The Republican journal., 1916-04-27
Texas in 1878.

In the fifties the Indians, mostly Com
anches and Lipans, were very trouble
some and troops were stationed at from
tier posts to protect settlers. Yet in
1857 the Indians made a raid within IL
miles of San Antonio and drove off cat
tie. What cattle and horses they did
not kill for food or keep for their own
use they drove over into Mexico and
sold. The troops sent out against
them were at a disadvantage as they
were not familiar with the country
and with the location of the water
holes and often suffered severely from
thirst. Then, every growing thing in
1eXas had thorn or saw edge, very
destructive to clothing: and men return
ing from an expedition against the In
dams were often sorry sight,
there were times when all did not return.
The following official orders will give an
idea of the Indian fighting in those days:
November 8. 1857. Lieut.. ]. B. With
erell, End Cavalry. with small detach-
ment from Companies c. and K. of his
regiment left the post of Fort Clark.
Texas, in pursuit of party of Com
anche Indians, who had, the day before,
robbed the mail party of number of
mules. After pursuit of four days he
came upon the marauders at place
nearly seventy miles northwest of the
west branch of the Nueces. They had
in their possession all the stolen animals
except one mule, which had been killed
for food. After short and severe con-
test the Indians were routed and fled,
leaving one of their own party dead. and
all the animals and their own property
behind
Lieut. Witherell was slightly and pri-
Yates Gehwing, of Company c, and
Charles Morris and Patrick Caswell, of
Company K, were severely wounded.
In the flight the Indians had made their
first march of ninety miles without stop
ping.
Oct 81, 1858. Near the Wichita village
Brvt. Major Van Dorm, Capt. End Cav
airy, commanding A. F. H. and K. com
panies of his regiment, after forced
march Of ninety-six miles in thirty-six
hours, came little after daylight upon
the camp of the hostile Comanches, con-
sisting of one hundred and twenty
lodges, and between four and five hun
bred Indians. He Immediately charged
upon it and after a most desperate
struggle of an hour and half, during
which there were many bloody hand to
hand conflicts, achieved a most import
ant and decisive victory.
With this victory it IS painful to re-
cord the death of IND Lieutenant Corne-
Illus Van Camp. End Cavalry, an active
young officer of exceeding promise, once
before named in tins order for his gal
lantry, who was shot through the heart
with an arrow while charging the enemy.
Sergeant j. L. Garrison of Company
F.; privates Peter Mogar and Jacob Ec-
hard, of Company H., were also killed.
Private Henry Howard, also Of that
company, missing. supposed to have
been killed.
The following were wounded:
Company A. Brevet Major Van Dorm,
severely, foot wounds; Corporal Joseph
P. Taylor, dangerously.
Company H, Private c. c. Alexan-
der, severely; Sergeant c. B. Mcclellan,
Bogler M. Abngest, slightly.
Company F. Privates c. G. Emery
and A. J. Mcnamara, severely, and W.
Company K. Private Smith Hinckley,
slightly.
The sutler, Mr.. F. ]. Ward, was
slightly, and the special agent in charge
of the friendly Indians, Mr.. S. Ross,
was severely wounded. They had vol
unteered for the expedition, and are de-
serving of great praise for their gal
lantry in the action.
During the combat, Capt. N. G. Ev-
ans, Second Lieutenants Harrison and
Phlfer, each killed two, and Lieutenant
Major killed three Indians in hand to
hand encounters.
The other officers who were under
Major Van Dorm are Captains Whitney
and johnson, Second Lieutenant Porter
and Acting Assistant Surgeon Carswell,
all of whom, together with the non-com
missioned officers and privates of com
panies A. F. H. and K, Second cavalry,
are entitled to great commentator for
their galantry.
The friendly Indians, Delawares, Cad
does, &C., under Mr.. Ross, rendered es-
sential service, both before and during
the conflict.
The Ross mentioned in the foregoing
report afterwards b. came a famous In
dian fighter and was twice elected Gov
ernor of Texas. On this occasion he had
mustered in 1876 friendly Caddo and
Waco Indians and reported to Van Dorm.
On a visit to New York several years
ago he gave this graphic account of the
engagement:
ut was on October, %, 1858" said he,
that our expedition came upon large
Comanche village on the False Wachita
river in Indian Territory. There was
sharp conflict and our forces killed some
ninety of the Comanches and captured
their town, their supplies and most of
their horses.
During the contest Lieut.. Van Camp,
an honorary aid on Van Dorn's staff,
second regiment cavalryman named
Alexander, one of our Caddo Indians and
| found ourselves separated from our
command While we were consultino