Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-09-14
THE LIFE OF A SCOUT.
A Dangerous and Precarious Ex-
~- istence. 44As
Tho knowledge and Experience Called
For-Dutics Of u Most Trying Char
ncter-shrewdncss and Good
judgment Essential
Skill la Trailing.

Eor-Dutics of u Most Trying Char
notcr -shrcwdncss and Good
Judgment Essential
Skill In Trailing.
In every campaign against hostile
Indians it is customary TO employ
scouts, one or more of whom are at
tachcd TO each command in the field.
The duties which devolve upon them
are OF the most trying character, and it
Is frequently the case that upon their
courage and skill depend the lives of n
whole detachment OF troops 1t has
been found by actual experience that
the regular soldier makes very poor
scout, although he may have been for
years engaged in Indian warfare. This
is owing to the fact that private has
limited opportunities for becoming ac-
quainted with the country, or learning
the tricks and dcceptions employed by
all savage tribes in their wars The
strict discipline of army life accustoms
him to acting only when commanded
by his officers, and he loses that feeling
of sclf-reliancc and independence which
Is so natural with the scout. Again,
the small pay of an enlisted man,
coupled with the hopelessncss Of pro-
motion or recognition of any kind, of
fcrs no incentive for him to incur risks
which can be avoided, and ii is seldom
that he can be induced to make long or
dangerous rides alone. The men em-
ployed rs scouts are usually those who
have spent their lives upon the plains
or in the mountain districts. They
must be familiar with the country,
know each landmark, and be able to
travel by the shortest route, during
either the night or day. They must
know every water-holc, every good graz.
ing-ground, and be thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the methods of Indian
warfare.
1t is customary for the scout to ride
some distance in advance of the COM
mand to which he is attached, and he is
expected to see but not to be seen him
self. He must keep well posted as to
the movements of the Indians, so that
he can follow them closely and mt the
same time guard against surprise. The
most dangerous scouting is in the rug
red mountain ranges of the Southwest,
for here the great powders and de-
tached masses of rock afford innumera-
BILE hiding-places for hostile bands.
1t is many times next to impossible TO
discover the presence of even large
hnH nj tT,, ,,,l
running into ambush. The Apaches
take advantage of the natural forma-
tion of the country, and by their own
cunning and articles still further in
crease the difficulties of locating them.
They glide from place TO place under
cover Of the rocks with the stealthy
movements Of II serpent, and divest
themselves OF all clothing except din
gy breech clout, so that at little dis
tance their dusky bodies present scarce
ly an outline against the background OF
dark brown rocks.
In passing through mountain range
scout always dismounts before he
reaches the crest of hill or ridge and,
creeping to point from which he can
obtain II good view, carefully scans the
descending slope. He fully satisfies
himself that the way is clear before he
crosses the summit, for in doing so he
must come in plain view OF any one who
may be beyond. II the route lies
through some rocky gorge or deep
ravine, hankers are thrown out on each
side OF the trail, who climb TO the tops
Of the highest peaks and carefully
scrutlnize every rock and gulch below.
When there is reason TO believe that
Indians are lying In wait somewhere in
the canyon, every precaution is taken
TO prevent a surprise. A striking illus
tration OF the methods employed in
such emergencies occurred during the
campaign against Geronimo In 1886.
The noted Scout, Tom Horn, with
party OF seven men, was passing through
the Canonea Mountains, on his way TO
join the American troops operating in
Northern Mexico. The trail led through
the Jaralita Canyon, one OF the most
dangerous passes in the mountains.
just before entering this delile, Horn,
who was riding ahead, discovered a
fresh Indian trail crossing tho beaten
trail at right angles, and leading up
into the mountains. After careful ex-
animation OF the tracks and the direc-
ton In which the trail lod, ho
decided that there were some twenty
Indians In the party, and that they had
selected route along the backbone OF
the range. from which point they could
see any one entering the canyon. He
knew that tho presence Of his little band
would undoubtedly be discovered, and
he accordingly prepared 70 meet any