The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-02
Life on the Frontiers of Texas.

desperate encounter GudG LUX plelCo AtloV @Ao
gust (1S73) between eight Texas cowboys,
and a party of twenty Indians, are worthy OF
being preserved among the records of the AS
and most obstinately contested affairs Though
on a small scale) that ever occurred on the
frontiers of Texas, and shows extraordinary
bravery and determination on the part of the
"boys," and, also, an unusual amount of both
on the part of the Indians. The following
statements I had from Mr.. Moss, the leader of
the little band of whites, and also from several
others who had participated in the fight, a few
hours after it occurred:
On the morning of the 5th of August, 1873,
the two Moss brothers, in company with SIX
other "cow- boys" started out to prospect the
country around for "Indian signs" having,
from some cause, suspected that they were
down in the settlements. Proceeding on their
route but short distance, they encountered a
well-defned "trail," apparently only few
hours old. They followed this at once, as fast
as their horses could carry them, over the
broken and rocky country through which it
led. For some minutes the trail bore off in a
southeasterly direction, and the supposition
was that the Indians we're making for the SET
Elements on Cypress Creek, but it suddenly
turned to the left and led them in the direction
of "Pack-Saddle Mountain" one of the high
est hills in all that region of country, and a
noted camping place and rendezvous for ma
rauding bands of Indians. Near the top Of
this mountain there is comparatively level
plateau of land, sufficiently large to permit q
number of horses to be "staked out" on the
grass with which it is covered. Near this pla-
teau fine spring breaks out at the head of a
ravine, and in the "chaparral," or scrubby
timber adjoining, was the favorite camping
ground of the Indians.
When Moss and his companions reached the
base of the mountain they were satisfied, from
the appearance of the "sign," that the redskins
would be found at the camping ground above
described, and they dismounted for few mo-
ments to put their arms in order for the expec-
silently and cautiously pursued the trail up
the rugged side of "Pack-Saddle Mountain"
AS the boys had rightly supposed, they found
evidently bent on having a jolly good time,"
dred pounds Of fat maverick" which they
had killed somewhere in the vicinity. The
surprise would have been complete, had it not
been for a young brave, who had taken his
seat on the edge of the plateau above men-
toned, which overlooked the valley below, for
the purpose of keeping lookout for any ap-
preaching foe and also for the purpose of
beautifyjng his naturally handsome phiz with
splotches of red and white paint, pieces of
which he held in his right hand and small
pocket looking glass in the other, in order to
see how to put on the finishing touches with
taste and discrimination.
So engrossed was he in this operation that
he did not observe the approach of the boys
until they were within forty or fifty yards of
him. But at length his attention was attracted
by the ringing of iron-shod hoofs upon the
rocky trail, and giving one shrill whoop, he
fled precipitately for the camp, the cowboys
following him as fast as possible. The moment
they gained the elevation of the plateau, with
the quick eye of frontiersmen in such matters,
they saw that it was possible to get between
the Indians and their horses, and their first
move was to do so, which proved successful.
As soon as the Indians discovered the position
of affairs they made determined charge upon
the whites, and an almost hand-to-hand en-
counter ensued, but the boys stood their ground
with such dogged resolution and obstinacy that
their assailants at length gave way and fell
back to the protection Of the chaparral in the
vicinity of their camp.
In this first encounter four of the whites were
wounded, three of them so severely that they
were unable to take any part in the subsequent
fighting; consequently only five effective men
were left to contend with fifteen or more In
dians. Three times subsequently the latter
made desperate charges upon the boys, for the
purpose of driving them back, and thus regain
ing possession of their horses, but, as one of
them said to us afterward, "We did not drive
worth cent" and after fourth fruitless at
to,o ont fbo 1pIi ornoora6 70 ha 1ofoly7
demoralized, and retired entirely out of view
behind the chaparral. Thinking they had left
the field for good, the boys laid down their
guns and turned their attention to their
wounded comrades In a few moments,
however, they perceived the Indian chief, who
had made himself conspicuous in every charge
by his reckless bravery, advancing toward
them once more, closely followed by eight or
ten warriors.
The boys instantly sprang to their arms and
waited the expected onset but, when the In
dians discovered that the whites were prepared
and quietly awaiting their approach, their
hearts failed them, and all except the chief
fell back again to the protection of the chapar-
raj. Mr.. Moss, who told me of this incident,
said that the chief turned toward his recreant
followers and harangued them in q loud voice
for some moments, and although Moss could
not of course understand what was said, his
gestures and manner spoke as plainly as words
that the appeal was most earnest one to make
another charge but, if this were so, it seems
that the power of eloqueance had no effect upon
his demoralizcd men, for he urged them in
vain to renew the fight. They were too badly
cowed to make another attempt upon those
"Stonewall cowboys"
The chief at length appeared to BE- satisfied
of this fact himself, and Indignantly turn
ing from them he advanced at slow and de-
lberate walk, SOLITARY, and alone. towards
the boys, every now and then stopping mo-
ment to discharge his Winchester rifle. In
this manner he leisurely approached them,
knowing, of course, that he was going to GER
tain death, until he was within thirty PAGES
of the whites, when he fell dead, pierced with
a half-dozen bullets. He had deliberately
made up his mind to "dic in harness" rather
than than go % back in disgrace to his people. None
of the Indians Except those left dead upon the