Thanks 7mmbuster and Birdwatcher for the histories, brutal but interesting nonetheless.
Reading this thread reminded me of a little history just a couple of miles from my place.
In the spring of 1848 a detachment of 71 young Missouri recruits under the command of a Lt. Royall were escorting a paymaster with his army payroll and a wagon train of 60 wagons along the Santa Fe trail. They were joined by a battalion of artillerymen at Walnut Creek. The soldiers and freighters made camp near Coon Creek (between present day Garfield and Kinsley Ks. ) Early the next morning they were attacked be a war party of approximately 800 Comanches and Apaches. The soldiers were equiped with new breechloading rifles and were able to hold off the Indians after several charges. The Indians then retreated across the river and were pursued by the soldiers. The soldiers were forced to make a stand on the top of a sandhill when threatened by the Indian forces circling them. An Apache chief's horse was shot out from underneath him and when he ran back to grab his saddle he was also shot. An Apache boy separated himself from the distant Indians and rode forward to retrieve his dead father dragging him away with a rope behind his pony. The soldiers withheld their fire admiring the boys courage. The brave Indian lad was none other than Geronimo.
History is full of good stuff.
Jeff
