Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-12-18
A SCOUTS ADVENTURE.

During the Indian troubles which
followed the close OF the civil war
was attached to various western forts
aud campsas scout and dispatch rider,
and in that capacity had my full share
of adventures 1t was my fortune or
misfortune almost at the outset OF my
career to strike the SiouXa blow which
made them ever after hungry for my
life. This was in 1866, while they were
pretending to be at peace, but actual
ly killing every white man who was
found outside the forts. | was then
at Fort Mcpherson, and while carry
ing a dispatch to a small body OF
troops stationed on the Saline fork OF
the Kansas river, | encountered
small band Of Indians. This was
about ten o'clock in the forenoon. /
saw them emerge from a dry ravine
and head to cut he of, and at once
halted and dismonnted. | was then
on the crest OF ridge, and close TO u
natural sink which would make good
rifle pit. 1t was big enough to shell
ter my horse as well, and | was all
ready for the redskins before they
knew | had taken the alarm.
While not in war-paint, they showed
every other sign of hostility, and |
knew that if | fell into their hands
my scalp would change owners within
FIVE minutes There wasn't a Win
chester rifle among the Indians at
that time and not one in ten had seen
one. | had one, while the nine red
skins before me had old-fashioned
muzzle-loading rifles, and | believed |
could surprise them. They were led
by a sub-chief named Little Feather,
and among the nine were two others,
named White Water and Running
Bear These three sub-chiefs were
warriors Of renown and were then on
their way to attend council and a
war dance.
1t was Little Feather who sum
moned me to surrender on pain OF
being burned at the stake, and he was
the one who directed affairs when |
shouted my refusal. The nine spread
out. mounted on their ponies, until
they half encircled my refuge; then,
at signal, they came charging up
the slope, each one yelling enough to
split his throat. Lying on my face,
with dead rest for my rifle, tumbIed
Little Feather and White Water out
OF their saddles, and that stopped the
charge. As they checked up killed
Running Bear. and before they got
out OF range | wounded one OF the
warriors. The living galloped off, and
| carried two ponies and all the ac-
coutrements OF the dead chiefs into
the fort. In a work entitled The Pi-
oneers OF Nebraska pages 3I5 6, is
san account of this fight, but not
very accurate one The number Of
killed is there put down at five and
the name OF Running Bear is given "a
Yellow Bear.
1t soon became known among the
Sioux what had happened, and every
branch Of the great tribe swore to
have my life. A reward OF ten ponies
was offered 70 anyone who should kill
me. and twenty if | were taken alive.
was advised by everybody to clear
out OF that locality. but refused TO
90 until the long-eXpected war finally
broke out and / was attached to a
moving column The threats of the
Indians had not greatly disturbed lie,
as knew they would always be try
ing their best to capture scout, no
matter if they had never heard Of
him. Those were days when every
white man on the plains lived year
in every week and never forgot for a
moment that his life was in continual
jeopardy. Several plans. as | after
wards learned, were formed 10 cap
ture me, but slipped through.
was finally made prisoner under
singular circumstances. | was return
ing from the flying column to Fort
( Wallace with dispatches. / had set
| out soon after dusk and made good
! twenty-five miles when heavy fog
| settled down on the plains. 1t would
/ not have bothered All Indian to keep
the points OF the compass. but after |
! had turned and twisted among some
! dry ravines | had to own mp that
was lost. Ny horse was just as badly
off. When | gave him his head he
came to stop. The only thing to do
was to dismount and wait for day
/ light. ] was sitting on the ground
not feeling bit sleepy, and my horse
was lying down, when band OF thlr'
ty-seven Indians, all mounted, walked
right on to me through the fog.
heard the footsteps of their horses
but could not locate them in the FOG
until it was too late When | leaped
no il was with the thought that
might make break for ii on foot. but
before could turn they were al
about me. and in another minute
was made prisoner.
The Indians were as much surprised
as was. and it was broad daylight
before they identified me. Up to tina
time they had treated me fairly well
When it was known that was tn
.. .rhosa LIE thav had so lnni