The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-07-10
INDIAN FIGHTING.
"Reminiscences OF the Raids OF Sitting
Bull and His Painted Warriors.

"Why do / keep that cartridge-boX
hung over my deskp 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.
'It first became mine when l joined
the 22d regiment at Fort Gratiot in
July, 1876, about the time brave Gus
ter and his command had gone to
slaughter. Troops were hurried into
detachment started for Fort Lincoln.
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
ter's command had left a 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.
ut was my first fight, and how mar
row was my escape that little hole in
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 I took up revolver
found in tent and put il 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 GO
ing out of camp on scouting duty meant
death. 1t was by no means pleasant
news to me to be detailed to carry
the mail betwecn Glendive and Fort
Buford, seventy-five miles away. I
was accompanied by half-breed scout.
The trip was made successfully. After
we returned to camp was sent with q
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 l was
ordered to report. The colonel said:
i 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. 1 started. The night
was clear and still. The guard lot me
out through the picket line, and, lead
ing my horse, I stole off into the dark
ness, revolver in hand.
~ started my horse on q slow trot
and rode ut that speed for about TWEEN.
| ty miles until I rode directly into an
Indian camp. The dogs announced
my arrival, and in q moment more the
Indians were in hot pursuit; but my
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 l determined to fight.
Drawing my carbine / fired one shot,
killing one of my pursuers' horses,
which had some effect, as the Indian
gave up the chase. At 10 o'clock the
next day l was in Fo Buford, and two
hours later a large body of cavalry,
| with wagon train, started for the be-
sieged camp. When l started to re.
| turn the train was about twenty miles
ahead of me. The wagon train missed
the right trail. was unable to find
the command, and after hunting sever
al hours in the rain determined to
start for the camp on Glendive creek.
| My horse was in bad condition, and !
concluded would camp for an hour
| and make little coffee. 1t was now
dark. Picketing my horse, kindled q
fire, and throwing aside all my arms
and taking of my belt l determined at
all hazards to take rest.
ii was making myself comfortable
when I heard what seemed to be the
bark or q prairie wolf. knew what il
meant. There were Indians about, and
tho bark was simply signal. 1t was
repeated, and then noticed two dus'
ky forms stealing along the ground. My
loaded rifle was within reach, and.
picking 1t up, took quick aim and
fired. A cry of pain followed, and
without waiting to heed the shouts OF
rage / ran for my horse, and mounting
I started at break-neck speed, not fol
the fort, as should have done, but in
the opposite direction. found that
my arms were gone but one. still
had the revolver l had picked up in the
camp where we had found the arms OF
Clusters men.
rode all that night, and on the fol-
lowing night ran successfully into
camp Glendive, without any trouble
save personal encounter with one In
dian near the picket line. The next
day Col. Hazen arrived with re-en-
forcements, and Sitting Bull and his
bloodthirsty savages were foiled. A
week after / was sent with force To
Fort Buford, and on the ground where
I had left it was my rifle, and near by
the cartridge box.-Bost0n Globe.