The daily gazette., 1880-02-02

nrst sprang my affection aud veneratiOn
which grew In strength TO the end Of his
eventful career.
The latter part of that same year
was ordered to Fort Mason, situated
near the Llano river, about forty miles
distant from Fredericksburg. Col. Al
bert Sidney Johnston was chief In com
mand until sent TO Utah. Although
stationed with him but short time, /
became deeply impressed by the exalted
character Of this extraordinary man. Ma
Jor George III. Thomas succeeded in au-
thority; It was during my service as his
Acting Adjutant that he specially won
my high regard by his manllness and
dignity.
After the lapse Of several months, and
having grown weary of the routine du-
ties OF camp life, determined TO change
the scene and start on q scouting expe-
dition in search of the red men Of the
forests. Preparations we're accordingly
made, and j left Fort Mason on the
morning of the 9th ofJuly, 1S56,ln com-
mand Of twenty-five men of Company G,
Second Cavalry. with an Indian guide,
compass In hand Il supplies for thirty
days. passed out upon the plains by
the bead Of the Llano river, and march,
ed thence to the country bordering OIL
the Concha rivers. After an absence of
ten days and an exploration of these
dife:ent streams, discovered and Indi-
an trail, apparently about two or
three days old, and indications war
ranting the belief that fifteen or
twenty ponies belonged TO the party
which was moving in the direction of
Mexico, via the head waters of DEVILS
river. was young aud buoyant In
spirit my men were well mounted and
all eager for chase as well as a fray,
It was soon apparent that we would be
forced to pass over portion of the
staked plains or desert lying between
the Coneha rivers and Mexico that In
order to overtake the Indians we would
most likely have great fatigue and priva-
tion 10 endure, as we could expect to
find but little water during the pursuit.
However, In the conviction that we
could live for a short time wherever In
dians could subsist, we began the chase
on the morning OF the 18th of July,
marched about forty miles, and camped
that night upon the dry plains without
water or the sight of game, so frequently
in view the previous day, and without
even the chirp Of a bird to cheer us on
our journey, we knew not exactly
whittier. AT early dawn the following
morning the march was resumed; we
passed during the day water-hole ut
terly unfit for use, and went into bivouac
that night under the same surroundings,
fully fifty miles further out in the
desert. Our canteens were now empty,
and the outlook was somewhat dismal.
AT daybreak on the 10Th, "to horse" was
sounded and the journey continued
About noon deer was seen bounding
| over the prairie, and with the sight ven
forth shout Of joy from the men, WHO
then felt confident that fresh water was
! not very far distant. The trail had
/ moreover become much more distinct !;
This encouragement, together with the
hope Of queDchlng their thirst. rein
spirited the soldiers. A few hours later
another pool was reached, but not of
that purity which was desirable. The
odor of the water was such as to oblige
one TO hold his breath whilst he partook
of the distasleful but refreshing draught.
The canteens were, notwithstanding,
again i1lled, as well as the sleeves of all
the waterproof coats we possessed. The
pursuit was continued, and at dark
we bivouacked after a forced march
Of probably sixty miles. Several
| of the horses began to show, by
this time, great fatigue and leg
wearines. The following morning the
lofty peaks OF the mountains near Dew
| IFS river could be seen afar off, and all
| possible speed was made as we recog-
| uized that She line between the United
States and Mexico was not far distant.
A bout noon we reached another stag
Bant water-hole near the foot of range
of hills in proximity to the rugged and
mountainous country about tb. head
waters of Devils river, along the bank
OF which stream passes the stage from
San Antonio to El Paso. Here we dis.
covered that another party of Indians
had Joined that which we we're In pur-
suit The deserted camp indicated that
there were not less than fifty warriors
in number. They had eaten one of theiI
mules or horses, and this sign, together
with Others about their bivouac, bore
close evidence that the party had be.
come formidable. Thel trail from this
point was not only much larger, but pre-.
sented fresher appearance. The arms
of the men we're therefore carefully in.
spected, every preparation made foi
action, and the chase quickly resumed
| Tho horses were much faIgued, and
some of them were scarcely able TO keer
their places in the line OF march, conse-
qlehtly the pursuit was not as rapid as
II had been the three days previous. The
march over the hills and up the noun.
tains increased their leg weariness tosuch
an extent that about 8 P. NJ. abandoned
ail.hope of overtaking the Indians before
they crossed the Rio Grade, which
river was not then far distant The
condition of the horses and the thirst OF
the soldiers led me to the determi nation
to quit the trail and go Immediately in
search of fresh water. We were at this
time well up on the high and rough
range Of mountains bordering on Devils
river, and after leaving trail a distance
of nigh one mile, perceived on paral-
lei range about two miles off few In.
dams waving a large white flag appar.
emily hoisted from a mound. Orders
from Washington had been issued be-
fore left Fort Mason, notifying al
United States troops ,hat a party OF
Tonkaways were expected at the reser.
vation near Camp Cooper, and that they
would, IN the event of meeting body oi
our soldiers upon frontier, raise white
flag, upon which signal they were TO be
allowed to pass unmOlested. therefore
became convinced that these Indians
body endeavoring by an Infamous ruse
TO throw me OFF my guard, to entral
and massacre my entire party.
Notwithstanding the condition of the
men and the horses, determined to pass
over upon the ridge occupied by the red
men, move toward them, and ascertain
n