Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-02-17
.HENRY'S WELL WON SCARS.

Henry in '76 each scar spoke eloquertly
of n thrilling episode in that famous ex-
petition against the Sioux in the Big
Horn and Yellowstone country, when the
troopers of the yellow stripes" taught
the hostiles a lasting lesson.
In that expedition Col. Guy V. Henry
was In charge Of the Second battalion OF
the Third cavalry, which formed part of
Gen. Cooks command. One June morn
ing. while the troops were camping for
breakfast in a little ravine, the out pick
cts rushed back with the startling an
nouncement that the Sioux were coming
in force. There was barely time to sound
Boots and Saddles" when the heights
about the valley swarmed with the saw
ages. Within twenty minutes a regular
pitched battle was in progress, the In
dams. of whom there were s,N,,ral thou
sand. coming down from the Hdge in a
series of desperate charges.
During the height of the combat one
portion of the American line under Capt.
Vroom was pushed out beyond its sup
port and was being punished severely, the
hostiles getting between it and the main
body. Col Henry, seeing the peril threat
ening his brother officer, sent his conf
mand pellmell to the rescue. Just as they
swept uron the Indians with uplfted
IL lyllS SOl.. f1ellEy
in the face. tearing through both checks,
breaking the ridge of the nose and COM
pletey severing the left optic nerve.
The force of the wild rush carried him
on, but he YVES seen to sway in the sad
die. A trooper near him called out hoarse-
ly. "Ars you struck sir?" Gripping tho
pommel tightly with one hand Col. Henry
tried TO wave his sword. ''On, on" he
gasped. Charge" Down under the GAL
looping hoofs of the combatants lie lurched
and In an instant he was lost to sight in
the swirllng dust.
The loss Of their leader caused a tenn.
porary panic among the soldiers, but they
soon rallied and, after driving off the In
dams, they searched for their colonel He
was found at last. covered with blood.
but as they tenderly picked him up they
saw that life still remained in the
bruised body. He was placed upon q
blanket in the shade and everything pos
sible done to aid him. 1t was then that
one of the other officers condoled with
him. saying, Colonel. this is too bad
1t is too bad" And it was then that the
gallant Henry, suffering untold agony
and barely able to articulate, whispered
simply:
ITS nothing Jack It's what we are
here for
1t was long before he recovered, but
when he finally returned to active service
he carried with him the indelible proofs
of gallantry and daring in actual battle
The same quiet heroism carried him
through weeks of weary battling with
the torturng pangs or a Porto Rican
fever, struggle which Slapped his
strength and wrung his soul-after which
he quietly and calmly replied to his ply
scian's orders to leave at once, mo.
Here l stay, where 1 have been sent
1t seems peculiarly fitting that the flu
ture Indian fighter should have as his
birthplace an army post in the very
heart of the Western frontier. Fort Smith,
!. T., and that his father. Maj. William
Seaton Henry. of the Third United States
infantry, should be engaged in a war with
the savages at that time, March 3, 1850,
and it is also appropriate that man who
was destined to become the military and
civil governor of a foreign territory. won
by the sword. should be the grandson of
one who was vice president of the United
States and twice governor of New York
state. Daniel d. Tompkins. and also
grandson of former secretary of the
navy and judge of the supreme court,
Smith Thompson.
1t was with the reflected glories Of
these famous ancestors that young Guy
v. Henry started on his career in the
American army. That he has maintained
the family honor cannot be disputed.
He was fortunate enough to graduate
from West Point at the very outbreak of
the Civil war. He was assigned as a
second lieutenant TO the First United
States artillery and served with distinc-
ton in that regiment until he was made
colonel Of the Fortieth Massachusetts, in
fantry in the fall of 1868. He continued
throughout the war with that command.
being present at many of the most i'm
portant battles.
His bravery and daring at the battle
of Pocotaligo S. c.. Oct. %. 1862. earned
for him the commerdation of his superior
officers, and the attention of tho COM
mandiIg general YVES called ito the gal
liant and distinguished services of First
Lieutenant Guy V. Henry.
For his work In the daring advance
in Florida he was compimcnted by Gen.
Seymour in the following words: 81 can
not commend too highly the brilliant sue
cess of this advance. for which great
credit is due Col. Guy V. Henry and his
command. and I earnestly recommend
him as a most deserving and energetic
officer"
There were many characteristic deeds
of bravery performed by the quiet, kindly
man with the "eye like a Mauser bullet
during the Civil war, and he came out one
of the few men to wear a medal of honor,
but it was left to the Indian troubles OF
1SI4-17 to bring out his wonderful nerve
and daring and his skill as n commander.
His new career as the military and civil
governor of one of Uncle Sans first for
eien possessions will be watched with ex-
ceeding interest but those who know and
who have served with Fighting Guy ""
are confident that he will carry out the
traditions of his life and of his family as
n brave and honorable officer and gentle
man.
UnpretentiOus Holland.