The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-17
THE IDEAL INDIAN WARRIOR
Scene ON the Frontier Worthy of a
Battle Painter.

Gen. G. A. Forsyth, in Harper's Magazine
As Roman Nose dashed CALAMITY forward.
and swept into the open at the head OF his
superb command, he was the very beau ideal
of an, Indian chief. Mounted on a large,
clean-hmbed chestnut horse, he sat well
forward on his barebacked charger his
knees passing under a horsehair lariat that
twice loosely encircled the animals body,
his horses bride grasped in his left hand,
which was also closely wound in its flowing
name. and at the same time clutched his
rifle at the guard. the butt of which lay
partially upon and across the animars
neck, while It's barrel, crossing diagonally
in front of his body, rested slightly against
the hollow OF his left arm, leaving his right
free to direct the course of his men. He
height beautifully formed. and, save for
a crimson silk sash knotted around his
waist. and his moccasins on his feet. per
fectly naked His face was hdeously
painted in alternate lines of red and black.
and his head crowned with a magnificent
sn bonnet fr0m hGh jqor a4Sve d his
up two short black buffalo horns, while
IT'S ample length Of eagles feathers and
behind him; and as he came swiftly on at
the head of his charging warriors. in all
his barbara d s sire and gran CRANE he
type of a savage warrior II has been my lot
TO see. Turning his face for instant
toward the women and children OF the
united tribes, who literally by thousands
the blum back from the rivers bank. he
raised his right arm and waved his hand
with royal gesture in answer to their
wild cries of rage and encouragement as
he and his command swept down upon us,
and again facing squarely toward where we
lay. he drew his body to it's full height and
shook his clenched fist defiantly at us; then
throwing back his head and gIancing sky
ward he suddenly struck the palm of his
hand across his mouth and gave tongue to
a war cry that 1 have never yet heard
equaled in power and intensity.
Scarcely had it's echoes reached the
riv hap nj W
each and every one or the charging war
riors with an energy that battles descrip-
yells of exultation and prospective ven
geance by the women and children on the
rivers bluffs and by the Indians who lay
in ambush around US. On they came at
their Wild war-whoops, each individual
warrior in all his bravery of war paint
and long, braided scalplock tipped with
for their cartridge belts ana moccasins,
keeping their line almost perfectly. with a
back. with only loose lariat about their
horses bodies. about a yard apart. and
with "A depth of six or seven ranks form
| fighting strength and of almost resistless
weight Boldly they rode. and WELL" with
their horses brides in their left hands,
r Maie a W the is Sed them sauarey
i'm front of themselves. resting lightly upon
their horses necks.
RluinS ABOUT I'VE PAGES III lronl OF tHe
center of the line twirling his heavy
Springfield rife around his head If il
! were a wisp of straw probably one of those
he had captured at the Fort Fetterman
massacre), Roman Nose recklessly led the
charge with a bravery that could only
be equaled. but not eXceled. while their
medicine man, an equally brave but older
chief rode slightly in advance of the left
of the charging column. To say that
was surprised at this splendid exhibition
Of pluck and discipline is TO put il mildly
| and 10 say. further. that for an instant oil
| two l was fairly lost In admiration OF
| the glorious charge is simply TO state the
truth for IL was far and away beyond
| anything | had heard OF. read about oil
| even imagined regarding Indian warfare.