Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-08-09

with strong hearts they had resisted
the attack Of their adversaries. But
one look was sufficient to implant deep
feelings ofrevenge in every heart pres
ent, and madly did the men spur their
horses forward with the vain hope Of
Ovenging the death of their coInPan
ions. The Indians were at least four
times their number, but they still re-
treated aud being far better mounted
were able to keep out Of the way. SO
near, however,wcre our men, that they
could plainly see the dead bodies Of
several Of the Cayguas packed upon
extra horses they had along, for no
Indians ever retreat without carrying
of their dead and wounded.
The pursuit continued until It was
evident the murderers could not be
oveuaken, and then reluctantly given
I'D. On returning to the spot where
our men had fallen a closer eXamlna-
ton showed how hard had been the
struggle. Lieut.. Hull had received
no less than thirty lance and arrow
wounds before he fell, and the broken
stock Of one Of Colts eight-shooling
rifles was still retained in the hands Of
a stout man named Mayby, plainly tel
ling US, that he had fought TO the last,
and that after discharging the piece he
had still continued to fight. The heart
Zone Of the men was cut out, and had
the Indians not been driven off the
other bodies would have been mufiila-
ted in the same way. Tive oflhe hor-
ses of these men Wee lanced close by
the o'heS,zs we're probably in better
condition and more able 10 run. 1t
was evident enough that Lieut. Hull
and his men had retreated from the In
dams until they found it impossible to
elude them, and that then they threw
themselves from their horses in body
aSd sold their lives at dear rate. The
resistance they made too, probably ter
rified their adyersaries, and induced
them TO fly when they saw our party
coming up, although they far outnum-
bered them.
A party Of fifty, well armed and also
having shovels, were sent out immedi-
ately from the main body TO bury the
dead, while the rest took up the line of
march for the Quntufue. This was
the name Of the stream, as we after
wards ascertained, a small branch Of
the PaIo Duro or Hard Wood river
Scarcely had we started before Capt.
Strain made his appearance with
part Of his men. He stated that he
had secured the prairies in almost ev-
cry direction, but without success, hav-
ing been unable to hold a parley with
any Of the Indians although he had
seen several small parties. He also
reported that be had been unable to
find either a road or wat ,r-tEere was 4
route by which the ravines might be
headed in a course a little north ofeast,
but in no other direction. A part Of
his men had left him early in the NOR
ming, going back to the Quin;ufue for
water.
About noon the main body Of the
command again reached the river, at
point somewhat higher up than the pre-
Vious camp. Here, after drinking in
credible quantities. Of the water and al
lowing our suffering animals also to
quench a thirst which their eyes and
general appearance too plainly showed
had nearly driven them lrantic,a strong
position was chosen and we eucamped.
In the evening general consultation
Of all the officers was held. AT this
meeting it was resolved to despatch a
party Of one hundred chosen men, with
the best horses in camp, to the settle.
ments. Although no hopes were en-
terained that passage over the noun
iains to our left could be effec ted by
the wagons, it was still thought tina
mounted men would be able TO accom-
plish it.
The distance to the nearest settle
ments was not supposed to be over on,
hundred miles at larthest, and it wa
accordingly determined upon TO tax
Eve days provisions along, allowin,
but scanty rations. The course TO b
taken was northwest, and this cours
was to be kept, as near as circumstan
ces would admit, until the party eilhe
struck the settlements, the RIO Grand
below, or the trail of the St. Loui
Traders above. On reaching Me-
Mexico a party was Immediately to b
despatched back to the command wit
gnides and provisions.
However impolitic it may be cor
sidered to divide a command, in th
instance such course could not
avoided. We were completely To-
aud without the power Of movin
ahead; our provisions, which had f
weeks been scanty, were now almo
-eUtirely exhausted; the men were no
almost entirely exhausted; the me
were enfeebled by long marches wit
only poor beef enough each day to SUI
port nature, and here | might state IN
every part Of each OK killed was d,
voured with the exception Of The hoo