Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-02-28

lnulunS on INC OpeE plnln JO tnC rlpnb,
their infantry companions had not re-
mained idle. As the troop had moved
ont to meet Cochisc, there had come
from the concealment afforded by tho
rocks and mesquite trees above and in
the rear, another band of Indians, dis
mounted. This was even q larger num-
ber than that with Cochise, and was led
by n powerful savage, second Only to
Cochise himself. Hitherto their pres
enee had not been discovered; and had
the first party not been beaten off, it
was their apparent purpose TO form
junction inside the post, where gen.
eral massacre would have been the Sc
quence.
The approach of these Indians vas
only discovered by the Major who COM
manded the infantry in time to enable
him to move his men at rapid gait 60
place in the rear of the line of officers
quarters. Directly behind each set of
these quarters had been built dug
out" kind of outside cellar, such as is
used in warm climates for keeping the
family stores; these were few feet be-
low the level of the ground, the logs
forming roofs covered with earth. Into
these were now unceremoniously hur-
ried the terrified women and children
composing the families of the officers
and soldiers of the command. 1t was
just possible to do this and reach point
beyond, perhaps one hundred yards dis
tant, when the attack began.
The quiet was broken by the fierce
whoop of the Apaches, which, onco
heard, can never be forgotten. The
gaudily-painted and ochered savages,
bare to the waist and clad only in
breech-clout and moccasins, came on at
rapid run, in thin, scattering line,
extending far to the right and left. Tc
throw ont u skirmish line was but the
work of moments, when the steady fire
of the disciplined soldiers checked the
rapid advance of the Indians, causing
them to waver slightly. Quickly push
ing his temporary advantage, the Major
drove them again to shelter. But now
there came from the Apaches deafcn-
ing yell, the significance of which the
soldiers knew too well: Cochise had
come.
When Captain Sigourney saw that
Cochise had gone, he for the first time
heard the firing in the post. Moving
his troop at q gallop, he quickly passed
over the ground of his recent charge
and reached the remainder of the COM
mand just as it was being forced back
upon the rear of the line of officers
quarters and toward the little parade
ground at BALDWIN. Many of the sol,
diers had already been killed by tho
united bands of Apaches. With Cochise
at their head, and in numbers greatly
in excess of the soldiers, it seemed n
forlorn hope, and that it only remained
for these brave men to sell their lives
as dearly as possible.
But now once more rang on the even
ing air the welcome notes of the bugle,
mingled with the wild cheering of the
gallant infantry men as from be-
tween the quarters dashed the
troopers. In the light of the setting
sun again the saber flashes and does it's
noiseless execution; the pistol, too,
comes into noisy requisitiou, alternating
with the cracking carbine shots; the
footmen take new heart, and their long
guns send many a red man to the happy
hunting-grounds; the bullets patter, and
the whizzing arrows sound like flights
of birds. The struggle is desperate;
the fate of the little garrison trembles
in the balance.
From the thicIest of the fight the
quick eye of Cochise falls on Sigourney.
His wounded arm still smarts from the
Captains thrust, and once more he
calls: Now, white man, die!"
Cochise is again armed with his fa-
vorite weapon, the lance; with dead
ly point he rides straight at the young
commander. Again the latter attempts
to parry, but this time is less fortunate.
The lance enters his side and he is dis
mounted, the Indian still holding the
end of the weapon.
To Captain Sigourney, helpless and
wounded at the feet of his savage ad-
versary, all seemed over. Done now
his dream of glory, done his loyal pride
in his chosen work, done every thing