The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1873-07-19

To prevent this, Sam Houston, John
Forbes (still of Nacodgoches.) and DIR.
John Cameron were commissioned by
the provisional government to treat
with them, and, If possible, secure
their neutrality. They succeeded, but
not to such an extent to inspire confi-
dence in the fidelity of the Indians.
As Houston retreatedeast our families
were strung along the various routes in
! his front, completely at the mercy OF
these tribes. 1t was at this critical
moment-Houston, with eight or nine
hundred men, falling back before Santa
Anna, with seven or eight thousand
our families, from the Trinity to the
Sabine, dragging unprotected through
rain and snow, along the margin Of the
Cherokees, that the noble-hearted Ma
jor General Edmund p. Gaines, Z. 5.
A., with five hundred United States
dragroons crossed the Sabine, and took
position at Nacogdoches, determined
If one Texas woman or child should
fall by these Indians, to throw his force
upon the assailants. 1t is certain, no
matter what the Indians intended, that
! this bold move of the fearless old SOL
dicr and patriot, at once determined
them to remain neutral. A few days,
and the victory at San Jacinto, removed
all immediate danger, and Gaines
Withdrew to Fort Jessup, Louisiana,
reporting his conduct, and the reasons
therefor, to President Jackson, whose
glorious old heart responded-amenE
The memory of Gaines should be dear
to all Texans, and it will be as our chill
drcn become familiar with our history.
But the seeds of suspicion and dis
cord, between the whites and Indians,
still existed. Isolated murders, and
lesser outrages began to show them
selves soon afterwards. The Pearcc
family, the numerous family of the
IlillOughs and others, were ruthlessly
murdered. General Houston inter-
posed his potential voice and influence
to allay the excitement, and preserve
peace. He had great influence with
the Cherokees, and did all in his power
to stay the tide. But, just as his first
Presidency was drawing to a close,
General Rusk, chief militia officer
of the the Republic fought and won
bloody victory over the Kickapoos and
Others, in November, 1888. General
lamar came into the Presidencya little
later already in deep sympathy with
the feelings Of the people, which had
been famed into flame by the savage
massacre of the Killough family, and
other acts of atrocity.
Mirabeau B. Lamar, like Sam Hous-
ton, though differing so widely, was a
man of intense feeling. To protect
women and children, he would sacri-
flee all else. Houston's boyhood in the
mountains of East Tennessee, spent in
daily proximity to the Cherokees, re-
vived by four years residence among
them in the West, just before his com
ing to Texas, had establibed in his
mind an equipoise of judgment and an
insight into the errors of his own peo-
pie on the borders, which bade him in
vestigate calmly and decide justly.
Nothing less than his own personal
popularity could have calmly and sue
cessfiilly maintained the almost neu-
trail position he occupied.
Exhausting all reasonable efforts at
reconciliation, OF, instead the removal
of the Indians from the very heart of
East Tennessee, President Lamar re-
solved on war; Once determined, no
time was lost. Gen. Kelsey II. Doug
lass, of the East, was ordered to raise
the militia. Gen. Thomas ]. Rusk, of
Nacogdoches, called to his standard q
band of volunteers. Col. Edward
Burleson, with a regiment of regulars
and some volunteers, was orderod to
move from the West.
He was accompanied by Vice Presi-
dent David G. Burnet, General Albert
Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War;,
and Colonel Hugh Mcleod, Adjutant
General, who, under instructions, made
last effort to avert a bloody issue, but
in vain. Charles A. 0gsbury. of the
Indianola Bulletin, was also in the eX-
pedition.
On the 18th Of July, 1889, this com
bincd force of regulars, militia and
volunteers attacked the associate In |
dians i'm strong position. The con-
test was long and stubborn, and many
acts of heroic daring were displayed
on either side, The Indians at length
yielded, but only to fall back and se-
cure o better position. On the 18th
they were pursued aoii,c miles, and
founJfcady for battle in heavy woods.
The scenes Of the previous day were
rc-enacted. 'srhe Bowlp was slain,
and many Cherokee and other Indians
fell. The Texan loss was considerable.
President Burnet,. General Johnston,
Colonel Mcleod, and Major Kaufman
lafterward our distinguished Congress,
mani were wounded. The Indians
were routed, and sought shelter in the
dense bottoms OF The Trinity.
And thus ended the last contest be-
t.,-,o,, tlo T,oxo,,c o,,tl. Irfl;opS n, Fact
Texas. The power Of the Associate
hands was broken.
Our volunteer troops were disbanded,
and the regulars resumed their stations
on the western borders.
The Bowlcs wassucceeded by his son,
John Bowles and The Egg, both we'll
known as leaders among their people.
With the remnant Of the Cherokee,
aud some ofthe other tribes, they spent
some months in the wilderness higher
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