San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-12-14
written for the Fsrs Fnsss.
"Reminiscences, OF a Texas Veteran.
BY O. ERHARD.

is distressing and terrible.
remember that on one occasion af,ei
being without water for many hours, We
reached clear water hole, our commander
ordered many men around II with Fixed DAY
one.s to keep off our oxen, till the nen
had filed their canteens, but il was no use.
The cattle, wild and frantic, jumped off a
bluff about ten feet high, right over he
guards stationed below, and made the water
SO muddy, that we had to strain 1t, to be hit
for Dse
There is peculiar wild stare and despond-
ing look in the eyes of man or beast, suffer-
ing for water.
On our whole trip we had only one heavy
rain. We were then encamped in q valley
near q brook. Or the hill sentinels were
placed to guard horses and cattle, and in the
morning we had an Indian surprise; they
had undoubtedly watched our movements,
but were not of sufficient force to attack US.
At daybreak they rushed with awful yeIls
between the valley and the hill, killed and
scalped. a Mexican who intended to !get his
horse to camp, in less than minute, and
stampeded half of our horses and all our
work oxen and beef cattle.
1t was our intention to rest on this creek
few days to give our jaded horses and
poor oxena rest, after having previously
suffered 80 often for water.
II was really surprising how fast our
broken down stock run when the Indians
were after them with their terrible war
vhoop.
Our hobbled horses even ran fast, and after
W could mount some Of our men whose
horses were staked close at camp, they pur-
sued the Indians, regained the cattle as they
old not make as fast speed as the horses, but
had to give up further pursuit to regain the
horses, for they discovered large ambus-
cade of Indians.
Well, we were glad enough to get our beef
cattle and work oxen back, we would have
been in q desperate situation if we had lost
our draught oxen, and especially our only
supply-even the poor jaded beef cattle.
From this point, which I can not describe,
for we were totally lost in this unknown and
unexplored region, the commander, Gen.
H. Mcleod, sent out several scouting par
ties to find route passable, having on the
same wood and water.
We advanced about three days journey,
and came to running brackish stream;
from thence, whole days journey again
without water and at nightfall we reached a
clear spring on hill ; the water was cool,
too thirsty to judge its taste, We all partook
of it copiously, and in less than an hour we
were purged freely. Next morning we ad-
vanced again, but found no water. Some
of Capt. Strains men were detailed to find
water and route to advance. Other men,
frantic with thirst, of their own accord
started out in different directions to find
water.
About 8 o'clock a. M, the command re-
ceived the information, that Lieut., Hall and
five men attached to him were surprised by
a large party of Indians and probably killed.
Some Is men were detailed to find this de-
tachment.
Lieut. Hall, of whom Ispoke before, was
an English Navy officer on half pay, fine
aud well educated gentleman, as with others
of the company to which he and the other
men detailed belonged to Capt Strains
company.
We had to go over mile or two of high
rolling prairie, where we found the remains
of our brave comrades. Lieut.. Hall had a
pleasing death smile, the others determined
desperate look.
We saw plenty of blood not far off, show
ing evidently that they killed many Indians
One of our mems heart was cut out, for it
appears to be superstition of some Indians
that to eat the heart of desperate fighter,
makes them brave warriors Another one
had his finger cut of to get his gold ring.
Dead Indians We found none, forit is well
known fact that an Indian will not leave a
warrior ON the battle field, even at the risk
of his life, rather than leave him in the
hands of an enemy.
The way we found out that Lieut. Hall
and the few with him were killed, was; lie
was detailed to find water and a passab. e
route, but as men vera frantic for water,
having no water day and half, some
without order detached themselves, and ore
of them SAW the attack of the Indians some
distance of.
When the detailed men reached the
ground of the dead men. what a sad, sad
sight it was. Two horses stin kicking and