The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-10-26
Miarrllanrults Araainq.
From the Crcxas) State Gazette.
q Ie1iaa' S Best Shot.

William Bowie a brother Of the celebrated
and renowned James Bowie, in an carly day
distinguished himself in an Indian fight
known as the battle of the Rocky Fort, by
making one, of the best shots on record. A
party o. 25 daring adventurerS had wandered
about 100 miles above the white settlements
James and William Bowie were among the
number--in fact James had command of the
forces. After exploring the country for sew
eral days, and killing large number of
Buffalo, they enc night concluded TO start
nome on the next morning. Accordingly.
after having breakfasted on butfa,o and hon.
-ey, they set out for the settlements As vet
they had discovered no signs of Indians.-
About 10 o'clock they crossed fresh Indian
trail. "Hallo boys !" said Bowie, "do YOU
see this |! Now keep good look out, for
hundred red Camanches are in the neighbor.
hood, | should not be surprised if ,hey are
camped at that branch, pointing in the di
rection of some elms 10 the right. Now be
ready and keep a good look out. as we NAV
be surprised" In a moment all hands were
busy examining their guns-thus they trav-
elled on almost in breathless silence, Sp;es
were finally sent ont, and after some delay
the position Of the Indians were found to be
very near, and that the red skins had diseov.,
cred them. Bowie then turned to the COM
pany and said, "boys, we are dicorered !: there.
Is but one remedy; that is, to keep cool, and
we can easily whip the red devils. But we
must take advantage Of them, as they ont
number us at least five to one. If you will
all follow my directions, We will give them
drubbing that they will not forget soon,
They bid him lead, telling him that thew
were ready to fellow. Tom, You and George
fall back again, but be sure not to let YOUR.
selves be discovered. Do not get more than
miles behind, and be certain to come to us
by three o'clock. About two o'clock while
the company were watering their horses at
a small rocky stream, the spies came up, and
reported that the Indians had got streicbt
on their trail, and were pursuing. Then
we must fight them this evening said Bowie
or 1t we camp tonight without having some
kind of breastwork for fortifcaton, thew will
kill every one Of us. Now fill your eourds
with water. There, on this hilwe will firht
the rascals. Every ono go to pi!inp in.
those rccks and build fort for ourselves and.
horses. These orders were promptly obey
ed, and the campany soon found themselves
encircied ID a fort about five feet in Leigbt
They had not finished it however; until the
Indians came in sight
With demon-ike yels they charged the
little fortpsss. When within about sixty
yards of the fort, a shrek oftire shot up from
the pie of rocks, and twenty Indian, bit the
dust. This caused them to halt, or rather to
retreat, and 1T gave the Texans time to re-
load. Again they charged, again the stream
OF lire burst upon them, and again goodly
number of them fell Afraid to- charge
again, on certain death, they concluded to
try and frighten the whites, and make them
surrender. They were now about 800 wards
from the fort One of the savaees (wio an
paared 70 be man Of authority climbed M
q tree about ] feet, and stool erect in n
fork and held in his left hand three reeking
sealps, shook them ut the Texans and order
ed them to surrender. "I'll kill that ID
rascal" said William Bowie, "or III shoot
till sundown at him." As he said this. he
took up gun, loaded with an once bali
climbed over the rocks, laid stone about a
foot thick under the muzzlc of his gun, laid
hat down himself, and taking deliberate aim,
hred. An unearthly scream from the savage
told the tale. He was killed The Indi
ans raised the body, placed it on n horse (for
twas their chief and turned their faces
westward. About so of their number had
been killed or wounded. Seven of the Tex
ans had been struck with arrows, and three
OF them killed. After they had left, the
ground was measured, and it was found that
Bowie had killed the Indian $50 yards!-
Reader, was not that good shot indcedl
! -<~&e~S--
q Gooo GoAscisncs