Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-04-02
AT CIMARRON FORD.


westward, the tourist from his plate
glass window may look upon the local
ity of the onco famous ford of the Ar
kansas river known rs the Cimarron
crossing. The two routes to Santa Fe
here diverGed. That by the way Of the
crossing was over the sand desert, so
called i'll the days of the commerce of
the prairies," which was relatively de-
void of water. In the droughtiest times
the oxen would frequently drop dead in
their yokes from the terrible torture of
thirst. The Arkansas ut the ford is wide
and generally but n few inches in depth.
1t was, therefore, an excellent place TO
make the passage of the stream.
The other trail TO Santa Fe followed
the Arkansas river to Bent's fort, where
it crossed spur of the Rocky noun
tains, much longer but safer journey
for the caravans, for there was, of
course, always an abundance of water,
the grass generally good, ~csides some
timber existed i'll spots on the banks of
the stream.
The boundary line between the Unit
ed States and New Mexico ran north
and south through the Arkansas river
at the CimarrOn crossing, and that point
the American troops changed places
with The Mexican, the former returning
eastwarGly in cSCOrting the caravans,
while tho latter made their way back
through Mexican territory to Santa Fe
CimarrCn crossing was u famous spot
for attacks by the Indians on the freight
caravans, the government trains, the
overland stage, or any outfit passing
along the old Santa Fo trail i'll the long
ago, before the railroad was regarded rs
possibility even. One of the most I'M
equal in point of numbers and fierceness
OF the numerous attacks occurred in tho
spring of 1863, i'll which several promi-
nent kansans were participants.
Major Rodney Smith, paymaster
United States army, who was on one of
his periodical trips to pay the troops
stationed ut the several mi litary posts in
the department OF the Missouri that
were located on the Arkansas river at
the date specified above, encountered the
notorious Satanta, war chief of tho Kio-
was, and above u thousand of his blood
thirsty followers ut Cimarron crossing.
holding ms own against such fearful
odds until hls brave little party were
rescued by j detachment of cavalry hur-
riedly sent TO his relief on the second
day of the fight.
The gallant band of men who did
such remarkable work in defending
themselves against the horde of the
worst savage cutthroats on the plains Mt
that time WAS composed of the paymas-
ter, who was the ranking officer and in
command; Major A. u. Shaw, now in
Topeka; John +. Jones, now in Okla
homa; Jack Angle, Ed Doyle, Tom
Smith, and IA small escort of enlisted
men Of the Fifth United States infan-
try, which had been furnished at old
Fort Lyon, the last post i'll the upper
Arkansas valley.
Having completed his duties at Fort
Lyon Major Smith. with his compan-
ions, escort and strong box, ~ left there
on Wednesday morning Immediately
after Il very early breakfast, intending
to make Fort Dodge the next post on his
route where the troops We're to be paid.
When the party, who We're III excellent
spirits, had travelled about 80 miles
along the broad old trail, a trapper we'll
known 10 the major, hailed him aud in
formed him that the Kiowas were out
on the warpllh, headed by that incar-
nate fiend, Satanta, their war chief, and
advised him t. keep Il good lookout for
an ambusCade or Il direct attack from the
old he devil. He told the major further
that the savageS, II large band of them
had congregatCd in the sand hills south
of the Arkansas, near Cimarron cross
ing, and were watching for u favorable
opportunity TO pOunce upon some freight
caravan, government train, the overland
coach, or any outfit that promised them
plumber and n few scalps
The paymuSter'S little command
camped that night under the high bluffs
bordering sand creek, putting out dou-
bic guards and exercising every precau-
ton to prevent q surprise, but there was
no disturbance of any character except
ing the usual hideous concert of howl
ing wolves; not an Indian was seen nor
heard, nor were any signs discovered by
the scouts indicating that they had been
providing around.
The next morning the journey was re-
sumed, every one now especially vigi-
liant for the first appearance of II savage,
but everything went along sInoothly an
til they were within few miles of
Clmarron crossing. There one of the ad-
vance guard, who was mounted on q
magnificent American horse and who
had ridden f"w miles farther ahead
on the trail, came daShing back and re-
ported to Major Smith that an immense
number OF lndlanS, rugged ont i'll all
their war parapheinalia, We're right on
the bank OF the river, and evidently pro-
posed 10 prevent the command from
proceeding any farther. He said that
they had their guns unSlung, their robes
on, their lanceS were poised, their bows
strung, and they We're prancing about on
their ponies, certainly getting ready for
fight.
Upon this intelligence the major
closed up his small column, and. send
ing his scouts ON, kept all his force ON
the alert i'll mOmCntary expectation of
hearing the wild, ringing warwhoop of
the blOOdthirSty kiOwas echo over the
prairie. The suvagcS did not make their
appearance then, however, and the now
excited little CONm"nd arrived at CHM
arron, crossing long before dark.
Going into camp at the usual spot,
the wagons and mnbulances were cor
rallied, and every preparation made for
the anticipated charge of the Indiana
The venturesome little outfit was we'll
armed, the majority of its members
with that most effective weapon, the
Martini Henry rife, and felt themselves
equal to the offer of battle, though il
came from even hundred times their
number Of dry savages.
Immediately after the camp had been
established and all was in readiness to
viva liz 10 IL,