The times., 1901-06-23
BLACK SERGEANT MOSES.
Gallant Work of "A COIored Soldier
in Fighting Apaches.

William Moses is a black man. He is
also an ordnance sergeant in the United
States Army, a rank that carries with 1t
as a rule the assurance of fair pay and
an easy berth. When commissions
ed officer has done his duty by his flag
but is stnl some years short of the re-
tiring age and is getting little creaky
in the arm and leg hinges, he generally
is given charge of some dismantled forti-
fication where his chief duty consists in
seeing that scrap iron and bell metal
dealers do not make off with grim-brow
ed but impotent guns that last spoke at
Monterey or Churubusco. 1t is barely pos
sible that Sergeant William Moses, in
view of Philippine events, has today some
more arduous post than the casemate OF
a decrepit bit of masonry in an Eastern
harbor. but if he hasn't an easy job for
the last few years before he can retire
and live like a lord on $50 a month it's
not because he doesn't deserve one.
Il is impossible to pass an hour in bar
racks or camp with a contingent of the
Ninth Cavalry without hearing from some
black trooper the tale of how William
Moses saved the day down in the Cuchil-
lo-Negro Mountains when a part of the
Ninth got into a hole while several hun
dred Apaches poured lead, fire, and a few
other things down on top of them. VIII
liam Moses was then first sergeant of
Troop I. Ninth Cavalry. He was a good
disciplinarian, and that fact made him
first sergeant, though he had not seen
more than minimum of Apache war
fare. 1t was August Is of the Geronimo
year" and few troopers of the Ninth
with a single white officer had been show
ing salamander-like qualities in the hell
of the noon suns heat in that arid zone.
The trail had been a long one and there
was thirst hunger and fatigue enough for
triple the strength of the little band. In
dian signs showed. That the signs were
fresh was emphasized by a volley which,
though breaking from far of, sent the
commanding officer of the little squad TO
the ground with a leg on a strike Ser
geant William Moses was next IN COM
mand and il was then that a black man
had a chance tc show what he could do
when in command OF troops under condi-
tions TO test the courage of heart ana
the coolness Of head of any man OF any
race.
That summer day in Arizona there was
a fight that was fight. The black
tro0pers tell about it today to the ignoring
Of the more important affair outside the
walls of Santiago. There were something
like three times as many Apaches as
there were troopers. Ihe Indians held a
commanding position above the soldier
foe Sergeant Moses knew that there was
a better position for his men over beyond
and from which he could sally and fight
with some show of success, but there was
the commanding officer heiplessly wound
ed and a change OF position meant IeaY-
ing him where he had fallen. Such a
course was urged, but Moses was deaf
He took his place by his fallen chief, and
while his men from such shelter as they
could get exchanged shot for shot with
the Apaches, the sergeant stood erect, his
< 4
of CuchillO. Had ne not read that little
paragraph in Upton which says that
the officer should expose himself as occa-
sion demands, and inspire and hearten the
men by his example2
There came into Sergeant Moses head
the thought that by a bold charge up the
rocky declivity and by a right flank move
men+ he might dislOdge the Apaches, and
despite their numbers force them TO take
! another step on the trail to Old Mexico.
There were a few calmly distinct or
ders, and the black troops broke for tie
| lurking place Of the foe as though they
were each one going TO a ball with a
razor in his boot" Moses led Three
times they were met with q scathing fire.
| -Four men fell, but on the thin black lire
vent. TWO more VolleyS, and even black
| human nature could stand II no longer.
The men went back hurtling. and had
reached shelter before they realized that
their leader was standing alone on the
spot whence they had broken and fled. His
face was over his shoulder, and while
the bullets bit pieces out of the rock ne
made one gesture to his comrades. Black
human nature certainly could not stand
that and back rushed the troopers, not
To stop until they had swept up and over
the rock to the front Of the Apache foe
and had sent the braves scutthng down
the valley.
| The loss of a leg did not interfere eth
er with the vision or the mental activity
of a white officer in command Of negro
| troops Sergeant Moses, standing alone
on that lead-sweDt field, had a sympa-
thetic witness. II was not long afterward
! that on the black troopers breast was
pinned that medal which it is the heart s
| desire Of every American soldier. black or
| white TO win and wear-Edward B.
! Clad, In Chicago Record IL erald.