Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-05-10

ing 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 emp
tied, and bullets few around poo
Howard on every side. Four mor'
entered the poor horse already 81
badly wounded, a bullet pierced
Howaad's clothes at his side, an
other cut the strap of his field glass
which was lost, another cut off hi,
spur, bursting the heel slightly but
not drawing blood fourth plerc
ed the wooden breech of his rife
as he carried it in his hand-almOsI
striking it from his grasp; otherS
struck the saddle, and in short they
seemed to strike everywhere but
where they were aimed. All this
time Howard was endeavOring tC
reach over his shoulder and get q
shot at the Indian, but at every
such movement the savage slipped
under the belly of his horse and
went out of sight, except a hand
on the name 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 Howard's horse, that had been
tottering shakily, from loss OF
blood, fell on. his knees, and the
Indian rushed up to end the con-
test. At that instant the horse
struggled to his feet again and
Howard saw that his opportunity
had come, his foe was at his side,
and he quickly thrust his rifle
against the Indians body and fired,
blowing a hole through that'seemed
as large as ones arm. The Indian
shrieked, leaped out of his saddle,
and fell to the ground upon his face,
dead.
Looking about, Howard saw the
remainder of the band following at
prudent distance, for by this time
they began to look upon him as a
god, invulnerable TO all their weap-
ons. When, at last, the poor horse
fell PROSTATE, and apparently dead,
they all focked up to make final
disposition OF their troublesome
enemy. But Howard, undaun-
ted, lay quietly down behind
the body of his horse, and when
they came within short range, took
deliberate aim and fired kill
ing another man. This unlocked
for disaster completely demoralized
them land they fled in all directions,
Within three minutes not an Indi-
an was in sight. He turned his
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 slow
ly to where the rest of the party had
made stand about their wagon,
and as he approached from one di-
rection l came limping up from the
other, with a bullet in my right
leg. The Indians had paid their
gentle attention to the rest of us
during the time Howard was hav-
ing his fight, but fortunately not
in force, and we succeeded in get
ting together at the wagon with
out the. loss of a man. / being the
only one wounded in the whole en-
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 volley Of
shots that would tare up the earth
all around us. This was. most ter
rifying to. me, a 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 war OF
the rebellion, and had seen three
years or more of border warfare
with Indians, was quite exhilarated
by the excitement, He gave them
a challenge by walking alone sew
eral hundred yards away on one
side. They charged but retreated
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 to pick up our
dead bodies, for they had seen so
many Indians about that they
made sure we were all killed. 1t
was Il scene of mutual congratu-
Iation, as we had feared that
they had met an untiinely fate. A
hasty counsel 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
4 larger escort and personal guard
besides it was necessary that my
wound should be dressed. Conse-
Iuently it was decided to turn our
aces in the direction of Sheridan,
which we did, arriving there late in
he afternoon, the Indians follow
ng us all the way seeking an OPP
Dortunity to attack US again. With
hem 1t became a question of re-
yenge, as they had lost heavily,
while we had escaped entirely.
The horse that carried Howard so
lobly through the first fight ulti- |
nately recovered. Three of the
i've bullets were extracted. af-
took him home to Burlin-
game, where he was carefully fed
ind pampered for some years till he
lied.
/ recovered from my wound very |
quickly, and within six weeks re- !
Oined the DartV. receiving promo
ion to the first place in the corps
hat of transitman-which l occu-
)ied until the road was completed. |
Our miraculous escape was long !
he subject of wonder on the from |
ier, where it was regarded as the |
most marvellous on record, as we |
ought against such fearful odds. j |
rope the narrative as i have writ
Ell it will be Ineligible. / fear / |
lave not made it as clear as could |
1t always excites me to |
hink or tell it.