The Republican journal., 1916-05-04
Texas in 1878.

III.
SAN ANTONIO, August, 1857. 1t seems
that l am destined to be ever on the
move, Tor l had been here but a week
when the ambulance with its four sleek
mules drove up to the army headquar-
tiers, and close behind was a covered
wagon drawn by six mules, with five of
Uncle Sans soldiers slowed comforta-
bly, away on top of the baggage and camp
equipment. Their duty was to stand
guard at night and to prevent the forci-
bly, taking away of a stout iron chest
that lay in the bottom of the ambulance
and contained money for the payment of
the troops at the frontier posts.
No sooner were we seated then with a
sharp crack of the whip from our driver
the mules started into brisk tro
through the dusty streets. 1t was the
morning of Gen. Houston's entree and
all was hustle and confusion. All about
the town were carriages with gaily deco
rated horses, and flags were flying in
every direction.
We were soon out of town and on the
rolling prairie, which seemed like huge
waves. We descended into hollow,
then mounted ridge, until it became
very monotonous. There had been no
rain for ten months, and not blade of
grass was to be seen-everything in the
shape of vegetation was dried up.
Hung from the sides of the ambulance
were two double-barreled shot guns, two
rifles, and each of US, including the
driver, had six-shooter in his belt, and
the latter had Shapes carbine by his
side.
We camped that night on the bank of
the Medina river near Castroville, and
as soon as the teams were cared for |
threw my gun over my shoulder, took a
fish line and started for the river, hop
ing to get trout for breakfast. But
after fishing for time with no results
returned to camp, where our supper of
ham. corn bread and black coffee Was in
readiness.
The night was fine and as no dew falls
in this country l concluded to forego the
use of tent and made up my bed under
the ambulance Soon after had turned
in the mules were tied at the back of the
ambulance to eat their corn from feed
trough placed there. AS soon as it grew
IL. n in
droves. They were long-legged and
sharp-nosed, built more like greyhounds
than the fat porkers you see in the stys.
| had Just began to doze when l was
aroused by two or three porkers running
over me in fighting for the corn the
mules had dropped while eating. A few
we'll directed blows of the whip, which
had at hand, drove them to a respectable
distance, but no sooner would lie down
than back they'd come, until finally
was compelled to Chamber into the am
bulance and leave the field Of battle to
the hogs. After that my sleeping quar-
tiers were in the tent.
By sunrise next morning We were on
the move again, and little after noon
had reached Ranchero's creek, famous
place for Indians some five years ago.
l here tried my luck at fishing a second
time, but without success, although
saw many in the creek. A buck and doe
strayed down near our camp and each
received shot, but both escaped. Dis
appointed in getting either fish or veni-
son we ate our usual supper, and then to
bed. The next day at noon we arrived
at Fort Inge, near the head Of the Leone
river, a very pleasant post, the officers
quarters shaded by trees and the river
close by.
Lieut.. John B. Hood of the End Cavalry
was camped just below the post on his
return from a scout of some twenty
days. He struck an Indian trail near
Kiaway Creek and followed it, and when
near Devils River saw the Indians on
hill some three miles off waving white
flag. Leaving three of his men behind
with the pack mules, which left him
with II men, he advanced towards them.
AS he drew near they threw down their
flag and some twenty or thirty Indians
sprang from the cover of the bushes and
attacked him. Some were mounted,