The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-11-20
Letter from the Frontier.
CAMP COLORADO, COLEMAN Co., Texas,

CAMP COLORADO, COLEMAN Co., Texas,
November 8, 1873.
Editors Democratic Statesman
that you are ever ready to lay before your
numerous readers any matter of general IN
terest, hasten to write you few details of
the late scout from Coleman county. On
the fifteenth ult., the Coleman county Min
ute Men, commanded by Lieut. j. NJ FL
kins, accompanied by a detachment of the
Ninth United States Cavalry, started to in
terview the Kiowas and the Comanches, if
to be found. We proceeded in a westerly
direction to Mount Moro; thence north
northwest passing near Phantom Hill, after
which we changed our course, steering
westward for Double Mountains, and from
there to Mount Cooper, and arrived there
after an irksome travel of eleven days, up
to which time no Indians nor but little sign
had been seen.
Owing to the jaded condition of the
horses, it was thought best to return, and
thinking it best to divide and return in two
parties, it was accordingly so done, and the
detachment of the United States cavalry
proceeded south to the headwsters of the
Colorado river, while Lieut.. Elkins pro-
ceeded homeward on the passes usually
travelled by the Indians from Fort Sill to
the settlements. No Indian sign was dis
covered till we came on the headwaters of
the Elm, where we found vacated wigwams
without number The Elm and its tribu
taTies for miles is one continuous Indian
village, and known to have been made since
the first of June. There is unmista kable
sign of thousands of horses having been
herded there for some time, and the Indians
no doubt left their families with the horses
\
skill at scalping the whites and stealing
their horses. But the cause of the present
abandonment of the villages is no doubt to
attend the treaty at Fort Sill.
Leaving the village we proceeded across
the country, and encamped on the eve of
the twenty-ninth on Little Elm, two miles
above the Paint Springs. On the morning
of the thirtieth, about sunrise, three shots
were heard in the direction of the spring.
Orders were Immediately given to saddle;
accommodating parties were sent out, while
the command proceeded in the direction of
the firing. On arriving at the spring it was
discovered that party of Indians had just
passed. A few moments were spent in pre-
pairing for a chase (by leaving pack-horses,
etc., when we were off at full speed.
After following the trail about fifteen miles,
we saw by the movement of the buffalo that
the Indians were not far in advance. Has
tening onward, it required but a moment to
bring us in sight of the Indians, who were
preparing to encamp. Here the fun began.
1t is evident the Indians did not discover
us until we were within 800 yards of them,
and when the charge was made they were so
frightened that they knew not what to d o.
Nevertheless, they ran. They separated
into three parties in order to elude pursuit.
One Indian and his horse were killed only a
short distance from where the charge began.
Another was killed after a chase Of about
four miles; and the third was chased dis
lance of nine miles before being overtaken.
Three were killed on the field, and the num-
Der that escaped is not known. The In
dams made a slight resistance by firing
back, but fortunately no one was hurt.
Seventeen horses and mules were taken,
most of which had been captured from G.
E. Elkins by Indians on the night of the
twenty-seventh. We also captured United
States guns, ammunition and blankets, In
dian bows, quivers, shields, etc. On one Of
the shields was attached scalp. The hair
was about four inches long, light auburn
and inclined to curl, and has been in their
possession some months. The Indians are
KioWas.
After collecting the horses and plumber
together, we again made for home, where
we arrived hungry and tired, after q scout
Of twenty days.
Very respectfully,
B. f. BEST.