The Carlisle independent., 1909-03-18

his neghbors and if they cur ously inclined they might send for government record, which, though only five lines long, tains in 1t the nub of the story of of the 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 see. John B. Babcock went into the army at the outbreak of the civil listed He attracted attention by his gallant " 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 Kowas, the Arapahoes and the Cheyennes made western Nebraska western Kansas and eastern Colorado a section of what John Hay might have called "gltedged he'll" Lieut.. Babcock, in the absence of his captain, 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 a band of 250 of the best warriors of the plains ap peared in front of the cavalry troops though the sayages had come from the ground. Lieut.. Babcock 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
 Babcock gave quick order and with his men dashed for a bit of high ground, a plateau-like formation with it's fiat surface occupying little more than an acre The instant he reached the place selected he ordered his troopers to dismount and to intrench themselves as well they could The men lost no time in throwing up earth enough to give them some slight protection from the bull 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 to leave him alone.
 The Indians advanced within range and protect ed themselves in the hollows of the prairie. They sent volley after voey 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 but his men did not know it.
 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 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 passing over their heads and they knew also that every painted warrior antagonist turning loose at the figure of the commanding officer riding back and forth on his horse indinerently as If there were not Indian the frontier.
 No one in that troop ever knew why Babcock
 
 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 once The troopers slammed in a volley that claimed some victims. The showing heads were followed by showing bodies and in another instant the warriors erect and running to the far rear for their ponies. They made off, leaving their dead and wounded behind them. Far over the plains, Lieut. Babcook, from his horse, saw the main column ad- vancing. Relief was in sight
 The enlisted men told the story of Babcocks bravery, and congress gave him medal of honor. Later the officer who is now living in retirement, distinguished himself twice in action against the Apaches at Tonto Creek and at the Four Peaks in Arizona. There he won the brevet rank of lieu tenanteolonel to add to the honor conferred by his congressional medal of bronze