The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-12-10
lge hordes. Infatuated by victory

age hordes, Infatuated by victory.
drunk with slaughter, we're at our very
heels. They lined the edge Of the
woods and poured in deadly volleys.
There was no sound now, no yelling
only the incessant rcttle of firearms,
as they crept from log to log, and
tree to tree, slowly drawing closer.
They filed of to either side and
hemmed US in, the river alone protect
ing our rear. Through the clouds of
smoke we caught glimpses of their
fitting figures, distorted, horrible, of
faces striped black and red, OF waving
feathers, and brandishing arms. Never
before or since have l seen Indians
fight as they did that day-rushing to
the charge, leaping straight at us
through the smoke, and firing with
deadly aim into our very faces. They
shot us down with no rest, no cessa-
ton, no time in which to breathe.
Twice they took the guns, swarming
forward with fierce rush that flung
us back, and crushed the gunners un-
der foot. But they were in the open
AAS W. s~Au We NOuAO cOOs Will U0yOAOko
and dubbed rifles we charged home,
driving them back to the woods. There
they held us, while from every hollow
and grass patch, every tree and fallen
log, their rifles spat fire. The bands
OF my gun flew of, and picked up
another; was out of powder and ball
and took them from dead body. The
dQQ6 Law uh oil ~, hno
cries of the wounded rose above the
din. We charged over the bodies,
crunching them under foot, seeking
to reach our invisible foes. They
would not stand, would not meet us.
Helpless, bleeding, dying, confused by
many orders, we fell back, yet still
retained line, and fronted that blaz-
ing wood. Frightened, panic-stricken
men were everywhere, running and
shrieking in terror, seeking vainly for
some means of escape from the savage
Gordon. Indians crept forward under
the smoke to scalp and mutilate the
dead and dying. Horses from the ar
t1llery and staff, breaking loose,
charged wildly about, trampling living
and dead alike under their feet. Wom-
en-, camp followers, were wedged in
the mob, their shrill screams piercing
the mad uproar. Only the regulars
stood intact, a thin blue line, with
here and there among them few mi
l1tlamen who kept their heads. About
the guns, not dozen powder-grimed
artillerymen remained. Not an officer
of the battery was left; not one of the
regulars unwounded.
heard st. Clair storming up and
down behind us, swearing and shout
ing orders in his high, cracked voice,
yet took no time to glance toward him.
The smoke settled down upon us in
a cloud; we fought blindly, in the dark,
hardly certain but we stood alone. l
was beside Butler when he was struck,
and helped drag him aside out of the
rout. Then l saw st. Clair, and, as l
stopped second, staring into his face
to be sure of his identity, an officer
rushed up through the smoke cloud,
knocking me aside, everything forgot
ten but his urgent message.
General st. Clair" he cried, I'VE
must get out of here, sir. My men
cannot stand five minutes longer. If
that line breaks it will cost every life.
For Gods sake, let us CO."
"Yes-yes, Colonel Darke, but how
Is 1t to be accomplished, sir? See
those fool towards"
Darke swept his hand out to the
south in sudden gesture.
There is only one way, sir-there
by the road. I can hold the regulars
steady: they'll cover the rear, and
give the others a chance. One fierce
charge forward with the bayonet will
drive those devils back, and open the
way. May try it, sir?"
"Ay, try it. Hold! I'll lead them