Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-05-31
FROM THE FRONTIER.

Particulars Of Gen. McE<enzie's Raid
into Mexico, and Attack Upon the
NicitHpoos.
A confidential letter received by gen.
tlemAn in San Antonio, Texas, dated
Bracketsville, Kinsey county, Texas, May
20, 1873, reads as follows:
'As informed you when here in Brack-
etsville, that from every indication | was
forced TO believe this coanrywas the pass
ing ground for the numerous depredatng
bands of savage Indians known as Lipans
and Kickapoos, in their bluody excursions
upon the inhabitants of lower md more
eastern counties. From recent develop
ments it would seem that in. this conclu-
sion was perfectly correct, for early last
moon the stock men report that they not
only discovered tho numerous divergent
trails of the savages, leading from points
on the divides OF the river on the north
crn boundary of this county to several
crossings OF the Nueces river, its eastern
boundary, but in several instances have
seen bands nnmt ering fifty TO sixty war
riors, dividing themselves in every direc-
ton, TO have wider and richer Geld for
their depre iations,
Ia consequence of these reports, and
from other causes, Gen. Mckenzie, com>
manding the garrison, at Fort Clark,
promptly started company OF cavalry on
the various ,oreeks and Indian crossings
throughout the country, aud thoroughly
secured every portion of the surrounding
country where the Indians might possibly
conceal thems selves, but notwithstanding
this vigilance on the part of Gen. McKen-
zie and the troops under his command, q
band of fifty warriors succeeded in evad-
lug the troops and crossed the Nueces
river, AID, as usual, divided themselves
into smaller raiding parties to better ena-
bic them to evade pursuit, and prey upon
the stock and property of the people of the
lower counties, where the ranches are TO q
great extent devoid OF protection.
Under these fxasferations and other
circumstances OF u moro aggravaiing char
acter, as we'll as the great pressure of pop
ular feeling and excitement, Gen: McAen-
zie was influenced TO resolve at any risk,
cost or conseque nee, TO break mp tins nest
of sayages by attacking them On their own
camping ground near the Santa Rosa
Mountains, Mexico, and then, if not able
TO totally destroy them, at least to so Grip
pie them as TO render them unable for some
time TO carry on their murderous forsys
and cruel expeditions upon the frontier es-
tabishments OF Texas.
Accordingly, on the morning Of Satur-
day last, the l7th inst, all the available
cavalry force of the garrison was ordered
to equip and be in readiness at moments :
notice Tor important duties on the Rio
Grande Csuriers were dispatched from
headquarters to the several companies
stationed on the various creeks 4nd cross
ings with similar orders, which were
strictly complied with, and oil available
forces Of the Fourth cavalry, numbering
s3me six hundred men, assembled OF the
call Of their commander and proceeded
under the guidauee Of the experienced
half-broed scout, Van Freen, Of Maverick
county, and other guides, and crossed the
Rio 6rende, and by forced march Of
eighty miles into the interior Of Mexico,
reached the camp OF the Kickapocs at early
dawn, having been foriy-eight hours in the
saddle, and tweniy-iour hours without
food OF wafer, being compelled, on the
march, 70 throw away and dispense with
every requirement or requisite whatever
THAI could in any manner reiard the speed
Of their march.
Inc clhf g was muue AZ taNn- Ane IN
dians, who were uuprepared for The attack.
nade but slight resistance, the greater
part Of them attempting 10 fee to the
neighbcriBg mountains fDr shelter. In
the ehc0taser there were nineteen war
riors killed ana about an eqsai number
wounded. Forty sqaavs haze been cap
fursd and some hundred horses aud other
property stclen BY the Indians have been
recovered. 7he troops lost three men, one
killed aud the others MORALLY wounded.
coariens arrived st this POSI- Isss night