Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-03-21
CHAPTER Xxx,


A day had dawned on the Big Horn
never to be forgotten by those who
watched the conflict from the stockade,
uever to be recalled by those who went
forth to fight. Broad daylight had
come and the sun was peeping over the
far horizon as strong arms bore the
unconscious officer within the post,
and the commander eagerly questioned
the men who came with him. Their
story was quickly told. They had fled
before overpowering numbers of the
Sioux the night before, had made their
way through the timber in the dark
aess and come ahead all night, crop
ing their way from ridge to ridge until
at the peep of day they found them
selves in sight of familiar landmarks,
and could see the CLEAN of the waters
of the Fork dancing away under the
dawn. And then, as they essayed to
ride on they found the Indians all
around them. Whichever way they
turned the foe appeared, but only in
scattered parties and small numbers.
Not once did more than half dozen
appear in sight, and then, confident
of speedy succor from the fort, they
had decided to make a dash for it, and
so rode boldly out into the open. But
now a score of warriors popped up and
barred the way, while others far out
at flank or rear kept up long range
fire. One man was shot through the
body and tainted and had to be borne
along. Then the lieutenant was shot
in the leg, but no one knew it until
they saw his boot was running over
with blood, and he was growing ghast-
iy white, even though he kept encour-
aging and directing. But when at last
the cavalry met them and brushed the
Indians away from the front, Capt.
Drum, who rode at their head, ordered
Mr.. Dean taken right into the post
while he dashed on to punish the Sioux,
"and he is giving them hell, too" said
the excited trooper, ''for there couldn't
have been more than hundred Indians
all told"
All, not in sight, perhaps, poor
1ads!-not in sight of horse, foot or
fort; for if there were only hundred,
how came it that the fire grew fiercer
still, and that presently every musket
in the infantry skirmish line, too, was
blazing on the foe? By this time cav
airy and infantry both had disappeared
over the curtaining ridge, and the
colonels face grew grave and haggard
as he listened. Three-fifths of his lit
tie garrison were out there battling
against unknown numbers. They had
gone to rescue the detachment and
bring it safely in. That rescue was
accomplished. The precious package
for which so much had been risked was
here-but what detained the COM
mand? Why did they not return: Be
yond doubt far more Indians were out
there now than when first the firing
began. "Gallop out, Mr.. Adjutant, and
tell the major to withdraw his line and
fall back on the stockade,' was the
order-and with a lump in his throat
the young officer mounted again and
started. He was a pet in the garrison,
only in his second year of commission.
They saw him gallop through the gate,
eaw him ride gallantly straight for the
curtaining ridge beyond which the
smoke was rising heavily now, saw
hAii VI ShSNliiS 'IllS SlOpts Ills
following, saw him almost reach it,
and then suddenly the prairie seemed
to jet fire. The foremost horse reared,
plunged and went rolling over and
over. They saw-plainly saw through
their glasses, and a Shrek of agony
and horror went up from among the
women at the sight-half dozen paint
ed savages spring out from behind the
ledge, some on pony back, some afoot,
and bear down on the stricken form of
the slender young rider now feebly
striving to rise from the turf; saw the
empty hand outstretched, imploring
mercy; saw jabbing lances and bran
dished war clubs pinning the helpless
boy to earth and beating in the barred
defenseless head; saw the orderly
dragged from under his struggling
horse and butchered by his leaders
side; saw the bloody knives at work
tearing away the hot red scalps, then
ripping off the blood-soaked clothing,
and, to the music of savage shouts of
glee and triumph, hacking, hewing,
mutilating the poor remains, reckless
of the bullets that came buzzing along
the turf from the score of Springfields
turned loose at the instant among the