Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-11
Ina Few Days.
Special to the Gazette.

Special 10 the Gazette
ALICE. TEX, Feb. 9-The state forces, in
conjunction with the Federal troops, are
sill in the field, their ranks augmented by
the presence of a few intrepid deputies,
who have taken the trail with Sheriff
Shelley of Starr county.
When last seen by your correspondent
they were positive that some crisis would
be reached before long, though Sheriff
Shelley was confident nothing of impor-
lance would be accomplished for several
DAYS The history of the last few days
tells the story of an effort TO effect 4 whole
sale capture of the revolutionists, which
was so nearly successful that the expert
ence it afforded ought to render the next at
tempt more effective.
Il now appears that the leaders of the
campaign were well Informed as to the hid
ing place of Cara, and were aware that a
general gathering of his forces was planned
TO take place at point some distance north
Of Pena. The country south of the rail-
road, through which Capt Mcneil and his
little command made their recent successful
march, is practically a desert.
There is no grass whatever, wa
ter is scarce and very BAD
IN quality, and it would be impossible for
anybody to live there without abundant
supplies of fodder and provisions. 1t was
obvious from the first that CARA would
hardly endeavor to secrete himself in that
locality, but there were many of his follow
ers there. The feint made in that direction
served to distract attention from the real
object OF the campaign, ana much valuable
information was gained, to say nothing of
the several prisoners secured.
At the time when the juncture with the
main body was effected it was thought that
the revolutiomsts would be surprised in
their retreat among the wild ranges north
OF the railroad, whittier they had been
IL, I, 80
comparatively deserted character Of the
country. The proverb of the miscar
riage of the best laid plans was exem-
plifed in that instance, how
ever, and that miscarriage brought
about q skirmish instead of a battle, and
the reyolutiOnists, notified of the approach
Of danger, scattered again. The problem
Of their capture was once more thrown
unsolved before their pursuerS and
the forces of the state were
pushed up into tie midst of the
revolutionary stronghold, determined to
seize the first opportunity to make an as
SaulL
MORE TROOPS NEEDED.
have been in the field, l have been with
both the Federal and state troops and it
certainly looks to me as if no effective work
can be done with the present inadequate
forces and the present disposition made of
them. To an observer posted on the situa-
ton, it looks as if they were to
some extent checl5mating each other.
The United States soldiers, brave
and skllful, willing and well OIL
cered though they are, viii always
find themselves totally unfit for service in
such a country against such an enemy. To
a man familiar with the circumstances
there is something almost ludicrous ia the
idea Of a soldier with his head full OF mill
tary drill and tactics, mounted on a big,
fa1 o1,.rr q hOnf
among the brush and cactus tangles of this
country, chasing why little Mexican
on 4 siuewy mustang, both born ana reared
here, both familiar with every popularity
OF the country and of climate and both ca
paoIe of almost miraculous endurance.
Il Is different with the rangers. They
are more on an equality with the men they
chase, in respect to physical charac-
teristics aud training, and their boasts
nf ability 10 cope with forces
much larger than their own are by no
means idle talk, yet it is painfully evident
they also are too few. With the ranger
force recruited to more formidable proper
lions, aided as they are by the unstrung,
determined efforts of valiant local officers,
and with the Federal soldiers FORM
Ing Gordon around their place Of retreat
Cara and his followers would soon find
themselves forced to give up the tight In
the open field the soldiers can carry every
thing before them. out in the DruSn JneY
are at fatal disadvantage. Let
the rangers do the fighting in
the brush, with their plans undis-
tUred by others, let the soldiers keep
in the open, their plans cooper
ating with those of the rangers, and both
viii find plenty to do, both will have ample
opportunity TO show what they are worth;
both viii find themselves covered with
well-earned honors, and between the upper
BDd hp rn1lisrOuaS of those two
well-regulated forces, this troublesome
intruder viii find himself ground to powder.
As il is there is no question rs 10 his
presence, and the presence also Of con-
siderable following. and the longer such an
element is permitted 10 exist in defiance OF
the efforts of the government and state
forces to dislodge it, the more formidable,
the more menacing it becomes.
RoBT. ]. BROWN.