on, well as we were able, not one stayed behind; and in our greatest fatigue from first to last on the scout, I did not hear a murmur of discontent.
The evening of the fourth day approached, and the road we now entered on was of an improved character, though still broken and stony; but the trail was plain, and our spirits were well up by the reports of our guide, who confidently predicted we should find the Indians in a village well known to him, at the far end of Black River Cafion, whose entrance he indicated by the deeper shades visible in the nearing mountain range. We reached the cafion's mouth by sunset; and now, camping near a small stream, enjoyed our first ration of sleep since starting, taking it with great appetite. In the meantime the guide, who had been sent forward to reconnoitre, returned, bringing with him a horse branded "U.S.:" it was at once recognized as one of the stolen stock, and gave good proof of the close proximity of the enemy. The command were allowed four hours' sleep; they were then aroused, and being paraded, were addressed by their leader, who informed them that he was about to find the Indians, who could not be far off; that he should take one-half of the command with him, concluding thus: "Boys, do you want me to tell you how to whip these d—— Indians? 'Tis this: never show them your backs."
If the reader has felt sufficient interest in this sketch to follow up the details of our ride from the fort to this, our camping-ground, at the entrance of the cafton, he will remember that our sole sustenance, four days and nights, had been hard bread and raw pork, with but four hours' sleep during that time; that out of the one hundred horses with which we started, but thirty remained alive; and of these but fifteen were capable of further service; and that most of the men had performed two days
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journey on foot, with all their accoutrements. And if he seeks to find adequate cause for the spirit and endurance which were so wonderfully exhibited by them under these depressing circumstances, I know of no other solution than that they were personally attached to their leader, and felt not only that he would wisely do all that a man could do, but that he would lead and share freely in the most venturous exploits; and it was this that made and kept every man patient, cheerful, and courageous.
Iam speaking of one personally known to thousands of soldiers on this coast; endeared to them by acts brave, kind, and considerate as ever distinguished any soldier, in any age; one who possessed a strong personal magnetism, to influence for good all around him, and whose name is still, in the army which he honors with his services, a synonym for all that is brave, good, and kind. The disposition of our force having been made, we, fifty in number, fifteen of whom were mounted, went forward, led by McCleave and the guide. We had confidently expected to reach, in about five miles of travel, some place overlooking the Indian camp, where we, concealed from view, could remain until daylight, getting vigor into our tired bodies, and be ready for the attack at dawn; but no such good-fortune awaited us. On we trudged, that tedious night, over rocks and hills, mile after mile, until twenty such were passed before the halt was called; when, wet to the skin, for it had rained the entire march, and cold and hungry, we sank down, near the top of a hill whose everascending peaks in our front made us think this one of that kind the poet speaks of as "moving its summit from the tired man's view." Here we rested, and our condition was so deplorable, with wet, fatigue, and hunger, that our leader gave reluctant permission to light a fire, which was soon done, and we
