The Arkansas banner., 1844-07-31
INDIAN FIGurfN qEXAS.

o, WASHINGTON, June 2s, 1sf4.
 Io the Editoc of the Star;
 Sir; Capt Hays arrived in town on yester-
 day, and from him have learned the details oi the late action between the Texans, (l5 in
 number,. commanded by himself, and large
 body of Indians. He had been high up on the Pierdenalis to ascertain whether there
 was any encampment of Indians in that sec-
 ton, and was returning after an unsuccessful search, when being encanped about 4miles east oi the Pinto trace, at point nearly equidistant from Bexar, Gonzales and Aus tin, the guard stationed in his rear to watch
 out on his trail, discovered about 10 Indians following 1t, and immediately reported the
 facts to Hays. They were seen about the same time by the Indians, who fell back in
 to some brush with scattering tin Der inter- mixed. The TeXians saddled up and adyan- ced towards this place of concealment. when
 , ord Indians made their appearance, and as if for the first time perceiying the white men, lied with great precipitation and apparent alarm. Hays, however, was too old an sIn- dian fighter to be caught by such traps, and made no effort at pursuit. As soon as the
 indians saw that this stratagem was of no avail, they came out of this timber, and dis played their whole force in line, some 75 in number. Greatly superior as was their force, Hays at once determined to attack them. His men were highly disciplined, of tfled-courage, their horses well brake, and the average num- Der of shots to each man, about 8. The face of the country in that section is broken and rocky, with growth of scfabby live oaks and black jacks, with some undergfowth of brush. A short distance in inc rear of the Indians was steep hill, from the summit of which stretcheda praire plane, its sides rocky and covered with brushwood, as above de- scnbed. The Texans advanced slowly, the Indians falling back, until they crowned the hill, where they dismouned, formed in line, and secure in the strength of7their position called to Hays as he approached, 'sCharge, Charge When the Texans reached the foot of the hill, from the nature ofthe ground they were concealed from the view of the h. dians. At that point Hays wheeled his little band al full speed, some 2 or 800 yards, around the base of the hill, ascended if. at the same place, gained the level ground above, and made disappearance at fu7eharge, on the left flank of the Indians in the direc- lion in which they little expected 10 see him. They al once leaped on their horses. and be- fore they were well prepared to receive him he was in their midst. The Indians line gave way when the shock of the charge struck it, but wheeling them on each flank, they charg- cd the Texans, with wild yells, secure of their prey, since on horseback, they deem then- selves invincibe But never before had they encountered any thing like discipline Back to back the Texans received them, and the close and deadly fire of their pistols and yau- gers emptied many saddle. Thus hand to hand the fight lasted some b minutes, 1he Indians using their spears and arrows; the Texans their repeating pistols Scarcely a man of the little band that was not gFazed by spear or arrow; their gun stocks, knife ham, dles and saddles perforated in many places. Walker and Gillespie were speafed through and through, and several were wounded. It was too hot 10 last. The Indians fell back, closely pressed by the whites Again and again, were they rallied by their Chief, whose voice after the first onset, was alone heard, directing their movements, only again to be routed, losing, in each well contested con
 
 pursuit had now been pressed for nearly two miles The Texans had loaded their arms in detail, some haltng~ for that purpose, whilst the others hung on the rear of the enemy. The Indians had made their last raJ- ly, reduced in numbers to about 35, were dr- ven back with great loss, when the voice of their Chief again rose high, exhorting them to turn once more, whilst he dashed back wards and forwards amongst his men to bring them back to the charge. The Texans had exhausted nearly all their shots. Hays cali ed out to know which of the men had loa- ded gun. Gillespie rode forward and an- swefe1 thathe was cAarged-'' Dismount and shoot the Chief,7 was the order. 1t a dis-/ tance of 90 steps the ball did it's office, madf ly dashing few yards, the gallant Indian fell to rise nc more, and in wild alright at the loss of their leader, the others scattered in every direction in the brushwood.
 Thus ended fight, unparalleled in the his- tory of this country for the galIantry dis played on both sides, it's close and deadly struggle, and the triumphant success of the gallant partizan Captain of the West, at the head ol his brave followers. scarcely know which to admire most, the skill and courage of the officer who commanded, on that occasion, or his modesty when giving the details which are here narrated. Con- cealing his own deeds, he did ample justice to His comrades, and at the close of his nar- ratiYe, ''6lHsded, to find himself famous. ''- As brave man, he was before celebrated; os o siy tllC,,I ,p1 ablo n Il,cor bo ,,1,,, boIde