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280
camp early in the morning and were given food and remained. When the train moved out two others came up ; other squads joined them and then still larger bands, then three hundred savages rushed upon the teamsters. No attempt at violence was made by the Indians. The chief gave the wagonmaster to understand that he only wanted provisions, not scalps, and if he had to fight to obtain the provisions he'd take scalps also. The wagon-master agreed to give him a certain amount of provisions, and while this was being given out a cloud of dust was seen rising far in the rear and the teamsters shouted, "Soldiers! The soldiers are coming ! " Seizing their plunder, the Indians mounted and fled. The cloud of dust was caused by an approaching wagon train.
At Bent's Fort, young Potter was seized with an attack of "camp fever," and it was thought necessary to leave him at that post, but his wagonmaster, who had become greatly attached to the lad, made arrangements to take him along. It was yet three hundred miles to Santa Fe, winter was at hand and the Raton Mountains were before them. After enduring untold hardships, they reached Santa F,e in January, 1847. For five years young Potter remained with the army in that region, operating in New Mexico and Arizona, fighting, trailing and routing the vengeful Apaches and other dangerous tribes. It was during this period that he became an adept in all the arts of Indian warfare. He was an apt student in their school of cunning and strategy. Mr. Potter leaves on record his impressions made by the sufferings of Price's men in the hospital at Santa F.e. He says:
"In the latter part of 1847 I was employed as a nurse in the hospital at Santa Fe. On entering that place I saw an affecting scene.; a large number of men sick of scurvy, measles and pneumonia, were lying on narrow bunks so closely crowded together that there was just room to pass between them. My time of nursing came on in the first