New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-28
The Rio Grnnde Frontier,
correspondence of The Tribune.
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Some idea of the make and character Of the
country must be borne in mind in order to under
stand the entrg absence of system aud forcaste
in the arrangements for border defense. The In
dams have no longer homes or families in the
wide band of unsettled country that borders TIC
whole length of the navigable current of the Rio
Bravo down to its mouth--for Laredo and the
few towns that at far intervals dot the lower part
of its course have no settlements back OF them
and all this range Of thousand miles IN length
from the coast back, is field for their sudden
forays. They pour down from their distant fast
nesses far beyond Eagle Pass, in parties OF from
dozen up to some hundred warriors, mounted on
the aeetest of their desert steeds, and free from
every incumbrance but their light trappings for
war or the chase. They had been driven by the
Texans beyond this region, as place OF encamp
ment with their women and children, before the
annexation, and only revisit it to plumber and de-
stroy the Texas settlers The old Texas style OF
border defense was exceedingly simple and Ell
feetual They gathered at the first note of dan
ger-for every coonist had something dear to pro-
tect and means OF protection except what lay
in his own stout arms and sure rfe-and they all
went on the trail of the savage with the single
and direct intent to extermnate him wherever
found AS the outer edge of settlements pressed
hocks-the chief wealth Of these frontier farms
multiplied around them, they became perpetual
fountain of supply to these rowing Indians. They
rush down SO suddenly upon their prey, and dis.
appear with it SO rapidly, that 1t requires an
alert, light armed, experienced woodsman, like
themselves, to pursue them with any hope of sue
cess Judge, then, Of the sagacity of the Solo
mons at w ashington in sending Infantry to sup
press these wild horsemen Of the wilderness On
one occasion they made such havoc OF life and
property all around the towns and posts low down
the river, that the commanding officer sent forth
detacbments in wag0nS in the hope OF cutting OFT
some of their scattering parties and resculng the
women and children the savages had captured.
1t was forlorn hope but what brave and feeling
man could omit to do whatever be could, however
faint the probability in its favor, TO save score OF
helpless beings from such fate Ii his efforts
were insufficient, let the blame rest with those
who were so reckless of border wants as to pro
vide no better means for it's defense. Unless the
Indians were polite enough to come up to the sol
diers muskets and ask to be shot, | do not see
how Infantry were to hurt them. Neither has
there ever been force on the Rio Bravo sufficient
for the defense OF the scanty posts accorded to Its
defense With suitable mounted force to range
along the line and uterpose an ever vlgllant bar
rier to ncursive parties, an adequate Infantry
force to maintain the posts that tanked their ope-
rations would be of effective service Hangers are
best for out-service, for scout and pursuit. for
courier and escort necessities, and for whatever
offers in which quick action in the wilderness is
the thing most specially desirable, but in ports of
concentration and supply the order and discipline
of the regular army becomes OF great value. The
more So as on frontier line delicate cases Of in
ternationa right and courtesy will occur, in which
the authority and responsibility of the officer COM
handing side should be of the best recog
nized character.
In whom then lies this default of Fit and ade
quate protection for this blood stained frontier
Is it in Congress, in not providing the means; or
in the Cabinet, in not using them with sounder
wisdom7 The useless, and forever useless, ship
ofwar Pennsylvania, has cost more money than is
needed to open and defend a mail route from the
Gulf TO California, and such a route would soon
belt its course and strengthen the Union with
line of settlements competent to defend 1t and
themselves. Add to this that not only has the
character and amount of military force been intin-
itely short OF the necessities of the border, but
most of this unsuitable and inadequate force has
been placed so far out of the line OF the prompt
est supply, and so remote from the line on which
invasion could be effectively met, that it could
never be brought to the field in time. 1t is time
somebody, who is near enough to know the Dor
der. and capable too of acting up to this knowi-
edge should be clothed with the power to ale
viate its sufferngs. CORA MONTGOMERY