Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-03-18

MS nelghborS and II they curl
ously inclined they might send for a government
record which, though only five lines long, con-
tains in it tie 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 ever see John B. Babcock went into the
army at the outbreak of the civil war as an en-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
ry as volunteer, and the year 1868 found him a
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 Kfowas, the Arapahoes and the Cheyennes made
western Nebraska, western Kansas and eastern
Colorado a section of what John Hay might have
called 'giltedged hell" Lieut.. Babcock in the
absence of his captain, ordered to the command
of a troop of cavalry and to take the field.
With his trooper followers Babcock far in
advance of the main command the frontier of
Nebraska. They reached the bank of Spring creek
on the morning of May 16, 1869. While there a
band OF ESQ OF the best warriors Of the plains ap
peared in front Of the cavalry troops though the
savages had come from the ground. Lieut.. Babcock
caught sight of the reds in time to give him
ment or two for preparation. He would not
and he could not attack for he was completely
rounded and the savages outnumbered his force
more than six to one.
Babcock gave quick order and with his
dashed for bit of high ground, plateau-like
formation with its fiat surface occupying a little
more than acre. The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers to dismount
and to ntrench themselves we'll they could
The men lost time in throwing up earth enough
to give them some slight protection from the bull
lets which were pouring in. 49,
Babcock would not get off his horse, although his
begged him to do so and they kept
from dragging their commanding officer to the
ground and Mace of martial safety only by In
stiled discipline and by Babcock's peremptory COM
mands to leave him alone.
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hollows of the prairie. They
voley after volley up the incline to the hilltop
and after man behind the poor earthwork
protection stricken. Babcock continued his
ride up and down the line. His blouse cut
twice by bullets but his did not know it.
Boys, they can't hit thing" said Babcock
They've been shooting at me and no bullet has
come nearer than the north pole Give It to EN-
Hold 'em off 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
extemporized earthworks. The men lying prone
knew that nearly all the projecties 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 indifferently If there
not an Indian the frontier. :, ..
No one in that troop ever knew why Babcock
not killed. The Indians said afterwards that
he had some "big medicine with him that turned
away the bullets Finally shot cut Babcock's
boot and wounded his horse He turned the animal
about quickly so that its other flank was toward
the men, to whom he sereney 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
The troopers slammed in volley that claimed
some victims. The showing heads were followed by
showing bodies and in another instant the warriors
We're erect and running to the far for their
ponies They made off, 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 men told the story of Babcock's
bravery and congress gave him a medal of honor
Later the officer, who is living in retirement.
distinguished himself twice in action against the
Apaches at Tonic Creek and at the Four Peaks in
Arizona There he won the brevet rank of lieu
enantcolonel to add to the honor conferred by his
congressional medal of bronze.