The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-03-18


ousIy inclined they might send for government
record, which, though only FIVE lines long. con-
tains In II the nub Of the story Of one Of the most
gallant feats ever performed by officer of the
United States army.
The glory reaped from the achievement consists
OF little bronze medal voted to the soldier by
congress- the consciousness of duty well done and
five lines in the department record which few
people John b. Babooek went into the
army at the outbreak Of the civil war en-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
ny as q volunteer and the year 1868 found him
first Iestenant OF the Fifth Regular cavalry.
In the spring of the fourth year Of peace after the
civil war-that is to say peace between white men
the Kiowas the Arapahoes and the Cheyennes made
western Nebraska western Kansas and eastern
Colorado q section Of what John Hay might have
called "giltedged hell" Lieut. Babcock in the
absence OF his captain was ordered to the command
Of troop Of cavalry and to take the field
With his trooper followers Babcock was far IN
advance of the main command on the frontier OF
Nebraska They reached the bank OF Spring creek
on the morning OF May 16, 1869. While there
band Of $50 OF the best warriors OF the plains ap
peared in front of the cavalry troops though the
savages had come from the ground Lieut.. Babcoek
caught sight OF the reds in time TO give him mo-
ment or two for preparation He would not run
and he could not attack for he was completely sur
rounded and the savages outnumbered his force
more than six to one.
Babeock gave a quick order and with his men
II
formation with its fat surface occupying little
more than an acre The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers TO dsmount
and to intrench themselves well as they could
The men lost time in throwing up earth enough
to give them some slight protection from the bull
let's which we're pouring In.
Babcock would not get off bis horse, although his
men begged him to do so, and they were kept
from dragging their commanding officer to the
ground and 70 place OF partial safety only by In
stilled discipline and by Babcocks peremptory com
ma~ds to leave him alone
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hollows Of the prairie. They
sent voIley after volley the incline TO the hilltop
and man after man behind the poor earthwork
protection was stricken. Babcock continued his
ride up and down the line. His blouse was cut
twice by bullets but his men did not know 1t.
Boys they can't hit a thing" said Babcock.
They've been shooting at me and no bullet has
come nearer than the north pole. Give II to 'em.
Hold 'em OF and relief will be here in time"
The shots from the Spencers and Henrys of the
savages or from most OF them, ceased hitting the
extenporized earthworks. The men lying prone
knew that nearly all the proiectiles were passing
over their heads and they knew also that every
painted warrior antagonist was turning loose at
the figure of the commanding officer riding back
and forth on his horse as indiferently as II there
were not an Indian on the frontier.
No one in that troop ever knew why Babcock
was not killed The Indians said afterwards that
he had some big medicine" with him that turned
away the bullets. Finally a shot cut Babcocks
boot and wounded his horse. He turned the animal
about quickly that its other flank was toward
the men, to whom he serenely said: Those fellows
can't hit barn door"
The commanding officer continued to ride up and
down the line and the bullets continued to cut
the air all about him.
Suddenly every savage head showed at once
The troopers slammed In a voley that claimed
some victims The showing heads were followed by
showing bodies and in another instant the warriors
were erect and running to the far rear for their
ponies They made of, leaving their dead and
wounded behind them Far over the plains, Lieut.
Babcock, from his horse. saw the main column ad
vancing Relief was In sight.
The enlisted told the story of Babcock's
bravery, and congress gave him q medal OF honor
Later the officer, who is now living in retirement,
distinguished himself twice in action against the
Apaches at Tonic Greek and at the -Four Peaks in
Arizona. There he the brevet rank of lieu
tenant colonel to add to the honor conferred by his
congressional medal of bronze