Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-04-16

divided tito thee cen mands and
moved to attack. Gerry had taught
them how to march on foot and they
moved off almost as orderly as regu-
lar infantry. The object of those
advancing from the south was TO Sc
cure the bodies of the dead ponies
for shelter, and thus creep in close
to the breastworks for a sudden rush.
Gordon had provided against this
by sending men out over the field.
and their fire kept the Indians off in
this dire ction The fight opened
holly on the other sides, however,
and as the Indians were sheltered in
their advance, they soon began to
work damage. Their fire was con-
centrated on the field pieces, and
within an hour Gordon had four men
killed and three disabled. From half
past IL TO half past 4 the firing was
constant and almost entirely confin
ed to the rifles. The white men were
the best shots and were also more
securely sheltered, and therefore had
the best of it. But few Indians had
appeared in the ravine up to the last
hour named. Then they began to
gather for rush. One OF the guns
was turned upon them, and when
the shell with which it was charged
exploded, it likewise exploded two
Of the kegs of powder. How many
were killed and wounded no one
could say, because the terrific explo-
sions hurled down the high banks
and filled the ravine for a hundred
feet. A dozen or more bodies were
found, and parts of others were
blown almost into the upper basin.
The calamity in the ravine ended
the attack on the part of the In
dams, and Gordon at once assumed
the aggressive. The ponies of the
Indians had been left on the prairie
just out of rifeshot, guarded by a
few warriors. He opened on the
herd with shell, and in three or four
rounds had scattered it. Whenever
the redskins attempted to bunch in
any considerable number he shelled
them, and such horses as galloped
| within rifle range were shot down by
| the rifemep. Eagle Feather had
more than enough before the sun
went down. Once he rallied his war
riors as if for a last desperate charge,
but they were 80 thoroughly whip
ped that they refused to advance.
| As darkness fell he began his retreat
to the pass. and he made no halt Of
consequence until reaching his viii
lage, a hundred miles away.
None of his dead were removed,
but all the wounded were taken
away. Three years later he gave bis
figures on the fight. Out Of his force
of 480 men he reached home with on
ly 1919 who had escaped scot free.
He lost in killed 141, and had lao
wounded more or less severely. OF
his $50 ponies he lost at least half.
| Gordon's party picked up enough
lances and rifles to load wsgon.
They also got large amount otam-
munition and other plumber Among
the Indian dead were two famous
| medicine men and four sub chiefs,
and Gerry was also among the slain.
He had not been killed by white
men. but Eagle Feather slew him
with his own hands as he retreated.
1t was not his plan to open the fight
as he did, but Gerry had assured
him that the mounted warriors could
ride over all opposition.
| The direct results were bad enough
for the tribe, but dissensions follow
ed to make matters worse. Eagle
Feather was deposed and became a
| renegade, and the tribe divided into
three or four factions which could
never again be united. The Kiowas
to the east, took every advantage of
| the split, and the Apaches raided in
from the west with great vigor and
within three years tribe which had
ranked as the richest and most pow
erful in the west was scattered and
broken. Had not the government
stepped in and taken care of the rem
nant the Comanches would have
been exterminated to the last repre-
sentative.