Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-06
From the Fort Smith Times,
Another Indian Fight.

-
the Cananches-Lieu Van Camp
and four men hiNed-Major Van Dorm
badly poounded- fotg Comanches killed
Arrival ofthe overland mail from CALI
.formia.
Last night news was received from Fort
Arbuckle, by Capt. Montgomery, Quarter
master at the post near this place, by a let
ter from Lieut.. Powell, First Infantry, and
Quartermaster at Fort Arbuckle giving an
account of battle between detachment OF
the Second Cavalry, U. s. Army and the
Camanches, in which Lieut.. Van Camp and
four men were killed, and Major Van
Dorm wounded, one man missing and
ten wounded Forty Of the Comanches
were found dead on the field, and it is not
known how many are wounded.
FoRr ARBUcKLE, G. n, Oct 2.
SIR: Will you be so kind as to forward
Immediately four wagons loaded with -four
and pork, or bacon, in preference, if you
have it on hand
Perhaps, by this time, you have heard
from dept, head quarters, in reference to
my requisition, forwarded some time ago
7 if not, send the articles wanted in anticipa-
ton of requisition, as they are greatly need
ed here in consequence Of Maj Van Dorn's
command being near this post and draw
ing their supplies from it
Maj. Van Dorm attacked the Camanches
yesterday morning, near the Wichita Vii.
lage. His express arrived here about two
or three hours ago. The action was sharp
Lieut.. Van Camp is killed, Maj. Van Dorm
is severely wounded, four men dead, one
man missing, and ten wounded. About
! forty Camanches killed.
By command Of Capt. Prince, have
just hired and sent out wagon and al
ambulance, accompanied by the Assistan
Surgeon Gaenslen, and an escort of twenty
men to carry out provisions and bring in
the wounded.
The whole command is coming in here,
I have the honor to remain, very res
pectfully, your most obedient servant,
T. E. POWELL,
First Lieut.. LIST. Infantry, A. A. G. S.
FIGHT BETWEEN q. 8. TROOPS AND INDIANS.
The Commissioner of Indians Affairs has
received very interesting dispatches, under
date ofSeptember 8, Fort Defan N. M.
from Agent Yosr, giving details Of Sc.
we're engagement which took place between
Capt McLean's command and a body Of
Navajo Indians. at Bear Spring. on the 29tf
of August. Capt. McLean's force consisted
Of twelve men, At Curero he was joined
by Capt. Bla Luceros and his company O.
fifty Mexicans.
On arriving at Bear Spring, a large
number of Navajoes were discovered
Capt Mclean, from certain information he
had received, and from the fact that an ex-
press had been dispatched from Fort Def
ance after the ten days allowed for the
surrender of the murderer of Major Brooks
negro had expired deemed in his duty tc
Immediately punish the Indians. -Four O
his men and twenty Mexicans were detail
ed for the attack.
| Bear Spring is approached from the
road by a valley some 200 yards wide, on
either side, and in front Of which are high
hills covered with timber. AS the party
approached, the Indians delivered volley
Of arrows gave the war whoop, and invited
an engagement. AS the fight became
more general, Capt. Mclean orderad four
of his men to dismount, and, with himself
at the head, led them to the attack, telling
the Indians at distance Of 400 yards with
great accuracy.
The Indians then made for the timber
From this shelter shot was fred, which
wounded Capt Mclean very severely but
not fatally. The fight lasted some ten or
fifteen minutes. The Mexicans fought
we'll. One Navajo Indian, 25 ponies, and
several blankets were taken. 1t is not
known how many Indians were killed
probably s or 10. Capt. McLean's party
then pushed on and took him to Fort Def
ance
Agent Yost is satisfied that the Navajoes
will not give up the murderer of Major
Brooks negro, and that they are determin-
ed to persevere in hostillites. Col. Miller
arrived at Fort Defiance on the 9th, and
had resolved on commencing operations
against the Indians Immediately. It was
fho, hok al