The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-06-12
A Bloody Pisht With the Cemsuehe..


The Austin Gazette gives the details
Of a fight bstS sen lO2 Texas rangers, as
sisted by 113 friendly Indians, and
force Of 400 Camanche Indians on the
head waters Of Red river, in northern
Texas, on the 18th Of May last, in which
there was an interesting display Of abo-
rginal chivalry. The troops were under
the command Of Captain Ford, and
the Indian allies were lead by Captain
Ross, half breed. The Camanches
were first discovered on the. North side
! Of the Canadian river. and charge was
Immediately made upon them by Capt.
Ford. who gives the following account
of the battle:
4 The right wing, in charge Of myself and
Lieut.. VIM. A. Pitts, moved straight through
the camp and poured in a calling IRE upon
the retreating enemy. Lieut.. A. Nelson In
command of the LETT wing, assisted BY Llents.
Iankerly and Preston. charged to the left,
and pursued the flying Comancbes with Wig,
or aud effect. 10 the meantime, the head
chief Iron Jacket, had ridden out in gor-
peous array, clad in coat Of mail, bors down
upon our rod allies. He was followed by war
riors aud trusted for safety TO his armor. lhe
sharp crack of five or six rifles brought his
\ horse 10 the ground, and in q few moments
the chief fell r.ddlod with balls. The light
was now general, and extended, very soon,
over circuit of six miles in length and more
than three in breadth. 1t was, in fact, al
most series Of single .combats. Squads Of
rangers and indians we're pursuing the emo
my IN every direction. Tho Camanches
! would occasionally halt and endcayor TO make
: a .tand, however their efforts were unayail-
!. ing; they were forced to yield the ground "a
: our men in every Instance. The din OF the
, battle had rolled back from the river-the
c groans of the dying cries OF frightened wo-
: men and children, mingled with the repot'
Of fire arms, and the shouts OF the men al
they rose from hill top, from thicket, snd
from ravinc. -
n The second chief had rushed into the con-
J. fiet with the friendly Indians. A shot from
!. tho Shawnee captain, Chulle-qua, olosad his
career. The Comanches between the camp
and the river were all killed, or driven iron
n the field, and our red allies sent up will
shout Of triumph. BY direction OF Capt
Ross, portion OF the ~ held the camp .
the enemy. :
" The Rangers and the friendly Indians still
- pressed tho Comanches, nor did they sto
pursuing until their falling horses admonish
; Cd them that they could do no more. Be
:, tween Il and o'clock the firing had almos
J. ceased; and squad after squad OF the troop
were returning TO the Comauche camp, bring
ing with thsm horses, prisoners, and othe
trophies OF victory. ilt -. '- 3D.
! The Comanches had another large enoam ?
ment three or four miles above, on the Cana
. dian. They had heard the firing, EN-
- bodied and threatened 10 charge US, The
y were evidently playing for an advantag
s. and their mapGuvers induced our Indians
p believe them very strong. Our allies PR
posed to draw them out, and requested me
keep my men in line TO support them, II q.
80 Tha oaaane4 fs ", stsy tfis
10 eXcite the reserve Indians into some a
! ~ Iashness by which they could profit
st a scene was now enacted beggaring de
c, seription. II reminded me of the rude an
j. chiva!rous days OF king ht-errsntry. Shield
and lanecs. aud bows and head dresse
y prancing steeds, and many minutis wei
D. not wan ting 70 complete the resemblance
lie a al whom the combatants rushed at eac
II. other with defiant shouts, nothing save Il
piercing report OF the rifle varied the alta
~ nom battle teld in the middle ages. Ha
OF al hour was spent il this without much il
g. jury TO either party. a detachment OF Rar
an gers wac advanced to reinforce tho friendl
!. Indians, and the Comanchss quilted the feel,
nj aud the imposing pageant quilted the fsl
to Ike y mimic battle upon the stage. ~
i. II Was determined TO leave the Indians
Possession Of the prisoners ard captured hol
&c ses, and TO hurl the Rangers upon the Ct
he manchcs. My men made Q forward NOV,
m uent, and the enemy instantly began to r,
treat. We pursued as fat rs our faded ho
ses could carry Us. After run Of two an
d n half or three miles saw that We could g
O. feet no more, and called of the men. In til
II, second conflict the enemy lost seven killcc
- and left on the ground several wounded :
"a Our loss Was one Waco luliau killed, an
AR .ons hanger wounded. IL ME n
er' The fight lasted from A. n. till 2 o
/. ~ = clock P. II. 1t is supposed that upward
Of ofseventy Comanches were slain. Or
Is party o. the wild Indians numbered io
as and the other 800; and their encaml
ment numbered 20 lodges. The Ranger
OF captured over 300 head of horses froi
- - the Indians and took eighteen or twent
Il women and children prisoners. ,lt--