Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-03-20

ously inclined they might send for government
record, which, though only five lines long CON
tains in it the nub of the story 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 as an en-
listed man. He attracted attention by his gallant
ry as volunteer and the year 1858 found him a
first lieutenant of the Fifth Regular cavalry
In the spring of the fourth of 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 tgilt-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 as though the
savages had come from the ground Lieut. Babcock
caught sight of the reds in time to give him a 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 bit of high ground, plateaulike
formation with its fiat surface occupying a little
than The instant he reached the
place selected he ordered his troopers to dismount
and to intrench themselves as well as they could
The lost 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
begged him to do and they were kept
from dragging their commanding officer to the
ground and place of partial safety only by In
stihed discipline and by Babcock's peremptory COM
mands to leave him alone
The Indians advanced within range and protect
ed themselves in the hoows of the prairie They
sent voIley after vo1ley up the incline the hilltop
and after man behind the poor earthwork
protection 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 and bullet has
come than the north pole. Give it to 'em.
Hold EN- of 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 projecties 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 his horse indiferently if there
were Indian the frontier.
No one in that troop ever knew why Babcock
was 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 that its other flank was toward
the men, to whom he serenely said: Those fellows
can't hit barn door,
The commanding officer continued ride up and
down the line and the bullets continued 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 another instant the warriors
were erect and running the far for their
ponies. They made OFF, leaving their dead and
wounded behind them Far over the plains, Lieut.
Babcock, from his horse, the main column adj
vancing. Relief was in sight
The enlisted told the story of Babcock's
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 Tonic Creek and at the Four Peaks in
Arizona There he the brevet rank of lieu
tenant-colonel add the honor conferred by his
congressional medal of bronze