Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-27
The Battle Between Texas Rangers ana
Indians.


The Galveston Cioilian of the l4th. gives an
account Of the fight between three companies
of Texas volunteers under Captains Callahan,
Henry and Benton, and large body of Lipan
Indians, near Eagle Pass, in which the Indians
were severely chastised, IS killed and over 100
wounded. Capt. Callahan, in his report, after
stating that when he first discovered the
Indians, the Chieftains were dressed and
painted, ready for battle, and trying to decoy
him from his position, says
Forming my men in a line along the road,
| waited for the enemy to begin the batte-for
by this time large numbers of them had
emerged from the timber, seemingly with the
intention OF attacking us; they soon spread
out in front Of US, and to our right and left to
the amount of several hundred borsemen, and
commenced to fire on us. About this time
one of my men fired on chief about 200 yards
distant, and broke a leg of his horse. Perceivng
that the enemy, composed of both Indians and
Mexicans, were trying to outilank us, ! ordered
my men to charge, which was executed in fine
style, and thirty of the enemy were slain.
Whilst making our charge, the left flank of
the enemy, which extended for near half mile,
came in on our rear and opened on US very
severe fire, during which four of our gal.
liant men we're killed. The front and right
flank on which we charged, after CALLING fire,
tied before us, leaving us in possession of the
position which it was our object and determine
ton to gain. Then we discovered that our
enemy numbered some six or seven hundred,
as all their footmen were concealed in the tim
Der and had not advanced in view on the prai-
rie.
My men formed in a strong position beneath
the bank of small creek on which the enemy
had been encamped, and theis whole force com
ing up against US, we continued the battle for
about three hours, when they fed in the drec-
ton of San Fernando, leaving, as we heard
this evening, some eighty-fve killed and with
the loss OF one hundred wounded. This we
learn from some Mexicans who were engaged
in the battle and from other sources.
The same Mexicans have also informed me
that the actual number of our enemy was $50
men. After the retreat of the enemy, which
was about dark, we, supposing that they would
come on us again before day with large rein.
forcements, fell back to the Rio Grande, where
we would be safe from any number of men and
any. quantity of artillery they might bring
against US.
The men who were killed of my command,
are W. h. Clopton and August Smith of my
company, Rangers. Willis Jones, of Captain
Henrys company and H R. Holland, of Cap
tain Benton's company Of volunteers. The
men wounded are John Gregory, dangerously,
of Captain Henry's company, Captain Nat Ben
ton slightly, and First Lieut.. Henry B. King,
slightly. Patton slightly, and Eustace Benton,
(mortally) of my company. Mr.. Benton is a
nephew of the Hon. L. FL. Bepton
After paying some compliments to the Of
6cers and men of the command for their brave
and gallant conduct, Captain Callahan states
that he is occupying the town of Piedras Ne
gras, opposite Eagle Pass, and intends to hold
the position until reinforced from the settle
ments.
He declares that the Mexicans are in league
with the Indians, and have endeayored to be.
tray the volunteers into a snare, from which
they were delivered only by desperate courage
against overwhelming odds. He threatens to
make reprisals on the Mexicans, unless they
preserve strict neutrality, and in the mean
while calls loudly for aid from the settlements.
he says in conclusion
We are well fortified here, with cannon for
our protection, and have support at hand sufIi
cient to shield us from molestation till we re-
ceive reinforcements. We have brought all
our wounded with US, and they are all cared
for at the hospital at Eagle Pass. Our dead
shall be brought in, and receive decent inter.
ment on American soil. We are in hourly ex-
pectation of an attack from thousand Mexi-
cans and Indians, but we can whip them.
Again call on you for assistance for the sake
OF your individual protection and that Of your
common country. The Indians say they are
determined to kin as they go, and they cross
the Rio Grande for your settlements almost
weekly. If they are not exterminated, any
hour may ring the death knell of Of your
kindred and friends.
There will be no safety for your frontier set
Elements hereafter. The Seminoles, Musicale.
roes, and Lipans are all determined to scourge
Texas with blood and outrage so long as they
remain unchastised We fought all these
tribes yesterday, and, as we learn, the cele-
brated Seminole chieftain Wild Cat.
Capt. Henry 4. McCulloch and others are
raising volunteers to Join Callahan