The National tribune., 1886-02-18
A HORSE RAID.
The Cherokees Stampede the Animals at Fort

ihe tHer0keeS stampede the Animals at Fort
| Gibson.
The fever for war "reminiscences has reached
| even the Cherokee Adgocate, the organ of the
Cherokee Indians, and which is printed half in
English and half in Cherokee The last issue
| contains the following account of an affair in
which the Cherokee Indians took part:
In the Summer of 1863 Gen. Cooper was in
command of mixed white and Indian Con-
federate force, composed of Texans Choctaws
Cherekees and Creeks. Their camp was in the
neighborhood of Coody's Creek, few miles
| southwest of Fort Gibson on the south side of
| the Arkansas River. Gen. Waite was second in
command, having charge of the Cherokee and
Creek regiments. The Federals, under Col.
Phillips, were then engaged in fortifying Fort
Gibson, and Gems. Waite and Cooper were anxi-
Gus to lind out how their neighborS were getting
| along without the trouble of paying them an
actual visit. Besides, they had not been in
vIted.
"It was agreed between Cooper and Waite to
send two youngsters of Watie's command with
an old telescope to high hill that overlooked
Fort Gibson and prairie some four miles off
These scouts spent two days alternately look
ing through the tube and encouraging a lass
whom they found living under it. They could
not make out how the ortifcaton was progress
ing, look as hard as they might. But they OBJ
served that many hundreds of horses mules
and ponies were sent out early in the morning
day, from one to three miles Off This fact was
duly reported to Gen. Waite, and it was about
all that was reported of any value. Little as it
was, 1t was enough to give Waite an idea of
some Importance. 1t was known that the Fed
eral force was much superior to ours in arms
and discipline, if not in numbers. Waite de-
cided to cripple the enemy by stealing his
| horses under his very nose. The plan was pro-
posed to Cooper. Cooper did not like it, but
after two days urging he gave his consent to
the attempt.
AT noon next day 600 Cherokee and LOO
Creeks rode out of camp for Hildebrand's Ford.
1t was known that the ford was not pcketed
by the Federas. We crossed the Arkansas
about dark, 10 miles from the fort with eight
hours to get there, Eli. The eight hours ex-
tended to 10, then II, before we got to the top
OF Bayou Mountain, above Scott's. The COM
mand had got sleepy in the night and part
OF 1t had taken the wrong road. 1t was fully
o'clock before the fractions were again con-
centrated and ready to swoop down on the un-
suSpecting herdsmen in the prairie below.
- Three of the best companies of the Cherokee
regiment were detailed for that special pur-
pose, and IN about half hour tremendous COM
motion all over the prairie proved that Hey
had lost no time at any rate. Little pufs of
smoke were seen within radius ofseveral miles,
men were seen running into the fort afoot and
horseback, and herd after herd came laundering
past the main command, which Waite had dis
mounted and formed at the edge of the prairie
to check pursuit In another half hour every
loose horse on the prairie was being driven at
full speed up the hill where our command had
descended. company of Federals followed
hard after, but were stopped by Waties line of
Greeks. Another com pany did no better. They
dismountcd and fired at us about 400 yards OFF,
1t was here that a gallant and popular young
man named George West was killed. 1t was
here also that something happened to good
old Captain in the Cherokee regiment named
BuSsard He was never seen or heard of
again West was honorably buried next day.
The Fcderals suddenly thoaght of their can
non. In short time six pieces arrived at
gallop from the Fort and commenced lombard
ing WatieS line in the edge of the timber.
The Creeks complained that the enemy was
firing wagons at them, and waited for 10 orders
to fall back. 1t was a regular rout Their
ponies were sound and strong, and they diSap-
peared up and over the mountain and away in
less time than it takes to tell it. Waite him.
self was left behind. He drew one side and
saw detachment of mounted Federals pass by
in hot pursuit. Waite had anticipated this,
and had ordered one of his best companies to
take position about half way up the hill and
ambush the advance guard of any pursuing
force. He went there. There was no sign of
his company. Pursuers and pursued had passed
on. He took the trail of the company and
found them stationed and waiting on another
road. They had mistaken his orders. Waite
was convinced that the Feds in pursuit were
acting without orders, as the squad was small
not more than so or 40-and not supported.
He put himself at the head of his newly found
company of excellent soldiers and leisurely fol-
lowed on the trail the others had taken.
1.-The result may be guessed. AS for the
horses and mules, amounting to about 1900,
they were already safe beyond risk of recap
ture. The fiery Feds who pursued the retreat
ing Creeks, ran their horses until they were
blown and nearly useless. By little parties of
three to six they were slowly and deliberately
returning when they met Waite and his COM
pany of fresh men, and were successively COB
bled up with ease. No mercy was asked or
shown. Human skulls and bones can yet be
found on that route-all that is left of the
headstrong party of Federas who pursued,
without waiting for orders, because the enemy
fled.
"It ought to be mentioned that when Cooper |
was informed that Waite had begun his attack,
he opened with his three field pieces at Nevins |
Ford as though an attack from that quarter
was intended. The feint was successful and
allowed Waite free field to make his capture. |
"The object of the expedition was successful. |
The Federals did afterward attack and defeat |
us at Honey Springs, but their horses were
gone and they could not follow"