American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-10
Bloody Battle in Mexico.

oSAy SdLtlo III xNxeXtCOs
1t may be remembered that some
time ago, body of mounted Texan
Rangers, under the command of Cant
Callahan, were, with the appreciation
OF the Executive, mustered in the west.
ern part of the State. The object con.
templated by them, was to destroy the
encampment Of the Lipan Indians, on
the Mexican side of the Rio Grande,
and to exterminate the warriors of that
tribe which had long infested the from.
remembering their wives and chill.
dren, and dcpredating upon our pro-
pcrty-and such Mexicans and negroes
as would be found allied with them.
Capt. Callahan, in an address to tho
people of Texas, dated Eagle Pass, tho
4th inst, gives narrative of tho cam.
palgn. The Indian camp, he had lear.
ned, was situated about IS miles west
OF the river, near the city of San Fer.
nando, in the State of Tamaulipas.-
Towards the End instant, about 3 O..
clock, in the afternoon, and when with.
IN about 10 miles of San Fernando
the Indian camp lying on the other
side OF the town-they deserted three
horsemen approaching them from O.
mound of timber about mile to the \
northward.
cat frst," says Capt. Callahan
(tor we now quote his own langusneD
These men were noticed, we suppos.
ing them to be horsomen-but on their
approaching within two hundred yards
OF us we discovered them to be In
dian chleftains, ready dressed and
painted Tor battle; and they we're evil
IDENTIFY striving to decoy us from our
position. Forming my men into line
along the road, l waited for them to
begin the battle, for by this time large
numbers of them had emerged from
the timber, seemingly with the inten-
ton OF attacking us; they soon spread
out IN front of us, and to our right and
left, to the amount of several hundred
horsemen, and commenced to fire on
us. About this time one of my men
fired at chief about two hundred yds.
distant, and broke leg of his horse.
Perceiying that the enemy, composed
OF both Indians and Mexicans, were
trying to outhank us, ordered nv
men to charge, which was executed in
fine style, and thirty of the enemy
were slain.
While making our charge, the left
Hank OF the enemy, which extended for
nearly half a mile, came in on our rear
and opened on us very severe fire.
during which four of our gallant men
were killed. The front and right flank
on which we charged, after calling
fire, fled before us, leaving us in pos.
session of the position which it was our
object and determination to gain.
Then we discovered that our enemy
numbered some six or seven hundred.
and their footmen were concealed in
the timber, and had not advanced in
view on the prairie. My men formed
in strong position, beneath the bank
OF a small creek, on which the enemy
had been encampcd, and the whole
force coming up against us we continu-
ca the battle for about three hours
when they fed in the direction of San
Fernando, leaving as we heard this c.
vcnlng, some eighty-five killed, and
with the loss Of one hundred wounded.
This, we learned from some Next
cans who were engaged in the battle,
and from other sources since my re-
port to his Excellcncy, the Hon. Il.
Peasc. The same Mexicans have also
informed us that the actual number
OF our enemy was seven hundred and
fifty.
After the retreat of the enemy which
was about dark, we supposing that they
would come on us again before day,
with large rcinforcements, 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.
Approaching the town ofPiedras Ne
about sunrise, we took possession of it
ana now occupy position opposite
Eagle Pass, on the west of tho Rio
Grande. The mon who we're killed
ofmy command are:-W. III. Clopton
and Augustus Smith, of my company
OF Rangers, Willis Jones of Capt Hen
rvs company, and Mr.. III. II. Hollands
company of Volunteers.
The men wounded are John Gregory
dangerously, of Capt. Henry's conpa-
ny, Capt. Nat Benton, slightly, and
first Lieutenant Henry d King, very
slightly" :"