The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-05
A DESERTER'S
ADVENTURE.
Trying Moments in the Life of a
United States Soldier.
Fighting Sioux Indians Under Manifold Dis
advantages-How Il Fared With Three
Men in the Black Hills Country.

States 1rOnJler posts. HIS military service
had not been OF so long duration as to enti-
tie him to the appellaton of veteran" as
his date of enlistment was little less than
year preceding the tragedy here related
The regular routine of mi itary service had
become exceedingly irksome to Private
BrowD. Ee grew tired of his post OF his
duties. of his surroundings, of everything
pertaining to martial life, and pinned to
throw off the 'blue" and once more don the
familiar habiliments of citizen. While in
this frame of mind the tempter came to
Private Brown, and the bold soldier yielded,
unfortunately for himself, as the sequel
will show, and still more unfortunate in
their subsequent adventures were his COM
panions.
AT that time the Sioux war was raging.
Sitting Bulls warriors were committing
depredations all over that section, and it
was unsafe for persons, unless well armed
and in considerable numbers, to leave the
post. Notwithstanding this state of affairs
every now and then small parties of adven-
turers, sometimes only two or three in num-
Der, would come into the fort, stop day,
and proceed on, generally to the Black
Hills, then the great objective point of all
western bound wanderers.
One day two men came into the fort and,
tarrying awhile made the acquaintance of
Brown. Being mutually agreeable they
proposed to the soldier that he accompany
them to the Black Hills. The proposition
suiting Private Brown he assented thereto,
and the next evening they set out on their
journey, the soldier deserving his command
and taking his rifle with him. They trav-
eled all that night, the de5erter being an
xous to place AS long an interval as posi-
bic between himself and the military au-
thOrities.
1Eey continued their journey more leis-
urey the next day, taking a long halt for
breakfast and resting
TWO OR THREE HOURS FOR DINNER.
Toward the close of the afternoon they
saw at distance what they took to be
herd of elk, which shortly disappeared, but
in less than au hour again became visible on
a distant hill From this time the objects
drew gradually nearer, and about shutdown
it was discovered that the supposed band of
elk was small party OF Sioux warriors,
who seemed to have detected the adven-
turers early in the afternoon, and had
leisurely followed them, purpoSely keeping
at distance until the time for action had
arrived. Upon discovering who their pur-
suers were, the white men Immediately
sought shelter. Any they could find was
inadequate, but III that country, as is conn.,
mon in the plains, frequent depreSsions are
found in the ground, of slight depth, in
which if a man lie PROSTATE, he is partially
screened from any missile that may be
directed at him. The three fugitives
speedily found and enSconced themselves in
separate rifle-pitS as provided by nature,
and awaited the onset The savages, how
ever, did not charge upon them, nor did
they for some time commence any offensive
movements. After the manner of Indians,
they waited until it became SO dark that
objects became lndistinct, when they began
to circle around the besieged, riding faster
and faster, and occasionally dlscharging
their rifles, all the time yelling like demons.
Every instant the unfortunate white men
expected the entire band to ride over them.
During all this time they did not fire shot,
partly because their supply of ammunition
was very limited, but principally because in
the ObScurlty shot fired at the swiftly
circling savages would almost certainly be
thrown away.
After amusing themselves in this manner
or an hour or more, the Indians ceased
heir operations and apparently withdrew
rom the field. During tie remainder of the
night until daybreak all was quiet. Not a
sign of an Indian was visible. The three
manned in their holes, keeping Ylgilant watch
all night. Their suspicious were well
founded. Just as day was breaking, with a
fierce yell the Indians
BURST SUDDENLY UPON THEM.
This time they came in deadly earnest.
Round and round they rode, eireling nearer
and nearer their victims, the bullets falling
about them like hail.
The assailed endeavored to return the fire,
but with no effect, the savages rode Sd fast,
leaning on the farther side Of their ponies
as they rode. The light was ndistinct. and
most unfortunate Of all, none of the whites
were accustomed to scenes like this, nor
even to the ordinary use of firearms.
One OF Browns companions, an elderly
man, was struck by a bullet. He could
barely gasp, 81 am shot," and died The
three lay so near each other that CONVERSE
carried on. The surviving companion.
shortly after his comrades death. proposed
to Brown to rise" and run for it." AS
he was speaking, he unconsciously half
arose. Hardly had he uttered the words
when bullet pierced his head. and without
groan or a struggle he fell back dead.
Brown truly felt that his situation was a
desperate one. He was constitutionaly
timid, but it has been said that coward,
when cornered, is the most formidable of
antagonists. Brown proved no exception to
the rule. He was most emphatically cor
nered to run was impossible and to raise
himself to an erect position was almost GER
tain death. There was no alternative but
to fight or die, with the chances strongly in
favor of death. He was more favorably sit
uated than either Of his companions had
been. In the hurry with which they had
scrambled for the holes he had CHANGED
upon the deepest one, and besides, was
much better armed than they, having the
United States regulation rifle, with a belt
nearly filled with cartridges. After the death
of the last of his companions he began to fire
rapidly, taking as good aim as he could He
shortly succeeded in shooting one of the
ponies, after which the Indians became more
wary. They continued. however, a brisk
fusillade until day fully broke, when the
entire band suddenly disappeared. All day
long Brown laid upon the plains, not daring
to arise from the depression which sheltered
him for fear that he would become the tar
get for
SOME UNSEEN MARKsMAN.
After the withdrawal of his foes his natural
timidity reaSSerted itself, and his magma
ton pictured an Indian behind every hillock.
Tales he had heard of Indian cunning and
perseverance in lying in wait rushed upon
his mind, and the real terror Of his situa-
ton was magnifed by his imaginary horrors
conjured up by his fertile imaginations. All
day long in the hot sun be lay, not daring TO
move. and expecting surely by nightfall
that his lurking enemies would again aSsail
him. But night came and no Indians.
Complete darkness enveloped the plain, but
no attack was made during the night Brown
had such snatches of feverish sleep as thirst,
hunger and fear would allow; but still he
remained in his place. He still feared an
attack at daylight, but when, after day
break. no Indians appeared. exhausted ma
ture could endure no longer. He fearfully
crept from his hole, and first of all, exam
ined the canteen OF his nearest dead COM
rade. To his joy, it was half full of
water. Draining the contents at draught,
he next examined their haversacks
for something to eat All he fonnd
was some raw bacon and beans. He
greedily ate the bacon aud munched the
beans, and without any hesitation set his
face toward the post and began to retrace
his steps which had led to the scene of the
tragedy. Obtaining all the refreshments
practicable from the bacon and beans, filling
his pockets with the one and with his hands
full of the other, he trudged alone eating as
he went, intent on leaving behind him as
speedily as possible this scene of horrors.
On reaching the post, which he did early the
next morning, Private Brown promptly re-
ported to the sergeant of the guard, and was
with equal promptitude laced under arrest
for desertion, for which he was subsequently
tried and. on his own confession, convicted.
The stony hearted authorities, although
sympathzing with his mlsfOrtunes, did not
allow their sympathy to influence their YER