The state herald., 1909-03-19


ousy inclined they might send for a government
record. which, though only five lines long con
tans in II the nub OF the story Of one of the most
gallant feats ever performed by an 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 war department record which few
people ever see. John b. Babcock went into the
army at the outbreak of the civil as an en-.
listed man. lie attracted attention by his gallant
ry as volunteer. and the year 1865 found him a
first lieutenant of the Fifth Regular cavalry.
In the spring OF the fourth year peace after the
civil war-thai is TO say peace between white men
the Kiowas. the Arapahoes and the Cheyennes mad.
western Nebraska. western Kansas and eastern
Colorado a section of what John Hay might have
called "giltedged hell" I.eut. Babcock in the
absence of his captain. was ordered to the command
of a troop of cavalry and 10 take the field.
With his trooper followers Babcock far in
advance Of the main command ON the frontier Of
Nebraska. They reached the bank Of Spring creek
on the morning Of May is. 1869. While there a
band Of $50 of the best warriors Of the plains APP
peared In front Of the cavalry troops though the
savages had come from the ground. Lieut.. Babcock
caught sight OF the reds In time ia give him
ment Two for preparation He would not run
and he could not attack for he was completely sur
rounded and the sayages outnumbered his force
more than six 10 one.
Babcock gave a quick order and with his men
dashed for bit OF high ground. n plateaulike
formation with It's fiat surface occupying little
more than acre. The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers 10 dismount
and TO intrench themselves as wsll as they could
The men lost time In throwing up earth enough
TO give them some slight protection from The bul
lets which were pouring In.
Babcock would not get on his horse, although his
men begged him to do so, and they were kept
from dragging their commanding officer to the
ground and to place OF partial safety only by In
s,illcd discipline and by Babcocks perempiory com
mands 10 leave him alone
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves In the hoows OF the prairie. They
sent yoey after yolley up 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 bu, his men did not know II.
Boys they can't hi, thing" said Babcock
They've been shooting at me and no bullet has
come nearer than the north pole. Give II 10 EN-.
Hold en- on and relief will be here In no time"
The shots from the spencers and Hcnrys OF the
snynges or from moa Of them, ceased hitting the
cx,omporizcd carihwork. The men lying prone
knew that nearly all the projectilos were passing
over their heads and they knew also that every
nain,ed warrior antagonist was turning loose u,
the hguro OF the commanding of1cer riding back
and forth on his horse ns lndinercnty ns u there
were not nm Indian 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 n shot cut Babcock'H
boo, and wounded his horse. He turned The animal
about quickly so that It's other flank was toward
the men. TO whom he screncly said; Those fellows
cant hit n barn door"
The commanding ofioer continued To ride up and
down the line aud the bullets continued 10 cut
the air all about him
Suddenly every savage head showed at once.
The troopers slammed In yoll.y that claimed
some victims The showing heads we're followed by
showing bodies and In another instant the warriors
were erect and running TO the FAR rear for their
ponies They made on. leaving their dead and
wounded behind them Far over the plains, Lieut..
nabcock. from his horse, saw the main column ad'
yancing Relief waa In sight
The enlisted men told the story Of Bnbcocks
bravery. ANA congress- gave him medal Of honor.
Later the ofioor. who ip now living In retirement,
distinguished himself twice In ncliOn against tho
Apscb.s NJ fonio Greek and NJ the -Four Peaks IN
Arizona There he won the bfoye, rank of lieu
tenantcolono to add TO the honor conferred by his
cobEror anni medal OF bronze.