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

he was with them AT tuiS Iiuic. Out
in the open $50 Comanches, each
armed with l2-foot lance--s wesp-
on they knew how to use with muir
derous effect-would have proved
too strong for the gold hunters. Be
hind defenses the case would be diff
ferent.
There was only one place where
the sink could be approached by
horses, and that was on the south
side. There was a clear road 200
feet wide, and the cannon were point
ed to cross the FIRE over this. They
had been kept covered on the march,
and the Indians had no suspicion Of
there presence. Just at dust Eagle
Feather sent in word for the white
men to 60 to sleep without fear, as
he should not attack until next day.
This was no ruse on his part for he
made his camp two miles away, and
that of the gold hunters was undis-
turbed by even shot. During the
night Gordon's men threw up further
defenses and cleared the sink of
every incumbrancc. Twenty men
were told off to guard the animals,
and when the sun rose again every
one in the command was ready for
what was to happen.
Eagle Feather was in no hurry.
1t was 9 o'clock before he marshaled
his warriors on the prairie, mile
to the south Of the plateau. he then
sent in word that be hoped the white
men would fight. He did not de-
mand surrender, and he wanted it
plainly understood that he would
grant no quarter. His firm purpose
was to wipe out every man in the ex-
petition, and thus deter all thought
of future invasion of his territory.
From the way he disposed of his
forces he must have been confident
of speedy success. The mounted
warriors were marshaled in lines
having front of thirty men. They
were eight lines deep, making 240
horsemen. The remainder Of the
force was held as a reserve. Not q
warrior was dismounted, and no at
tack was made on the men guarding
the lower basin. The Comanches,
under cavalry tactics as taught by
the renegade, had charged en- masse
with lances, and they had won vic
tory every time. The chief had new
er fought large body of white men,
and perhaps he wanted to test the
value of his tactics on them. he
was brave general, but poor
strategist.
When Gordon saw that no attack
would be made on the herd he call
cd over fifteen of the twenty men to
assist in repelling the charge. The
two field pieces were loaded with
canister and everything was ready
on the plateau. The first line was
half mile away, and the ground
was clear of all obstruction. The
gold hunters were ordered to reserve
their fire until the field pieces were
discharged. This did not happen un-
til the first line of warriors were
within fifty feet of the breastworks.
The charge WAS checked In an in
slant, and the slaughter was some
thing horrible. As was determined
by actual count, fifty three warriors
and seventy ponies were left behind
when the force drew of and return
ed 10 the spot where Eagle Feather
had posted himself to watch and di.
rect. The field pieces fred only two
rounds apiece, and some of the rife.
men only got in one shot.
Within half an hour after being
driven back Eagle Feather sent in
word that he was glad the white men
exhibited SO much bravery, as the
honor of defeating them would be
greater. While his warriors had
been unsuccessful in the first charge,
the second would be certain to win
the victory, and he warned them to
make ready for it. This they spepdi-
ly did. When the lines were form
ed again every warrior Was in them,
while the chief took the lead. The
same tactics were pursued as before.
Such warriors as had been dismount-
ed advanced on foot. Again the
gold hunters waited until the enemy
came to close quarters, and again the
field pieces bleched forth their MUIR
derous fire as signal. 1t was . les.
son the Comanche tribe never forgot.
In five minutes every warrior who
could get away had retreated, leav-
ing the ground heaped with dead
and dying. A count Of the bodies
brought the total up to Ill. Those
who were wounded were killed as
fast as discovered. Eagle Feather,
although in the thick of the frav,
was not even scratched, and as he
rallied his forces again out of rife
shot he realized be must abandon
his tactics or withdraw altogether.
He had still $50 men left, and he had
no thought Of abandoning the field.
Gordon watched the movements
of the foe closely and anxiously, and
soon discovered the plan of the CON-
ing attack. 1t would be made on
foot, and the laDces would be aban-
doned for the rifles, There was q ra-