The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-11-05

Another. Jack .Stillwell, deserves spe-
cial mention here. He was boy OF not
more than Is or 19 years of age, fair
comnlexion. rather tall, slender, and
straight He was young in years but
old in experience: a stranger to Tear
and ALWAYS acting where duty called
him, taking upon his young shoulders
responsibilities under which those much
older than himself would have shrunk.
AS the company was about to pull
out for the west,
DISPATCH WAS RECEIVED
ordering Col. Forsyth to hurry to Sheri-
dan. then the terminus of the Kansas
Pacific Road distant from Fort Wal
lace about II miles in a northeasterly
direction, as the Indians had put IN an
appearance there in some force and made
an attack upon train.
The company arrived at Sheridan
about 10 a. M, to learn that the enemy
had made a quick dash, killing two
Mexican teamsters and driving OIL
about so head of cattle; but a few mln-
utes had elapsed since they disappeared
over the hills to the north. The trail,
made plain by one wagon which they
had taken away with them, was easily
followed, and at place about two miles
distant from the scene of their depreda-
tions the wagon was found at the bot
tom of deep gulch, broken to pieces,
and, lying near, two or three dead cat
tie but after leaving this place the trail
grew gradually dim, and at last battied
the best efforts of Beecher and Grover,
becoming wholly lost in the rough
ground traversed by them in their bur-
ried retreat 1t was decided, however,
TO keep northwesterly direction toward
the Republican River. where it was be-
Geved the enemy would be found In con-
siderable numbers.
Nothing of importance occurred dur
ing the next two DAYS. Occasionally,
at a distance, objects were seen, which
Grover pronounced Indians and this
led to the belief that every movement of
the company was watched and communI-
Gated.
Col. FORSYTH now announced his in
tention to follow this struggling band to
ITS hiding place, and to attack them, no
matter where found or what their num-
bers; that they were not out for recrea-
ton, but to fight Indians, and that the
command should not return until blow
had been struck.
On reaching the Republican indica-
tions of the enemy became apparent,
although nothing to denote the presence
of any great number; but as the march
continued toward the forks of the river
these signs multiplied until it no longer
required the practiced eye of Grover or
Beecher to know that at no great dis
tance the scouts would find work to do; !;
pony tracks were seen, and occasionally
the print Of moccasln in the sand, and
finally spot was found among the viii
lows where two or three Indians had
spent the night 1t was noticed also
that the herds of buffalo which had been
encountered everywhere for the last
three days had disappeared, very sig
ni6cant fact, as the Republican Valley
was the favorite range of these animals,
and their absence told plainly that some
foe had been annoying them. Soon a
trail was struck leading directly up the
river, a path that grew palmer and
broader at every mile traversed Grover
here warned Col. Forsyth that when the
enemy was found it would be in large
force and doubtless in a position to
OFFER STRONG RESISTANCE;
'ut this did not shake the Colonel's de-
,ermination to try them, and he again
reiterated bis intention of attacking them
at the first opportunity offered.
The path was followed leading up the
Arickaree Fork of the Republican, until
Sept 16, at an early hour in the after
noon, the company went into camp on
the north bank of the river, at a few rod;
distant from the stream.
The last three days had been clear
and warm, the sky without cloud, and
as the spirits of men are influenced TO q
great extent by the weather, SO on this
September evening the camp gave evi
dence of cheerfulpess scarcely to be ex
pected among men enduring a forced
march and for the last two days subsist
ing on half rations. Since reaching the
Republican, however, an abundance oi
wild plums and grapes had been found
growing in profusion on either hand il
every canyon and ravine, and this had
assisted to a great extent in preserving
the scanty rations allowed each man.
The place chosen for camp at frs
appearance did not seem to be tn,
strongest position for a defense, ant
some of the scouts supposed that th
camping place was not intended as
permanent one, but that before nigh
the march would be resumed and
position taken somewhat farther up th
river Had this been done the story G
the battle would never have been toll
by survivor
To the north of the camp ther
stretched level plain Of perhaps 10
rods in width, terminating in a bluff
ridge rising TO the hight of 200 fec
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