Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-23
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
4 Fight on Mexican TIE rritory-NineteeM
Indians killed-The Troops Fired on
by Mexicans.

San Antonio, Texas, %. A confidential let
| ter received by gentlemen in San Antonio and
dated Brackettsville, Kingsley county, Texas
May 20, says: "As l informed you when
here in BIackettsville from every indication
l was forced to believe that this country was
the passing ground for the numerous depre-
dating bands of savage Indians known as the
Lipans and kickpapos in their bloody incur
sons on the inhabitants Of lower and eastern
counties. From recent developments it
would seem that in this conclusion was per-
fectly correct, for early last month the stock
merous divergent trails of the savages lead
ing from points on Devils river, the northern
boundary of this county, to several crossings
of the Neuces river, its eastern boundary,
but in several instances have seen bands num-
| bering 80 or 60 warriors dividing themselves
in evdry direction to have a wider and richer
| field for their depredations.
In consequence of these reports, and for
other reasons, Gen. McKensie, commanding
the garrison at Fort Clark, promptly started
a company of cavalry over the various creek
and Indian crossings throughout the country
and thoroughly secured every portion of the
surrounding country where the Indians might
possibly conceal themselves. But notwith-
standing this vigilance on the part of Gen.
McKensie and the troops under his command
band of 80 warriors succeeded in evading
| the troops, crossed the Neuces river, and, as
| usual, divided themselves in small raiding
parties, the better to evade pursuit and prey
upon stock and other property of the people
| of the lower countries, whose ranches are to
| great extent devoid of protection. nder
| these exasperatons and other circumstances
of more aggravated character, as well as
the great pressure Of the popular feeling and
excitement, Gen. Mckensie was included to
resolve at any risk, cost or consequence to
break up this nest Of savages by attacking
! them on their own camping ground near the
Santa Rosa mountains, in Mexico, and there,
if not totally destroy them, at least TO SO
cripple them as to render them unable for
some time to carry on their murderous forage
and cruel expeditions upon the frontier in
habitants of Texas.
| Accordingly on the morning OF Saturday
last, the 18th inst, all the available cavalry
force of the garrison was ordered to be
equipped and ready at notice for important
duty on the Rio Grande. Couriers were des-
patched from headquarters to the several
companies stationed on the various creeks
with similar orders, which were strictly COM
piled with and all the available force of the
4th cavalry, numbering some 600 men, as
sembled at the call of their commander and
proceeded under the guidance of the half
breed scoat Van Green aud other guides,
crossed the Rio Grande, and by forced
march into the interior Of Mexico reached
the camp of the Kickapoos at early dawn,
having been forty-eight hours in the saddle
and twenty-four hours Without food or water
| being compelled on the march to throw away
and dispense with every utensil, accoutre
ment or requisite whatever that could in an,
manner retard their march. The charge was
made at noon. The Indians, who were no
prepared for the attack, made but slight re
sistance, the greater part Of them attemptin;
to flee to the neishboring mountains for shell
ter. In the encounter, nineteen warriors
were killed and an equal number wounded
forty squaws captured and hundred horse'