The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-13
INDIAN FIGHTING.
"Reminiscences of the Raids of Sitting
BuII and His Painted Warriors


..Why do I keep that cartridge-box /
hung over nv desk? It's relic OF my /
life on the plains. for around that little /
box cluster some OF my greatest trials.
The speaker, a middle-aged man, was
seated in his Office on Court street.
lit first became mine when | Joined
the 22d regiment at Fort Gratlot IN
July. 1876. about the time brave Gus
ter and his command had gone to
slaughter Troops were hurried into
the field. On the 18th of the month our
detachment started for Fort Lincoln.
We found the garrison there very
small. all troops that could be spared
having been sent TO the front We
marched to Powder river, where we
met Indians in large numbers. Gus
ters command had left 4 lot of corn
on the right bank Of the Yellowstone.
and when we came up the redskins
were ferrying it across TO the other
/ bank.
1T was my first fight, and how mar
row was my escape that little hole IN
4 the box bears witness.
a few miles further on we reached
/ the Indian camp, and there found the
arms of the slaughtered command.
While there | took up a revolver !
found in a tent and put 1t in my inner
coat-pocket, trusting / might some
time need it. Continuing our march,
under the direction of Buffalo Bill. we
made for Glendive creek, and there
went into winter quarters.
The Indians lowered in large num-
bers about the camp. 1t was the uni
versal belief among the troops that 60
3
death. 1t was bv no means pleasant
news to me to be detailed to carry
the mail between Glendiye and Fort
Buford, seventv-fiye miles away. L
was accompanied by half-breed scout.
The trip was made successfully. After
we returned to camp / was sent with a
detachment of scouts to the headquar-
tiers at Glendive creek.
Three days after we arrived In
dams surrounded Us. Among the hills
were hundreds of savages in fierce war
paint The commanding officers met
in council. and about midnight | was
ordered to report. The colonel said:
1 want YOU to take this dispatch to
Fort Buford. Travel as fast as you
can, and deliver this in person to Col
Hazen: our ammunition and provisions
are giving out. ! started. The night
was clear and still. The guard let me
out through the picket line, and, lead
ING my horse, | stole off into the dark
ness, revolver in hand.
II started my horse on a slow trot
and rode at that speed for about TWEEN
ty miles until | rode directly into an
Indian camp. The dogs announced
my arrival, and in moment more the
Indians were in hot pursuit; but m y
horse was one to be relied upon, and
soon left most of my pursuers far be-
hind. There were two young bucks,
however, who kept close after my trail
for hours. My horse was becoming
winded and | determined to fight
Drawing my carbine l fired one shot
killing one of my pursuers' horses
which had some effect, as the IndiaI
cave up the chase At 10 o'clock the
next day | was in Fort Buford, and two
hours later a large body of cavalry
with a wagon train, started for the be.
sieCed camp. When | started to re
turn the train was about twenty mile
ahead of me. The wagon train missed
the right trail. | was unable to fine
the command. and after hunting sever
al hours in the rain | determined t.
start for the camp on Gleudive creek
NV horse was in bad condition, and
concluded | would camp for an hou
and make little coffee. 1t was nov
dark. Picketing my horse, | kindled
fire, and throwing aside all my arm
and taking off my belt | determined a
all hazards to take a rest.
Il was making myself comfortabl
when | heard what seemed to be tn
bark of a prairie wolf. | knew what
meant. There were Indians about, an
the bark was simply a signal. 1t wa
repeated, and then l noticed two dus
Ky forms stealing along the ground. NJ
loaded rifle was within reach, and
picking it up, took quick aim an
fired. A cry of pain followed, an
without waiting to heed the shouts c
rage / ran for my horse, and mounting
l started at break-neck speed, not 70
the fort, as | should have done, but i
the opposite direction. | found tina
, my arms were gone but one. | still
had the revolver | had picked up in tn
camp where we had found the arms O
ca Clusters men.
t5 rode all that night, and on the fol
n, lowing night ran successfully int
ng camp Glendive, without any troubl
It, save personal encounter with one In
ch dian near the picket line. The mex
to day Col. Hazen arrived with re-en
he forcements, and Sitting Bull and hi
es bloodthirsty savages were foiled. !
nd week after | was sent with a force t
d Fort Buford, and on the ground wher
T. | had left it was my rifle, and near b
ID the cartridge box.-Boston Globe.
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