The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-09-09
BATTLE WITH TEXAS INDIANS.

The eth Cavalry and the ComRnches
Fifteen Indiana KILLED Many
Wounded-TwO soldiers Killed and
Ten Wounded.
From the Waco lTexasl Register.
By parties from Fort Richardson we are
placed in possession of the details of one
of the most serious engagements that has
taken place on our Texas frontier for some
time. On the 9th, Gen. Cakes, command
ing al Fort Richardson, ordered O detach-
ment of the Sixth Cavalry, consisting of
TWO commissioned officers, n acting as
sistant surgeon and fifty-three enlisted
men, under command of Capt. G. b. Nc
Lellan, to proceed to Rock Sta
ton, about sixteen miles from Fort
Richardson, where, it was reported, the
Indians had lately attacked and destroyed
the overland mail. Arrived at the place,
Captain Mcclellan discovered the trail of a
large body of Indians, as had been report
ed, but only one of eight or ten head OF
horses, leading in a northwesterly direc-
ton. Owing to the lapse of time and the
rough country, following the trail was
hopeless, and Captain NJ. proceeded with
his command to Flint Greek, twenty-five
miles from Fort Richardson, where was
stationed Lieutenant ]. II. Sands, In COM
mand of company I, 9th cavalry. Lieu
tenant S. had found the contents of the
mail bags. Few packages were missing.
On the morning of the 9TH, Captain Mo
LelIan and his command started on a
scout, which continued for four days. They
passed at the foot Of Flat Top mountain to
the head waters of Salt Creek; thence west
and northwest, and crossed the head water
of the West Fork of the Trinity, where q
trail of five or six Indians was found. The
trail was followed to the head waters of the
Little Wichita. On the night of the 10th
the command camped on the North Fork
of the Little Wichita, and, In consequence
of high water, remained in camp over the
18th, and on the 18th started in an easterly
direction. When four or five miles from
camp, the advance guard reported four or
five Indians in sight, moving IN a souther-
Iy direction. The command wss imme-
diately closed up, and a quick march made
in the direction the indians had taken. 1t
was not long till a company of Indians
were discovered, largely superior in num-
Der to the troops.
A charge was ordered, but when within
about five hundred yards of the enemy two
other bands were discovered, about equal
in strength to the first discovered, and
also a large number of scattered Indians
on both tanks. In view of the greatly su-
perior numbers of the Indians, and from
fear that the pack mules and guard in the
rear would be cut of, a halt was ordered
and fire opened upon the Indians, which
was promptly returned. Though the
command was o surrounded, and a
CALLING fire from carbines and pistols
poured in upon it from all sides, it
maintained its position for some
I-Tc 49, DIT mao
soon evident that the only hope of escape
from humiliation was a carefully guarded
retreat to some more defensive position.
The command was dismounted and fell
back slowly in a southerly direction,
maintaining the crest of the prairie closely
followed by the savage hordes who contin-
ued to pour in their fire from every availa-
BILE point, but which was returned with
frequent effect. The retreat continued in
this wa four or five hours. The middle
fork of the little Wichita and south fork of
the same stream were forded. Not until
the latter stream was reached,
about four o'clock in the evening, did the
Indians abandon their pursuit.
After a short rest the command continued
in a southeasterly direction till midnight.
Ten miles northwest of Flat Top mountain,
on the morning of the 18th, couriers were
dispatched to Fort Richardson for ambu-
lances, in which to transport the wounded.
On the same day, while in camp, the pick
cts were driven in by q party of forty In
dians. Fearing that this was but the
advance OF the multitude that had been
encountered the day before, all the proper
ty that could not be transported was burn
ed, and a march toward Fort Richardson
ordered, which place was reached about
noon on the 18th.
The details Of the affair show that the
command was in 2 most trying and critical
position, ard it must be considered for
tunate that the casualties were no greater.
Of the command, Corporal John Givin
and private George Blum, both of COM
pany L, 9th cavalry, were killed.
Acting Assistant Surgeon g. ". Hatch,
well and favorably known in Waco, was
wounded early in the fight, and had his
horse shot twice during the engagement.
The following is the list of the enlisted
men wounded:
Sergeant Wm. W~interbottom, company
A; Corporal John Corners, company H;
privates Albert Ford and Gustave Smith,
company n; private W. b. Gallagher,
company D; privates Robert Stewart and
Ben AUry, company II; private Conroy,
company L; private Samuel II. Waggoner,
company A; private Peter Bramreider,
company K.
Tho conduct of Capt, G. II. Campbell
and Lieutenant P~erTine, 9th cavalry, also
Of the citizen guide Mr.. Dozier, is spoken
Of in terms OF praise. Several non-com-
missioned officers and privates also distin-
guished themselves.
The loss Of the Indians was fifteen killed
and a much larger number wounded.
The entire force of the Indiaps is esti-
mated at two hundred and fifty warriors.
1t is believed that The Indians were Co.
manches from the reservation.
We understand that Captain Mcclellan
says that in his twenty-one years ex-
perience and six engagements with hostile
Indians, he has never met a party so well
equipped, in every respect, before.
Altogether, this may not be called a vic
tory, yet we are inclined to think it will
prove a check upon extensive raids for a
while at least.
Captain Mcclellan and his little com-
mand acted nobly, and are deserving of,
and will receive, the thanks of the Texas
frontier.
A Louisville Editors R~ecOilectiOns of
FarragUt.