The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-01-12

operations Of COVER 1ment troops
against the hostile Indians in the six
ties. For the last five years he has
been city Judge of Ell Reno. In his
time he was one of the most famous
scouts of the frontier. Custer called
him the coolest man in fight he had
seen, and the yellow Haired Chief
was quite at home himself Under fire.
Sheridan said that he had no superior
as scout, and Gen. Forsyth, who had
the first opportunity Of testing the
young fellows mettle, has praised him
many times in his writings. The first
battle was the gallant resistance Gen.
Forsyth made to band Of Cheyennes
under Roman Nose, the huge Chey-
enne chieftain, who had him ccrnered
on a small sand bar in the Arickaree
branch Of the Republican River, in
September, 1868. Gen. Forsyth had
started in pursuit Of the hostiles with
q party Of fifty frontiersmen he had
enlisted at Fort Harker and Fort
Hays. With Gen. Forsyth were.
Lieuts. Fred Fl. Beecher, Third In
fantry J. H. Mooers, surgeon, and
Nv. H. Mccall sergeant. Beecher was
a nephew Of Henry Ward Beecher.
Sergeant Mccall had been a Colonel in
Pennsylvania regiment during the
civil war, and had been breyeted
Brigadier-G General for his brilliant
services at the siege of Petersburg.
Sharp Grover was the chief scout.
On September 16 the party went
into camp in well-grassed valley
about two miles wide, through which
the Arickaree flowed. In the middle
of the stream, perhaps seventy yards
from either side, was small island.
1t was raised about foot above the
water and was covered with long sage
grass and there was several thickets
of alders, willows and cotton-woods.
The next morning Gen. Forsyth dis
covered that the Indians whom he had
been pursuing had surrounded him.
Al early dawn . said Judge Still
well in describing the fight, I'VE were
awakened by the sound Of rife shots,
and leaping to our feet saw that the
ridge at the head Of the valley was
swarming with Indians.
Saddle up quickly, men, was Gen.
Forsyth's order, and he was as cool as
sunfower in the morning. In less
than minute the entire command
was saadled and bridled and welstood
at our horses heads ready for the
attack. As the Indians drew within
range We gave them several sharp vol
leys and they retired in confusion.
They had counted on surprising US,
and our warm reception was rather de-
moralizing. An Indian cannot stand
surprise. By this time the sun was
rising over the foothills to the east,
and it was decided we should retreat
to the island, as we were completely
surrounded, and were outnumbered 20
to l., The water was only five inches
deep, and as we moved toward the
island half dozen Of the best shots,
under the command of Lieut.. Beech
er, covered the retreat. Gen. Forsyth
detailed me and FIVE other men to re-
main temporarily in the long grass On
the bank of the river, covering the
north erS of the island. When the
Indians saw our game they howled
with rage at the top Of their lungs.
Then they made charge, and | and
my five comrades we're forced to re-
treat to the island. The charge was
repulsed, and the men took advantage
Of the lull to dig intrenchments in the
sand. Gen. Forsyth was among the
FIRST Of the wounded, his leg having
been shattered, but he sat on the is
land exposed to the raking fire of the
enemy, giving directions for the de-
fence of the island as coolly as if he
were at home directing gardener to
lay out his yard. He was the last
man to seek the shelter of pit The
fight had lasted about an hour and L
half.
SIT was about this time that we dis
covered that the Indians were wrang
ling as to who should command them.
At 10 o'clock old Roman Nose. the
most. celebrated fighter of that day,
assumed command. He was magni-
fcent looking fellow. over six feet in
height, and of massive frame. He
wore large head dress-a gaudy, bar
barrie, contrivance with buffalo horn
standing on end just above the fore
head, and hanked on either side by
stutfed bird He was mounted on