The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-11-19
TRAITS OF INDIAN CHARACTER.
By CAPTAIN Ionv 5. roRD.

a ceases with the campaign; in others, an &C
7 knowledged chief takes the lead 1t is not un
usual for party to remain absent, while opera
I ting in Mexico, for the space oftweve months
= A young warrior will make any sort of sacri
fee to equip and mount himself for an expedi
ton. The officer second in command alway
places hImsef at the head of the column--th
superior officer is in the extreme rear, supeFn
tends movements, rectI6es errors, and is presu
med - be in a position 10 have everything un
der his immediate inspection front gnarc
usually precedes the main body fom quarter
Of mile 10 two miles in advance. They kePT
a strict lookout ride 10 the top Of en- Inence;
scan the surrounding country in every direc-
ton. When enemy is supposed to be near,
they approach the apex OF hill! with very great
caution. They will crawl on the ground, car
rying before their faces bunch OF green bran
ches Of grass, 10 prevent suspicion, ifdiscoyered.
/ Unless 10 one we'll acquainted with Indian on
irivances, the disappearance or moving Of a
bunch Of leaves would be attributed TO the a.
gency OF the wini.
/ Discoveries made BY the vanguard are spec
dIy communicated 10 the officer IN command.
/ There is rear guard, whose duty it is to pre-
vent surprise from that direction. FlankerS
are often thrown out. When large body is
moving, upon approXimating point of danger,
plckctS are sent oct in every direction, which
operate on a more extended scale than the a.
bove mentioned guards.
There is place of rendezvous appointed at
which everything in relation to the expedition
IS concluded upon. For instance, if forav
upon the country adjacent 70 Laredo is conlpm-
plated, time, manner and second place TO rem
devious, are arranged. Formerly they used TO
make The RalceS the point where they formed
their camp preparatory TO active operations-
From here they would send out scouts, TO as
certaln.the condition of the country-the pres
ence of hoops-upon he information thus ac-
quired they would act. Sometimes thew would
move down in body, fall upon the ranches
boldly IN the day tlme-kill, plunder, and car
ry Oft women and children prisoners at others,
when secure from danger, they would divide
INTO two squads, and make a simultaneous de- |
made prisoners, collected noTsPS ah op,.t o'-,- /
ty, they would, If unpursued, move for the
Raices, and remain in camp several days, re-
cruiting. animals, feasiing and preparing for a
quick march to their own camp. II another
party should be still behind, they leave signs
designating all they may wish them TO know
4 small branch, supported by a little heap OF
rocks, is inclined 10 the direction they will
move. The grass is removed from the earth,
line drawn, a numb r Of marks made on each
side, to represent the numorr Of men and horses
in the party. They have species oi hero
glyphic and symbolic characters they use in
conveying ideas. When they wish to inform
their friends Of the death of a warrior, II Is
done by drawing an Indian without bead
II wounded only, the figure is completed with
a streak Of red at the part wounded. Upon a
tree on the Nupces, some thirty or forty miles
above the Laredo and San Antonio crossing, at
a place known as The Comanche crossing, are a
number of these symoohcal representations
One of them is descriptive Of a combat between
a Comanche with lance and a Mexican with
a sword. The sword is mistIaby deficient in
length. The rough pai.ting conveys rather
ludlc1ous idea OF the matter, evincing very
clearly the contempt in which the Indians hold
Mexican proves, and the almost inevitable
conclusion that the fight resulted IN the Don'S
overthrow and death.
The ful of the moon is the time they are
usually looked for. The rays Of this lumnary
afford them the means Of discovering animals,
aud Of travelling during the night. In the event
OF being pursued, Immediately after the perpe-
tra,ion OF drpredations, the Comanches move
day and night, very often not breaking a gal
IoP, except to change horses, which they do
several times, and 10 water the ca60itado, until
they deem themselves safe. Under these CIR
cumstances they will travel at least seventy
miles per day, which is a long distance, with
the encumbrance Of loose animals.
A party of warriors, dressed in their trap
pings embellshed shields-fancy moceasins-
long pigtails bedecked with silver-shouIder
belts worked with beads, and adorned with shells
fine pgginS-ornamente cases for bows and
arrows-mounted upon spirited horses-snging
war song, and sweeping over prairie; is
beautiful spectacle 10 a man with plenty Of brave
fellows 10 back him. Their moiioEs are easy
and graceful. They sit horse admirably and
manage one with a master hand. Charge them
and they will retreat from you with double
your numbers, but beware; keep your men to-
gether-well in hand with at least halt their
arms loaded, or else you will find when it is too
late, flying Comanche well knows the nick
Of time to turn upon and charge his pursner TO
the very teeth. A Comanche can draw bow
when on horseback-Standing or runnig-with
remarkable strength and accuracy. They have
been known 10 kill horses, when at full speed
over one hundred yards.
! La The COMMENCEMENT OF fight, the yell of
defiance is borne TO you long, loud and startling.
The war whooP. has no romance in it. j
thrills even a stout heart with an .indescrlbable
sensation. The excitement of battle IS quite as
evident among these people as Others Let the
tide turn against them-send leaden messengers
through some of their warriors, and then the
mornful wall is hpard-its lugubrous tones are