The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-04

bis present. There are r1nny old war
liking who have never given their
any organization. They live quietly
secluded corner OF the land they
br SO long ago, and they are generally
1t and reticcnt on the subject OF their
lofts AM the share they enjoyed in
Texas from the Indians, the Mexicans
wilderness that often their nearest
Is are unaware OF the fact that they
Ping within touch OF a hero who has
hes heard the war whoop Of the wild
e and more than once faced a
balls and arrows.
these old pioneers whom history
be stepping over are more worthy of
mention than Captain John Bird and
Hons, William and JEFF. Only one OF
BUS trio Of Indian Fighters is alive to-
liam p. Bird, WHO came to Texas in
ILL living on his ranch at Bird lake,
ION county, occupying the same place
XII at at u time when buffaloes came
akc for water. Captain John bird
lfiicer in tie United States army and
with marked distinction during the
with England, under the eyes of
rttng generals as Coffee and Jackson.
little Of New Orleans he behaved with
Iaptry under fire as to win the appro-
General Jackson and he was pro-
the rank OF major. After peace had
llered Major Bird was anxious. like
filibusters MaSee, Long, Nina. Aury
~, to cast his fortunes with the Tex
he did not get an opportunity to
Y of the Brazos until long after his
fades, Magee. Long and perrs'. had
In MY ttf. ~ hat
~ empire which lured so many ambi
{rits to death on the plains of Texas
~ dungeons OF Monelana before the
~. "Remcmter the Alaron trans
y few hundred hunters into u spartan
ID Of war that all Mexico could not
btil the visions of Long, Magee and
fnme fxei realities, made glorious by
fious Lone star.
Ethe war broke out in the spripg o.
Eeen Mexico and Texas, men OF mill
erience like Major Bird were eagerly
nd solicited to assist in creating an
aior Bird hurrledly organized aud in
$fime put in the field the very best
x EST armed and best mounted company
Lfy that ever marched under the Lone
|zhese men were eager to meet the
md show their prowoss in battle. but
1naneuverod by General Houston that
41ftily get an opportunity to firo Il shot
TIC war.
~ Bird would never talk great deal
(4e trouble between himself and the |
Qaer of the army. General Houston at
~ was not without enemies, and these
|nirculation report that he was lead
"a away and that he did not intend to |
sHll. Captain Bird hardly credited this |
NQf nc could never understand why he I
1tected when his fine company was so |,
l9eded in line of battlc. lie accredited !,
Laffouston with admirable valor, great |
Hse and wonderful magnanimity. say. |
fshe deserved all that history had said
lS$or leading his men into action no |
2hat ideas were in his head while re |
tbrted to General Houston at the head |
33e company, and was very much sur |
men the commander of the army Or |
% to march to San Felipe de Austin |
encn lhe place and hold 1t against
2na whole army. Captain Bird was
veteran and he obeyed orders with !,
ent, but he wondered why he was
TN company of cavalry and not a
zee or artillery to fortify town and |
against an invading force OF several |
men with train of cannon. Ger
mystery grew In his mind when he
nas the main army was in full re-
Iaru the swnmps and bayous of the |
&ihe citizens Of San Felipe de Austin.
spartan courage, set fire TO their
90 retreated with their families to-
Irinity, leaving nothing but smoking
l2Saptain Bird to defend. Captain Bird |
eht messenger to General Houston |
MN OF these facts and telling him
tfe coiulnh OF the enemy. commanded |
~ anna IN person, was marching by
s$ges on his line of retreat. General
351lade no reply. but. leaving Captain
Miely III the dnrk as to the plan of |
5Raign-if there was ever a plai,-he
4Ewithln SIX miles of Captain Birds
;;Inp'ain Bird says his men became SO
k4baf, fearing he would be urnbie Ia
'them. he sent another officer to Ge,1.
l4ston, informing him that there was
tempe de Austin and asking him for
Xas the finest compaty in the army
seanp with nothing 10 eat and ANXIOUS
land the commanding general cnuIG
Some cause. be induced to or
II to the front. Many of the comma
N forgave General Houston. b,,t NOS,
sfere so rejolced over the victory thar
me his political followers and san
~ ever after IN his political ambi-
uhing was. not running so smooth and
Nv that time saws Uncle Billy, cas-
Mcuid make us believe. Tho country
Epushly aroused. and while the wild
PRS were in circulation, universal
Evailed, and ii was well known that
Ne men anxious to become leaders
Houston may not have heard of tha
3n Felipe de Austin. or he may no.
&Wn where we were at just when wa
Ted. Captain Bird was. however. in
Ner TINS apparent neglect by his gem
xmarting under the disappointment OF
Inc opportunity 10 particiDate IN tn
crushed the power of Mexico over
Pptaln Bird returned to his ranch on
Ps ms soon as he felt that all danger
ntened the country had passed.
OF such fine talents md splendid
e accomplishments could not remain
Zbscurity in such times. The govern
1uested him to raise company OF
men for service on the frontier, and |
4more accepted commission undar
Star. A noted Comanohe chief
lffalo Horns, at the head of large
~arriors. WAS at that time terroriz-
Drder In the region of country along
basas. Captain Bird at the head OF
fifty men, marched TO the valley o.
esas for the purpose of Furnishing the
26th Of May. 1899, the Indians APP
p hill overlooking tho camp of the ,
Captain Bird cautiously mnuen-
1 threatening the enemy rear. when
ns slowly retreated. The Texans I
lowered that they were greatly out
There were several hundred In .
tbere was the remains of an old fort
.ampasas hot far away and when
BIRD became satisfied that the In ,
>uid certainly attack him he con-
select his battle ground as near ,
| walls as possible. The Texans had
plted before the Conanches began To
both their TANKS Taking ehdvan-
a small ravine, the Texans dis
and saluted the first assault with {
THAT staggered the Indians so badly /
"a moment II looked as II they were |
gallop off, but old Buffalo Horns
pext charge in person, and no hero
played more courage on the batle :
! was knocked down three times by
IS as he advanced across the open
q tho heal OF his warriors. With
streaming from dozen WOUNDS n I
to witSn ten steps oil the Texans,
pg his spear and singing the CO.
cath wall. His Tors mAia sew !