The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-07-19
Romance Of history.


Gin 1858 Major Van Dorm, with
the End cavalry, Z. S. troops, one
company of infantry TO guard his
supplies, and l35 friendly Indians
under my command, made a sue
cessful campaign against the Co
manches, and by series Of well
directed blows. restrained their
revenge upon the people for a
long time. But in $4,000 the
condition Of the country again was
traly deplorable. The people
were obliged to stand in a posture
of defense, and were continually
IN alarm, and hazard of their lives,
never daring to stir abroad IN
armed. for small bodice OF sarages,
quiek-sighted and accustomed to
perpetual watchfulness, lowered
On the outskirts, and springing
from behind bush OF rock surpris-
ed his enemy before he was aware
Of his danger. and sent tue tidings
Of his presence IN the fatal blow,
and after the execution Of the
bloody work, by superior knOwl-
edge Of the coantrv and rapid
movement safely retired with the
booty and scalps to their inaceessi-
he deserts. While under these
Istresses and Encouragement the
brave frontiersman resolutely held
their ground Their loud COM
plants induced the State govern
ment under Col NJ. 7. johnson to
take the field for the public defense
But these efforts proved Of small
service. The expedition, though
It great expense to the state failed
o find an Indian until returning
he command was followed by the
Wy Comanches, their horses
tampeded at night and most Of
he men were compelled to reach
be settlement on foot, under great
Offering and exposure. Gov. Sam
Iouston then commissioned me to
aise a company Of 60 men, with
rders to repair to BelEnap, re-
eve from Col johnson all gov
rnment property, as his regiment
'as disbanded, and afterwards af-
- he frontier such protection
possible with this small
The necessity Of vigorous
rs soon became so pressing
determined to attempt to-
Re insoleHce Of these mvete-
Dc enemies Of Texas by follow
be then into their fastness and
arriving war into their own homes,
Is I could talze but forty Of my
Gen from my post I requested
APT. n. G. EYins, IN command of
be e. S. troops at Cooper, to
end me a detachment Of the End
aralrv. We had been intimately
sonnected on the Van Dorm cam
1aign, during which l was the re-
ipiant Of much kindness from
1apt Evins, while I was suffering
rom a wound received from an
indian In the battle Of Wichita.
BE promptly sent me a sergeant
and twenty well mounted men.
My force was still further augmen-
ed by some seventy volunteer
sifizens under the brave frontiers
man, Captain Jack Cureton, of
Bosque county. These self-sacri-
icing patriots, without the hope
5f pay or reward left their defence
less homes and families to endure
every hardship and peril to avenge
the suffering Of the frontier peo-
PIE. With our pack mules laden
down with the necessary supplies
the expedition marched for the In
dian country.
On the 18th Of Dee, 1860, while
marching up Pease river I had
some suspicion that Indians we're
in the vicinity by reason Of the
buffalo that came running IN great
numbers from the north toward
as, and while my command moved
IL tie low grounds l visited all
neigh5oring high points to make
discoveries. On one Of these small
sand hills / found four fresh pony
tracks; and being satisfied that In
dian yidettes had Just gone, I gal
loped forward about mile to
higher point, and riding to the top,
tony inexpressible surprise, found
myself within two hundred yards
IF a Comanche village, located on
a little stream winding around the
base of the hill Il was a most
happy circumstance that a pierre
ing north wind was blowing, hear-
ing with II a cloud Of sand; md
my presence was unobserved a.d
the surprise complete. BY signal.
e my men as I stood concealed,
hey reached me without being
Z covered by the Indians, who
" 2 busy packing up. preparafo-