Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-05-16

WIS WOulQ OOuDtleSs HaNc OnuCu tilC
fght, as the horse was a fine, high
spirited animal, superior to any OF the
Indian ponies. But the first shot re-
ceived at the beginning Of hostilities
had cut small artery, and from this
the blood was pumping out steady
stream that, together. with his violent
exertions, was fast sappi1g his
strength. The Indians, seeing this,
were encouraged to continue on pur-
suit, and their leader, mounted In an
American stage horse Stolen the day
before at station few miles back,
which they had burned, numbering
all the inma.es) succeeded so well IN
keeping pace with him that Howard
could almost feel the breath from the
nostrils of his pursuer's horse. Thus
they rode, nose to tail, for mile or
two, the Indian occupying the time
in shooting at Howard. Three pistols,
six shooters, he emptied, and bullets
flew around poor Howard on every
side. Four more entered the poor
horse, already so badly wounded, a
bullet pisrced Howa-d's clothes at his
side, another Gu the strap of his field
glass, which was lost, another cut off
eis spur, bruising the heel slightly,
but not drawing blood; a fourth
pierced the wooden breech of his rifle
as ha carried it in his hand-almost
striking it from the grasp; others
struck the saddle, and in short they
seemed 10 strike every where but
where they were aimed.
All this time Howard was endeavor-
ing to reach over his shoulder aud
get shot at the Indian, but at every
such movement the savage slipped
under the belly of his horse, and was
out of sight, except hand on the
mans and heel on the back. Finally,
all ammunition exhausted, the Indian
resorted to his spear, and with the
wooden handle gave Howard one or
two severe raps on the head, trying to
knock him out of his saddle-without
avail, but at last Towards horse,
that had been lettering shakily from
loss of blood, fell on his knees, and
the Indian rushed up TO end the con
test At that instant the horse strug-
gled to his feet again, and Howard
saw that his opportunity had come,
fls lOs wa dO Lilo DIiC, anu
thrust his rifle against the Indians
body and fred, blowing a hole
through that seemed as large as ones
arm. The Indian shrieked, leaped
out of his saddle, and fell TO the
ground on his face, dead.
Looking about, Howard saw the re-
mainder of the band following at a
prudent distance, for by this time
they began to look upon him as God,
invulnerable to all their weapons.
When, at last, the poor horse fell
PROSTATE, and apparently dead, they
all tlockea up to make final dlsposl-
ton of their troublesome enemy. But
Howard, undaunted, lay quietly do En
behind the body of his horse, and
when they came within short range,
took deliberate aim and fired, killing
another man. This unlocked for dis
aster completely demoralized them,
and they fled in all directions With
in three minutes not an Indian was
in sight He turned his attention to
his horse, loosened the girth to take
off the saddle, and was surprised
when the animal drew deep breath
and struggled to his feet. He then
led him slowly to where the rest of
the party had made stand about
their wagon, and as he approached
from one direction | came limping
from the other, with a ballet in my
right leg. The Indians had paid
their gentle attentions to the rest of
us during the time Howard was hav-
ing his fight, but fortunately not in
force, and we succeeded in getting to-
gether at the wagon, without the loss
of IL man. | being the only one
wounded IN the whole engagement
AS soon as Howard Joined us we
started on the retreat for camp, the
Indians harassing us the whole way
They would form in single file or all
abreast, and charge as though they
were going TO ride right over us, but
on getting within short range would
wheel and retire, after discharging a
volley of shots that would tear up the
earth all around us. This was most
terrifying to- me, boy fresh from
school, VINO had never experienced
any sort of warfare, and had never
even seen gun fired by one man at
another, but Howard, who had gone
through four years of the war of the
rebellion, and had seen three years or
more of border warfare with Indians,
was quite exhilarated by the excit-
mcnt. He gave them challenge by
walking alone several hundred yards
away on one side. They charged,
but reiterated when he kneeled and
fired
Arriving at camp after an hours
ride and running fight, we found the
escort thoroughly alarmed and just
starting out topick up our dead bodies,
for they had seen so many Indians
about that they made sure we were all
killed. 1t was a scene of mutual re-
joicing and congratulation, as we had
feared that they had met an untimely
fate
A hasty council of war was held as
to what was to be done. We were
unanimous in the opinion that it was
folly to continue work without a
larger escort and personal body
guard. besides it was necessary that
my wound should be dressed Con-
sequeAtly it was decided to tarn our
faces i'll the direction of Sheridan,
which we did, arriving there late in the
afternoon, the indians following us
all the way, seeking an opportunity
to attack us again. With them it had
become question of revenge, as they
had lost heavily, while we escaped
entirely.
The horse that carried Howard so
nobly through this flight ultimately
recovered. Three of the five bullets
were extracted Iafterward took him
home to Burlingame, where he was
carefully fed and pampered for some
years till he died.
recovered from my wound very
quickly, and within six weeks rejoin-
ed the party, receiving promotion to
the first place in the corps-that of
transit man-which l occupied until
the road was completed.
Our miraculous escape was long the
subject of wonder on the frontier,
where it was regarded as the most
marvellous an rnrprt Xra frnrbf