The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-31
THE CAMANCHES.
sharp Fight with the BlOOdthirsty SuvaRes in
TeNas-Thc Particulars.

Texas-Thc Particulars.
The San Antonio (Texas) Express gives the follow
ing graphic account Of fight with and defeat OF a
war party of Camanche Indians near the fork of the
Brazos river, on the 7th Of this MONTH
"a volunteer scout left Fort Grnin on the morn
''The expedition consisted of fifteen Tonkawa In
dans lately enlist into the service of the United
States, other member Of the tribe, and was alb
companied by Brevet Major George w. Smith, 35th
Infantry; Assistant Surgeon Henry McEierry,
Charles G. Cresson, 35th Infantry.
"lts object was TO endeavor to intercept some OF
the numerous thievng parties of the Cainanches or
other Indians which have of late committed so
many depredatons and murders in the settlements
along this frontier The scout was managed en-
tirely by the Tonkawa Indians, led by their chiefs
Simon McIiord and Henry, to whose good Judgment
and skill the success of the expedition undoubtedly
belongs. The TOnkawas were armed with the Spen-
Carhines; many OF them also had revolvers, and
their bows and arrows; they were all mounted on
their ponies
''The force started about noon of May 5, and,
marching in westerly direction little by south,
encamped that night on the Clear Fork of the Brazos
river, about twelve miles from the mouth of Oteys
creek CPaint creek0.
"Next morning, resuming the line of march in the
same direction the party halted about 10 O'Clock on
the first branch Of Perrys creek. From here a single
Indian scout was despatched to make circuit OF
five or six miles in sOutherly direction. After rest
ing and grazing the animals for couple Of hours,
they again resumed the line of march and pushed
for the camping place of the night within about eight
miles from where they expected to find the Indian
trail the next morning, viz, the main fork of Oteys
creek paint creek on the march thither the Indian
and reported having seen no Indian signs
"The next morning, after they had been on the
march about one hour, they came across an Indian
trail of about thirty horses, leading in a north
westerly direction. The TonHawas thought that it
had been made late in the afternoon OF the day pre-
vious. They followed the trail at fast lope for
about two hours. The trail crossed the Flat Top
mountain and thence across the double mountain
fork of the BraZOs river. Tho trail suddenly scat
tered, and while tracing it up the Tonkawas dis
covered another trail coming from the north Joining
the first and then leading Off to the southeast
his latter trail was composed OF number OF horse
and moccasin tracks, and as it appeared to be the
freshest, they concluded to take 1t.
"Ihey had not followed this trail more than one
mile when the red blankets and tenting of the
Indians, hung up on the musquito bushes, became
Visble'
Indian camp, and seven of the Indians were killed
in their camp, and seven more in TaYine by,
where they had taken refuge.
'"The Indian camp, with its entire contents, was
captured, including fourteen Indian pOnies twenty
one saddles, blankets, bows, arrows and shields. The
party attacked numbered about twenty-five. Some
of them escaped of this number it is belieevd that
three or four were wounded. The fact of the am
munition giving out probably prevented them from
killing or capturing the entire party This band of
Indians were coming from the north into the settle
ments and had no stock with them except their own
Indian ponies
"The engagement took place at 10 O'Clock A. NJ
May I, 1863, two miles from the double-head noun
tain fork Of the BTaZOs river and about fifteen miles
! northeast OF the Double mountain. The Indians
attacked were principally Camanches, with a few
kiOWas and Cheyennes. All the officers named were
active in the engagement and by their presence and
bravery added greatly to the victory.
'"Ihe charge was so sudden and the attack so
sharp that no man OF the party either killed or
wounded