The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1858-06-12


contains the official reports of Capt
John s. Ford and 1t A. Nelson, giving
the particulars Of decisive engagement
with the Indians. the details Of which
are highly interesting
On the 22nd Of April. Capt Ford icfl
Fort Runncls, with force numbering
l02 men including officers and pnides
lie had two wagons, one ambulance. and
fifteen rack miles. Al the Cottonwood
Sprir rs he was joined by Capt Ross and
ll3 Indians Of the BRACES Reservation
The command marched up the valley
No Indian signs were discovered on the
eth They then turned in the direction
of the Wichita river, branch Of which
was reached on the sth Of May. The
spies reported large trail lealiug down
the country 1t was followed foy two
days On the 10Th it became evident
60 the rangers tina, they were in thr l.
ciniiy Of large body Of Indians. On
the lih the direction OF ,ip Indian camp
was discovered, by watching pack ami
mails az they transported hu0alo mcd
10 it. Capt Ford says:
prepared 10 move upon Che enemy
without delay leit q small guard az
my camp, and at O'Clock. + ". marched
with one hundred Americans. aud Capt.
Ross command of one hundred and lhIr
teen friordly indians When wc reached
the Fort Smith and Santa H. road. we
saw C5mancbes moving about in the val
ley beyond the divide apparently un.
conscious Of Cur proximity When they
had gone we resumed our march con.
lining ourselves 30 the loss gr4unds and
raynes 81 keep out of sight We halted
at dusk, camped, and sent forward some
Indians TO cYertake oar keem spy and
trailer. Unfortunately they missed hin
and he remained outside Of camp uniil
day light, on the morning Of the l2th,
when he joined Us on the march our
plan was frustrated, and we were com
PEELED 10 march upon The foe Ia open day
The pursuit WAS made most Of the time
at gallop. At O'Clock. g. NJ, small
camp Of fgo lodges was discovered and
taken The Toncahua Indians remained
oefnoiisneo 'ne camp Wnh ''h'a Pa'si
hers' ana mounted 'heit hl9' men We
Comanches fled towards lhr Canadian
and were followed by the whole com
mand at nearly full speed After IL ran
o. ,hiee mics i'rgc cncAhp'"'n' WIZ
visible IRON, h'i' 'ol, "'"h' 'ni'o ,''f7
Instant anu on i7f 'bff"h'' sid' Oh lh'
'anadiah'
we saw me Two tA''''hch'' passing
'he river ana followed ~ !, run efoaslnI
the stream without holding NJ ana
reached The camp lust aitrr ihrN had
gwen Inc alarm 'Hri hoAs iea hls III
dians between eie lodges and tho river,
and they engaged The enemy. ! halted
Tor moment Tor my men to come NJ
and then gave The order to charge tho
camp which was executed prompt y ana
ra'iah'iy. Inc t"lnanchea iniended !"
have rade stand NJ ms point the
rangers presse" them closely ana 'hey
tled IN every direction ~" right wing,
~ charge OF myself ana lieut. w IMAM
a. lh's, moved siraigh, through 'ho
camp aud poured IN a CALLING 'irc upon
the retreating enemy Lieut. Allison
Nelson IN command o' We ic't wing as
sisted ny 1t james " lahkerslry' ana
Lt WIN. IT, Preston, charged 10 the let,,
and pursued the hying 'omnnches WIN
Nigor ana en'c'. IN 'he meantime 'h'
head ch'ei, Iron Jacket had rinden ont "
gorgeous array, ei'a III coat 81 man
ana pore down upon our fed aiilos' ne
was followed ny warriors ana trusted
Tor SAFETY 10 ms arrnor ne sharp crack
oi I'VE or sik r'iies Drought MS morse u
the Ground, ana III rev moments me
chie' zen r'naicn WIN b"'is oaf ,h1W
nee guide, uoss, ana Jun fo'Ninafk' IN,
aha"ar'p '"i,.ai", ,i''i" 'h' hta' "','
iasi wounds. me ngh' was no" g"n'r"'
ana extended, very soon over cit,h''
81 SIX h'''es "a 'e,g'h' ana more ma.
'hrec III pfeanth' IL WA III ias'' Almost
series "' sihsle ."h'p"'A' 0i'a'h ~
rangers ana INDIANS were pursuing me
enemy W every "''',,'"n' 'ne '""''''
chcs womb cc'as''ha''y hai' ana enn'aN'
or 70 make s'ah' however ''eif eh'ftS
were aha'al'''ti th'S were 'or'"h 10
yie'n the Rroan' 70 our men 10 every IN,
stance. me "ih OF 'he pai'ie h'n re'lsd
PACK iro" 'he r'ver,.'h' gro"hS of ~,
lying cries OF 'risniHhon women ana
c''''d'eh "'',s,'" WIN 'he 'Pe''S "'
firearms, ana the shouts al Tue men as