Washington telegraph., 1853-06-15

Z
predatory incursions with alarming irequen-
cy.
FoRr CRoGEAN. TEXAS,
April Y, 1853.
have just returned from one Of the most
arduous and exciting scouts | have ever
made We had been robbed here twice "
the Indians within four months. Tie last
time on the night Of the 18th of March
They took down pannel Of my stable lot
and led out nine of my finest horses It
was one Of tae darkest and most clustering
nights Of the season. anl the robbery must
have been committed between Q and 10 o.
clock. The next morning | started with
seventeen men in pursuit. Failing to dia-
cover a trail. I proceeded to the post on The
head Of the clear Forl; If tile Brazos, thence
to tho Indian agency, half way between
Phantom Hill and Belk1ap. Tp 70 this
point I could hear nothing of The robbery,
except the opinion entertained by rhe agent,
Alr. Stem, and all The friendly Indians
which ecncprred with NY own-that tile
robbery Lad been committed by Witche-
.aws.
W HliC az tAV ds,SLNy q pa - ~ tiiet h4i''s
under their principal war-chiets, came in to
surrender some stolen horses they had pre-
vioasly promised to Stem they would do
The horses they brought in were so indiGier-
ent and broken down that il was cvident
they were acting in bad faith. and that this
was only intended as sub.arfuge. was
not disposed to he trifcd with in this manner;
the agent had also lost all patience with them.
1t was accordingly agreed to letain the chief
and the principal portion 0f IT, 7a-tr-enn-
sisting of nine warriors and several women,
I'D hostages until the whole of the property
recently stolen should he brought in Mr.
Stem announced to them our determination,
and told them | meant to carry them into
Belkuap and hold them prisoners, permit
tinr two Of their number to return 10 their
tribe and convey the "talk" we had given
them. Though | fully expected break"
on the announcement, which would result in
the death of Dir. Stem or myself, or both,
indeed | would not have insured either of
our lives at 100 per cent. We were CON-
PEELED to face the danger with apparent in
difference. Any manifestation Of fear or
suspicion would have increased the chances
Of their resorting to the desperate altrrna-
tive Of ''rush" for liberty, pIunging their
knives into whomscever interrupted their
passage.
a. soon as I had told them they were
prisoners, | rose from the 5ear-skin upon
which had been sitting facing them, and
mounted my horse. at the same time draw
ing my pistol, and motioning them to 20
to their camp. The chief requested that
should dismount, that be wished to speak
did so. and took a seat on a stool near by.
He motioned me to sit in my former posi-
ton on the ground. | did 50, at the same
time drawing my knife, under pretence Of
cutting tobacco 10 smoke. He rose, address
cd a few remarks to me about the difficulty
of restraining his young men from stealing,
&C., and suggesting that it would be better
that he should return to his tribe. This
refused lie then seemingly yielded to liz
fate, approaching me and scizng nc by tic
hand, lifted me from the ground and en-
bracing me, first pointed to heaven and to
ourselves, 70 indicate that the Great Spirit
witnessed the proceeding. | told them !
would net hold them as close prisoners, but
merely guard against their escape, by plac-
ing aentinels around their camp. Meantime
L encamped my command near theirs, and
took from them all the arms | could find
They retired quietly to their tents at
dark, manifcsting not the slightest intention
of an attempt TO escape.
The moon shone as bright rs day. bad
posted two distinct guards over them, Of six
men each with our sentinels. | had been
up and moving about camp until twenty
minutes Of twelve. AT IL the sentinels
were relieved, the sentinel posted more i'm
mediatcly over their camp, had gone near
ono OF their tents to count the number pres
ent while the corporal Of the guard, the old
sentinel and a citizen who had accompanied
me, stood near looking or. Suddenly one
Of the Indians rushed from bis seat towards
the sentinel, and presenting a pistol fired.
This seemed to be the signal for general
break" As the sentinel turned to retreat
up the slope towards his companions, the
chief ko-we-aka, rushed from his tent threw
himself upon the back of the retroating sem
tinel, and with his knife inflicted several
wounds before he was shot down by the old
sentinel. The rest succeeded in eflecting
their escape running in different directions
and answering the shots fred at them with
yells Of defiance The chief, as was discov-
cred, On searching the tents, had purposely
sacrificed himself, his wife and boy seven
years old. The wife and child whom he bad
requested me, On the evening before to talk