The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-04-23
INDIAN FIGHTING.
"Reminiscences of the Raids OF sitting
BAN and His Painted Warriors.

s'Why do 1 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 nliddle-aged man, was
seated in his Office on Court street
eft first became mine when 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
the field. On the 7th 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
ter's command had LETT 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.
at 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 took up revolver I
found in tent and put it in my inner
coat-pocket, trusting 1 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.
1.-The Indians lowered in large num-
bers about the camp. It was the uni
versal belief among the troops that go
ing out of camp on scouting duty meant
death. It was by no means pleasant
news to me to be detailed to carry
the mail between Glendive and Fort
Buford, seventy-five miles away. ]
was accompanied by hah-breed scout.
The trip was made successfully. After
we returned to camp was sent with q
detachment of scouts to the headquar-
ters 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 saidi
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 started. The night
was clear and still. The guard let me
out through the picket line, and, lead
ing my horse, I stole off into the dark
ness, revolver in hand.
81 started my horse on q 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 a 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 l fired one shot
| killing one of my pursuers' horses,
which had some effect, as the Indiar
gave up the chase. At 10 o'clock the
next day was in Fort Buford, and two
hours later large body of cavalry
with 8 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 fine
| the command, and after hunting sever
| al hours in the rain l determined Il
start for the camp on Glendive 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, l kindled 1
| fire, and throwing aside all my arm
and taking off my belt I determined a
all hazards to take rest.
81 was making myself comfortable
| when heard what seemed to be tn
bark of a prairie wolf. knew what i
meant. There were Indians about, ant
the bark was simply a signal 1t wa
repeated, and then noticed two dus
Ky forms stealing along the ground. NJ.
loaded rifle was within reach, and
picking it up, took quick aim ant
fired. A cry of pain followed, ant
without waiting to heed the shouts o
rage ran for my horse, and mounting
started at break-neck speed, not TO
the fort, as 1 should have done, but il
the opposite direction. found tina
my arms were gone but one. I still
had the revolver had9icked up in tn,
camp where we had found the arms o
Clusters men.
rode all that night, and on the fol
lowing night ran successfully int
camp Glendive, without any trouble
save a personal encounter with one In
dian near the picket line. The mex
day Col. Hazen arrived with. re-en
forcements, and Sitting Bull and hi
bloodthirsty savages were foiled.
week after was sent with force Il
Fort Buford, and on the ground wher'
had left it was my rifle, and near b,
the cartridge box.-BOsto's Globe.
|