Evening star., 1939-12-31

~ASN'y SAosAAAAo'
Sergt. Fred Myers rode with his
section. AS he thumped the cir
culation back into his numbed arms,
he reflected that he had considered
Washington a cold place in winter.
Cold? Why, it was tropical para
disc compared with this! Thinking
of home made him recall another
Washingtonian in the squadron
1t. Benjamin H. Cheever,, jr., who
was probably safe and warm in the
camp on Wounded Knee Creek.
Oh, well, they'd soon have the sup
ply train into camp. Then he, too,
could feel the warmth of shelter
once more.
Suddenly, 1t. Robert L. Howe,
commander of the troop, shot his
arm into the air. The trotting
column halted. Sergt Myers spurred
his mount and ranged alongside his
officer.
whats up, sir?"
It wasn't necessary for the nom
com to ask. He forgot the intense
cold as his eyes squinted toward a
hillock few hundred yards ahead.
Sioux" he muttered.
They're on the warpath-out to
make us pay for the Wounded Knee
fight" commented the lieutenant.
Men Outnumbered.
Howe quickly estimated the sit
uation. The sayages outnumbered
his command seven or eight to one.
1t would be useless to attempt to
hack his way through them. He
glanced about. The terrain pre-
sented series of knolls. The one
best suited for defense lay about 300
yards from the river. He looked to-
ward the Indians again. They were
preparing to sweep forward.
Trooper by the left hank-yeoh!"
shrilled the lieutenant.
Each man in the column turned
his mount, and Troop K trotted to-
ward the hill. The Indians were
coming rapidly now, tanning out to
intercept the soldiers before they
reached the elevation. 1t looked like
a close race. -
AS the rest of the troop scrambled
up the declivity, Sergt. Myers took
five men and moved toward an ad-
vanced position. The squad dis
mounted, secured their horses, and
flung themselves down, with their
carbines trained on the savages.
With wild whoops the redmen
rode forward. Hold your fire until
you can make every shot count"
Myers cautioned his troopers. The
Sioux came closer. The five car
bines cracked, and behind them the
rest of the troop came to life, firing
from the protection of the supply
wagons.
The Indians wavered and broke.
Presently they reformed and at
tackled again. And again and yet
again the weapons of the soldiers
led by Myers and his gallant quin-
tet shredded their ranks.
Official records treat the matter
tersely. The Washingtonian's cita-
tion reads: Myers, Fred, sergeant,
Company K. 9Th U. S. Cavalry,
at White River, S. OAK, January
!, 1891: With five men repelled a
superior force of the enemy and held
his position against their repeated
Efforts to recapture it."
Despairing of storming the posi-
ton, a detachment Of the Indians
swept around the flank into a growth
of woods that lined the river banks.
Here, protected by the trees, they
kept up a severe fire.
Indians Bewildered.
That fire from the flank was
biting into 1t. Howze's command,
so he took a couple of squads and
charged into the woods. The In
dians, bewildered by such a mad
sortie, scattered. Completely through
the encircling line Howe dis
patched two couriers to the Wound
ed Knee Camp for help. Then he re-
turned to the hilltop and settled
down to the business Of defense.
Meanwhile, back in camp, the
other Washingtonian, 1t. Cheever,
was writing letter home. He de-
plored the hardships Of the winter
campaign and hoped soon to be
back In . warmer climate.
Tho letter was undnished when !