The National tribune., 1904-08-18

the Arkansas River. on the state line ol
Arkansas. which place the rebels had
also recently been driven out Of This left
only the Indian Brigade at Fort Gibson.
which was organized as infantry, but as
many of the Indians had picked up horses
in the surrounding country, and mounted
themselves. it was thought that these
could do all the mounted service that was
necessary for the command.
Col VIM. A. Phillips, of the Sd Indian
regiment, was placed in command of the
post and brigade. The rebels, who had
evacuated Fort Gibson, were still camped
in strong force just across the Arkansas,
at Fort Davis occupying a rather threat
ening position.
TROUBLE TO GET FORAGE.
1t was not considered safe for our trains
to go out Oh the prairie to camp, where
we could get good grass to picket the
mules on at night; consequently, we herd
ed them out a mile or two during the day,
but had to bring them in town and tie
them up to the wagons at night. AS the
grass was by this time getting tall enough
to NOW, / procured some scythes and had
my skinners to cut and haul in grass to
feed Mt night, as we had grain.
Besides my train (the Brigade Quarter
mastersl, each regiment had train
There was not much that We could do just
then with teams. except the work about
the post. for the rebels had us so cooped
up in Fort Gibson now that we dare not
venture outside the garrison very far.
Our supplies had to be sent TO us from
Fort Scott, by large supply trains, like the
one had come to Fort Gibson with. These
outfits, together with a number of suit
ler's teams that always accompanied them,
frequently amounted to as many as 80
or 800 teams; and with their valuable car
goes of ito the rebeIs) much-needed war
materials of all kinds, it was a great
temptation to our enemies across the
Arkansas to try to intercept and take them
In.
| was now getting my train fixed up ID
pretty good shape. and Capt. Thomas was
greatly pleased with my services. He
proved to be good boss to me-that is, he
always let me do as l pleased; for, as he
would say. You know more about it than
l do, so just go ahead and do as you think
best. and I'll be satisfied"
He had formerly been quite politician
in Kansas. was an excellent man in some
respects. but poorly fitted for military
service. and especially for the position of
QuaTIerUaSJeT.
BLUFFERs BLUFFED OUT.
got along with those man-killing
teamsters that had made life a burden to
my predecessor. Lindley, without having
to kill any of them, by making them be-
lieve that was something of killer my
self. and would just as soon as not do a
little job Of that kind if they gave me
any provocation. | allowed them to get
this impression from other sources, and
not from any bluster or threatening from
me-something always refrain from. Like
most men of their kind found there was
little actual nerve in any of them, but
more of the blowhard and braggart, and
by putting on a cool, quiet and determined
demeanOr in my intercourse with them,
those who had been mutinOus and insOlent
to their former boss now moved promptly
when | gave them orders, and were re-
spectful. My experience has always satis-
fed me that a man who can run a strong
but quiet bluff on such fellows can control
them in q great majority of cases with
out resorting to the gun. But he must
make up his mind to use such force if put
to the utmost test, for if he once backs
down from a determined stand his prestige
is gone.
Capt. Thomas also assisted my reputa-
tion as bad man" by having it given out
to the skinners that he had employed me
on account of my record for handling
unruly teamsters. and had guaranteed me
the support of the military authorities of
the post. if l would bring them to proper
discipline-even if it necessitated killing
off few Of the worst ones.
/ had occasion several times to send
one to the guard house for neglect of duty,
where. by Capt. Thomass orders, they
We're exhorted TO better behavior by such
persuasive arguments as bucking- and gag
ging, tying up by the thumbs, bread-and-
water diet, or walking No ! post with a
rail on the shoulder. This usually reduced
the delinquent skinner to penitential
mood, and when he promised prompt Obe-
dience and stricter attention to work in
future, | restored him to duty. Those who
rendered faithful service l encouraged by
favoring them in every way / could, con-
sistently.
As my crew was composed In about
equal numbers of white men, half breed
Indians and negroes. l had ample opportu-
nifty TO test the relative merits of the three
classes, and generally found the white man
far preferable to either Of the others as
reliable teamsters. The Indian is indolent
and improyident, and can not be relied on
for work. even with watching and driving.
The negro shows the traits begotten by
slavery; he has always been accustomed to
driving, and therefore expects and waits
for it. The white man usually tries to
uphold the dignity of his race by doing his
work as well when the boss is absent as if
he were standing by.
WORTHLESS vIDETs
The various herds Of mules and horses
belonging TO the command were grazed
during the day in charge of herders, on the
prairie just south and east of Fort Gibson
and as there were quite a number of ami
mails, the grass adjoining the post soor
became eaten down, SO that we had to &c
out farther, until We got to taking then
from two to three miles from the garrison
Some picket guards of Indians were
however, always stationed on ali importan
roads just beyond the herds; and thes,
picket posts were usually placed on som.
hill where they could have a good view OF
the surrounding country. They proved
however, to be Of very little service a.
videts for instead Of attending to the duty
for which they were placed there, the,
usually rigged up such sheds as they coult
with their blankets. to keep the hot SUI
off, and all hands went to sleep-even t.
the sentry on post.
My negro and Indian teamsters, wher
out on herd, would do the same thing
except that the negro wouldn't take tn,
trouble TO fix a shade, but would often Ii.
down with his face up in the full glare O.
the hottest Summer sunshine and slecr
soundly. frequently rode out to my hero