Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-05-01
A TEXANS BEST SHOT.

Il William Bowie, a brother of the
\ celebrated and renowned James
Bowie, in an early day distinguished
a himself in an Indian fight known as
a the battle Of the Rocky Fort, by
making one Of the best shots on
9 record. A party of 25 daring ad.
venturers had wandered about loo
miles above the white settlements
2 James and William Bowie were a.
mong the number-in fact James
. had command of these forces. After
exploring the country for several
. days and killing a large number Of
Buffalo, they one night concluded
to start home on the next morning.
Accordingly after having breakfast
on buffalo and honey, they set out
for the settlements. As yet they
had discovered no sign of Indians.
About 10 o'clock they crossed a
fresh Indian trail. Halo, boys said
Bowie, do you see this2 Now keep
a good look out, for a hundred red
Camanches are in the neigbborhood. l
should not ba surprised If they are
camped at that branch, pointing in
the direction of some elms to TIE
right. Now bs ready and keep a
good look out, as we nay be sur
prised.' In a moment all hands
were busy examining their guns.
Thus they travelled on almost in
breethless silence. Spies we're final
ly sent out, and after some delay the
position of the Indians vas found to
be very near. and that the red skius
had discovered them. Bowie then
turned TO the company and said,
boys, we are discovered, 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 outnumber US at least five
to one. If you Will follow my d.
rections. we viii give them a drub-
bing that they viii not forget soon
They bid him slead. telling him
that they were ready to follow. Tom,
you and George fall back again, but
be sure not to let yourselves be dis
covered. Do not get more than 5
miles behind, and be certain to come
to US by three o'ctock.' About two
o'clock, whilst the company were
watering their horses at small rocky
stream the spies came up and report
ed that the Indians had got straight
on their trail, and were pursuing.
Then we must fight them this eve.
ming, said Bowie, :tor if We camp to-
night without having some kind of
breastwork for fortifcation, they will
kill every one of US. Now fill your
gourds with water. There, on this
hill we will fight the rascals. Every
one got to piling up those rocks and
build fort for ourselves and horses
These orders were promptly obeyed,
and the company soon found them
selves encircled in q: fort about five
feet in height They had not finished
it, however, until the Indians came
in sight.
With demon-liks yells they char
ged the little fortress. When within
about sixty yards Of the fort, a
shrek of fire shot up from the pile
} of rocks, and twenty Indians bit the
dust. This caused the Indians to
; halt, or rather retreat, and it gave
the Texans time to.roload. Again
they charged, again the stream OF
: fire burst upon them, and again a
coodlv number Of them fell. Afraid
to charge again, on certain death,
they concluded to try aud frighten
the whites, and make them surrender.
They were now about three hundred
yards from the fort. Oce OF the
savages (who appeared to be a man
of authority climbed up tree about
Ito feet, and stool erect in fork,
and held in his left hand three reek-
ing scalps,shook them at the Texans,
. and ordered them to surrender. u IL
kill that ID rascal said VIII,
; lam Bowie, COR I'll shoot till sun
down at him. As ho said this, he
, took up gun loaded with an ounce
: ball, climbed over tbs rocks, laid g
, stone about foot thick under the
/, muzzle of his gun, laid fat down
himself, and taking deliberate aim'
fred. An unearthly scream from
the savage told the tale. lie was
!. killed! The Indians faised the body
a placed it on d horse for it was then
II Chief and turned their faces west
iuar,3 Ahaut 20 ofStheir number