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


ously inclined they might send for government
record which. though only five lines long. con-
tains in it the nub of the story of 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. BahcOck went into the
army at The outbreak of the civil war as an en-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
ry as a 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 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, 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. BabcocK
caught sight of the reds in time TO give him mo-
ment or two for preparation. He would not run
rounded and the savages outnumbered his force
more than six to one.
Bahcock gave a quick order and with his men
dashed for bit of high ground, a plateauke
formation with its fiat surface occupying a little
more than an acre The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers to dlsnount
and to intrench themselves we'll as they couo.
The men lost no time in throwing up earth enough
to give them some slight protection from the Dui'
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 10 Inc
ground and to place of partial safety only by In
stilled discipline and by Babcock's peremptors com
mands TO leave him alone.
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hollows of the prairie. me!
sent yelley after voey up the incline to the hilltop
and man after man behind the poor earthwork
protection was stricken Babcock continued MS
ride I'm and down the line His blouse was CUT
twice nv bullets but his men did not know It,
Bows. they can't hit thing said Rabcock
"Theyye been shooting at and no bullet has
come nearer than the north pole. Give it 10 em
Hold EN- off and relief will be here in no time
The shots from the Spencers and Henrys OF ths
sayages or from most of them. ceased hitting tht
extemporized earthworks. The men lying prons
knew that nearly all the projectiies were passing
over their heads and they knew also that every
nainted warrior antagonist was turning loose a.
the figure of the commanding officer riding baei
and forth ON his horse as indiferently as II there
were not an Indian the frontier.
No one In that troop ever knew why sancoet
was not killed. The Indians said afterwards ina
he had some big medicine with him that tufnes
away the bullets Finally shot cut babcoek
boot and wounded his horse He turned the ANNA
about quickly so that its other flank was towart
the men. to whom he sereney said Those fehew
can't hit barn door.
The commanding officer continued to ride up Ant
down the line and the bullets continued to Gu
the air all about him.
Suddenly every savage head showed at enos
The TROOPERS slammed in voiley that claine
some victims The showing heads were followed b.
showing bodies and in another instant The warrior
were erect and running TO the far rear Tor thei
ponies They made off, leaving their dead an
wounded behind them. Far over the plains, Lea
Babcock from his horse. saw the main column az
vancing Relief was in sight.
The enlisted men told the story OF babeock-
bravery and congress gave him medal OF honor
Later the officer, who is now living In retirement
distinguished himself twice in action against tn
Apaches at Tonic Creek and at the Four Peaks Il
Arizona There he won the brevet rank OF aet
tenaDtcolonel to add to the honor conferred by ni
congressional medal OF bronze