The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-01

Extracts from letters received from officer Of the
Government, addressed TO gentleman Of this city.

Extracts from letters received from an officer Of the
Government addressed to a gentleman Of this city.
SAN ANTONIO, Sept Is. 1880
| have received such information, in regard to
the recent hostile conduct of the Camanches as in
duces me to delay day or two in order to obtain
| an escort before going among the Indians. There
ia no better evidence of the warlike movements of
the southern Camanches at Drese.. before ne than
.opor,s; out some of these come in shape that
quires that they should be at least in part believed
One report is, that, exasperated by the death of
| several prominent and esteemed warriors killed in
the late engag ements the Rio Grande, the whole
Camanche tribe has declared open hostility. Ano-
Their report says that only small portion of them
| have resolved ON war; and that much the larger
number has fled to the Upper Brazos to avoid the
difficulties which, it is feared, will fall upon the
whole tribe by the anticipated collision between
part of il and the whites Still another report says
| that the Indians have only withdrawn to seek a
place of safety for their wives and children intend
| ing to return and attack the frontiers. All Of
these statements based upon conversation
held by party Of gentlemen with the Lepans,
few days since, the river Concho. The Lepans
| no doubt made but one statement, yet speaking a
| language not understood by all, they have been
| made to say things not intended by them. The
statement ofthc Lepans probably was. that the Ca
| manches were hostile, and that it would be proper
for the party travel with caution and be guarded
| in their conduct
AS general rule, little confidence can be placed
in the statements Of band of Indians in rela-
| ton to another, and none whatever in the rumors
OF Indian aggressons floating through the country;
but fear that it is true that portion of the south
ern Camanches, maddened by hunger and
perated by their recent losses have been guilty of
Ofn thpf1o nd prde
1t is unquestionably true that these Camanchcs
visited small trading establishment on the Slano
river only few days since, killed young man
who was standing in the yard, and carried away
a large number of horses and mules This trading
house was about thirty five miles in advance Of the
settlements, and within fifteen of the place selected
for the council to be held the 2ls instant. The
owners had been repeatedly told that they would
not be considered under heprotecton of the United
States troops in the position selected, they had
advanced beyond the line intended to be defended.
They at present removing their goods into the
settlements under the protection Of some United
States troops
A large number of horses and mules have been
stolen within the past few months; but the Mex
leans, whites, and Indians all stealing when an
opportunity offers, it ia difficult to say how far the
Indians stand chargeable with the thes constantly
have taken all the horses they could find, as they
are in starving condition, and this is the only way
in which they could obtain food The alternative
with them is to steal or starve.
In conversation held last night with General
BROOKE, he informed me that on the 18th Of Octo-
Der he should start twenty companies of mounted
troops into the Indian country, to demand resttu-
ton of the property stolen, and the surrender of
those who had committed murders. The horses
have been consumed food, and the murderers
will not be surrendered; and as many of these
troops will be volunteers, whom the Indians hate,
general conflict will probably be the consequence.
If | can see and collect the friendly Indians to-
gether, and remain near them until this expedition
has "spent its force" general fight may be pre-
vented, but it will be impossible to them, fear,
as they scattered over thousands of miles, and
have no Of subsisting them for so long
a time.