The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-10
A SCOUTS BRAVE DEED.
Amos chspman's lvaIor Praised by
Gene a Miles.

Nene ~ Miles,
The recent visit Of Lieut.. Gen. Miles
to Oklahoma and his retirement from
the command Of theUnited States
army, bring into prominence again
that old army scout. who annually Wis
its Gen. Miles in Washington, Amos
Chapman. Of whom Miles says: Chap
man performed one Of the bravest
deeds in the annals OF the army"
Amos Chapman now lives out in
Woods county. in Western Oklahoma.
where. when the Cherokee strip was
opened to settlement, he took a claim
near Cottonwood Lake. He frequent
ly appears in Alva and other larger
west side towns on business with the
government land offices, but as rule
he sticks close to his claim, except
during the time OF his sojourn with
his old commander in Washington.
Chapman is one of that fast disap-
pearing type Of men who lived in the
western country when It was not safe
to venture far from the scattered army
posts. He Is one of the most celebrat-
ed Indian scoutsnow living in the
southwest, coming to Oklahoma first
in 1868, when Gen Custer was oper-
etlng against the Cheyennes. Arapa-
hoes Comanches and Kiowas. Prior
to that time Chapman was in the en-
ploy OF the government as courier ano
scout at Forts Harker, Larned an
Dodge in Kansas. At Ft. Supply, Ok.
Chapman was chief Of scouts for years,
his employment ending when the fort
was abandoned by the government a
few years ago. He is chiefly noted for
the fight in which he was a main fea
ture, with the Cheyennes and AraDa-
hoes at point near the Antel Z
Hills along the Western Oklahon ,
Texas border, in which battle he lost
a leg. This occurred in 1874, wnen
Gen. Miles was conducting a punitive
campaign against these Indians.
Gen. Miles, with the main force was
near what was then known as Canyon
Blanco and the rations running short,
Chapman and four soldiers were sent
back toward Fort Supply to interccp.
the supply train and guide it to the
command On the morning OF the
second day after leaving Gen Miles
command the party Of FIVE was attack
ed at daylight just north of the Ante-
/ lope Hills by large body of mounted
Indians. Every horse belonging to
the soldiers was killed at the first FIRE.
and one Of the soldiers, VIM. DixoD.
was wounded In both shoulders An
attempt by the party to reach the crest
of hill was intercepted by the n
dians. VINO rode between the soldiers
and the .ill; but another attempt this
time TO reach a buffalo wallow, was
successful, all but Dixon reaching It
in safety. A number OF Indians were
killed and the remainder withdrew
out Of rifle range. All the packs were
lost with the horses. but a German
soldier with the party had a hunting
knife. and with this he threw up
breastworks for the protection Of the
men. Chapman turned his attention
to the rescue of Dixon, whose wounds
prevented him from reaching the wal
low He reached Dixon safely, and
with the wounded man on his back
started again for the wallow Several
times he allowed his burden to slide
to the ground in order to shoot at the
Indians, who would come in close
range and fire at the two men. When
within a quarter OF a mile of the wal
low, however, Chapman was struck by
a bullet on the shinbone Of the righ
leg and the bone shattered, and im-
mediately another struck him on the
right ankle SIN, Chapman did moi
give up but catching the soldiers
blouse In one hand, he continued to
drag Dixon until he reached the wal
low, Chapman crawling ahead and
stopping at intervals to fire at the IT.
dians, who would approach too close
for safety Into the shallow hole
scooped out by the German the wound.
ed were placed. Chapman, in addi
tion to his wounds. had two bullet
holes through his hat and three
Through mis- coat
Dixon died early the next morning
and for five days the four men held
on band of Indians estimated at 150
lstrong. At any time charge by the
Indians would have ended the fight
but they knew that in attempting il
some of them would be killed During
AL thaae five dava the men Mara with.