The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-31
Indian Battles.
HEAp-QRs INDIAN BAIT. MISS oURI Vol
Camp near Fort Mann, July 2T, 1874


HEAp-QRs INDIAN BAIT. Miss ouRI Vols
Camp near Fort Mann, July 81, 1S4S.
We have recently had some slight Smeutes with
the Camanches and the Pawnees. On the 9TH ult.
scout was ordered, under the command of Capt
Griffin Company Al, including section of ar
tillery, to go in souherly direction and on the
evening of the 9Th the party ncamped on the
Cimarron rver. On the morning of the 9th they
took up the line OF march, and took south easterly
direction, for a distance of II or Is miles, when
Indian signs of very recent date became abundant.
A party In advance very Unexpectedly came on an
individual, within less than 100 yards of them,
although, from the broken surface OF the country,
he had hitherto been concealed from their view.
He met our party without exhibiting the least in
dications of fear. On examination, he proved to
be Mexican youth, whom the Camanches had
captured some two or three years ago, between
Matamoras and Pecas. He informed the COM
mand that there large Camanche village
only about eight miles distant, and, without the
least hesitation, offered to- conduct them 10 the
place. A general movement was then made in
the indicated direction. On reaching within three
miles of the encampment, the Indians became vi
sible They were advancing, and, TO Judge from
all appearances, they were determined to give
battle. Their putting on this bold front is easily
accounted for when 1t is taken into consideration
that the active warriors were principally bsent
and 1t was absolutely necessary TO make a sortle,
on purpose TO give time for the families TO effect
their escape. This OF course was the favorable
moment for effective operations; but mark the
result. Nearly two miles distant the command
was halted, and the six-pounder was opened upon
the enemy, but, at such distance of course
without effect. party of Indians were then OBJ,
served 10 rally In considerable numbers on small
hill when subordinate commands, under Lieu
tenants Eldridge and Benson, were ordered to
disperse them. These parties CALAMITY charged
upon and soon dislodged the enemy, who there
Is every reason 10 think, suffered severely, al
though only one scalp was actually taken. The
commands under the Lieutenants quickly fol-
lowed the Indians to another hill where they had
taken position, and again scattered the foe. The
whole command was then ordered to cease fight
ing. This created considerable CONSERVATION,
and, may add, dissatisfaction Captain Griffin
was entreaed by some OF the officers to allow a
command to follow the Indians, which he abso-
lutely refused, and contented himself with return
ing forthwith to headquarters, and reporting from
any remarks, not being personally present suf-
flee for me TO state have CLEANED the foregoing
from the most reliable sources.
On the 10th, another scout, under Captain Jones,
OF Company B., was ordered in the same d.
rectlon, and the 10th when, marching " the Cl-
marion River, the guide hastily rode up and COM
municated the cheering intelligence that Indians
were only short distance ahead. The COM
mand was then promptly formed and so disposed
as to conceal the six FOUNDER. Thirty men were
then selected TO act as cavalry, and placed under
the command OF Lieutenant BAN, with thirty adj
diuonal mounted men TO support HIM. A short
Il 1T.
with dense under~ God, and il was expected there
lay the malignant foe, although an Indian was
perceived on the hills at som. distance !using every
art and stratagem OF which the Indians are so ca.
pable, TO lead the command in his direction, but
his efforts were futile he could not come it over
the old coon, who was wide awake. Lieutenant
Balm and his command was ordered to charge the
grove, Captain Jones being under firm convc-
ton that the Indians there, and only there
He was moi kept long in suspense a CALLING fire
soon gave positive evidence that he was right in
his conjecture. Lieutenant Eldridge with his
command, was then ordered to the opposite side
OF the grove TO prevent the escape of the Indians,
whom he soon encountered and drove back be-
tween the two fires the destruction of the red
SKINS became inevitable. This was only small
band, supposed 10 be Pawnees The whole number
seen was forty twenty-one of their scalps
were taken, SIX escaped, and as Captain Jones
thinks uDhurt The remainder either fell IN the
creek or SO managed 10 conceal themselves as to
AVOID the search made after them. Lieutenant
EldDdge and four privates were severely wounded
by arrows, but are fast recovering.
This command found out the deserted camp of
the Camanches attacked by Lieutenants Eldridge
and Benson under Captain Griffin on the 9th
Rom all appearance II had consisted of from 800
70 GOO lodges, OF stock, from 100 to 1000. II
mao evidently been abandoned In great haste.
ne country was then explored for considerable
distance around. but no recent traces of Indians
"ele iound, and our gallant party were reuc-
fanny compelled 10 return the Camanches are
considered 70 have gone towards the Lower Ca
-
and Rec DRivvr The Mexican youth remains
under the protection Of our worthy Colonel
Clio.
HAD QRs. lNDIAN Battalion Missouri Vots
Camp near Fort Mann, Aug a. 1s4s
There is no peace, no cessation Of pursuit The
Indians are doomed to experience the full measure
OF cur vengeance. Peace with Mexico has no
effect on our eDdeavors TO chastse and coerce the
maTaudng sons OF Nature. On the I'd inst, or
dels were read on parade, making disposition Of
the battalion until it may meet the pleasure of the
oni'eo States government 10 recall us from these
afio and monotonous plains Companies A, (ca-
vaiIy,) and Z, (artlltp) are ordered south as far
as The Canadian riYer, then 10 traverse the coun-
ny from thence to the influx Of Cow creek, with
the Arkansas river. Companies b. (cavalry) and
T., (Inf0nry, hut on this trip 10 be mounted on
mules,) to take the route To Smoky Hill Fork
and scout the country IN parallel line with the
southern division Of the battalion The first de.
tachmeNt "a De- under The command of Cap,ein
Griffin, company Al and the latter under that of
Ceptain Jones, Company b. both to be accom-.
PANIED by one or more siE.pounders. Company ID
10 garnson fou Ma0n.
10 ihe Germun company (ariiery) great dissa-
lislatil"n has cvnced t-cli, IN Consequence Of
ueir 6rlng mounted IN muies bat the fTn,ncss of
I'i JlWn 90 lut a quls TUE on every mnrmIr.
II Tie kucccts which may attend efforts,