The National tribune., 1888-02-09
An INDIAN SCOUT.

KAN ~ - >%r~H~~- |LTS>FI~<
An INDIAN SCOUT.
the Irritating bites. But the musketo of Kan
sas is a very intelligent bird, and waited out
side until the fumes had pretty well disappear
ed and we were fast asleep; then he walked in
for his dinner. In the course of these expert
ments with chorate of potash and sugar we
discovered that in burning it made bright
light. Taps is the signal to "extinguish
lights" and this we were very particular to do !;
but one night while taps was sounding we lit
our diabolical mixture. The Sergeant Of the
Guard, walking about in the silent streets of
the camp noticed that while all other lights
went out one tent seemed
BRILLIANTLY ILLUMINATED.
We heard his voice lights out" and still the
fire kept on. Our heads were covered in our
blankets unable TO endure the suffocating
fumes. On came the Sergeant, angry at our
inattention. He pushed his head into the tent,
and taking deep breath in his haste to scold
US, beat hasty retreat, nearly strangled by
the fumes of our burning medicine. What
does this mean?" he managed to call out, his
eyes suffused and then fully aroused to anger.
We answered him from under the blankets as
the last of the flame died away, The mus
ketOes are very bad and we have burned a
little sugar to brighten them away, but it did
not go out at taps" With an admonition not to
Reyeille Tudely woke US from our slumbers
every morning; but sometimes, when we had
gone to rest some pleasant Summer evening
with tent-sides Topped up, and not anticipating
q storm, furious gale would strike us, down
would go our lines of tents, and suddenly
aroused and drenched with rain, we would try
to find our clothing aud restore order in camp.
1t happened az Fort cara, ] believe, that we
changed our camp twice. The river rising
rapidly and flooding the country in every d.
rection, we were forced very hastily TO move
to higher ground. This first move was accom-
plished only after considerable effort in packing
and hitching up; but when later the river again
attacked us it seemed as if we must lose every
thing. Everyone took hold and worked hard
to save the wagons, camp equipage and supplies.
1t was desperate work and although the men
struggled faithfully, several wagons became so
firmly imbedded in the mud that it was neces-
sary TO abandon them altogether, and much
-four and other supplies were destroyed by the
water. The whole command, ladies and all,
were well drenched before we found a safe
camp again.
The commanding officer generously ordered
that case of whisky be distributed to the men,
and the efforts of many gallant soldier to OBJ
tain two drinks instead Of one by hook or by
crook were laughable in the extreme. i've
seen your face before; I've given you drink
lately" said to some. On, no; it was my
brother or friend" was the answer
At daylight we learned that two men had
been drowned in the river but some said their
bodies had not been found, and the report
merely covered their desertion. Desertions
were common enough after that. Men went
Of In squads with horses, arms and provisions,
deserving directly in the midst Of the Indians
many of them losing their lives to escape the
slavery of q soldiers life. Some of the recruits
were
PROFESSIONAL HoRsE-THIEvEs,
and had enlisted at Carlisle Barracks, Pa, going
East for the purpose of being returned again
to the plains, where they knew expeditions
were constantly crossing. and opportunities for
horse stealing and deseFtion frequent. One
night almost the entire guard deserted in
GLIDING non commissioned officers. These men
carried off the company records, besides taking
extra horses, arms, ammunition and rations.
The risk they assumed of capture By Govern
ment officials was small indeed but outside
waited the Indians, who very much desired
their ill-gotten plumber. Undoubtedly many
Of these deserters were malcontents who hated
the army discipline, aud who had endured, or
fancied they had endured wrongs and humilia-
tions which made them desperate In no
other army-certanly not in the English, Ger
man or French-are the enlisted men so I'M
happy as they are IN ours. Our soldiers are well
paid and well fed, but it is surprising to wit
ness the great gulf existing between the officers
and the soldiers Of the United States Army
The rivers and streams we were obliged to
ford, there being neither bridges or ferryboats
and it often happened that fording was at
tended with great difficulty and even danger
On one occasion, where the river banks were
very steep, the wagons and cavalry marching