Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-08-05
From the Fl. Smith (Ark. Herald, 18th inst.
BY GOVERNMENT EXPRESS.
FROM THE PLAINS!
Terrible Massacre!-Murder Of Captain
Marcy Command by the Camanches!!

Marcy Command by the Camanches!!
Two expresses arrived in this city to Col.
Wilson, Commander of the Fort, one from
Fort Arbuckle, the other Fort Washita, on
Wednesday evening last, bringing the mel
ancholy and distressing intelligence of the
destruction of the expedition to the head
waters of Read River and murder of Capt.
Marcy, and the whole of his command about
80 men. 1t appears that Waco chief came
into Fort Arbuckle, few days ago, and
stated, that when out on the plains, with his
band of Indians, about 20 days travel from
Arbuckle, that a company of Camanches
and kiowas, came into his camp, some of
them dressed in soldiers clothes, and others
with bayonets fastened to sticks, and other
articles he know belonged 10 troops. and
that they stated to him, that as the Canaan
ches were on their way to attack the post on
the Brazos, they came across Capt. Marcy
expedition, and when they discovered him,
they went into his camp and he gave them
several little presents, and then left. At
night, the Indians succeeded in getting up
stampede among the horses and mules,
and run them off, after which, about six
o'clock, or about day light, they attacked
the command, there being about 1000 In
dians, and fought all that day, and the next
day they succeeded in killing off the whole
company. 1t is also reported by the same
chief that, the Camanches intend attacking
Fort Arbuckle, and the posts on the Brazos.
He says, that he escaped by giving up all
peltries, &c., that he had, and was glad to
get off by that means. The Wacos live in
the neighborhood of Fort Arbuckle, and the
offices at the post place full confidence in
the report. The expresses sent in from
Arbuckle and Washita show plainly that
an attack Is apprehended.
Indeed, reports of the gathering of the
Camanches in a body, and their determine
tion to attack the whites, has been frequent
in this place for the last three or four
months, end it accords with the statements
made by Col. Humphries, of Fort Washita,
who went out some time ago to trade, was
robbed by them, his companions murdered,
and he barely made his escape; an account
of which was published in the Herald two
weeks ago.
If this report proves true, and there ap-
pears to be not much room TO doubt it, an
Indian war is inevitable. There must be a
combination of all the wild tribes that roam
over the prairies, and through the noun
tains of New Mexico. The real strength
of these Indians, is not known. and when
combined will present formidable force,
that the U. States will find it very hard to
subdue. The praires west, will afford the
Indians means of avoiding the troops, as in
tricate as the hammocks of Florida. They
extend for hundreds of miles, and in many
places, are nothing but a sandy plain, upon
which man nor beast can find subsistence,
being generally destitute of water. The
Indians are acquainted with the praires.
and know every hiding place, and places for
retreat, most of them being inaccessible tc
the whites.
There is but one regiment of troops on
the Brazos, and that regiment having ONLY
about half her compliment of men, divided
into two posts, some distance apart, and
are, therefore, in no situation to meet large
and forminable band of Indians, and are So
far from the white settlements as to be able
to get no aid from that quarter.
The lives of hundreds of soldiers and
citizens ARE sacrificed upon our frontiers,
annually, in consequence Of the penurious-
ness Of our government. Instead of send.
ing Captain Marcy ont with 60 or so men
he should have had abou43O0, as the impor,
tance of the expedition demanded it, the
country being unexplored and unknown
and filled with bands of marauding Indians
who make murder and robbery a business
We regret exceedingly, the loss of 81
many valuable lives, and we are led II
mourn over the sad fate of Capt. Marcy. ar
intimate friend, and an enter prising high
minded officer Of the army, and DR.. G. G
Shumard, an amiable and respectable phv,
sician of our city; also, Capt. Strain of Fl
Washita, and Mr.. ]. R. Snydam, of New
York, who accompanied the expedition fo
pleasure, besides others, OF less note, bu
whose loss to their friends will be nothin!
, the less on that account, and will fill the
hearts with sadness and grief.
An express left here on Thursday morn
ing, for Little Rock, with dispatches iron
the commander of the post, for Washington
city.