The National tribune., 1904-09-08

Indians at this point, as the country TO
the north and west swarmed with them,
the Fort kearney massacre having occurred
in December, and early in 1861 that post
was abandoned, and q mounted party, con-
sisting OF officers and their wives and the
headquarters train, bearing the body of
Lieut.. Grumm0nd, remained few days
with us while Ell route to Fort Laramie.
One day about the middle of April the
writer. with IA men, six of whom were
''doughboys' and one six-mule team. left
Casper on the usual mail trip and return.
and the road winds its way through can
yons and ravines, with high hills on each
side covered with rocks, the ravines often
opening on each side of the trail. afford
ing the best facilities for an attack.
The first night We camped on La Belle
Creek, and having been disturbed greatly
during the night by the coyotes. failed to
make very early start the next morning.
These animals were more troublesome and
hungry than feas. and while not danger
Gus like the gray wolf they would surround
the camp by thousands and i'm the still
hours of the night seize the blankets with
their teeth and drag them from the pros
trate forms. Then and only then would
the sleepy trooper reach for his trus.y
Colts A and empty it into the pack.
After a late start three miles east of
camp found us in particularly gloomy
looking region. where two rayines inter
sected the trail almost opposite each other.
Having had no trouble on the route in the
past, careiessneSs was shown and We had
ridden over 200 yards ahead Of the wagon
that contained the dismOunted escort, the
only cavalryman remaining with ii being
Private Baker, who over the feed box was
cOnversing with the men inside Suddenly
band Of warriors poured from both sides
of the road. They were stripped naked to
the breechclout, had their war-paint on.
and were doing all the yelling for some
time. Scattering somewhat as they
reached the road, there appeared to be a
thousand of them. Baker finding himself
away from his mounted comrades, impul-
sively pulled out from the wagon intend
ing to join US, but had not gone far when
ball passed through his neck, instantly
killing him.
Strange as ii may seem, he was the only
man struck, even at these close quarters,
although several horses were wounded by
arrows. Wheeling to return TO the pro-
lection OF the wagon, we saw at once that
We were cut off, and looking TO the right,
ii became apparent at once that i'm this
emergency our only hope lay i'm our ability
to reach one of the buttes i'm that drec-
ton.
Corp1 Dolfer, a Pole, displayed great
GOODNESS on this occasion, and with his
revolver emptied three Indian saddles,
and while every man was doing his best
we gradually fell back TO the foothills.
finally making a precipitate retreat 10 the
butte and gained cover, with only one
man slightly wounded.
After reaching the top of this sugar
loaf-shaped hill, We We're able to stand
them Oh, the Indians showing n dislike to
approaching within 300 yards. Finally
they drew back to the dry bed of creek.
abou: 400 yards to the west, to which
point they dragged the wagon, and after
-rnfv hA IL
Ii. This occupied some time, during which,
we kept up continual FIRE with our
Spencer carbines, with some effect as their
assistance to the wounded showed.
The mules were their great prize, and
after partially burning the wagon they
drove them up the rayine that deb0uched
from the high hills and were seen M
more, leaving the smouldering ruins OF
the wagon as monument to their indus
try and good nature.
Not believing it safe to leave our shell
ter in hurry, it was midnight before W.
ventured forth, anxious to discover tn,
fate Of the "doughbOys," and if possibl,
bury the remains of poor Baker. On a ris.
in the road, surrounded by the tracks ol
ponies. the body lay stripped of all cloth
ing. In addition to the first wound, which
was fatal, two arrows were buried in eaci
been cut of and two shots fred into hi.
abdomen and he had been scalped. Tn,
size OF the scalp they took showed US tina
they were Arapahoes. In the bed of tn,
dry creek we found his trousers and boots
more or less bloody, the former consistin.
Of the seat. it being the custom of the In
dams to secure only the legs, which the,
pull On with pride. Starting toward tn,
ferry in the darkness we were soon glad
1ened by a shout from the walk a -bea Us.
who, after the retreat. had gained tn.
summit OF butte similar to our own
without the loss Of Il man. We now joinet