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The Battle of Solomon River

29 July, 1856. South Fort of the Solomon River, Kansas Territory.

Nearly three hundred men of the U.S. 1st Cavalry faced off against nearly the same number of painted Cheyennes, ready for war and wearing elaborate war bonnets. The troopers, in line of battle, advanced across a valley floor towards the advancing Cheyennes. Both sides quickened their pace as they approached each other. Amid the din of of thundering hooves and the excited war whoops of the Cheyennes, from the commanding cavarly officer the command roared out: "Sling--carbine. Draw--saber." Then, "Gallup--march!" and "CHARGE!" The cavalrymen, flashing their rarely used sabers in the sun, pressed ahead. The sight of these sabers took the fight out of the Cheyennes who unleashed a ragged volley of arrows and musket balls before turning in flight. The battle turned into isolated skirmishing. The after action report stated, nine Cheyennes killed, a great number wounded. Two cavalrymen were killed, nine wounded; amoung the those hurt was Lt. J.E.B. Stuart, who took a pistol shot to the chest at close range.

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David Upton

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