Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-04-19
CHAPTER XII.

1t is sultry day, early in July, and
the sun is going westward through a
feet of white, wind driven clouds that
send host of deep shadows sweeping
and chasing over the WHO prairie.
Northward the view is limited by q
low range Of bluffs, destitute of tree or
foliage, but covered thickly with the
summer growth of bunch grass. South
ward, three miles away at least, though
it seems much less, similar range,
pierced here and there with deep ra-
vines, frames the picture on that side.
Midway between the two ridges and
fringed with clumps of cottonwood and
willow, a languid stream flows silently
eastward and is lost with the valley in
the dim distance. Out to tho west in
long, gradual curve the southwark range
veers around and spans the horizon.
Midway across this monotone of land
scape, cutting the stream at right an
giles, hard prairie road comes twist
ing and turning out Of one of the south
ern ravines, and after long, gradual
dip to the ford among the cottonwoods
emerges from their leafy shade and
goes winding away until lost among
the breaks to the north. 1t is one of
the routes to the Black Hills of Dakota
the wagon road from the Union Pa
cific at Sidney by way of old Fort Rob
inson, Neb., where big garrison of
some IA companies Of cavalry and in
fantry keep watch and ward over the
Sioux nation, which, one year previous,
was in the midst of the maddest, most
successful war it ever waged against
the white man. That was the centen-
NAL year-1878. This is another event.
full year for the cavalry-1877; for be-
fore the close Of the summer even the
troops SO far to the southeast are destined
to be summoned to the chase and capture
of wary old Chief Joseph-the greatest
Indian general ever reared upon the
Pacific slope-and even now, on this
July day, here are cavalrymen at their
accustomed task, and though it is five
years since we saw them under the
heat and glare of the Arizona sun there
are familiar faces among these that
greet us.
All along under the cottonwoods be-
low the crossing the bivouac extends.
Long before sunrise these hardy fellows
were in saddle, and in long column
have come marching down from the
north-four strong troops-a typical
battalion of regular cavalry as they
looked and rode in those stirring days
that brought about the subjugation of
the Sioux. Out on the prairie the four
herds Of the four different troops are
quietly grazing, each herd watched by
Its trio of alert, though often apparent
ly DOING, guards. One troop is made
up entirely of black horses, another Of
sorrels-two are of bays. Another
herd is grazing close to the stream
the mules of the wagon train-and the
white tops of these .klmbrous vehicles
are dotting the left bank Of the winding
water for 200 or 800 yards. Cook fires
are smoldering in little pits dug in
the yielding soil, but the cooking is
over for the present. The men have had
their substantial dinner and are now
smoking or sleeping or chatting in
groups in the shade-all but squad
of q dozen, commanded by grizzled
veteran on whose worn blouse the chev.
rons of first sergeant are stitched.
Booted and spurred, with carbines slune
and saddles packed, these sun tanned
fellows are standing or sitting at ease,
holding the reins of their sleepy charg-
ers and waiting apparently for the pas.
sengers who are to start in the stout
built Concord drawn by four sleek
strong looking mules, now standing II
the shade near the canvas homestead
| Of the commanding officer.
Presently two soldiers following |
young man in civilian dress come for
ward Juggling little green painted irol
safe. and this. with aswing and thud
Hh1lArAn GFv f0y