The Globe-republican., 1907-09-05
A TAME ACCOUNT
Of Thrilling Episode Which Narrow
ly Escaped Being a Bloody
Massacre,

In 1874 an lndlan nghC occurred within
thirty miles Of Dodge City, which was
Ia reality a hairbreadth escape for the
white mel en- Ragged IN 1t. 1t has always
been a wonder 10 those who were familiar
with The circumstances that 1t did not
result in the massacre Of the entire party.
The party was attacked at a point which
gave the Indians every advantage. The
party Of whites was composed of mem
bers Of the U ). army stationed at TT.
Dodge, 10 charge of Maj Compton.
Recently Il. NJ. Wright sent to the war
department for the official report Of this
battle. He has received it and 1t shows
the exceptional modesty Of the U. :.
army officer Of those days and especially
Of Maj. Compton. Here Is an exact copy
Of the slight mention which Maj. Comp
ton gave of the affair in his report to the
department. and 1t is equal to anything a
Chinese can do In the way Of belittling
bis own accomplishments:
Headquarters Fort Dodge, KS,
June rs, 1874.
To the
Assistant Adiutant General,
H%eadquarter Department Of the Mo,
Fort L~eavenworth, Kansas.
Sir:
have the honor to report, that IN
order to carry out the provisions Of
Special Orders No. &c., c. g.. Headquarters
Dept. of the Mo-, l lett Fort Dodge
Kansas, % the Goth instant and pro-
ceeded to Camp Supply, l. T., ac-
companied by the Medical Director Of
Of the Department, with an escort COM.
posed of one sergeant and fourteen ell
listed men. Nothing unusual occurred
enroute, between Fort Dodge, Kansas
and the CilDarron river, at this point the
Camp Supply mail with an escort of one
non commissioned officer and four en-
listed men, overlook me and and was
under my charge, thence to Camp
Supply.
Completing the duties assigned me, per
the order herein referred 10 | left Camp
Supply on the morning Of the 23rd inst.
10 company with Surgeon q, Pering.
U. S. A. Medical Director of the De-
partmenl; with an escort Of my own and
that sent out by the commanding officer
Of Supply with the mail. | had with me
twenty-five men. At about 500 a m.
on the Oath instant, while passing over
the Beever Creek Hills at a point about a
nile north of the crossing of the stream
and the main road, we received a shot
then a volley from behind II knoll with
in fifty yards from the right of the road,
The teams were well closed up aud every
one ready for the work at hand. in a
moment a sklr1isb.ine wal formed facing
the knoll, at this time our only safety be-
ing in taking the offensive, the order to
charge was given and ia II minute the
crest was gained and a party of Cbey-
ennes Numbering twenty five or thirty
were sent flying In all directions, avail.
ing themselves of all possible v
in the inequalities OF the ground:
as they sped away to their ponies,
seeking shelter Of The n%eighboring
ravines, II rapid fire was kept up hasten.
ng heir flight every yard, The we're
finally driven out Of the r%avines, whence
they continued IA scattering fire from their
refuge far out Of range. Four Indians
were killed on the field and doubtless
many more wounded. Five ponies were
captured, two being severely wounded. |
ordered them shot. In their rapid and
demcrlllzed flight, the Indians abandoned
bows and arrows, spears, guide poles,
WHIPS ana lnulan trumpery OF all dis
crip:iOns.
The first shot passed through my wagon
cutting the coat of the driver On the back
of the right shoulder, a pony belonging
TO me was shot and killed. None of my
party were Injured.
From this point to Ft. Dodge no
further trouble was met with. The
behavior of all with me, In the affairs re-
ferred to in this report, was commendable
IN the highest degree. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G. 4. Compton, Major 9Th Cavalry.
Commanding