The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-23
A Deed Of Honor.


both an explorer OF the wilderness and
DO its double work Il requires the
aid Of men who know both tle
country and the Indians. Some
of these guides, such as "Old Bridger,"
Kit Carson, Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill,
have become famous.
One of the best and bravest OF these
plains celebrities is Amos Chapmpn,
who has been government scout for
the last fifteen years. He is sober,
quiet sort of man, and SO heroic
that il he had lived in the age of chiv-
airy every true knight would have
greeted him as a comrade. The lofty
manhood of the man is shown by one OF
his desperate adventures, narrated in
Colonel Dodge's book on "Our Wild
Indians"
In 1874 General Miles, while opera
ting against the Indians, sent six men,
Chapman being one, with dispatches to
department headquarters. One morning
as the party was riding along every
man was wounded by volley, and in an
side. Dismounting and abandoning
their horses the band moved to "buf-
falo wallow," shallow depression in
the prairie. BY working hard and fast
the depression was so deepened as to
afford cover. One of the men, Smith,
had fallen from his horse at the first fire
and was supposed to be dead. Seeing
him move slightly, Chapman said:
"Now, boys, keep those redskins off
me and will run down and pick up
Smith, and bring him back before they
can get at me-"
Laying down his rife he sprang out
of the "wallow," ran with all speed to
Smith, seized and attempted to shoulder
him. "Did any OF you ever try to
shoulder wounded man ?" asked Chap
man, when telling the story. ''Smith
was not large man, one hundred and
sixty or seventy pounds, but declare
to you that he seemed to weigh a ton.
Finally laid down and got his chest
across my back and his arms around my
neck, aud then got up with him. 1t was
as much as could do to stagger under
him, for he couldn't help himself bit.
BY the time had got twenty or
thirty yards about fifteen Indians came
for me at the full speed of their ponies.
They all knew me, and yelled Amos
Amos we've got you nowp
81 pulled my pistol, but 1 couldn't
hold Smith ON my back with one hand,
SO let him drop. The boys in the
'wallow' opened on the Indians just at
the right time, and l opened on them
with my pistol. There was tumbling
of ponies and scattering of Indians,
and in q minute they were gone. 1 got
Smith up aRain and made the best pos
sible time, but before could reach the
'wallow' another gang came for me. I
had only one or two shots in my pistol,
so didn't stop to fight but ran for it.
When l was within twenty yards of the
'wallow,' little old scoundrel that 1
had fed fifty times rode almost on me
and fired. fell with Smith on top Of
me, but as didn't feel pain, thought
had stepped in hole. The Indians
couldn't stay around here minute, the
boys kept it red hot; so 1 picked up
Smith and got safe into the 'wallow.'
Amos said Dixon, you are badly
hurt
"'No, I am not, said I.
"'Why, look at your Leg
"And sure enough, the leg was shot
off just above the ankle joint, and had
been walking on the bone dragging the
foot behind me. In the excitement
never knew it, nor have I ever had any
pain in my leg to this dav."
The surgeon ut Camp Supply ampu-
tated Chapman's leg below the knee,
more than two weeks after the receipt Of
the wound. In week thereafter L had
to take away his clothing to keep him
in bed. He is as still useful and as
ready to fight as any two-legged scout.
| RaOtn MOdaytIV