The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-05-28
TIONESTA, Pa, WEDNESDAY, MAY %, 1884,

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
a deep breath and struggled to his feet.
He then led him slowly to where the rest
Of the party had made a stand about
their wagon, and as he approached from
one direction came limping up from the
other, with bullet in my right leg. The
Indians had paid their general attentions
to the rest of us during the time Howard
was having his fight, but fortunately not
in force, and we succeeded in getting to-
gether at the wagon without the loss of a
man, | being the only one wounded
in. the whole engagement. AS soon
as Howard joined us we started
on the retreat for camp, the In
dians 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 volley of shots that would
tear up the earth all around us. This
was most terrifying to me, boy fresh
from school, who had never experienced
any sort of warfare, and had never seen
a 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 exhile-
rated by the excitement. He gave them
challenge by walking alone several hun
dred yards away on one side. They
charged, but retrcated when he kneeled
and fired.
Arriving at the camp after an hours
ride and running fight, we found the es-
cort thoroughly alarmed, and just starting
out to pick 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 rejoicing and congratu-
lation, as we had feared they had met an
untimely fate. A hasty couucil 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 larger escort and personal
body guard, beside it was necessary that
my wound should be dressed Conse-
quently it was decided to turn our faces
in the direction of Sheridan, which we
did, arriving there late IN the afternoon,
the Indians following us all the way seek
ing an opportunity to attack us again.
With them it had become question of
revenge, as they had lost heavily, while
we had escaped entirely.
The horse that carried Howard so nobly
through this fight ultimately recovered.
Three of tic five bullets we're extracted.
afterward took him home to Burlin-
game, where he was carefully fed and
pampered for some years till he died.
l recovered from my wound very
quickly, and within six weeks reioined
the party, receiving promotion to the
first place in the corps-that of transit
man-which 1 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
on record, as we fought against such
fearful odds. hope the narrative as l
have written it will bO Ineligible l
fear have not made it as clear as could
verbally. 1t always excites me to think
or tell of it.-Ne,O York Eoeniaa Post.