The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-06-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Tho Battle on the Wabash.


He had not even assigned me to
service: simply turned me adrift to go
where | pleased. This implied insult
cut me to the quick, yet. now that
had taken the measure OF the man,
cared little enough for his good opin-
ion. Very well. would choose my
own service then-I would go back to
Oldham and his Kentucky militia. He
was Of fighting blood. II his face spoke
truth. and his command was stationed
where they would feel the first shock
OF attack whenever II came.
Oldham received me gladly, and
about the fire that night ] told Of my
reception by St. Clair.
Well, I warned yer. Hayward" the
colonel commented. chuckling. Il
know the bullet-headed old fool. I
reckon he'll know more about Intuns
in q day or two. Told yer he had his
scouts out. did he! Why, man. there
isn't one Of EN- been ten miles from
the column since we began this march:
Isn't that so. captain? The old coch
doesn't know tonight what's goin' on
two hundred yards ahead Of his out
posts" He got up. and stretched out
his arms. And 80. gentlemen. We
march for the Miami towns In tho
morning. Old Cock-a doodle doc says
90. I'll wager . years pay we never
get there. what! no takers! Well.
I'm going to bed
Why should I attempt to describe
that drear battle ON the east fork Of
the wabashf Many another has done
II already. yet few tell the story az I
remember 1t.
We were up at dawn. but for no
purpose. so far as could see. unless
It was to idle through q leisurely
breakfast had finished mine. and
wes smoking, cuddled close to the hre.
when the storm broke. Our outposts
could not have been q hundred yards
in advance. or else they ran without
firing q shot, for the red devils burst
ON us without slightest warning. I
heard q hoarse shout OF alarm. then
whoops and yells. such az would strike
terror to the bravest was on my
feet gripping my gun in an instant
I saw Oldham leap forward. roaring
out an order-then they came. pouring
out Of the woods into the open. q mass
Of shrieking demons. half obscured in
smoke, their rifies splitting IRE. The
man beside me went down in . heap;
Oldham nuns up his arms and toppled
over; / saw men stare. then turn and
run. pssring back over their shoulders
with eyes full Of horror. I threw up
my rife and fred; sprans back. racing
for q trss. loading a. ! ran. Mem
were evsrywhsrs. frightened. scream
ing mob. I saw oficers strike them
with their swords. cursins them -
towards. But nothing could stop tAs
panic; they fought 10 get away. hey
struck with clinched lists, they bat
tered . path for themselves With
dubbed musksts; they became nends
from terror. every semblanos d man
lost 0odi may ! never 80 sach .
sight againi Ny hand trsanbles - ]
write OF IL
Into that tsrrorstrichsp, fleeing mob
the naked warriors came. hacking VIA
tomaAawks. slashins with knives. Bat
tsrins with dubbed guns. Ths snow
was red with blood. covered with dsad
bodiss- Il was massacre l know not
how I rot ont OF II, but fought baok
IRON tree TO tree. nrtns - halts6
loadtnS a. ! ran Thsrs were othorS
with me- oool-hsadsd fellows. end ~
hsld the painted dsnoos back une0
Q hundred Of ~. o. more. saansd ~
opening By tAs river. vhsrs ths ysg~
No end astalhssy vsr& Bat u ~