Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-21
Dloody iBattle in Mexico.

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2tI Bloody Battle in Mexico. '1s1
1tmay be remembered that some time,
ngo, a body of mounted Texianl rangers,
under the command of Captain Callahan,
were, with the appreciation of the Execu-
tive, mustered in the western part Of the
State. The object contemplated by them,
was to destroy the encam pment Of Lipan
Indians on the Mexican side OF the Rio
Grande, and TO exterminate the warriors
Of that tribe. which had so long infest-
de the frontier-murdering their wives
and children and depredating upon our
property-and suck Mexicans and negroes
rs would be found allied with them.
Captain Callahan in an address to the
people OF Texas, dated Eagle Pass, the
4thinstant, gives narrative of the cam
paign. The Indian camp, he had learn
ed WAS situated. about thirty.five miles
west Of the river, near the city of San Fer
nando, in the State of Tamaulipas. To-
wards the second inst, about O'Clock in
Lhe afternoon. and when within about ten
miles of San Fernando, the Indian camp,
lying on the other side ofthe town, they
deserted three horsemen approaching
them from mound of timber about mile
to the northward. -n 49, ''-.
.n" At first" says Captain Callahan,
(for we now quote his own language,)
"these men. We're not noticed, we suppos-
ing them 10 be herdsmen,i but on their
approaching within two hundred yards of
US, weu discovered them to be In
dian clieftiars, ready dressed and paints
ed for. battle {; and they were evidently
striving to .fdecoy us from our position.
Forming my men nihto a line along the
road, hwaited forzthem TO begin the bat
tie, for by this time large numbers Of them
had emerged from the timber, seemingly
with intention of attacking us they soon
spread out in front ofsus, and to our right
and left.1 to the amount of several hun
dred -horsemen, and commenced to fire on
u.s. About this time one of my men fred
on a chief, about two hundred yards. dis
tant, and broke a leg ola horse Percei-
wing that the enemy, composed of both
Indians HndaMexcans were trying to out
flank US, / ordered my men to charge,
which was executed in fine style, and ma
ny of therenemv were slain. &C. -.
"While making our charge, the left
flank of the enemy, which extended for
nearly half mile, came in our rear and
opened on us very severe fire, during
which -four of our gallant men were
killed. The front aud right flank on
which we charged, after a gallant FIRE
fled before US, leaving US in possession of
the position which it was our object and
DISCRIMINATORY obtain.
-. Then we discovered that our enemy
numbered some or 700, and their foot
men were concealed in the timber and
had nOt'advanced in view on the prairie.
My men formed in a strong position be-
meath the bank Of a small creek, on which
the enemy had been encamped, and their
whoio force:coming up against us, VIC con-
tinued the battle for about three hours,
when they fled in the direction of San
Fernando. leaving as we heard this even.
ing some 50 killed with the loss of 100
wounded.
"This we'learn from some Mexicans
who were engaged in the battle, and from
other sources since my report to his Ex-
ceilency, the Hon. +. NJ. Pease. The
same Mrxicans have also Informed me
that the actual number of our enemy was
seven hundred and fifty men.
"After the retreat of the enemy, which
was about dark, we, supposing they would
come on US again before day, fell back to
the!Rioi Grande, where we would be safe
from Iheaattack of any number of men
and ofany quantity of artillery they might
bring againstus.
Approaching the town of Piedras Ne
gras about sunrise, we took possession of
it. and now occupy position opposite
Eagle Pass on the west bank of the Rio
Grande. . ..og 1900