Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-06-16
Great Bnttle with Indians--sevenfy-Six
Killed.


Great Ratrie with Indians---SeVenfy-Six
Killed
We gave a day or two ago bElei account oi
desperate battle fought in Texas, between a
company of Rangers and force of Indians IN
which the latter were disastrOusly defeated,
with a loss of seventy. SIX killed. In the Austin
CTexas) STATE Gazette, of the eth ult., we tind
the following official report Of the battle from
Captaius FoRD and NELSON. At the Cotton
wood Springs they were joined by Capt Ross
and II3 Indians Of the Brazos Reservation, and
then marched towards the head-waters OF Red
River, in Northern Texas. They crossed Red
River. and first fell in with Comanches on the
18th of Nay, near the Fort Smith and Santa Re
Road. On the 18th they came upon the main
camp Of the enemy, on the north shore OF the
Canadian river, and Immediately attacked them
Capt. FoRD gives a particular account of the
battle, from which we extract the following;
The right wing, in charge of myself and
Lieutenant William A. Pitts, moved straight
through the camp and poured IN CALLING nre
upon the retreating enemy. Lieutenant Allison
Nelson, in command Of the left wing, assisted
by Lieut. James H Tankersley and Lieut. VIM.
q Preston. charged 10 the left, and pursued
the flying Comanehes with vlgor and elect
In the meantime, the head Chief, Iron Jacket,
lad ridden out in gorgeous array, clad in coat
of mail, and bore down upon our red allies. He
was followed by warriors and looked for safety 10
his annor The sharp crack of five or six niles
brought his horse to the ground, and IN few
moments the Chief fell riddled Nth balls Our
Shawnee guide, Doss, and Jim Pockmark, the
Andarco Captain, claim the hrst and last
wounds.
The fight was now general, and extended,
very soon. over circuit of six miles in length,
and more than three In breadth. 1t was, in
fact, almost series of single combats. Squads
Of Rangers and Indians were pursuing the enc
INV in every direction. The COmanches would
occasionally halt aud endeayor to make stand,
however, their efforts were unayalllngi they
we're forced to yield the ground to our men IN
every instance The din Of the battle had roll
I ed back from the Tiver-the grOans OF the ty-
ing-cries of frightened women and children,
mingled with the reports Of firearms, and the
shouts of the men as they rose from hil top,
from thickets. and from Tavine.
The second Chief had rushed into the con-
fiiet with the friendly Indians. A shot from
the Shawnee Captain, Chul-le qua, closed his
career. The Comanches between the camp and
the river were all killed or driven from the field,
/ aud our red allies sent up a wild shout OF tn
umph. By direction of Capt. Ross, portion
of them held the camp of the enemy.
The Rangers and the friendly Indians still
pressed the COmanehes nor did they stop pur-
suing until their filling horses adfaonished them
] that they could do no more. Between IL and
O'Clock the firing had almost ceased and squad
after SQUAD uf the troops were returning 10 the
Comanche camp, bringing with them horses,
prisoners, and other trophies Of victory. Capt
Ross had very properly suggested to Lieut..
Nelson the propriety of keeping the men wei
/ together; and when returned from the pursuit
found large proportion Of the men drawn Up
in order of battle.
The Comanches had another large encamp-
ment three or four miles above, on the Cana
dian. They had heard the firing, embodied and
threatened to charge US. They were evidently
playinr tor an advantage, and their maneuvres
induced our Indians to believe them very strong.
| Our allies proposed to draw them out, and re-
quested me to keep my men in line to support
/ them, if necessary. The COmanches descended
from the hill to accept their prOPered invitation
With yelIs and menaees and every species Of
insulting gestures and language, they tried TO
excite the Reserve Indians into some act Of rash
ness by which they could profit scene was
now enacted beggsring description Ii remina-
ed me of the rude snd chivalrOus days OF knight
errantry. Shields and lances, and bows and
head-dIesses, praneing steeds and many minutR
were not wanting to complete the resemblance.
And when the combatants rushed at each other
with defiant shouts, nothing save the piercing
report Of the rifle varied the affair from battle
field in the middle ages. Half an hour was
spent in this without much injury % either
party. A Adet.chment of Rangers was advanced
to reinforce the friendly Indians, and the co
manches quilted the field; and the imposing
pageant quilted the held, ike mimic battle
upon the stage.
Capt. Ford closes lis report with the follow
ing observation:
The expedition has decided several questions
Indians can be pursued and caughtin the brfislo
region-the cOCntry beyond the Red river can
Be penetrated and held by white men, and the
COnlanches can be followed, oveTtaken and
beaten, provided the pursueTs Will be labonous'
yigilant, and are willing to undergo Prlvatlons
e>s(