Jasper Weekly Courier, Volume 18, Number 30, Jasper, Dubois County, 4 August 1876 — Page 2

A MIDSUMMER SOSO.

VT It. W . Oil t'VK. Oa, lather's (rone to mailt town; ha wa up twsore the day, And Jtmw'i afu r robin, ami the oian U waking nay. . . And whittling clown the bollow (roe Uw boy that mind Iho mill, While moiber from th kitchea dor is calling with a will , ToIiy! Tolly! The row are in the corn! 7 Ou, where' Tolly r" rrou all U ui4y momiun air Utuo) cowea a summer Miiui A murmur a of wUr from skies, and Ire, and ground. Tbe birds they amg upon Ue wing, Uie pigeon bill nl cxo, And oer hill ni hollow rin again Uie loud U,lo "Toil !-loIlr! Theoowa are In tlie corn I oh, where' Tolly !" Alve Uie ti- the honey bee warra by with bllJI Mild bOOIll, And in Uie Ben! aud garden hundred flower hloom. Within the mru;er's meadow a brown-eyed daisy And d..u at tl.e edpe of the hollow a red and thorny r.-e. Hut IVl y I-Toil) I Tbe cow are in Uie corn t Oil, w here' Tolly J !! trai)ir- nt such a tir.ie of day the mill should ui iu cl.tiurl The fanner's wite is listening now, and wonder what' the Hl:ilU r. Oh, wild uie t.iids are unking la the wood and on li h.!l, WtUle whiMlin;; up the hollow goe the boy that u.. ii.Ib the null. Bet l o.'.y !-Tolly I The cow are in U eorn! Oh, where' Tolly r S,-ri(nrr'$ r .tnijutt. . LKFsDLK YAWC011 STRAUSS. V.X HAUI.IS I. AlAM. I h:f Tnu furrv leedty p.-iy Vol poiui hu-t to my knee ; IH r jiiii-rrrt M-!..tp, tier . realist rojpe A eier you da ; , " - v. -. . a , K... , . V 1 . - " - . j . , - - - I n .l imitu J iii-r house )'.t v. 1 1 :'. i..t li ti mine sun. Mine lerdlo Yawcob Mrauss. He jret '!er n.e-'e. und dor munibs, T'ml -i. rydnu dot's ou lt ; lie i-b:i;Vnmir a-l.-ipo off lncer-bier, l'vi rchaull iuiio imiie krout; lie m:ne nut Limburg; cheese , l't iailer rou,hel ehou., I'd n.ike l.t vnxu u oiler jKy lUit !-eule I uwcob .-irausiS . He dale ler cllk lisa (or a dhrnm, I'n'l etiu mine cane in io i niAie -1er cciitick to tx-at it mit U:necra-i.u, dot vat drue! I iimk mine lied va nchplit aba.'t He k ck up .MH'h a U'U Mnt pf..f mind , r My few Like yung Yaweoli striU. lie ark me (jneklioti vich as ilcse : W ho laii t nuiie n-e o reJIwii vt it cut dot M'!iniUli blace ou Jt Ymm lrr hair uln uiine htd? t'nd There U r piaxe font vrom tier lamp VeneVnlrr (r'.im I itou How pan I u.l ilee d.n e;i-Lliia To d.jl whruall acol lru.' I frioiediine dink I sehall sro Tild M;t e--h a praiy oy, Vri'i Tuh Timre wre IgouM baTreat Cod beai-et'ul il.uie enhny ; jf Hut m lif ra alecp in el, T o rimet u h mo(;io, I prayi ner I.'ri. "d:ie any dingf , Hut lf dot aweoh flnuM." Dttrmt Frtt Prtu. BlTTLINli HITU THE SIOUX. BY GEN. U. A. Cl'STEK. The f jIIowiujc atract from a sketch by the lateUen. Cosver in the July Gala.rg U of epeeial inlrrl at th.s time. Tit. For myself, eo oblirious was I to the prwpct of imnieJiate danger, that after lectin a most inviting spot for my noonilay n:ip, and arranging uay saddle and t'tK-'k.-dun coat in the form of a comfort.ib'.e pillu', I removed my boots, untied my cravat, and opened my collar, prepared to enjoy to the fullet extent it" delights of an outdoor tiesta. I did not omit, however, to place my trusty Kemintrton rifle within easy gra.p more front habit. It must be confessed, thai from anticipation of danger. Near me, a-1 stretched on the ground sheltered by the shade of the tame tree, vra my brother, the Colonel, divested of hi- hat, coat, and boot; while clo,e at hand, wrapped in deep slumber, lay the other three officers, Moylan, Calhocn, and Varnum. Sleep had taken posst -M'ja of all officers and men excepting of course the watchful picket into whose keeping the safety, the lives, of our little detachment was foi the time entrusted. Many of the horses even, having" lunched most bountifully from the rich repast which nature had spread around and beneath them, seemed to share in the languor and drowsiness of their riders, and were to he seen here and there reposing upon the soft green carpet which to them was both tood and couch. How long wc slept I scarcely know perhaps an hour when the cry of ''Indians! Indians!" juickly followed by the sharp ringing crack of the pickets' carbines, aroused and brought us officers, men, and horses to our feet. There was neither time nor occasion for questions to be asked or answered. Catching uj my rifle, and without waiting to don hat or boot, I glanced through the grove of trees to tho open plain or valley beyond, and saw a small party of Indians bearing down toward us as fast as their ponies could carry them. Mun to your horses, men! Hun to your hore.i !" I fairly yelled as I saw that the first move of the Indians was intended to 6tampede our animals and leave us to be attended to afterward. At tki' same time the pickets opened lire cpoa our diturlers, who had alrrady rmptied thrir rifles at us as they advanced as if boldly intending to ride us down. As yet we could see but half a dozen warriors, but those who were familiar with Indian stratagems knew full well that so small a party of savages unsupported would not venture to disturb in open day a force the size of ours. Quicker than I could pen the decription, each trooper, .with rifle in hand, rushud to secure hU horse, and men and horses were woon withdrawn from the optn plain and coi.ccaled behind the clump of trees beccuth whoso shade, we were but a few mni.iiiti before quietly sVcping. The firing; of the pickets, the luttcr having been reinforced by a score of their comrades.

checked tho advance of the Indians and enabled us to saddle our horses and bo prepared for whatever might be in store for us. A few moments found us in our sad-C-m and sallying forth from tho timber to try conclusions with tho daring intruders. We could only see halj a dozen Sioux warriors galloping up and down in our front, boldly challenging us by tlfcir manner to attempt their capture or death. 01 ' courso It was an easy matter to drivo them away, but as wo advanced it became noticeable that they retired, and when wo halted or diminished our speed they did likewise. It was appareut from tho first that tho Indians were resorting to stratagem to accomplish that which they could not do by an open, direct attack. Taking twenty troopers with me, headed by Colonel Custer and Calhoun, and directing Moylan to keep within supporting distance with tho remainder, 1 followed the retreating Sioux up tho valley, but with no prospect of overtaking them, as they were mounted upon tho fleetest of ponies. , Thinking to tempt

them within our grasp, I, being mount ed on u Kentucky thoroughbred in whoso speed and " endurance I had confidence, directed Colonel Custer to allow me to approach the Indians accompanied only by my orderly, who was also well mounted; at the same time, to follow us cautiously at a distance of a couple of hundred yards. Tho wily redskms were not to be caught by any such artifice. They were perfectly willing that my orderly and myself should approach tuern, but at the same time they carefully watched cavalry follo'.vir me, and permitted uo advantage. We bad by this time almost arrived abreast of au immense tract of timber growing in tho valley and extending to tho water's edge, but distant from our resting place, from which wc had been so rudely aroused, about two miles. The route taken by the Indians, and which they evidently intended us to follow, led past this tiailer, but not through it. When wo had arrived almost opposite the nearest point, I signaled to the cavalry to halt, which was no sooner done than tho Indians also came to a halt. I then made tho sign to the latter for a parley, which was dono simply by riding my horso in a circle. To this tho savages only responded by looking on in silence for a few moments, then turning their ponies and moving olT slowly, as if to say, 'Catch us if you can." My suspicions were more than ever aroused, and I sent my orderly back to tell Colonel Custer to keep a sharp eye upon the heavy bushes on our left and scarcely three hundred yards distant from where I sat on my horse. Tke orderly had delivered his message, and had almost rejoined me, when, judging from our halt that we intended to pursue no further, the real design and purpose of the savages was made evident. The small party in front had faced toward us and were advancing as if to attack. I could scarcely credit tho evidence of my eyes, but my astonishment had only begun when turning to the wood on my left I beheld bursting from their concealment between three and four hundred Sioux warriors mounted and caparisoned with all the flaming adornments of paint ad feathers which go to make up the Indian war costume. Wheal 11 rst obtained a glimpse of them and a single glance was suflic'ont they were dashing from the timber at full speed, yelling and whooping as only Indians can. At the same time they moved In perfect line, and with as seeming good order and alignment as the best drilled cavalry. To understand our relative positions tho reader has only to imagine a trianf!e whoso sides are almost equal ; their ength in this particular instance being from three to four hundred yards, the three angles being occupied by Colonel Custer and his detachment, the Indians, and myself. Whatever advantage there was in length of side fell to my lot, and I lost no time in availing myself of it. Wheeling my horse around, and driving the spurs into his sides, I rode as only a man rides whose life is the prize, to reach Colonel Custer and his men, not Only in advance wftho Indians, but before any of them could cut me oil. Muylan with his reserve was still too far in the rear to render their assistance available in repelling the shock of tho Indians' first attack. localizing the great superiority of our enemies, not only in numbers, but in their ability to handle their arms and horses in a fight, and fearing they might dash through and disperse Colonel Custer's small Earty of twenty men, and having once roken the formation of the latter, dispatch them in detail, I shouted to Colonel Custer at almost each bound of my horse, "Dismount your men I Dismount your men!" but the distance which separated us and tho excitement of the occasion prevented him from hearing me. Fortunately, however, this was not the first time ho had been called upon to contend against the sudden and unforeseen onslaught of savages, and although failing to hear my suggestion, he realized instantly that the safety of hU little band of troopers depended upon the adoption of prompt means of defense. Scarcely had the long line of splendidly' mounted warriors rushed from their hiding place bcfoio Colonel blister's voice rang out nh.irp and clear, l'repare to fight on foot." This order required throo out of four troopers to leap from their saddles ami take their position on lio ground, wLere by more deliberate ami, and being freed from tho managBiiient of their horses, a moro cflectivo n-Mstanee could be opposed to tho rflpidly approaching warriors.

Tho fourth trooper in each group of "fours" remained on his horso holding tho reins of tho horses of his throe comrades. ' " , (Quicker than words can describe, the fifteen cavalryman now on ftot, and , acting as infantry, rushed forward a few paces in advauee ofjlieir horses, doployed into open order, and dropping on ono or both knees In the low grass, waited with loaded carbines with finger gently pressing" tho trigger tho approach of Uie Sioux, who rode boldly down as If apparently unconscious that tho small group of troopers wore on their frout. ',' Don't firo, men, till I givo the word, and when you do fire, aim low," was the quiet injunction given his men by their young commander, as he sat on his horso intently watching the advancing foe. Swiftly over the grassy plain leaned my noble steed, each bound bearing me nearer to both friends and foes. Had the race been confined to tho Indians and myself the closeness of the result would have satisfied an admirer even of tho Derby. Nearer and nearer our paths approached each other, making it appear almost ns if I were one of tho lino of warriors as the latter boro down to accomplish tho destruction of the little group of troopers in front. Swifter seem to fly our mettled steeds, the one to save, tho other to destroy, until the common goal has almost been reached a few more bounds, and friends and foes will bo united will form one contending mass. Tho victory was almost within tho grasp of the redskins. It seemed that but a moment more, and they would bo iratupiiitg- the kneeling troopers beneath tho feet of their fleet-limbed ponies; when, "Now, men, lot them liave it!" was the signal for a well directed volley, as fifteen cavalry carbines

poured their contents into tho ranks of the shrieking savages. Before the latter could recover from the surprise and confusion which followed, tho carbines thanks to the invention of breechloaderswere almost instantly loaded, and a second carefully aimed "discharge went whistling on its deadly errand. Several warriors were seen to reel in thxir siddW, find were only saved from falling by the quickly extended arms of their fellows, l'onies were tumblodover like butchered bullocks, their riders glad to find themselves escaping with less serious injuries. The ttlect of the rapid tiring of the troopers, and their firm determined stand, .showing that they thought neither of flight nor surrender, was to compel the savages first to slacken their speed, then to lose their dariug and confidence in their ability to trample down tho little group of defenders in the front. Death to many of their number stared thorn in tho lace. Besides, if tho small party of troopers in tho frout was able to oppose such plucky and destructive re-istaneo to their attacks, what might not bo expected should the main party under Moylan, now swiftly approacLingtotbo resed-j, also take part in tho struggle? I5ut more quickly than my sluggUh pen has been able to record the description of the scene, tho battle line of tho warriors exhibited signs of faltering which soon degenerated Into au absolute repulse. In a moment their attack was transformed into flight in which each seemed only anxious to secure his individual safety. A triumphant cheer from the cavalrymen as they-sent a third ! installment or leaden messengers whistling about the ears of tho fleeing redskins sen ed to spur both pony and rider to their utmost speed. Moylan by this time had reached the ground ami had united tho entire force. The Indians in tho meantime had plunged out of sight into tho recesses of the jungle from which they had first mad their attai k. Wo knew too well that their absence would bo brief, and that they would resumo the attack, but not in the manner of the first. We knew that we had inflicted no little los-4 upon them dead and wounded ponies could he seen on th ground passed over by the Indians. The latter would not be Satisfied without determined efforts to gt revenge. Of this we wero well aware. A moment's hurried consultation between the ofieers and myself, and wo decided that as wo would he forced to act entirely upon the defensive against a vastly superior force, it would be better if we relieved ourselves as far as possible of the care of our horses, and take our chances in the light, which was yet to come, on foot. At tho same time we were then so far out on the open plain and from the river bank, t hat the Indians could surround us. We must get nearer to tho river, conueal our horses, or shelter them from fire, then with every available man form a line or semicircle, with our backs to the river, and defend ourselves until the arrival of tho main body of tho expedition, an event wo could not expect for several hours. As if divining our intentions and. desiring to prevent their execution, the Indians now began theif demonstrations looking to a renewal of the fight. This time, lvnvevcr, profiting by their exnerienco on their hrst attack, they did i!l come forth in a body, thus presenting a large target to the aim of their opponents, but singly and alone their fAvo:;t? mode .f warfare each sceining to n?t upon hte own judgment, yet all governed by one general plan. The troopeVs, most of t hern being thoroughly accustomed to Indian fighting, proserved tho most admirable coolness from the moment the light began. Sonic even indulged in merry-making remarks tinctured at tinies'with tho drollest -humor. When tho savages first inndo their sudden appearance frrnn tho wood, and came rushing down as if to bear every thing

before them, and the fifteen troopers were kneeling or lying on tho ground waiting till the Indians wero noar enough to receive their fire, a trooper addressed his comrade : Say, Teddy, I guess the half's opened"." . 44 Yis," says Teddy ; 44 and by the way thim rid nagurs is coiuiu' it's openin' wid a grand march." 44 Teddy, if wo only had tho band here, we eould play'MIail to tho Chief for their benefit." "Uegorrah. if they'll come a little closer to this little shootin'inshtruniint, I'll play hell wid their chief for iuo own

benefit." Of course it was easy to see what had been tho original plan by which tho Indians hoped to kill or capture our entire party. Stratagem of course was to play a prominent part In tho quarrel. Tho few yoimg warriors first sent to arouse us from our midday slumber came as a decoy to tempt us to pursue them beyond the ambush in which lay concealed tho main body of tho savages; tho latter were to dash from their hiding-place, intercept our retreat, and dispose of us after tho most approved manner if barbarous warfare. Tho next move on our part was to fight our way back to thohttlo clump of bushes from which wo had beet.' so rudely startled. To do this Captain Moylan, having united his force to that of Colonel Custer's, gave the order, 44 Prepare to light on foot." This whs quickly obeyed. Threc-fourtho of the lighting force were now on 'foot aimed with tho carbines only. These wire deployed in somewhat a circular skirmish line, of which the horses formed the center; the circle having a diameter of several hundred yards. In this order we made our way back to the timlier; the Indians whooping, yelling, and firing their rilles as they dashed madly by on their fleet war ponies. That tho lire of their rifles should be effective under these circumstances could scarcely be expected. Neither could the most careful aim of tho cavalrymen produce much better results. It forced the savages to keep nt a rpetfnl distntwe, however, and enabled lis to make our retrogado movement. A few of our horses were shot by tho Indians in this irregular skirmish ; none fatally however. As we were falling back, contesting each foot of ground passed over, I heard a sudden sharp cry of pain from one of tho men in charge of our horses; tho next momeat I saw his arm helplessly at his side, while a crimson current flow ing near his shoulder told that the aim of the Indians had not been entirely in vain. The gallAnt fellow kept his seat in his saddle, however, and conducted tho horses under his charge safely with the rest to the timber. Once concealed by the trees, and no longer requiring the horses to be removed, tho number of horseholdcrs was reduced so as to allow but one trooper to eight horses; the entire remainder being required on the skirmish line. The redskins had followed us closely step by step to the timber, tempted ia part by their great desire to obtain possession of our I orses. If successful in this, they believed no doubt that fight on our part being no longer possible we must be cither killed or captured. 4 , Taking advantage of a natural terrace or embankment extending almost like a Kcmicirclo , in front of tho little grove in which wc had taken refuge, und at a distance of but a few hundred yards from tho latter, I determined by driving the Indians beyond to adopt it as our breastwork or line of defense. This was soon accomplished, and we found ourselves deployed behind a natural parapet or bulwark from which the troopers could deliver a carefully directed fire npon our enemies, and at the same time be protected largely from the bullets of the latter. Tho Indians made repeated and desperate efforts to dislodge us and force us to the level plateau. Every effort of this kind proved unavailing. Several times savages were discovered creeping stealthily toward us through he deep grass in our front, but the whistling of a few carbine bullet about their ears changed their determination. The Indians never ceased during the fight to engago in their favorite mode of warfare, dashing at full speed along our front, firing and draising our fire. Thus they continued so long, thai fearing to exhaust our supply of ammunition, aa object that our enemies had probably in view, directions wero given to tho troopers to reserve their lire as much as possible consistent with safety. The contest had now been going on almost without interruption for several hours. It had begun about noon, and it was now nearly three o'clock in the afternoon. I knew that we would soon bo released from all danger by tho arrival of tho main body of tho expedition; but a serious question presented Itself. Many of the men who had been firing most incessantly now began to complain that their stock of ammunition was well-nigh exhausted. They were cautioned to use the few remaining rounds as sparingly as possible. At tho same time I sent a couple of non-commissioned officers quickly into tho timber, instructing them to obtain every round remaining in tho cartridge-boxes of tho horseholders and the wounded. This gave us quite a number of rounds, as this pupply had not been touched during tho liht. In this chnptcr, already oxtondej to its full limit, I fear I must omit many interesting minor incidents. Tho reader can imaginn how longingly nud anxiously loth oflicers and men constantly, turned their e)-es to tho high ridgo of hill distant nearly two mile's, ovtf which wc knew wo would catch

tho first glimpse, of approaching succor Our enemies denied equally aware of our hopes and fears, and Htrungo t, ay, their quick eyes, added t better points for observation, enabled them to detect tho coining of our friends sooner than did we whose safety depended upon it. , . I'eforo we boeamo aware of tho fact that succor was near at hand we ol. served an unusual commotion in the ranks of onr adversaries, and soon after a gradual withdrawal from in front ,f our right and a concentration of their forces opposite our left. The reason for this was soon made clour to m Looking far to the right and ver the crest of hill already deectitx-d, wo could seo an iiumeusu column of dust rising and rapidly approaching. , could not bo mistaken; we could not seo tho cause producing th'wduat; but there was not one of lis wlimil 1 m.t

j to himself, 44 Kelief is at hard." A ; few moments later a shout tnm from I tho men. All eves wero turno.l t i... j -. . ' iiitbl tills hi tho distance, and there were to bo seen, coming almost with the. speed of . the wind, four separate squadrons of Undo Sam's best cavalry, with banner living horses' manes and tails floating on tl?,' br coze, and comrades spurring forward in generous emulation as to whiili squadron should land its color firt in the fight. It was a grand and w.-l. conic si,;ht, but we wailed not to enjoy it. Confident of support and wearied front lighting on io J, f, ;ieive, now was our tiiuo to moufjt our steeds and force our cneiuij to s--ek safety in flight, or to lutf on more yen form, In M momimt . ,.,.,, ; our saddles and dashing after them. Tho only satisfaction wo had was to drive at full speed for several miles a force outnumbering h fivo to one. In this pur-nit we picked tip a few ponie-j w hich tho Indians were compelled to abandon on account of wounds or rxhaustiou. Their wounded, of whom thrc wero quite a number, and their killed, as afterward acknowledged !v them when they returned to tho ngi-nry to receivo thu. provisions and fresh eujplies of ammunition which a sentimental government, manipulated and directed by corrupt combinations, insists upon distributing annually, were hent to tho rear before the flight" of the main body. The number of Indian and ponies killed and wounded in this engagement, as shown by their mi1-:-quent admission, almost equaled that of half our entire force engaged. That night the forces of tho expedition encampud on the battleground, which was nearly opposite tho mouth of Tongue Ili vt r. My tent vr.vi pitched under th hill from which I had been s- unceremoniously disturbed at the commencement of the fight; while under the wiile'-sprending branches of a neighboring Cottonwood, guarded and watched over by sorrowing comrades who kept up their louely vigils through the night, lay the mangled bodies of two of our companions of the march, who, although not present nor participating in the fight, had fallen i. tims to the cruelty of our foes. The description of the manner in which this was brought about, and how by an accident the intelligence of our situation was carried back to the main expedition, resulting in the prompt arrival of the four squadrons to onr assistance, nu:t bd reserved for a future chapter. Sanctimonious llnmor. lie wasn't a ferocious-looking man and evidently only came in to remonstrate in a kindly manner. Something we had written did not exactly meet hiviews (what it was he never delayed to tell in detail), and ho thought h; ought to drop in and talk it up. Tbeie were three precnt besides the editor, and a big Newfoundland belonging to one of the reporters lying under the table. The minute ho opened the doer the dog had him by tho lapel of the cent and yanked h;m into the room with a startling Tchemence. It unnerved him a little it would any man ami after he had coughed up his tobacco quid he said: 44 1 don't 'spo.-o it makes nnn ti difference, but you fellows got in t'other day that my gal l'hirlxi wor her mother's hair at a Crow Hollqw surprise." .lust there tho local stoped, pulled out a drawer in the bottom of his desk, und took hold of a black walnut tile, on which our previous issues were suspended. 44 Don't!" he screamed. Don't draw no gun on mc ! I ain't mail ; and I'd not stopped in, only for the old woman! dust lcmme get out and we'll call it square," and ho made a break for Uio door, overturnod a chuir and made such a racket that tho dog wrnt for him again, lie flew along the passage 1 with tho dog , flinging to his coat-tail, and just, at the landing, while his head was turned to beat the utilO: al off, he fell over a box of fyps that the expretsman had left standing there, and the next he knew he hail caronicd every step of those two flight of utairs clean out on the sidewalk. As ho picked himself up he looked us though he had been shot out of a balloon and walked on by a St. Patrlek'M Day p'"cession. I lr not only has not stopped hi paper, but has sent a quarter in advanci through tho mail. Miril"i (Conn.) JUrohl. An Irih citizen in his grief is su-kid by his friend, 44 What's the matter;'" "Matter, ind.ide? Why, hero, I insured my brother's life only two weeks ag", and yesterday ho got, killed wid a derrick. And when I came to these insurances they'd been after mahlr.g some mistake, the blagtiards, they Uied to bribe mo off wid live hundred dollars, as if I was a hay tUe.u to selling li other's blood!"