The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-04-05

-a.7~ ii ..a, uzch gdlq ofrsh OF late
that General Miles is only dress pa
rade and parlor soldier. The people
who say this never made greater
mistake. General Miles is as brave
and fearless commander as ever lived.
| don't believe he knows what fear is.
Certainly if the people who make that
charge against him could have seen
him in that fight as l saw him their
opinions would undergo radical
change
1T was September 90, 1877, that the
fight began. For five days we had
been marching at night, going into
camp about o'clock each morning
We had camped but six or seven miles
from the Nez Perces, although I am
satisfied General Miles did not know
it.
After We had gone about four miles
on the march we came in sight of the
Nez Perces' camp. They must have
known that we were coming, because
they were fully prepared for US. We
could not see them, but as we saw the
camp we formed in line of battle.
las said. we could not see the In
dians and did not. until We rode right
into them, within 80 feet Of them.
They loomed up to view in an instant.
Just think Of it. There were fully
500 naked, painted savages, and, all
told, our three companies did not num-
Der over 120 men.
Il will never forget the scene Ser
geant Wilde ran out few feet in
front of his horse. Corporal Delaney
was next to him and was next to De-
ianey. We were in the extreme front.
in a moment Wilde was shot
through the breast. Delaney wounded
in the head and l shot in the right
knee and side.
For time 1 was in desperate sit
uation. between the two fires.
thought my time had come, but our
boys soon reached US. One fellow,
named Stapleton, who was an ex-En-
glish soldier and brave one, too,
dragged me back beyond little hill.
Here had a good view of the fight.
General Miles came up to my COM
pany and pointing to spot where sew
eral shots were coming from said:
Boys, don't believe there are over
a dozen of them over there. Charge
them once.
I'VE were so close that the Indians
heard the order, and answered back
ieeringly. Charge EN-. It was dis
astrous charge, and of the "A men who
leaped forward five dropped IN an in
slant, and the remainder were COM
PEELED to fall back in hurry.
General Miles, telling the boys to-
remain where they were, said he would
90 back and send US re-enforcements.
It was at this point that I saw him
exhibit bravery and daring which have
been seldom. witnessed.
HE could have gone around the hills
with perfect safety, but it would have
required a little more time. Disdain-
ing the secure route, he put his horse
into a canter and rode across the open,
the only real exposed place on the
field
There were fully, as said, 800 Nez
Perces within short distance. and
they opened fire on him at once. There
must have been 1000 shots fired at
him as he rode across.
'.It seemed certain death, actually
courting it, but he dashed along utter
ly regardless of the rain of lead around
him. It was a spectacle I shall never
forget. When I hear General Miles
called a parlor or a dress parade SOL
der I think Of that ride and the
scene it presented, and feel like fight
ing myself.
This was the hottest fighting for
time that ever heard Of, but we fore
ed the Indians back, and although the
fight lasted FIVE days, the rest Of it
was tame compared with that first
morning.
After several parleys, Chief Joseph
surrendered, and a few hours later
General Howard, who was following
the Nez Perces from Washington Ter
ritory, arrived.
That fight was great thing for
General Miles. His success there and
the opportunities it gave him resulted
in his promotion to Brigadiership
and a big jump toward the position he
now holds as commanding General OF
the Army"