The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-11-10
MYERS FIRST SCOUT.
BY LOUIS FERGUSON.


sidered n great scout indeed by Pri-
vate Myers, OF Troop A. 1t was Pri-
vate Myers very first outing, and he
seemed TO truly realize the response
bilities involved. AS matter Of fact,
the officer whose luck IL was 20 finally
lead him towards hostile bullets was
no better of in fighting experience
than was Myers. IL was going 20 be
that officers first fighting experience
too, although he had seen good and
hard service for nearly nine years
But Myers was unaware of such
trifling circumstance.
Myers was an eighteen or nineteen
year old boy from one of the middle
states. How he happened 10 persuade
the recruiting officer that he was
twenty-one at date of enlistment will
always be a mystery. Probably il
was because he was such cookbook
ing little boy, and because he exhib-
tied such ardent desire 20 be soldier.
Possibly Myers had read more dime
novels than were good for him. More
! possibly he really was imbued with
true soldierly spirit, and enlisted, and
was permitted TO enlist, for that
reason--a trihe OF falsehood as 60 real
age being compromised on the rcspec-
tive parts of both recruiting officer
and recruit.
1t was rather exciting the evening
the two troops OF cavalry selected rode
out from Fort Apache after Geronimo.
Orders had come quickly That SUN
day morning few people knew in or
near the post-if any person at all ex-
cept Lieut.. Davis, who was in charge
of the Chiricahua Apnohes-dreamed
OF trouble. 1t was generally believed
that, so far as the Chiricahua and
White Mountain Apaches were con
cerned. the Indian problem was about
Bettled-through the wise administra-
tions OF Lieut.. Davis, in charge OF the
former. and OF Lieut.. Gatewood. who
was looking after the interests OF the
latter. Tranquil peace had reigned in
that portion Of Arizona for so many
years that Crooks Apaches" had
grown 70 be universally regarded as
harmless but thriving agriculturists.
1t is difficult even now, after years
have passed by and thorough investi-
CATION OF the subject has been had, to
decide what truly caused Geronimo's
outbreak TO individuals who profess
90 know the Indian il looked, and still
looks, like strong case Of heredity.
Certainly there was no mismanagement
on the part either of Davis or Gate
wood
The troopers filed at a decorous
walk through the post, following the
= road leading 90 Seven-mile hill. When
the column turned out OF sight into
the canyon, "Trot" was ordered, and
later "Gallop." This was brisk work
for Myers. 1t was a realization of his
dream of what a scout should be. All
OF his fonGest military authorities in
the troop library treated of galloping
troopers, and he remembered particu-
larly interesting illustration showing
the Seventh cavalry, all in full-dress
uniform, with Custer at their head,
careering through the sally-port OF a
frontier post in pursuit of hostile
Sioux. Apart from uniform and sally
port. there did seem TO be somewhat of
difference on the present occasion.
Just now darkness was gathering
quickly, and the narrow wagon road
md the close. crowding trees and
bushes rendering riding at "A fast gait
awkward. But it's bully, Tom, amt
it?" said Myers TO the comrade who
rode beside him.
At the top OF Sevcn-mile hill brief
halt was made. There, in little
while, the command was Joined by
Davis and Lakewood with their scouts,
who brought word that the Turkey
Creek camp OF the Chiricahuas was
abandoned, Geronimo, Natchez' and
some fifty bucks gone, and that the
compaign was in truth opened.
The first long halt. at a convenient
water-hole. caused everything to seem
still more like real soldering. Men
gathered together in small groups
older soldiers were reminiscent. and
Myers listened eagerly to their talk
He envied these men their apparent
unconcern as 70 the present situation,
and their evident extreme previous in
timacy, going back into years long
gone by with Mackcnzie, Writ Davis,
Lieut. Mckinney aud other we'll
known heroes OF the regiment. The
expressions "Me ard the general,
and ME and the me- jor," in allusion
10 alleged incidents Of past occurrence,
filed little Myers heart with great
deal OF awe and reverence.
The march was resumed as soon as
the first light of day began TO CLEAN
over the hills, and Myers had imme-
date experience OF more fast riding,
directed for the purpose OF making up
time lost by the two hours rest Irot
and gallop were again in order Down
the steep hill leading 60 Black river
crossing, through the river, and up
the sleeper bank on the other side,
crashed and splashed and crashed the
troopers The hostile trail was too
hot now for dismcunting, even though
the path was SC rough, or for even
stopping, except for a moment or two
for wster. signs Of the hostiles had
been In constant and direct evidence
since daylight Ponies even and sur
Mus paclxs had already begun 90 be