Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1909-03-18

Ously inclined they might send for government
record. which, though only five lines long con
tains in II the nub of the story 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 John b. I'abcock into the
army al The outbreak OF the civil war as an EN-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
ry volunteer, and the year S6S 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 mad.
western Nebraska. western Kansas and eastern
Colorado section Of what John Hay might have
called "gilt-edged hell Lieut.. Babcock i'm the
absence of his captain, ordered to the command
OF troop of cavalry and 10 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
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 i'm time TO give him
ment or two for preparation. He would not run
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 a bit of high ground a plateaulike
more than an acre. The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers to dismount
and to fntrench themselves we'll they could
The men lost time In throwing up earth enough
to give them some slight protection from the bull
let's which were pouring In
Babcock would not get of his horse. although his
men begged him to do 80, and they kept
from dragging their commanding officer to the
ground and to place of partial safety only by in
stilled discipline and by sabcocks peremptory com
mands to leave him alone.
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hollows OF the prairie They
voey after volley up the incline to the hilltop
and man after behind the poor carthwork
protection was stricken Babcock continued his
ride up and down the line. His blouse cut
twice by bullets but his men did not know IT,
Boys. they can't hit thing said Babcock
They've been shooting at me and bullet has
come nearer than the north pole. Give IL To em
Hold EN- OFF and relief will be here in no time
The shots from the Spencers and Henrys of the
savages or from most OF them ceased hitting the
extemporized earthworks. The lying prone
knew that nearly all the proectiles were passing
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 his horse indiferently ii there
were not Indian on the frontier
No one in that troop 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 E'abcock's
boot and wounded his horse. He turned the animal
about quickly that its other flank toward
the men. to whom he serenely said: Those fellows
can't hit barn door.
The commanding officer continued To ride VI and
down the line and the bullets continued 10 cut
the air all about him.
Suddenly every savage head showed
The troopers slammed in volley that claimed
some victims The showing heads followed by
showing bodies and in another instant the warriors
were and running to the far for their
ponies They made OF leaving their dead and
wounded behind them. Far the plains Lieut..
Babcock, from his horse the main column adj
vancins Relief was in sight.
The enlisted told the story of l'abcocks
bravery, and congress gave him medal of honor.
Later the officer, who is living in retirement,
distinguished himself twice i'm action against the
Apaches at Tonic Creek and at the -Four Peaks In
Arizona. There he won the brevel rank oil lieu
tenant-colone add to the honor conferred BY hi,
congressional medal of bronze