The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-02-24
The Late Indian Fight.


The following is the official report o
the Indian fight that occurred on the 29tl
of last month in the Sierra Diablo range o
mountains:
HEAD QrARTERs, Co. =. FRONTIER BArrAL-
lion. CANT, MAUsKE's CANON, Pre-
sIDIo Co., FEBRUARY IS 1881.
Gen. John B. Jones, Austin, Texas
Sri have the honor to report that
left camp on the 2lst ult., 10 go to QuitmaT
canon, and II possible, to meet and coop
crate with Capt. George W Baylor, Co
A. Frontier Battalion.
On the morning of the oath, while pass
ing through Bass canon, discovered al
Indian trail leading through the canor
aud then turning north. It came from the
direction of the Rio Grande, and wa!
about ten days old. Six miles further oil
found another, coming from the same
direction and going north on west side Of
the canon. 1t was about twenty%foul
hours old. | went to Eagle Springs to
leave my wagon, when learned that Capt
Baylor had fifteen men over about Quit
man, where i concluded to 90 and gel
him, as the first trail showed about thirty
Indians, and the last FROM ten to fifteen
Shortly after leaving Eagle Springs I re-
ceived a dispatch from Capt. Baylor, pei
courier, that he had followed a trail from
Quitman to south side of Eagle Noun
tain and had found the Indian camp. He
had been discovered by them and they
scattered and left, leaving their breakfast
on the fire. Ireturned and reported the
trails had found and divided my rations
with Capt. Baylor, as he was out. We
Immediately took the freshest trail, on the
18th, and followed 1t through the Sierra
Diablo range of mountains, gaining on
them all. the time. On the evening of
fafl. =
exceeding five miles from them. We
stayed in canon that night, and went
upon the mountain after dark to see five
could discover their camp fires, but could
not see them. On the morning of the Goth
we started TO cross the mountain before
day. After going about one mile we saw
them starting their fires about one mile
ahead. This was in the extreme north
west part of the Sierra Diablo. Beng
satisfied we had not been discovered, we
fell back on the side of the hill out of
sight. The nature of the mountains pre-
vented our attacking in any other way
than on foot. We left our horses under
guard of five men, and by crawling around
the crest of the mountain, until within
about POO yards of their camp, we came
upon slight depression in the mountain,
whenCapt. Baylor orderedme to send Sergt
l.. b. Carothers and six men around on
the left side of the mountain to attack on
that side and prevent them from running
towards our horses. We then moved up
to within one hundred and fifty yards of
their camp, when we were in full view of
them sitting around their camp fires. and
fired, resting OH our knees. Our Win
chester guns coon made the camp so hot
they could not remain. We wanted them
to realize what must be the feelings of
our citizens when travelling along the
public highways and taken by surprise.
We pursued until we were completely eX-
hausted. Don't know the exact number
of Indians. I think about fifteen. We
killed six on the ground and five got of
all wounded except one. Two of them. I
am satisfied, are MORALLY wounded and
two were badly, judging from the amount
OF blood on their trails. They were badly
hurt in the first few volleys, as shown by
the blood on the ground over which they
ran. We may have killed some we did
not find, as the mountain is very rough.
The squaw captured has bullet holes
through her hand; she got into hole and
was not found until after the fight was
over. Her child was left on the camp
ground, one bullet graZed the top of its
foot Every time IT hears gun-shot
since that time, it begins to scream. A
little Indian girl was found as we Went
down the mountain. One of the boys mo-
TONED TO her TO sit down in some brush,
which she did, and remained until we
came back. We could not remain on the
ground longer, as our horses had not been
watered since II O'Clock on the 2Sth, and
there were only two small pools Of water,
one just enough to I'LL our canteens and
q pot of coffee; the other Indians ran
through and blooded it so that our stock
would not drink. We got plenty-of water
from Ice and snow until the last thirty
three hours, which was the longest time
we did without. The weather was very
cold, and men suffered considerably, but
there was no loss on our side. The In
dams fred all their shots too high, ex-
cept one, which came close enough to
Capt. Baylor for him to feel the force of
the bullet.
Corporal Sam Graham had his horse
killed by the accidental discharge of Pri-
vate Lees gun, while on guard. Our force
was Capt. Baylor and fifteen men, and
myself with nine men; total twenty-sfx.
The men:behayed splendidly, and deserve
great credit for their extraordinary exer-
liens from the time they were ordered to
charge until completely exhausted. My
stock Is now in very poor condition and
have the epiZootic. 1t broke out within
The last few days. If you could give myself
and Capt Baylor fifty men between US /
think. we could find rs much work as we
could do. 1t is reported that another
dTSG Vi nave leII the GesPT-
alton, and even with the number now
OFF we are likely at any time to meet more
indians than we could whip, especially
since they are better armed than we are.
The people of Fort Davis are well pleased
with what we have accomplished so far
I neglected to state what we did with |
the property eaptured-sixteen head of |
horses and mules Zone gave out and we |
killed it,, eight or ten saddles Give good |
government saddles), some tTinkets |
marked "B. 4 c.. Co. 10th Cav |
.lry," two Winchester and one |
carbines quite a num- |
Der of buckskins, several bolts calico, |
wagon sheets andssa great many cartridge |
shell that they were reloading, some lead |
md powder. We burned everything they |
had that we could not bring in. They |
had considerable clothing, shirts, coats, |
dresses ana some infants clothing, NICE |
y, embroidered. evidently American man
1facture, think they killed the stage |
1rfver and passenger, as we got some |
.hings that were identified as theirs. The |
Indian commissaries consisted of quite |
ot of dried horse meat, venison, wild |
,nions, mescal plant baked and put up In |
packages for transportation. all of which |
We destroyed. Your Obedient servant.
G.. l.. NEvILL,
Co. E., Frontier Battalion.
: Corracf This