill
lren as well as for themselves, they re- i
olved to fight to the last. II
But, alas! bravery availed them little, !
or it was not long before the little !
took OF powder in the fort was almost ,
Exhausted. and only a few charges re-
NAMED to each man.
In despair, the Colonel called his
rave little band together, and told
hem that at house some sixty yards i
Inside of the fort, which their enemies I
ad not yet dared to approach, there Q
7as a keg Of gnnpowder. Whoever 6
hould try to bring it into the fort 4
Tould be in peril of his life from the '