The herald., 1896-06-17
HEROIC RIDE OF A SCOUT
Saved the Garrison a Port kearney FrcI
an Indian Horde

saved the Garrison st Port kearAey Prom
an Indian Horde
The rides of Paul Revere and Sheridan
have become famed in history, poetry
and song. but for daring heroism neither
can be compared with the ride of John
Phillips. Portuguese, over the plains
of Wyoming. Yet no writer has ever
told OF. the brave,S Of the western scout.
After thirey years the widow and child
of the hardy frontiersman appeal to
congress for relief from destitution the
court Of claims being powerless to aid
them.
History tells Of the Fort Phillip Kear-
ney massacre on the 21st Of December.
1866. Red Cloud and his band had nearly
completed their plans for capturing the
fort, when, on that memorable day,
detachment of eighty-six soldiers and
six citizens went after wood a distance
of six miles. They were attacked and
not a man returned. Years afterward
Red Cloud told of the heroism Of the
band, one of the citizens. a blacksmith,
named Jacobs, killing seven and wound
ing nine Indians before he was over
powered.
When the news reached the fort
reign of terror ensued, and the wives and
daughters of the officers begged that
they be put to death rather than fall vic
Tins to the red men. A quantity of dy-
Mantle was stored underneath Colonel
Carrington's headquarters, and arrange
ments made. in case the fort was taken.
to blow up the building in which the
women and children had been placed
There was but one ray of hope. A.
Fort Laramie, 230 miles distant, there
were troops. II they could be secured
the Sioux might be vanquished. -Four
messengers were sent, but their rider
less horses returned, showing that the
ho EiIlaH Inhn PhillinS
requested by Colonel Darlington to car
ry the message to Fort Laramie. He re-
fused all offers, but going to Mrs. Gam
mon, rendered widow by the inassacre-
he preferred his services without reward
upon condition only that he be allowed
to choose his horse.
He took blooded animal belonging
to Colonel Darlington. With few bis
cults in his pocket, he rode forth in the
night the thermometer registered over
2O degrees below zero. All night he rode
ana In q bunch of mesquite bushes he
hid himself and horse during the day.
Twice he was chased by Indians. but es-
capped both times, reaching telegraph
Office just as the Indians had destroyed
1t, then pushing on to Fort Laramie.
There the soldiers were ignorant of
the troubles the troops at Fort Kearney
were enduring. and it being the night
after Christmas when Phillips reached
QeSIludIlOu d IldSheQ Ddll NdS
progress. AS he entered murmur Of
applause went through the crowded
room. Icicles were hanging from his
clothing. his beard and hair were mat
ted with ice and snow, and the revelers
thought he was the most realistic repre-
sentative of Santa Claus ever seen. He
soon undeceived them when he delivered
his message. The scene Of festivity be-
came one of mourning, for many had re-
lations and friends among the slain.
Then the faithful messenger fell uncon-
scious and 1t was several hours before
he revived. Troops were at once sent
to the doomed garrison, and just in time
to save it.
No recognition Of any kind was ever
given Phillips-he asked none. The In
dams ever afterwards hated him and
destroyed his cattle. When he died. his
widow, who was destitute. filed claim
for the value Of these cattle, and gov
ernment appraisers found that they
were worth $4,000. But 1t was learned
tina Phillips did not become an American
citizen until two years after the cattle
We're destroyed, and under the laws he
had no valid claim against the United
States government.
Now, through Colonel James A.
George, the matter has just been
brought to the attention of congress- and
in the case are filed the affidavits of Col
onel (now GeneraD Darlington, Mrs.
Darlington and Mrs. Phillips. These all
speak in unmeasured terms for Phillips
heroism in undertaking the mission to
Fort Laramie.-St. Louis Republic.