The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-30

to outtlank us. l ordered my men to charge,
which was executed in fine style, and 80 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 a very
severe fire during which four Of our gallant men
were killed. The fr.nt and right flank ON which
We charged after calling fire fled before us,
leaving us in possession of the position which it
was our object aid determination to gain. Ikcn
we discovered that our enemy numbered some
six or seven hundred, as all their foetmcn were
concealed il the timber and had not advanced
in view on Tie priarie. My men formed in a
strong position beneath the bank of a small creek
on which the cnriny had hecn cncamped, and
their whole force coming up against us we con.
tinued the battle for about threo hours, wien
they fled in the direction Of San Fernando leav-
irg as we heard this evening some eighty five
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
since my report to his Exccency, the Hon.
E. NJ Pease. The same Mexicaas have also
Informed me that the actual number Of our enc
my was seven hundred and fifty men. 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 Grandc, where we would be safe from
any number of men and any quantity Of ar
tillery they might bring against us.
Approaching the town of Piedras Negras
about sunrise we took possession of it and now
occupy 4 position opposite Eagle Pass, on the
wnSt hon1- of tho Rio Grondn
The men who were killed Of my command are
W. II. Clopton and August Smith, of my com.
pany Rangers. Willis Jones, of Capt. Henry's
command, and H. r. Holland, of Capt. Benton's
company Of volunteers. The men wounded
are John Gregory, dangerously, Of Capt. Henrys
company; Capt. Nat Benton, slightly; and lst
1t Henry B. King, slightly.
Patton, slightly, and Eustace Benton, mortal
ly, of my company.
1t becomes me to say that Capts. Henry and
Benton demcaned themselves gallanty through
out the conflict, and it gives me much pleasure
to remark that to them is attributed in a great
degree the success Of the action.
Adjt. VIM. A. Pitts conducted himself with
admirable coolness, and gallantly won for himself
character as a soldier of good nerve. over
looked the mention of the name of Adjt. Pitts
in my report to Gov. Peasc, and am glad to
correct the error here.
Of Licuts VIM. Kyle and VIM. Tom of my
company, and Licuts Riggs and Houston Tom
Of Capt. Hcnry's company and Henry B. King
aud Charley Reed Of Capt Benton's company,
all can say is they acted as men should act
during the engagement. My men, rangers and
volunteers, conducted themselves with comenda.
ble bravery during the entire action, with two
exceptions, who ingloriously fled from the battle
field aud crossed the Rio Grande before they
stopped.
am now occupying the town of Picdras Ne.
gras opposite Eagle Pass, and intend to hold the
s', rI.a M,y;o~~- - l-~~ Lesely betrayed us by pre-
tending to favor our expedition against the
Lipans, and attempting to draw us into snare
at our late battle ground, which would have
succeeded but for the bravery Of my men against
overwhelming odds.
/ informed the prominent men of this place
this morning that we did not come here to fight
the Mexicars, but to whip and cxtermnate the
Indians, and that we do not yet desire to fight
them although they have killed and wounded
they must deliver up TO us the Indians, other
wise the Texans will hold them responsible for the
murder of their wives and children, and the
depredations upon their property 1t is now clear
that they combine with and protect the Indians
have tried to explain to them the injustice Of
their course and have advised them that we will
invade their country, burn the last their towns
if :hey continue to protect and fratcrnize with
this band of outlaws whose hands are still recking
in the blood OF innocent women and children.
who have recently fallen on the soil of Texas,
Lcrcath the tomahawks Of relentless sava@es.
We n1ested none Of their property until we
found them fighting side by side with the Indians,
whose denonac hands are still wet with the
blood of Texas womtn and children. And we
have since troubled noting save what was nee
essary for our own support and safety Had
we supposed the Mexicaus wollit,, have united
with the Indians against US we would never
have crossed into their country with our nImber
of men but we are now here and intend TO hol
footing until something is accomplished The
Mexicans must either deliver to us our Indian
enemies or abide the consequence that will here
after result to them from the perfidy which has
already been enacted.
Fellow citizens of Texas we want you to
come to our aid. 1t is for your wives and chill
dren that we have already exposed our lives and
are still determined to fight 1t is for you as our
friends, neighbors and countrymen, that some Of
us have fallen and others yet bleed. 1t is for
YOU that we have come here to shed our blood
and sell our lives and we ask you if your broth
ers shall be slain by Mexican and savage pcrfdy
without any effort on your part for vengeance.
We arc we'll fortified here, with cannon for