The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-03-19

ously inclined they might send for a government
record, which, though only five lines long.
tains in it 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 we'll done and
five lines in the department record which few
people ever see. John b. Babcock went into the
army at the out break of the civil war as en-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
~ as a volunteer, and the year 1868 found him
first lieutenant 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 section of what John Hay might have
called "gilt-edged 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 is, 1869 While there
band of $50 of the best warriors of the plains APP
peared in front Of the cavalry troops as though the
savages had come from the ground. Lieut. Babcock
caught sight of the reds in time 10 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
than six to one.
Babcock gave quick order and with his men
dashed for bit Of high ground. plateau-like
formation with its fiat surface occupying little
more than an acre. The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers to dsmount
and to intrench themselves as we'll as they could
The men lost no time in throwing up earth enough
to give them some slight protection from me pu
lets which were pouring in.
Babcock would not get off 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
stilled discipline and by Babcocks peremptory com
mands 10 leave him alone.
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hollows OF the prairie Inc!
sent veey after volley up the incline to the hiiitoI
and man after man behind the poor earth"ori
protection was stricken. Babcock continued hi.
ride up and down the line. His blouse was Gu
twice by bullets but his men did not know it,
BOYS, they can't hit thing" said Rabcoek
"They've been shooting at me and no bullet hat
come nearer than the north pole Give it to 'em
Hold EN- off and relief will be here in no time"
The shots from the Spencers and Henrys OF tn
savages or from most of thsm ceased hitting tn
Z extemporjzed earthworks The men lying prone
over their heads and they knew also that ever
nainted warrior antagonist was turning loose a
tho figure of the commanding officer riding bae
and forth on his horse indifferently as II Their
wore not an Indian on the frontier.
No one In that troop ever knew why Babcoe
was not killed The Indians said afterwards tina
he had some big medicine with him that tuFne
AWAY the bullets Finally shot cut Babcock'
boot and wounded his horse. lie turned The ANNA
about quickly 80 that its other flank was towaf
the men TO whom he serenely said: Those feliew
can't hit barn door,
The commanding officer continued to ride up an
down the line and the bullets continued to Gu
the air all about him.
Suddenly every savage head showed at ono'
The troopers slammed in volley that ciaime
some victims The showing heads were followed
showing bodies and in another instant the varriot
were erect and running to the far rear for thei
ponies They made off. leaving their dead an
wounded behind them. Far over the plains, Lieu
Babcock from his horse saw the main column AZ
vancing Relief was in sight.
The enlisted men told the story Of Babcock
bravery, and congress gave him q medal OF homo
Later the officer, who Is now living In retiremen
distinguished himself twice in action against tn
Apaches at Tonic Creek and at the Four Peaks
Arizona There he won the brevet rank Of Mel
tenantcoonel to add to the honor conferred by b
congressional medal OF bronze