The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-01-12
CAPTAIN WALKER, THE TEXAN
RANGER.

| relatives now reside in Washington CITY
During the Seminole Indian war he enlist
cd in the United States service as private.
and was one Of Colonel Harncy's picked
men to penetrate the everglades OF Florida,
where loot prints of the white man were
never before seen. In that hazardous cx-
pedilion, which cfcctualIy put an end to the
Florida war, by conIucrng the Indians
around their own council fires, young
Walker greatly distinguished HIMSELF
Tic was tavorlte Of the daring Harney
whose quick perception never failed 10 Sc
lect the most energetic and bold.
AT the close Of the Seminole war, Walk
er went to Texas and joined Colonel Hays
company OF Rangers. In the summer of
1914, he was one of the fifteen of Hays
men, armed with revolving pistols, who
attacked eighty Camanchc Indians and de-
ltatcd them, leaving thirtv-threc dead lndi-
ans upon the field, and from the number of
dead aud dying carried Oft, it was believed
that more than half the Camanche force
was slain by the fifteen Rangers. In this
fierce battle Walker WAS pierced through
the body by the spear Of an Indian, the
spear pinniny linn 10 tho ground He was
left in that condition by Ills companions,
who supposed he was dead Afcr the bat
tie, he WAS fnnmd with the spcar still sticking
throug h him: though he had succeed in get
ting it out Of the ground. Hi; companions
relieved him from it, and found 1t had not
touched a vital part. He soon recovered.
Walker WAS also one Of Colonel Fishers
lhrce hundred men who marched ayai two
thousand Mcxicans stationed al Micr. and
was captured by the MeAicans previous to
that battle, as he made an excursion among
them. After the dclca, Of the Micr cxpcdi-
ton, he WAS inarchcd with other prisoners,
to the castle Of Pcrolc. These prisoners re-
cclvcd the lnhuinan treatment which no
other people on earth, save Mcxicans and
Cannibals, inflict upon those within their
power.
AT Salado: the Texans resolved to make
their escape. Walker was foremost Il,
was arranged that he should seize and dis
arm one of the guards, and that Cameron,
Il Scotchman, should serve the other in the
same way. At the signal, the guards were
disarmcd in a moment, and the Texans.
2l4 i'll number, rushed into the outer court.
where so Mexican infantry were guarding
a quantity of arms and ammunition. The
Texans soon had command Of this point,
and armed themselves Willis, doing so.
300 Mexicans, cavalry and infantry, formed
outside Of the gates. The Texans rushed
upon these; and defeated them, killing ten
OF their number, and losing five. The com
pany then escaped, but finally became lost
in the mountains, and suffered greatly from
hunger AS Walker expressed it to
friend, after his return, their eyes became
so sunken from hunger and fatigue, that
they appeared like augcr holes in the head.
In this condition, they were rc-captured
by the Mexicans and taken back 10 Saado.
Here the bloodthirsty Santa Anna demand
cd the life of every tenth man, and the com
pany was marched out 10 draw the black
beans-onc black bean for every tenth man
being placed in Il bowl, and all who drew
them were shot. Those who drew the
white beans were subject to intense sutle-
rings Walker, with eight others, however
finally escaped from Mexico, and returned
10 Texas. Hc then joined the Texas reve-
nue. service, where he exhibited his usual
efficiency.
When General Taylor marched into
Texas with his army of observation, and
matters wearing hostile appearance,
Walker, at the head ola company of Texas
Rangers, armed with Colts patent repeat
ers, Offered his services to the United States,
was accepted, and aided in defending Point
Isabel. He was stationed between that
place and General Taylor's advance camp.
with Instructions 10 keep the communication
open: possible. This service was periIous
but Walkers bravery and rapid movements
overcame all obstacles. On the 2sth Of
April; 1916, he ascertained that quite a
large body of Mcxicans intended TO sur
round General TayIor's camp, and he at
once set out with twenty-five men to com
municate with the General. After proceed
ing twenty miles, he encountered fifteen
hundred Mexicans, and most ofhis men be-
ing inexperienced, fell back al the appear
anee OF such an overwhelming opposition.
The few that remained around their bold
commander firmly received the attack of
the Mexicans. and gave them battle for
about fifteen minutes, killing about thirty of
them. They then retreated, and were pur-
sued TO within half a mile Of Point Isabel.
| It was reported that Walker was slain. bu,