Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-31
CN?cZLA2Q "a 90. L2X5

woods and poured In deadly volleys.
There was nc sound now, no yelling
only the incessant rattle of firearms,
as they crept from log to log, and
tree to tree, slowly drawing closer.
They filed off to either side and
hemmed US In, the river alone protect
ing u 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 a fierce rush that flung
us back, and crushed the gunners I'M
der foot. But they we're in the open
now, and we could see; with bayonets
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 few off, and / picked up
another; / vas out of powder and ball
and took them from a dead body. The
dead lay everywhere, alone, in heaps;
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
lei 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
tillery 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 a few mi
litiamen who kept their heads. About
the guns, not a dozen powder-grimed
Iartillerymen remained. Not an officer
Of the battery val left; not n 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 nc 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. I
was beside Butler when he was struck,
and helped drag him aside out of the
rout- Then ! say st. Clair, and, as l
stopped a 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, 1--WE
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 60"
"Yes-yes. Colonel Darke, but how
is it 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. l al 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 I try it, sir?",.
"Ay, try it. Hold! I'll lead them
myself. Here, Simmons, Cauley, Lash
those skulkers into the road there,
while we clear a path"
/ sprang forward with the others in
response to swift orders. We made
the woods and plunged into their
shadows. There was a fierce, mad
struggle face to face, bayonets and
dubbed muskets, knives and toma-
hawks. st. Clair, on an artillery horse,
led the way. We swept the front OF
the broad road clear, the impetuosity
VI Jul IGCh1CSS CAdl 20 lOTCluR LIE
startled savages into full retreat
Then we dropped to our knees, LOADING
and firing to hold the advantage. Be
hind US, into the open road. surged the
mob Of panic-stricken men, fighting
and %crowding. beginning their long
race back to the Ohio. 1t was a sick
ening sight, the white. CHASTITY faces
the wounded limping along. the bru
tai acts of fear, and I've all the cease
less cries and profanity. l caught
glimpses of women among the seeth
ing mass, hustled and thrown under
foot in the mad terror. The sight o
them brought back to me the remem
brance of Rene. Was she also crushed
in that mob, fleeing for life, or was
she still in the cook tent, trembling
as she stared out helplessly on the
stricken field? turned and ran, heed
less Of all else, plunging through TIT
stream of fugitives, blowing a passags
with my bulk. / had done my duty
now ! must save her!