Morris tribune., 1882-09-14
A Historical Buffalo Robe.

The Atlanta Constitution, in a recent
issue says: eyes," said well-to-do
business gentleman of Atlanta to a Con-
stitution representative yesterday, 'that
buffalo robe is old, worn, faded, ugly
and worm-eaten, but wouldn't take
$1,000 for it."
'Then you are not as sensible as I
thought you were" replied the reporter,
as he eyed the buffalo robe spread upon
the floor.
Sensible or not, mean it. I have
been offered 500 and 5000 for it repeat
;ediy, and once had an offer of $500.
See" continued the speaker. pointing to
the faded. .hieroglyphcs on the inside Of
the robe, "that was painted by Sioux
Indian artist 70 years ago, and for many
winters kept warm the body of one of
the greatest chiefs that tribe ever pro-
duccd. That robe was his treasure, and
for it he fought and many of his best
braves died"
''That's good speech and well delv-
cred, but it sounds like snake story"
remarked the cedar shower, as the gen
tleman paused, out of breath.
"NO, it is no snake story, and I will
show you why value that robe so much
My father was a Georgian, and when
Georgia sent her soldiers to the MeXi-
can war he shouldered his gun and went
along Prom the time left home till the
treaty of peace was signed he stayed
with his regiment and when at last he
came home that robe was all he brought.
with him. He pat great store by it, and
always kept it in his room. To his fam
lily he told how he got it. One day dur
ing the war he was scouting with de-
taChment of his regiment and came upon
a band of Indians. A fight was the re-
'snlt, and after few volleys the Indians
retreated, or rather those who could didt
so. Among the wounded was an old
chief, and when the soldiers came up to
where he lay on the battle field there;
was some talk of killing him, for he was
recognized as the most heartlnss, cruel
and fearless Indian on the plains, but
my father intertered, and from his own
c7nteen put water between the wounded
chiefs parched lips. But lis wounds
were mortal, and soon all knew that the
cruel. hcartless chief was diving. Just
before death he beckoned my father to
his side and by signs gave him that robe.
That is how it came into the family"
And that is why you won't take 500
for IT,"
''No, not exactly. Wheu the late war
came on | enlisted, and when my old
father sent my tricks to the camp he sent
that robe. l did not want to take it, be-
cause it was so cumbersome, but when
he insisted l yielded. Well, went to
Virginia, and while trotting around after
Stone wall Jackson lost the robe. l was
greatly worried over my loss, and used
every exertloQ to recover the old robe
Everybody in my regiment knew of the
robe, its history and its loss, and every
one kept an eye open fOrit, Well, about
the tune of the Cross Keys and Port Re-
public fights, | learned that my robe was,
in Stonewall Jackson's tent. | went to
see, and sure enough it was there.
When l entered the tent, or rather
looked into the tent, old Stonewall was
lying upon the robe. Finally mustered
courage to tell him of my loss. He heard
my story with patience, and then said
that the robe had been brought him
about week before by an Alabama SOL
dier. He offered to surrender it, but |
couldn't take it and told him to keep it
and at the same timegiving him its his
torv-and | would get it after the war if
he did not lose it. Well, he kept it. At
the battle of Charlottesville he received
his death wound, and when fe died he
died on the robe, and l believe some of
that red which looks like paint is some
of the hero's blood. After his death l
claimed the robe, then doubly dear to
me, and sent it home. Now, would you
take $1,000 for it? I can prove every
word of my story true"