The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-05-26

ing the charge. The two field pieces were
loaded with canister, and everything was
ready on the plateau. At given signal
the body of warriors charged. The first
line was half mile away, and the ground
was clear of all obstruction. The gold
hunters were ordered to reserve their Ere
until the field pieces were discharged.
This did not happen until the first line OF
warriors was within fifty feet of the
breastworks. The charge was checked in
an instant, and the slaughter was some
thing terrible. As was determined by ac
tual count, fifty three-warriors and sew
enty ponies were left behind when the
force drew off and returned to the spot
where Eagle Feather had posted himself
to watch and direct. The field pieces fred
only two rounds apiece, and some of the
riAemen 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 war
riora had been unsuccessful in the first
charge, the second would be certain TO
win the victory, and he wanted them to
make ready for it. This they speedily did.
When the lines were formed again every
warrior was in them, while the big chief
took the lead. The same tactics we're
pursued as before. Such warriors as had
been dismounted advanced on foot. Again
the gold hunters waited until the enemy
had come to close quarters, and again the
field pieces belched forth their murderous
fire at signal. 1t was lesson the Co.
manche tribe never forgot In fve min.
utes every warrior who could get away
had retreated, leaving the ground heaped
with dead and dying. A count of the
bodies brought the total up to Ill. Those
who we're wounded we're then
killed US fast as discovered. Esgle
Feather, although in the thick ftha fray,
was not even scratched, and as he rallied
his forces again out Of bis riheshot he
realized that he must abandon bis tactics
or withdraw altogether. he had still 369
men left, and he had no thought of aban
doning the field.
Gordon watched the movements of the
foe closely and anxiously, and he soon
discovered the plan of the coming attack.
II would be made on foot, and the lances
would be abandoned for the rifles. There
was ravine leading up from the prairie
to the lower basin. The Indians would
be certain to come up that; others would
advance from the south, and others still
would advance through the brush on the
west side. The field pieces we're planted
to cover the points where rush was ex-
pected and the men posted anew. Three
kegs of powder were taken down into the
ravine and deposited among the rocks al
torpedoes, and everything was ready by
noon. 1t was half an hoar later when the
Indians divided into three commands and
moved to attack. Gerry had taught them
how to march on foot, and they moved off
almost as orderly as regular infantry.
The object Of those advancing from the
south was to secure the bodies of the dead
ponies for shelter, and thus creep close
to the breastworks for sudden rush.
Gordon bad provided against this by
sending men out over the field, and their
fire Kept the Indians off in this direction.
The fight opened hotly on the other side,
however, and as the Indians we're shell
tered in their advance, they soon began
to work damage. Their fire was concen
trated on the field pieces, and within an
hour Gordon had four men killed and
three disabled. From 1890 to 4:90 the
firing was constant and almost entirely
confined to the rifles. The white men
we're the best shots and we're also more
securely sheltered, and therefore, had the
best of it. But few Indians had appear
ed in the ravine up to the last hour nam.
ed. Then they began to gather for rush.
One OF the guns vas turpsd upon them,
and when the shell with which it was
charged exploded it likewise exploded
two of the kegs Of powder. How many
we're killed and wounded no one could
say, because the terrific explosions hurl'
ed them down the high banks and filed
the ravine for hundred ieet. A dozen
or more bodies were found aud parts of
others were blown almost into the upper
basin.
The calamity in the ra7ine ended TIE
attack on the part of the Indians, and
Gordon at once assumed the aggressive.
The ponies of the Indians had been left
on the prairie just out OF rifle shot,
guaded by 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 riaemen.
Eagle Feather had more than enough
before the sun went down. Once he raj
lied his warriors as if for last desperate
charge, but they were 80 thoroughly
whipped that they refused to advance. As
darkness fell be began bis retreat to the
pass, and he made no halts Of any con-
sequence until reaching his yillarge, one
hundred miles away.
None of his dead was removed, but all
the wounded were taken away. Three
years later he gave his figures on the
fight Out of his force of $50 men, he
reached home with only 1919 who had es-
capped scot free. He lost in killed l4l,
and had al wounded, more or less Sc
nc ~, 400 roniao ho loot a