Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-13
AN INTERESTING COMANCHE.
An Indian Who Fought with the COnfed-
crates.
Council Bluffs Uowa) Nonpareil.

At the tranfer depot reporter met
full-blooded COmanche Indian, who was
awaiting the departure of an east-bOund
train. and, engaging him in conversation,
learned that he was en- route to st. Louis
from Blair, Neb., near which place he has
a brother who is engaged in farming. He
seemed to be one of the most intelligent
representatives of his race, and, to Judge
from his conversation, one can observe
that he has been fairly educated. In re-
Spouse to the reporters query as to his
birthplace and what tribe he belonged to,
he said:
8 [ was born near what is known as Fort
Stanton, in New Mexico, and am full
blooded Comanche by birth. At the age
of years |, in company with thirteen
others, was taken from the tribe and put
in the Christian Brothers mission school
at New Orleans, where l remained four
years and secured what education have.
Out of the fourteen that were put in the
school there are only three that [ know
anything about now. All of as were put
to work to learn different trades three of
the number ran off and went back to their
tribes, and outside of my brothers and
another of my schOOlmates that runs a
gambling house in New Orleans know
nothing of what became of them. [
learned the puddler's trade, and had just
finished serving my apprenticeship when
the war of the rebellion broke out. I
joined the 18th Louisiana cavalry and en-
tered the confederate army as vOlun
teer under Gen. Joseph Johnson. I had
been in the service but eighteen months
when I was captured and taken prisoner
at the battle of Saline river, in Texas. I
was sent to st. Louis, where was impris-
oned two months in the old Mcdowell
college, and at the end of that time I was
discharged. | reiOined the confederate
forces soon after my discharge from
prison. Although | was not enrolled as
soldier, 1 fought with the confederates
until the close of the war.
Il was present at the fall of Vicksburg.
[ was one of the besieged, and had it not
been for the fact that we were starved
out, would have been there yet You
see we were hedged in all around. The
union forces had command of the river
on our front, and the swamp hedged US
in on the rear. l remember very well the
fall of Vicksburg. We had very power
full gun stationed on a mound in the
northern part of the city that was called
'Whistling Dick which dealt fearful de-
struction to the fleet holding the river in
our front. A shot from 'Whistling Dick
sank the gunboat 'Tecumseh.' l was also
engaged in the battle of Port Hudson.
Il only received $3.50 during the
whole time | was engaged in the service.
I did not ask for any money. I was fight
ing for the cause. 1 voted for President
Cleveland at the last Presidential election,
and [ always vote the Democratic ticket
without scratch.
"At the close of the war I went to work
at the puddler's trade again in New Or
leans, and have been at it ever since. I
married squaw of my own mission, who
was educated in the Sisters mission
schol, but she has been dead now about
nine years. am not member of any
church, but generally attend Catholic
services when L go to church at all. 1
have visited my tribe several times since
| was taken away from it, but I would not
like to remain with my people I much
prefer living in the city,