River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-11-15
MYERS FIRST SCOUT.
BY LOUIS FERGUSON.

BY LOUIS FERGUSON.
It was not considered much of a
scout by many older troopers of Mac
kenzie's old regiment, but IL was con-
sidered a great scout indeed by Pri-
vate Myers. of Troop 4 1t was Pri-
vate MYERS very first outing. and he
seemed TO truly realize the response
bilities involved. As a matter of fact,
the officer whose luck IL was u finally
lead him tovaris hostile bullets was
no better off IN fighting experience
than was Myers. II was going TO be
that officers frs: fighting experience
too. although he had seen good aud
ha-i service for nearly nine years
But Myers was unaware IF such
trifiing circumstaur". lie simply
knew that he himself was a recruis,
and ne mad limo .,-lt and implicit con-
flence in al In % older than he who
wore the blue and vellow-
Myers was an ii -hteen or Lineteen
year I'D hoy from ne IF the middle
states. How lie happened to persUade
the recruiting officer that was
t--anty-one NJ dat, OF enlistment will
always be mystery. Probably IT
was bee tuse hc was such q cookbook
ing little boy. and because he exhib-
tied such ardent desire 10 be a soldier
Possibly Myers had Scad more dime
novels than were good .or him More
possibly he really was imbued with
true sOIdierIy spirit, and enlisted, ana
was permitted 10 enlist, for that
reasons tribe of falsehood as to real
age being compromised on the reSpec-
tive parts Of both recruiting officer
and recruit.
II 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 faw people knew in or
near the p if any person at all ex-
cept Lieut.. Davis. who was In charge
of the ChiricaEua Apaches-dreamed
of trouble. II was generally believed
that, so far as the Chiricahua and
White Mountain kpaches were con-
cerned. the Indian problem was about
settled-throuFh the wise admIuistra-
tiOns of Lieut.. Davis, IN charge of the
former, ana of Lieut.. tiatewoOd. who
was looking after the interests of the
latter Tranquil peace had reigned IN
that portion, of Arizona for 80 many
wears that Crooks Apaches" had
grown II 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
10 know Ike Indian It loosedA aud still
looks. like strong ease of heredity.
Certainly there was nomIsmanagemen
on the part either Of Davis or Gate
wood.
Davis announced the fact of immi-
nent outbreak To the post commander
shortly before retreat. Within one
hour two troops Of cavalry received re-
ceived their orders 10 mount, and
after forming rank: 'Fours right;
right 10y tyvos. started the troops in
itial movement \ paclz-train, with
rations and little forage. was to fol-
low. The two troops averaged fifty
men each, and each troop had two Off
Gers. Loyal Indian scouts. under
GatewOod and Davis. had ridden on
ahead of the little squadron
The troopers fled at a decorOus
walk through the post. following the
road leading Ia Sevcn-mile hill When
the column turned ont OF sight into
the CANYON. -.Trot" was ordered, and
later "GaIlop This was brisk work
for Myers. II was realization of his
dream of what q scout should be. All
OF his funSest military authorities in
the troop library treated of gallOping
troopers and ht 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. Aoart from uniform and sally
port. there did seem 20 Ice somewhat of
a difference ON the present occasion
just now darkness was gathering
quickly. and the narrow wagon road
and the elose-crowding trees and
bushes rendering riding at fast gait
awkward but its bully, Tom. amt
it?" said Myers 10 the eomra3c who
rode beside him
At the ton of Seven-mile hill brief
halt was made. There. in little
while. the command was Joined by
Davis and Gatewood 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 trnth opened
The column Of cavalry turned sharp
liz To the LETT. towards Bonito creek,
and. the scouts leading, the real ride
began. Myers soon found that il was
too dark aud that there was too much
rough country for further gallOping.
The steady cavalry walk was quite
fast enough. Even now, in crossing a
steep arroyo. a horse would slip and
fall inj@riug more or less himself or
his rider. Myers wondered II the COM
mand was on the right trail. Not be-
ing himself able 10 see through the
darkness. he could not understand
how thc scouts could see. But, being
only a recruit. he was ashamed - %:
his thoughts Into words. an. followed
along As uest be could silently.
The FIRST long halt. at a convenient
water-hoie. caused everything TO seem
still mere like real soldering Men
gstEersG together in small groups
Older soldiers were reminiscent. and
Myers listened eagerly 10 their talk
He envied these meu their apparent
unconcern as u the present situation,
and their evident eNtveiae previous in
timacy, going tacis into years long
gone by. with M.ckcnzie. y irt Davis,
Lieut.. Mckinney 5I.3 other well
known heroes of The .eglment The
exprsssions Me and the general. IS
Shd 'Me and the ua jor," in allusion
10 alleged incidents If past occurrence,
flled little Myers heart vita 4 great
deal of awe and reverence
The march was resumed as soon as
she first light of day began TO CLEAN