The sun., 1873-05-23
BoRDER WARFARE IN TEXAS.
Attacking n Maurauding Band Of Kicknpoo
Iudians-Ninetccu Warriors Il iiicd-stoicn
property Recovered.


Property Recovered.
SAN ANTONIO, May "a confidential
letter received by gentleman In San Antonio
and dated Brsckettsyille, kinsey county, Texas,
May ~, 1873, says:
As / Informed you when here In Brackotts-
vile, from every indication was forced TO be-
lieve that this county was the passing ground
for the numerous deprcdatng bands Of savage
Indians, known IA the Lipans and Kickapoos,
in their bloody incursons on the Inhabitants OF
the lower and more eastern counties. From re-
cent developments II. would seem that IN this
conclusion was perfectly correct, for early last
month the stock men report they not only dis
covered the numerous divergent trails OF the
savages leading from points on Devils river, the
northern boundary Of this county, to several
crossings OF the NIeces river, It's eastern bound
airy, but in several instances have seen bands,
numbering ffy or sixty warriors, dividing them
selves In every direction, To have wider and
richer field for their depredations.
PREPARING FOR A FIGHT.
In consequence of these reports and for other
son at Fort Clark, promptly started company
Of cavalry over the various creeks sn: Sdan
crossings throughout the country. and thorg-.gh-
ly secured every portion OF the surrounding
country where the Indians might possibly con
ceal themselves; but notwithstanding this vigil
laLce on the part Of Gen. Mckenzie and the
troops under his command band Of nfty war
riors succeeded In evading the troops, crossed
the Nueces river, and "a usual divided them
selves into small raidin2 parties, the better to
enable them to cNade pursuit and prey upon the
stock and other property II the people OF the
lower counties. whose ranches are to great OK
tent devoid Of protection.
Under these exasperatons and other circum-
stances Of even more aggravated character, as
well "a the great pressure Of the popular feeling
and excitement, Gen. Mckenzie was Influenced
to resolve at any risk, cost, or consequence
To break up this nest Of savages bv attacking
them on their own camping ground near the
santa Rosa Mountains III Mexlco' ana tnen, " i
not totally destroy them, at least to 80 cripple
them as TO render them unable for some time TO
carry on their murderous forays and cruel
! expeditions upon the frontier Inhabitants oil
| Texas.
| Accordingly, on the morning of saturday last
! the Eth inst all the available cavalry force OF
| the garrison was ordered to be equipped and III
| readiness at moments notice for important
| duty on the Rio Grandc. Courlers were de-
! spatched from headquarters to the several com
panies stationed on the various creeks aud cross
! incs with similar orders. which were strictly
compiled with, and all the available force OF the
Fourth Cavalry. numbering some six hundred
| men. assembled AZ the call Of their commander
! and proceeded under the guidance Of .he half
/ breed scout. Van Green Of Maverick county
/ and other guides, across the Rio Grande. and
! by forced march OF eighty miles INTO the IN IN
J poos at early dawn. having been forty-eigh'
/ hours In the saddle and twentv.tour hours with
| out food or water, being compelled ON the marcl
To throw away and dispense with every utensll
| accutrement or requisite whatever that could II
/
TuE FIGHT.
! The charge was made at dawn; the Indians
| who were unptepared for the attack. made bu
| slig I resistance. the greater portion of then
attempting to flee to the neighburlng mountain
| for shelter. In the encounter nineteen warrior
| were killed, and about an equal number wound
! ed. Forty squaws have been captured, ana SOM
| one hundred horses and other property stolel
by the Indians have been recovered The troop
lost three men, one killed, and the Others NOR
/ tally wounded.
Couriers arrived at the post last night witt
| orders for two thousand rations, the food Of tn
| troops having been thrown away IN order to ex
/ pedte the march. The couriers report that Ger
| Mckenzie and his command have safely r.
| crossed the Rio Grande with the captives an
I recovered property. camping last night at ' al
/ Greens, the guides rancho. six wagons lade
/ with provisions have been sent 10 their rclel
They will probably arrive here Tomorrow. We'd
| nesday. The prisoners are mostly the squaw
Of the Indians who crossed the NeuCes q" lls
NOON forty strong. ana who are now depredal
ins in the lower counties.
TUE MENICANs .RMING.
Since the fight have learned that intense eN
element prevails on the other SIDE anu II
said the Mexican frontier authorities are ex
cited To- the highest degree, and have assume
very hostile attitude toward us Reports O
this Kind wer" even in circuisti0n here som
weeks since. A gentleman of high standing %
this frontier. and who ts thoroughly convetsan
with Mexican frontier AFFAIR.", having practisoi
law In the leading towns Of Coahuila, MeXic,
Informed me shortly after your departure tina
! influential men Of the towns of santa RIOS;
Monclovn Sararossa. Nova. Morelis, and Sa
between the two countries, believing that th
! difficulties that have aris sen between the nhal
itants Of both banks OF the Rio Grande can onl
be settled by the arbitrament Of the sword an
iu evidence of the truth of this statement IN
state Of Coahuila has Just levied on her citizen
such AN extraordinary tax rs Is only done
cases of great revolutions or threatening war.
RUMoRs OF FIGHTiNG.
Another gentleman OF high standing In III
/ community, a former resident Of Mexico, and
man whose veracity Is uuimpeachahle, inform
me that he received a e mmuucation from a
! Ameri,a an resident of Nova Mexico, IN whicn
/ mentioned the organization OF u body uf me
whose object Is 90 ret ,latc the damage done d
/ the McxicM,s last fall M tlcir raid on VII
7 NucNa; and the writer goes so far a. to Cpuus
+ the gentleman to exercise due vigilance ia t
care of his life and property. mention thes
] matters To convince you of the feeling whic
/ prevails In Mexico toward the people Of III
United States, and the probability of it bcin
! intensified by this last affair of the Indian cam
at Santa Rosa. The supposition among III
frunticrsmeu is that IL viii prccipitatc hostil
ties. You will have more news hy next mai
The troops and prisoners will pr badly arrive hel
Tomorrow. have since learned that the trool
were fired upon 10y the McAicans as they wei
rCcru-siu. the Rio Grande.