Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-11-29

From ~ N;s 0ris~ns BuElsfis, Nee. ~
IMPORTANT FROM TEXAS.

with the baads Of 6efce add iniraeiable
Indians that hover over Der frontisrs.-
The Houslon Telsgrsph Of November 3D.
states that 10 AnkFicans have lately been
killed within thte6 miles Of DexaE,. and
SIX MeSieans captured almost in The pre-
cihets Of that city. BY 4 large body Of
Commanches. These Indians made their
appearances near Bexsr on The 2O.h nit.
Being discovered al q distance and I'm
mediate notice being giveo, perry Of
thirteen went out 10 Teconnoiter. Hay.
ing proceeded few miles, several Com
proposed 10 5eiise 10 The timber and 6ght
under cover. but Col. Cage, v no had been
wounded by the Indians few weeks
previous. was anxious 10 engage them at
whatever disadvantage. The party was
soon attacked in the open prsirie by more
than hundred Indians. Al attempt
was made 10 charge through the savsges
this succeeded, the Indians making
way for lhem--buI rs soon ~ they bad
passed, the enemy closed In behind
them. and Killed out of tie - with a
golIey Of arrows Four out Of the re-
nlaining five were wounded. and reached
Bexar with great difficulty. The neat
day the bodies Of the eight Americans.
as well ss those Of two survivors who had
been killed out Of party Of Eve attacked
by the Indisns the day before, we're dis
covered, brought into Bear, and decent
| ~ inferred.
The Commanches were Still in The vi-
entity OF Bexar--they bad expressed
their determination 20 sxieTminats The
white citizens. but 10 spare all the Mex
leans, unless they resisted them. The
Telegraph calls Loudly on the govern
meat f5r prompt. decisive and energetic
efforts TO crush these merciless savSges.
II says:
THE present is a most oppofIune sea-
son 10 carry on the expedition into the
Commancbe country. The buffalo are
returning from The north--lhe aiT is mild
and braeing. and the Musquil grass offers
an inexblusiib.e supply Of pastursge.-
The Mexicans, who have undoubtedly
iinsiigated .hem 10 this measure, can afford
no aid, as they are compelled 10 concen-
irate oil their disposable force on Vera
Cruz and the sea coast, 10 prevent the
iexPected attack Of the French. 4 small
force Of mounted men could, therefore, 1T
this tiiAe casily penetrate into the very
heart Of the Communicate country, and
cxtort from them peace that would DO
proof even against Indian ireaehcff
The Commanches are near lihly
tribe Of any magnitude which exhibit
such direct hostility 10 the Texisns-
The Lepaus. Cronkewes, and Tonkkewas,
are nevertheless enemies OF the Mexi-
cans, whom they attack and massacre on
al g.. IA A.. a
Americans. Castro, the chief Of the lie.
Paus, Is nov at 81. Marks. With tie main
body Of his tribe, and has 3rcenIly made
several visits 10 Bexsr, to obtain q small
force Of our citizens 20 accompany him in
an expedition against the Comnanches.
A letter from Gen. Rusk, dated San
Augustine, Oct. %, 1888, addressed to
Mr. Parker, gives detail Of recent en-
gsgement with the Indians, near Fort
Houston. We subjoin the following eX-
tract:
"On the 18th. I arrived al Fort Hud-
son; having been joined by Major Nab
bitt and several men having fallen in on
the way and at Fort Hudson, my force
amounted 10 about two hundred men,
] Immediately took Up the line Of march
for the enemy's camp, by the way Of the
Abudacba village snd about shutdown on
The 10th. arrived at the Kiekapoo town.
/ here eacamped Cor The night. About
10 o'clock the enemy attempted to FIRE
the woods around Us, but failed, During
the night. two or three sPies were Cred
upon by the seniineIs. and one horse Ia
ken from them and al break Of day the
next morning (ths 18TH = spirited attack
a II
The enemy's cavalry were stationed on
. hill, out Of gun shot. evidently with sn
Intention 10 fall upon Us, II We attempted
70 retreat.
"a very brisk ere was kept up on both
sides for about fifteen minutes, wheu
ordered portion Of The force to remain
and protect the camp, and with the re-
mainder charged the eeemy, who pre-
y eipiialely lied, leaving eleven dead on
the ground. They bad, have no doubt,
during the action, carried or number OF
their dead (Which is :hsir custom, and
all their wounded. From the Blood upon
the ground they must have suffered Sc
verely. The charge was continued for
about three quarters Of q mile, when
formed the force, and msrehed then,
back 10 camp. The force Of the enemy
/ had 40 means Of asceriaining, bot i
must have been very considerable, as The
ground occupied by them was near half q
mile in length.
We had eleven men teveFeiy wouhd-
ed--none killed, and about iwenly.6vu
or thirty horses 50 badly shot as 10 Be IN
! 81 Tor use, Amongst the enemy's dead
were found Caddos, CoOthatfies. Bolox
les. one Cherokee and 40 Mexicans.--
They dropped on their flight. guns, blank
els. Cloaks, SC. II would Be dil6culi %
end language 10 DO justice 20 ihe oficeg-
and men; Oh fought With = spirit tnd DE-
Termination seldom equalled. The Oh
GERS 10 the aeiion were Adj. Gen. Nc.
~ 10 s.sl. 1870 81. ..'l. sno