The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-05
SERGEANT LOAI.4I.
Incideuts OF . Fight with Indians that Tried
to Escape from Crook.

to Escape from Crook.
There were two passes by which tho Indians
might leave the valley when Crook rode in on
the east side to attack. They were ravines
not over quarter OF n mile apart. and there
were many signs to prove that the redskins
made daily use OF them. A Lieutenant and
twenty men were dropped out OF tho column
here to hold these passes in case the hostiles
got the alarm and sought to leave the valley
without fight. II they did not try to escape.
then we were to advance up the trails as soon
as wa heard firing. and this would take tho
warriors in the rear.
The Lieutenant and nine men to one pass
Sergeant Lomax and nine men to the other.
In twenty minutes we had n breastwork Of
logs and rocks and brush across the mouth OF
our pass. and were down behind 1t and watt
ing when the Leutenants orderly rode up and
said:
Lieut.. Blank orders you to report as often
as possible in case Of attack"
"Orders received and understood and will
sstiny. ''Ap''' '''''o' f''''s' ."' sergeant
more in the Wdernes He led us on DHs st
kernstown., when CAPTAIN and Lieutenants
us at Cold Harhor when struck down. He was
ightingg To- save our regimental flag when
twice hit by Indinn arrows. and single handed
and alone he had stood of" hal a dozen hos
man. whose only religion WAS army rogula-
tions-wh seemed t. have no world beyond
tn" camr martinez in his way, but always
Just. II he eXacted obedience. he also rem
dered 1t. Private soldiers cannot erect mon
umcnts over t heir dead comrades. 1t must
suffice that their memory is revered and de-
"" had been waiting half nm hour when the
Indians anGnared Their ookous had sighted
tho valley, When they found tho PASSES oceu,
once in both passes. was aiming for my third
shot WHEN 81 4 the sergeant touched my arm and
taekeh; Also that Private James White has
1 carried the order to the, other pass AMI re-
mipation to break out BY tn" way OF the passes
| and heavy. / had fired three or four times
when the Sergeant signallcd M and said;
| 100 warriors. Also, that Private Jones Inns been
killed ard Corporal TAYLOR severely wounded"
wounded. / returned. saluteI. and took m" nv
place and for tho noXt seven or eight minutes
bouldcrs. and the Indians used them as shell
near and then make das srfo for tSs
breastwork. We had tho Spencer seven shot
!carbines; and we poured in n Are which made
them believe We numbered whole company
| We wrro holding them beautifully when tho
Sergeant moved over to me and shouted in
Tell Lieut.. Blank TINT wo nro holding tho
| Indians in check Also. that Private Johnson
| wounded"
This time found that the Lieutenant had
had on" man killed and two others wounded.
| and that the fire along his front was hotter
| than heforc. ! shouted the report in his ear.
| while he was using one of tho rarbincs dropped
! hy wnunGed man. lie nodded to show that
he understood. and hnstnned back. As
| reached the line the fire Of tho Indians bogan
| I" slhca"n noticed that ours did. too. and I
looked down the line to Soc the cnu,r. ] could
See See only tW" other with. cnrbinos in their
down and facing mo- To hcckoncd t. mo WITH
hand on which plainly saw blood. and ms
] crawl"d. OVER to him | saw that he was
wounded In tho side. ! kneelcd to nyamne
tn" wound. hui he wava,i mo hnrk and said
REL Lieut.. Blank that the Indians ar. about
to charge over US, Also that ] have only three
| men let. Also. that am mortaiiv w6rndcd"'
STATED 10 o'ey. He lifted his hand tried
- sp"aE. nnd than fei hnck with the 'ood
gushing out of his mouth and wrs i nd in ton
Seconds. had no' VT rrncari tha other rnsS
when the Indians chn"Gr.l Wit, n voll. h"oko
over me br"a'tworls and those who still lived
w"r" who'd ont in II fash Hours later when
va !ocnV'reh thc Grounl. Their" were nine mu-
tilnted ana itsflgurod bodies askingfor burial.
when Crook saw them nnl heard the story
and i WAS grand"r one in the Dyes Of the iv-
ing than q monument of bronze.
Died IN the line OF duty Buried no one can
remember where