Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-06
Indian Fighting in Texas.


THE RED SKINS SCATTERED, But NOT MANY
KlLLsD-CAPTURE OF ], ,404 INDIAN HORSES.
The following is an extract from a letter to a
lady in this city from her son, who is taking a
hand in Indian fighting in Texas
CANPED IN THE FIELD ON THE SrAKED(
PLAINS, TEXAS, October Ist, 1871
Ay Dear Mother: We have for a few moments
put aside our arms to send word of our fortune
in getting safely through the last few days.
Here we are, having driven the Indians CON
than soldiers have ever been before. Our force
Is about 200 strong, with 20 wagons; eight com
Ranies OF cavalry and two companies OF infantry.
We first saw the Indians Saturday afternoon,
September 2ii about six appeared in full view
indicating that larger party would come during
the attempt to stampede our horses and thereby
impede our march. The appearance ct Indians
during the day in small numbers is a very COM
mon occurrence when a command is in the
vicinity OF their camp. Hence we not only ex-
pected night attack, but knew we we're near
their camp. Saturday night was a beautiful
moonlight night Everything appeared clothed
in soft, comfortable dress, relieving the eye,
nous plains OF the day.
About half a dozen OF us were setting, about
O'Clock. around q deadened hre of buffalo
chips, talking OF the expected attack. Genl
Mackenzie was drinking with US cup of coffee,
and We were quietly enjoying the prospective
danger. Our little conversational party sepa-
rated, and each, after looking well at the horses
and the men lying in line, watching for the
enemy, turned in under the blankets, with over
coats anu boots on, and many with their pistol
strapped to them. At 10 O'Clock the first shot
was fired by one of our pickets. and quickly
taken up by fully 200 Indians. Shots then be-
gan 10 fail fast. Each flash was instantly an
sWered by dozen soldiers. Tha redskins kept
near US EIlng for four hours They then left US
Tor short time, when the firing again COM
menced. at the first break Of day we saw that
the Indians had just received reinfOrcemeuts,
and now numbered full 400. Fhe firing increased
as the day advanced. One company was now
ordered 10 charge, and with full gallon, they
splendidly put in flight, IN few seconds, tue en-
tire hand of redskins. The first question yOu
Will now probably ask ia what were the casual
ties? and the answer will appear remarkable.
One man was shot The Indians lost
certainly one. Him we secured. Others
were seen to fail wounded. We remained
in our camp until abOut O'Clock in the after
noon. This was Sunday, and we were ilst
mounting our horses for hard ride when YOU
were probably listening to the church bells and
thinking of your absent bOy. Well, on Sunday
afternoon, Sept 9th, we set out, and Travelled
northwest. AT about 10 O'Clock in the night we
were yet travelling, when one Of the guides saw
a new trail. We then knew there would be no
sleep for MS until the day appeared aud 80 II
nearly proved, We remaining in the saddle until
two O'Clock then dlsmOunted, larjated the horses
and went to sleep. At 80 O'Clock we were
again in the saddle, and at the trst break of
day we came TO the Canon BlsncO. Four hum
dTed feet below us, in the toughest mountain
passes j ever saw, lay nine camps, tue poor
unsuspecttng Indians little thinking that they
would not finish the breakfast they were begin
nlDg 10 COOK. Inc plains were so high above
them that we descended a long distance down
the path before they noticed US. The only road
permitted but one horse to pass at the time
There were the Indians, the SQUaws crying. the
frightened running in every direction, while
We, their enemy, slowly descended a mountain
p1sS four hundred feet in single file When we
reached the bottom OF the canon the most of the
Indians had fed. leaving all the camp e0uipage
and all their stock. The companies first down
had a few shots at the fleeing bands but the
Indians, on foot. aSCended the mountains
to the plains like the antelope. There
was a slight change in the scene
The Indians from the plains fired with
comparative impunity upon our command
and If the Indians had not been such great
towards they would have killed many of the
soldiers. fire from the latter would send
the Indians, though they we're safely protected
by the rocks, behind the first shelter st hand to
appear again with the greatest caution.
GREAT CAPTURE OF HORSES.
We have a lot OF negro troops, called Semi
nO'es, from their former masters the Seminole
Indians. These SemiHOles with some TOnka-
way indians and several good and brave sol
diers got beyond the reach of commands re
turning with hundreds of captured horses. The
number of horses captured was ], ,i04. OF these
lO4G have been shot TO keep them out OF the
hands Of the Indians and to enable Us 10 go on
without encumbrances.
During the whole of this firing only one man
was shot, a TrumPeter, Hard, of Company "L, >"
shot through the back, the ball passing through
the body. have charge of him and expect his
recovery. = = = RUFUS.