378 INDIANS. 



When their very great superiority of numbers em- 

 boldens them to determine on such a fight, and a con- 

 siderable force is engaged, the different bands, each 

 under its chief, are drawn up into an array, not a line 

 for the bands form no lines but which nevertheless 

 forms the line of battle. This line may charge alto- 

 gether or by individual bands. The Indians never 

 receive a charge and very rarely meet one. When 

 charged, the portion of the array immediately in front 

 of the charging force breaks and melts away into 

 individual Indians, while the bands on either side close in 

 to attack or harass the flanks and rear of the charge. 

 The broken Indians, wheeling in circles, form on the 

 flanks to attack, whenever practicable, or break again 

 when charged. Should the attacking force, carried away 

 by excitement, become scattered in pursuit of the flying 

 individuals, its defeat and destruction is almost sure. 

 The magnificent riding of the Indian and his superb 

 drill in this, his favourite mode of warfare, give him an 

 immense advantage. Avoiding, by quick turns of the 

 small and active ponies, the direct pursuit of their more 

 bulky foe, and circling like birds of prey, they collect 

 together, fall upon his flanks and rear, overwhelm him, 

 and disperse, to repeat the process on another. 



In small fights the some tactics prevail. I know of 

 one instance where a small force attacked at least five 

 times its number, beat, scattered, and drove them for 

 more than two miles ; but, the troops also becoming 

 scattered in the pursuit, the enemy turned upon them, 

 wounded the officer in command, and killed and wounded 

 more than half the party, the survivors saving themselves 

 only by the speed of their horses. 



There is one well-authenticated instance of a fair 

 stand-up fight between nearly equal numbers of troops 

 and Indians. A lieutenant of the old 1st Dragoons with 

 sixteen men met a party of hostile Apaches about twenty 

 strong. The two forces approached each other in line, 

 and at about 100 yards each broke into charge, the lines 



