The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-01
MAI. VAN DORN's INDIAN BATTLE.

HEAp-Q QUARTERS WICHITA EXPEDITION,
Camp near Wichita Village, Oct. 5, 1853.
Capiail-I have the honor to make the following
report of the operations of my command since the
25th ut., the date of my last report The stockade
work, in progress of construction at that side,
completed on the 29th and preparations were beng
made to move towards the Canadian river the fol-
lowing morning, when two of my Indian spies came
in and reported large Camanche camp near the
Wichita village, about ninety miles due cast Of the
depot.
Upon receipt of this information had all the
stores, draft mules and extra horses moved at once
into the defensive inclosurc and marched for this
point, with the four companies of cavalry and In
dian allies. After making forced march of ninety
odd meo in thirtyeish hours, during the last part
OF which we continuously in the saddle for
sixteen and half hours, including the charge and
pursuit, we arrived at this camp on the morning of
the lst inst
had been in hopes of reaching roint in close
proximity to the enemy before daylight, and had
made dispositions for attack, based on informa-
ton received from the Spies but as daybreak came
upon Us some three or four miles off and | found
them very inaccurate in their information, moved
the companies up in columns, with intervals of Il
hundred yards, and moved in the direction of
which the camp said to be, sending instructions
to the captains to dcploy and charge whenever it
was seen over the crest OF the hills in advance of u.s.
After marching, with this formation about two
miles at an increased gait, the sound of the charge
came from towards the left, and in a moment the
whole command poured down into the
enemy's camp in the most gallant style, and we
soon found ourselves engaged on warmly defend
ed battle field.
There being many ravines in and about tho Damp
That obStructed the easy operation of the cavalry
and gave good shelter to the Indians. it was more
than an hour before they were entirely beaten out
or destroyed, during which time there were many
bloody hand to hand engagements both on the part
OF the officers and men. The friendly Indians | or
dcred in approaching the camp to stampede the
animals and get them out of the way. This order
they eilectually carried out. The Delaware aud
Caddoes also entered into the fight with the troops
and did effective service. especially in the skirm-
ishes in the neighborng hills and ravines We have
gained a complete and decisive victory over the
enemy. Fifty-six warriors left dead on the
field, and it is presumed that many lying in the
vicinity, as many were doubtless mortally wounded,
but enabled to escape their horses from the bat
tle-feld. How many wounded is not known
Over three hundred animals captured, and
about one hundred and twenty lodges were burned
Iher supply OF ammunition, cooking utensils,
clothing, dressed skins, and subsistence stores
were all destroyed or appropriated to the command.
Those who escaped did with the scantv clothing
they had on and their arms and nothing is left to
mark the site Of their camp, but the ashes of the
dead.
| regret that have to report that two Indian
women accidentally killed in the battle; their
dresses only concealed not indicating their SEX
Two Wichita Indians were accidentally killed, be-
ing in the Camanche camp. The number of Indians
has been variOusy estimated from three to five hun
dred | think there were over four hundred. This
without
side. Lieut.. Cornelius Van Camp, one of the most
promising and gallant young officers Of our regi-
ment, of the service at large, fell pierced through
the heart by an arrow, whilst charging the enemv's
camp, and died as the brave alone should die. In
his loss we feel victory to be dear bought one
The following is a list of the killed and wounded,
as furnished me by the Captains
Company A-W ounded Brevet Major Earl Van
Dorm, severely; Corporal Joseph 2. Taylor, dan
gerousy.
Company K-Wounded private Smith Hinkley,
slightly.
Company H-Killed, privates Peter Magyar and
Jacob Eckard; missing, supposed to be killed, pri-
vate Henry Howard: wounded Sergeant c. b. Nc
LELAND, slightly; Corporal Bishop Gordon, slightly
buger, NJ. Abargast, slightly; private c. C. Alex
ander, severely.
Company F-Wounded, Sergeant ]. f. Garrison,
mortally, since dead; privates c. C. Emery and A.
j. Mcnamara, severely; and private W. Frank,
slightly.
Mr.. j. 7. Ward, sutler to the command, and Mr..
>. Boss, in charge of the friendly Indians, were
also wounded-thc former slightly, the latter quite
severely.
l am so greatly indebted to all the officers of the
command, collectively, for the energy, the ZEAL the
ability and gallantry with which they aided me in
achieving this success that feel it impossible to
name one as being distinguished above the others
| am equally indebted in the to all the
non commissioned officers and soldiers of my COM
mand, who, under all the circumstances of the
forced march and the battle, proved themselves to
be soldiers worthy of the name.
Their gallantry, personal daring and fearless in
trepidity are the admiration of the officers; but
they find themselves unable to discriminate where
all brave. The officers present were CAPTAINS
Whiting, Evans and johnson; Lieuten ants Phfer,
Harrison, Porter, and Major, and Assistant Surgeon
Carswel Capt. Evans killed two, 4.$eut. Harrison
two, Lieut.. Phifer two, and Lieut.. Major three In
dans, in hand to hand encountered during the bat
tle Mr.. s. Ross and Mr.. Wards charged with
Capt. Evans, and did good and efficient service. and
spoken of highly by all the officers for their
bearing during the engagement. IN fact am in
debted to all the command.
| regret that my wounds have prevented nv
writing this report at an earlier date. | have re-
quested Lieut.. Love- at Fort Belknap, to copy this
and send it to you in proper form.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Y our obedient servant
EARL VAN DoRN,
Brevet Major, Captain I'd Cavalry, COM o.
FoRT BELKNAP, TEXAS October 10, 1858.
true copy.
GEORGE II. THOMAS, Major, I'd Cavalry.
A BURGLAR HooKED-A few nights since bur-
glary was committed in Chicago, and CITY de-
tectve detailed to catch the burglar who in his
rapid exit had dropped pair of boots The officer
concluded that the fellow would return for them,
tied fishne to one of the boots, the other end
passing through hole into the office. He then cut
hole through the blind and commenced fishing
with his boot-bait. After long time he was re-
warded by vigorous bite and springng out of the
door, collareda fellow trying to carry off the boots
who was committed in default of bail to take his
trial.
CRINoLTNE.-The Paris correspondent of the Boston
1rdreier, says: Crinoline is dethroned. | almost
like the new fashion, although | suspect it may
prove no gentler enemy to mans purse than its pre-
decessor. 1t is long and draped and floating like a
MUSES. costume-or like the attire in which Milton
robed the ''pensive Nun, devout and pure
The Cecil Democrat says that Cecil county viii
not be represented in the Eastern Shore Slave
holders Convention the citizens not being sufficient
ly interested to call county meeting for the pur-
pose of sending delegates.