Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26
THE TEXAS FRONTIER.
Indians ON n Ratd-Severe Engage
ment-Seven Indians ki1Ied-Mur-
der of a White Man and Reported
Assassination of a Whole Family.
To the Editors of the Union and American

To the Editors OF the Union and American:
HEADQUARTERS, Co. F., FRONTIER
FORCES, DECATUR, WISE COUNTY, Texas,
March 2, 187l.-I am once more called
upon to communicate the sad intelligence
of another one of the many Indian
massacres that are daily occurring on the
Texas frontier. God forbid that should
ever be called upon 10 nsrrate another
such affair. Early on the morning of the
7th of February, 1871, Sergeant E. II
Cobb, who was in command of O'Neips
Station, received information that party
of five Indians were seen going east
down into what is called the Clear Creek
settlements. He Immediately started in
pursuit with ten men. After following
the trail thirty miles he very suddenly
and Unexpectedly came upon party Of
forty or fifty Indians Ct which one-half
were mounted and the other half on foot.
The Indians were well armed. Sergeant
Cobb, being young, brave and inexperi-
enced IN Indian fighting, ordered a
charge, not taking time to consider the
odds against him. The Indians stood
their ground brsvely, receiving the charge
with such firmness and soldier-like con-
duct that Sergt. Cobb was compelled to
withdraw his brave little squad to the top
of the hill. 1t now came the Indians,
turn to charge, which they did in regular
military style. Three times they charged
our boys, but without doing any serious
damage. The fourth and last charge,
the Indian chief, who was in front, re-
ceived a death wound; being mounted
on beautiful white horse, he, of course,
attracted the attenlionsof our boys, who
directed their fire at him alone. The
horse maddened with fright came dash
ing through our lines with such rapidity
1t was impossible to check his mad ca
reer. The horse after going hundred
yards or more in our rear, kicked the
chief (who was strapped to the saddle
loose, dashed off mile or 80 and stopped,
where our boys secured him on their
campward march.
The savages seeing that their chief was
in the hands of our men, determined to
rescue bis body at all hazards, which they
did after fifteen minutes hard fighting.
Sergeant Cobb having one man severely
wounded, and several horses disabled, saw
the necessity of Withdrawing his small
force to more commanding position,
there to await reinforcements. The rein
forcements arrived too late, however, as
the Indians made their escape in the dark
ness. The Indians loss in killed were Z;
number of wounded not known, as they
carried them off with them. We did not
lose a man. One of our boys, lad
scarcely 16, was severely wounded. The
citizens here say it was the most success
full fight that has ever occurred on the
Texas territory.
Sergeant Cobb, and the brave
little squad under his command,
deserve more praise than my humble
pen can give them. Let it be remember
ed that the Keenon and Paschal affair
was still fresh in their memories.
The Indians though badly whipped
were determined to seek revenge. As
soon as they made their escape from
Sergeant Cabb and his party, they passed
through the counties of Denton and
Wise, killing and stealing several horses
on the route. After travelling in a north
east direction fer some miles, they
changed their course almost due southeast,
intending as was supposed by our boys, who
were in hot pursuit. to go out some where
on the West Fork of the Brazos river,
which they did, killing as they went out
a Young man name Steve Hampton. II
seems that he was out cut ting wood some
distance from the house. When the
Indians came up, being overpowered, he
of course yielded. The Indians then tied
a rope around his neck and dragged him
a distance of two miles, after which they
beat his brains out with stones. They
,, brutally murdered family at Victor'l
Peak, but am not sufficiently informed
70 give you their names.
We are expecting the Indians down or
us in large numbers this moon, but think
we are prepared for them, as Capt. Bakel
has concentrated his forces at this place
TEXAS RANGER.