The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-31
THE BATTLE WITH THE CAMANCHES.

We find in San Antonio paper received yesterday the
official report of Major Van Dorm of the recent battle of
the four companies under his command with the Canaan
ches 1t contains few particulars in addition to the ac
count published in the Union yesterday morning, which
copy 4ssl 't
We have gained complete and decisive victory over
the enemy Fftysx warriors left dead on the field
and it is presumed that many lying in the vicinity
many doubtless MORALLY wounded but enabled to
escape their horses from the battlefield How many
wounded is not known Over three hundred ami
mails captured about hundred and twenty lodges
were burned. Their supply of ammunition, cooking
utensils clothing, dressed SKINS and subsistence
stores all destroyed appropriated to the command
Those who escaped did with the scanty clothing they
had and their arms and nothing is left to mark the
site of their camp but the ashes and the dead. tQ
regret that have to report that two Indian women
accidentally killed in the battle their dresses only
concealed not indicated their Two Wichita Indians
were accidentally killed. being in the Camanche camp
The number Of Indians has been varously estimated
from three to Ave hundred think there four
hundred This victory has not been achieved without
loss side Lieut.. Cornelius Van Camp, Of the
most promising and gallant young officers of regi
ment Of the service at large fell pierced through the
heart by an arrow whilst charging tho enemys camp,
aud died the brave alone should die In his loss we
feel victory to be dear bought The following
is list Of the killed and wounded, furnished by
the captains
Company A-wo unded-Brevet Maj Earl Van Dorm,
severely Corporal Jos P. Taylor. dangerously.
Company -Wounded-Private Smith Hinkley,
slightly
Company H Killed Privates Peter Magyar and Jacob
Eckardt missing, supposed to be killed. Private Henry
Howard wounded Sergeant G. b. McIelland, slightly
Corporal Bishop Gordon, slightly; bugler NJ Abargast,
slightly Private @. c. Alexander, severely.
Company F.Wounded- Sergeant j. E. Garrison,
mortaly, since dead Privates G. G. Emery and A. j.
Mcnamara, severely and Private W. Frank, slightly.
Mr.. J. T. Ward, sutler to the command, and Mr.. s.
Ross in charge of the friendly Indians also wound
edthe former slightly, and the latter quite severely
am greatly indebted TO all the officers Of the
mand collectively for the energy, the zeal the ability
and gaantry with which they aided me in achieving this
that feel it impossible to being dis
tngusbed above the others am equally indebted il,
the to all the commissioned officers and
soldiers of my command, who, under all the cirurn-
of the forced march and the battle proved them
selves to be soldiers worthy of tho Their gal
antry personal daring, and fearless intrcpidty the
admiration of their officers, but they find themselves
unable to discriminate where all brave. The officers
present were Capts Whiting Evans, and Johnson Leuts
Phife Harrison Porter, and Major, and Assistant Sur
geon CarswelL Capt Evans killed two; Lieut. Harrison
two Lieutenant Phifcr two and Lieut. Major three In
dians in hand-to-hand encounters during the battle
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
gagement in fact, am indebted to all the command