Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-04-30
PIONEER SKETCHES
The Brave Seventeen; charge Of Cowardiee
and Court Martial,

III tuh' Iukkcu tou'tH S'"t" WI go
mon river the Indians appeared on
Camas prairie 1900 strong. The vol
unteers had charge Of the defense OF
Mt. Idaho stockade, where the settlers
had assembled Col. Perry was
stationed at the Cottonwood house.
Howard in his advance selected that
position rs IA supply point and detailed
Perry ~ sort of c"nlmIssary guard
wi h two companies Of regulars.
With the report that the Indians had
re-apIeared came the alarm that Perry
wa. besieget by a thousand Indians.
There had not been the best of feeling
between the volunteers ard Perry a.
commander of the regular. during the
time intervening, about fourteen days
Bird and the time of Towards arrival.
The volunteers insisted upon defend
Ing their families aud their homes in
their own way, while Perry insisted
that he was the Official head of that
camp .ign. This clash Of authority, it
Is b+iieved caused jealousy or some
Ol her sentiment to exist which in
ducrd bitter resentment ON more than
one occasion during the Me- Perez war.
When the news came however that
Col. Perry was in jeopardy the voIun-
teers were ready to risk their lives to
assist him. Capt. Randall aud L,'ut.
WilnOt expressed II determination to
go to the rescue. they asked for Ii
volunteers which VAS all it WAS
guards. Tie Is were forthcoming AID
~ fast us good horses could carry them
they proc. eted to the rescue.
Al the brave II approached the
Cottonwood louse they discovered u
solid column of Indians before them.
They halted to prepare for charge
Capt. Randall gave the order to cI,urg.
and /" star d together ride by side
That was u pledge that H,uud every
Man. They were To charge through,
the lite and halt on hill beyond. As
they reached the hill the Iniinus rode
down upon them Ia u phulAnx that was
Irresistible. Brave Capt Randall had
bsen shO: aud half the men were dis
mounted. The captain, though dying,
gave orders calmly for the boys u form,
IN line rod apart and lie upon the
ground. Their deadly fire drove the
Indians back after the first charge
Every one Of the seventeen men wus u
cool, deliberate, sharp-shooter, and
every shot told. Capt. Randall fired
Ave shots while dying. Then he raised
his gun. which was very fine one,
aud called to friend. saying he could
shoot no more aud for him to take
the better gun and continue the fight.
Before the friend could reach the cap.
tam lie was dead. Five Of the seven.
teen were dead and wounded after the
charge, but the Others kept az
such deadly voliey that the Indian,
gradually drew away. They Rugged
the ground on the open prairie, tough,
behind their dead horses, and guarded
their helpless friends till no Indian
dared to show his head above hi,
shelter.
Every man IN this little company
dls,,ngui.led himself for bravery nnd
not one faltered to face death whe,
and where duty called. Maj, Shearer
rude twice from Cottonwood house
He implored help for his comrades
He went t" Ad Chapman, n volun
teer, first, and asked his aid. Chap
man replied: IA man would be Il
d-n fool to go there now" Shearey',
response wa.: Ale would he n d.,
coward that would not g,,.' He then
approached Col. Perry and begged q
detail 10 relieve his friends. He was
refused the succOr. Capt. Whipple
under Perry, volunteered 10 20, bu,
Perry made him officer of the day
which under the tactics prevented hi.
leaving the military station. Shea,e or
went expecting to be followed by
Capt. Whipped. Being disappointed,
he returned aud asked for cart ridges II
be Could not get men. This was re.
fused also. An Indian scout, under
Perry, was an duty M u picket. He
had \ belt full Of cartridges. Shearer
approached the Indian, grappled with
htm, cut hts cart,i dye belt of, and car.
rcd Tito the leseiged boys ou the hill
Nd. ShsArer made this ride for help
In . shower Of bullets. He lost two
honss. killed, but escaped without a
scratch.
The Indians gave w tie battle as
night approached ind withdrew. The
last hour OF the fighting was at long
range. II Ii reiated'Of Cash Day that
he had duel at four hundred gard,
with az Indian who fingered to satisfy
his thirst for blO,d. A number o Shots
were exchanged, eacl, in turn perform.
AL