Qass. Book. ¥ 7 J THE SCOUT AND RANGER: PERSONAL ADVENTURES CORPORAL PIKE. or THE FOUHTH OHIO CAVALBT. AS A TEXAN RANGEB, IN THE INDIAN WARS, DELINEATINQ WESTERN ADVEN' TUKE ; AFTEKWARD A SCOUT AND SPY, IN TE^fNESSKE, ALABAMA, GEORGIA, AND THE CAROLTNAS, UNDER GENERALS MIT- CHELL, ROSECRANS, STANLEY, SHERIDAN, LY- TLE, THOMAS, CROOK, AND SHERMAN. FULLY ILLUSTRATING THE SECRET SERVICE. TWENTT-riVE rULL-PA&E ENaEAVDfGS, CINCINNATI & NEW YORK : J. K. HAWLEY & CO. 1865. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1865, by J. R. HAWLEY A CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the South- ern District of Ohio. T C* <■ 1^ DEDICATION. TO MY LATE COMRADES IN AHMS, THIS BOOK Is ^atsptitfulls ©tllitattii BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. Whatever aids in illustrating tlie spirit of the late great struggle, through whicli the nation has so successfully passed, must be of interest to the American reader. The occurrences of the late lehellion will ever form a study for the free citizens of the Republic of far deeper interest than those of any other event m the world's history ; and few will be content with the perusal of mere outlines, or of battle descriptions, however vivid, but which are only repetitions, though of a magnified type, of what the world has witnessed at almost every decade, since the dawn of civiliza- tion; and hence they will search out details, and incidents, which will lead them into the spirit of a conflict, to which they are indebted for their national greatness, material prosperity, and civil and religious freedom; and those incidents maybe as readily learned in connection with the career of the Private Soldier, as with that of the Major General. The simple but touching narratives of one who has survived the horrors of a rebel prison; or the little hillock which covers the remains of one of the murdered victims of rebel cruelty, are far more perfect illustrations of the civilization of the ruling classes in the South, and the malignity of their character, than the whole career of the ablest of our commanders. Thousands of incidents in the life of every soldier, were they recorded, would be invaluable in illustrating the history of the late war ; but the mass of these will soon be forgotten, and (T) VI PREFACE. the actors themselves fill unknown graves. Men ^Tho, in any other era, would be singled out, and known as heroes to a whole nation for their gallant deeds, will pass through life as but one of millions, and must rest content with a general tribute to the great mass. We are now to have a national literature, as well as a national existence. American writers of romance and the drama, will no longer seek the antiquated regions of Europe for scenes and heroes; America has supplied all that is necessary to the most vivid of pictures ; and no pen, even though the plot be fiction, need ever exaggerate in incidents or descriptions. He who tells the simple truth, narrates more of the strange and the heroic, than could be conceived by the fertility of a Dickens, or a Dumas. The writer of this narrative, throughout, has adhered strictly to facts, without any attempt at embellishment. The wild chases after the Comanches ; the stern duties of war ; and the hardships of prison life, have left him little time to cultivate elegant diction, and as he has an abiding conviction that unvar- nished truth is ever more acceptable than high wrought fiction, he is content with the simple narrative, which is spread before the reader in the pages which follow. The Author. HiLLSBORO, Ohio, June 21, 1865. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. MY FIKST EFFORT AT SEEING LIFE — A TRIP TO TEXAS 19 CHAPTER 11. MY FIRST INDIAN CAMPAIGN 33 CAAPTER in. MORE ADVENTURE — MUSTERED OUT 57 CHAPTER IV. WITH THE RANGERS AGAIN — BUFFALO HUNT — A LONELY JOURNEY 63 CHAPTER V. ANOTHER LONELY RIDE — FRONTIER FEUDS 82 CHAPTER VI. MORE ADVENTURE — MEETING AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE 86 (vii) VIU CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. KICKAPOO CAMPAIGN — INCIDENTS 95 CHAPTER VIII. INDIAN WARFARE — SCALPING — CANNIBALISM 101 CHAPTER IX. SCOUTING — A WHITE CAPTIVE , 112 CHAPTER X. COL. Johnston's comanche campaign — a great failure — FRIGHTFUL SUFFERING OF THE RANGERS 118 CHAPTER XI. KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE — SECESSION 136 CHAPTER Xn. TYRANNY AND PERFIDY OF THE SECESSIONISTS 145 CHAPTER XIII. OUT IN THE WILDERNESS 151 CHAPTER XIV. FAREWELL TO DIXIE 155 CHAPTER XV. IN THE UNION SERVICE — THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN 173 CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER XVI. AFTER JOHN MORGAN 189 CHAPTER XVH. RECONNOITERING MIDDLE TENNESSEE — SCOUTING AS CAPTAIN EONHAM OF THE FIRST LOUISIANA CAVALRY 196 CHAPTER XVni. TRIP TO DECATUR — LIVELY ADVENTURES 208 CHAPTER XIX. CARRYING AN IMPORTANT DISPATCH TO GENERAL BUELL 227 CHAPTER XX. RECONNOITERING BRIDGEPORT — TAKEN PRISONER — MY TREAT- MENT — CRUELTY OF THE REBELS 235 CHAPTER XXI. ARRIVAL OF WOUNDED FROM FREDRICKSBURG 249 CHAPTER XXII. OUT OF THE HOSPITAL — OFF FOR HOME 253 CHAPTER XXin. SCOUT TO WOODBURY — PLAYING REBEL SENTINEL — NARROW ESCAPES 260 CHAPTER XXrV. GEN. Stanley's great raid — playing aid-de-camp — scout- ing AT HARPETH SHOALS 265 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXV. AFTER JOHN MORGAN IN OHIO — WAKING UP THE WRONG PAS- SENGER 273 CHAPTER XXVI. OFF TO THE HIAWASSEE IN SEARCH OP STEAMBOATS — A FA- MILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD — FEARFUL LEAP — AFFECTING IN- CIDENT 276 CHAPTER XXVn. AFTER STEAMBOATS AGAIN — A MOUNTAIN NYMPH — BOB WHITE, THE UNION BUSHWHACKER 286 CHAPTER XXVin. BATTLES OF DUG GAP AND CHICKAMAUGA 300 CHAPTER XXIX. PERSONAL ADVENTURES DURING THE BATTLE 311 CHAPTER XXX. WHEELER BADLY WHIPPED — A PERILOUS TRIP OVER THE MUSCLE SHOALS 317 CHAPTER XXXI. RAID IN NORTH CAROLINA — REBEL COLONEL WALKER KILLED. 329 CHAPTER XXXn. BRIDGE BURNING EXPEDITION TO AUGUSTA 336 CHAPTER XXXIII. BLOODHOUND CHASE — TAKEN PRISONER — DRUNKEN AND EX- CITED REBELS. 346 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XXXrV. THE WHIPPING POST — TORTURING NEGROES — STARVING OUR PRISONERS — THE CHARLESTON JAIL — OUR OFFICERS VIN- DICATED 361 CHAPTER XXXV. ADIEU TO CHARLESTON — ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS — ARRIVAL IN THE UNION LINES 370 CHAPTER XXXVI. THE NORTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN — DOWN TRIP TO WILMING- TON — AT SEA — DISCHARGED FROM THE SERVICE 383 CHAPTER XXXVII. PERSONAL — CONCLUSION 391 SCOUT AND RANGER. CH A r T E E 1. MT FIRST EFFORT AT SEEING LIFE — A TRIP TO TEXAS. I HAVE not the vanity to suppose the details of my career in life, other than as it has been connected with the public service, would be of the slightest interest to the reader ; and, therefore, I shall not dwell upon them. But I can not but believe that my adventures in that most dangerous and romantic of all branches of the service — while acting the part of a scout — during the late long and bloody war against the most gigantic rebellion known to history, Avill be read with interest, not only by the patriotic people of the loyal states, for whom my life was risked, but by thousands in the South — violent rebels — who will, in these pages first recognize me, in my true character, as a soldier of the Union ; though oft I have partaken of iheir hospitalities, and been their familiar companion ; and many a rebel officer will, in the following narrative, for the first time learn that they have com- municated much valuable information to one who was in the service of the nation against which they had arrayed the whole power, and chivalry of half a score of powerful and flourishing states, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude. My career as a scout was commenced under Gen. 0. M. Mitchell, who, in 1862, commanded the Third Division of the 2 19 20 TEXAN CIVILIZATION. Cumberland Army ; General ^litcliell, ^vho united in himself the qualities of a noble man, a thorough scholar, and a dashing officer, and -whose death, before the nation could well spare his services, caused a deep despondency to pervade every loyal breast. When he Avas removed from command in Tennessee, I was turned over to General Rosecrans ; who, in turn, on leaving, recom- mended me to General Thomas. I have also served with Gens, I). S. Stanly, George Crook, Lytle, Sheridan, Grant, and Sher- man ; so that the reader will not be at a loss to imagine that my term of service has been an eventful one ; and that vanity does not inspire me to Avrite an account of those wild and almost incredible adventures, which are naturally incident to the branch of the service to which I was devoted. But why engage in the dangerous vocation, and risk life, amid enemies who, had they known my character, would gladly have suspended me to the nearest limb ? Say, like Shylock, it was my nature, and the reader has it all. I had been well trained in such service, having left my home in Ohio, long since, and migrated to Texas, where I was schooled as a " Ranger " and hunter — the latter character being a necessary accompaniment of the former, as the ranger draws little or no subsistence from the government, but obeys the injunction of Scripture, and takes neither brass nor postal currency in his purse, nor hard tack in his haversack, relying almost entirely on his trusty rifle, for subsistence, from the first to the last of his terra of enlistment. But why should an Ohioan, and a printer, be induced to mi- grate to Texas, where civilization has but begun, and w^here men still fancy that there is something diabolical in tht^ process of producing books and newspapers ? In Texas' — a land of contrarities, where all is abundance, by the mere act of nature, or sterility beyond the power of art to fer- tilize ; where one only looks up stream for water ; where rivers are narrow at their mouths, and wide at their fountains; where the ground is never dusty, though parched with drouth ; where grass grows green in winter ; where neither the horse nor the OFF FOR KANSAS. 21 co^T can be tempted to eat corn ; where the widest extremes of heat and cold are often felt in a day ; and where the unfortunate immigrant, if he murmurs, or shows surprise, at all he sees and feels, is at once pronounced "green from the states," and looked upon as an object of commiseration? AVell, perhaps it is strange that I should find myself there — but it is not more strange than true. I had been working at my trade in Jefferson City, Missouri, during the winter of 1858-9, and in the spring resolved to go to Kansas, Avhich was yet disturbed by factions, and consequently the ver}^ place for one fond of adventure ; and, as my nature prompted me to ramble, I saw no other section half so inviting ; and accordingly, having armed myself, " as the law directs," I started for the territory on foot. I had traveled but half a day, however, when I stopped for dinner at a wayside inn, kept by a plethoric old man, the pos- sessor of a young Avife and half a dozen worthless darkies. While at dinner, some one rode up to the gate and inquired of the landlord if there was a young man there, who was traveling on foot. '• That's my name," I said, and Avent to the door, to ascertain; what was vranted. " Say, young man," said the party, " don't you want to go to Texas?" "Don't care if I do," said I. "Well," he replied, " my name is Colonel Johnston ; I live twelve miles south of Dallas ; I am taking down a drove of horses, and want help ; I Avill furnish you wuth a horse, saddle, and bridle, and pay your way." In an instant, all desire to visit Kansas, and participate in the partisan turmoils, which were continually agitating the ter- ritory, "vanished into thin air," and in their stead arose visions of wild horse chases, buffalo hunts, Indian fights, and a thousand other " manly sports," which I knew to be the chief sources of amusement and excitement, in that wild, celebrated region. "But where were you going?" queried the Colonel.. 22 CHANGE OF PURPOSE. "■To Kansas," I replied. " What were you going there for ?" he continued. "For fun," Avas my sententious, but truthful answer. '•Well," he responded, "if you want fun, just go to Texas; that is the place to find it ; plenty of all sorts of game, fine horses, and clever people. It 's just the spot for a young man. If ever you go there, you will like the country so well, that you will never leave it." "Hold on, then, till I get my dinner, and I'll go," was the only reply I stopped to make, till I had satisfied my appetite. Dinner over, I mounted the animal designated, and we pro- ceeded to gather up the horses, Avhich had scattered about to graze, while the Colonel was waiting on me. There were in the drove an unusually fine lot of northern mares, which Johnston stated would be very valuable in Texas, besides a number of magnificent geldings. As soon as we were fairly on our way, my employer took care to remind me that his name was Colonel Johnston, and in- quired mine. He then went on to enlighten me, by saying, that, in Te.xas, every man of an}^ note had some title ; was either dubbed General, Colonel, Major, Captain, Judge, or Esquire ; that his friends had given him the title of Colonel, though he had never held any milit;iry position, the term being merely complimentary. He further informed me, that at one time ir, his life, he had been a mate on board of a river steamer, and tlicn began to relate various feats of personal prowess, which at once inspired me with a high regard for both his physical and intellectual endowments. He was really a fine looking, robust m:in, about thirty-five years of age, of a very generous, anc/ manly disposition ; and but for a superfluity of vanity and self iuqjortance, was an exceedingly agreeable companion. He had been in Illinois, settling up his Avife's estate, and had taken her share of the property in horses ; and, by the way, one of the first things he told me was, that he had married a widow, AVe traveled fast; I thought very fast ; and as day after day caaie and went, and we were m the saddle early and late, I be- THREATENED ASSASSINATION. 23 gan to imagine something must be wrong about the man and his horses ; but I said nothing. On the second day after we had joined fortunes, he began to deprecate the ftict that he would have to force a sale of a horse in order to raise money ; where- upon I loaned him a sufficient sum (I think about forty dollars in gold), to take him through. The reader will say that this was indescreet on such a short acquaintance, and that I ought not to have been so free with my money with a stranger. But it was always a fault of mine to confide in strangers, and in this case I did not lose anything, though at one time I believed the chances good to lose all ; for Johnston sought a quarrel with me in the Indian Nation, while near Boggy river, and I detected him in the act of drawing his six-shooter on me, at a time when he thought I did not observe him. My rifle was near at hand, and I quickly had him at my mercy, Avith my piece leveled on his breast, and my finger on the trigger. We had differed the evening before as to which side of the mountain the road went, and I Avas found to be in the right. But this was such a triflins: excuse for a quarrel, that I naturally concluded he entertained the notion of putting me out of the way, and thus get, not only all I had loaned him, but all I had on my person. My advice to young men is, not to be too free in showing money to strangers ; nor ought they to do as I have often done, make loans when there was no way of getting the money back when it is wanted. In this instance I might have lost every dollar I possessed, and my life, too, by my freedom in letting a stranger know my re- sources. I was green then, but am wiser now. Our route lay through South Missouri, along a high barren ridge, for eighty miles. If I remember rightly, we passed no town till we came to Linn creek, where we crossed the Osage river, which, I believe, is the head of navigation. It is a small town but is a very business like little place. As we crossed the river a little boat steamed away from the landing, loaded, as I afterward learned, with nineteen tons of deer hides, besides other peltries and furs. The town is hemmed in by the Osnge range, which although very high and abrupt, should rather be 24 SOUTH WEST MISSOURI. called hills than mountains. The rock of this range is a sort of lava concrete on the surface, ■while the tops of the ridges and level benches in the mountains :vere covered with bowlders, evi- dently of volcanic origin, as they have the appearance of having been melted in a little round-bottomed pot, from which, after cooling, they had been dumped. This portion of the country abounds in minerals, especially lead and iron; and it is, perhaps, the best watered region in the United States ; thousands of large, clear springs Jjurst out from beneath the mountain ranges; but very few issue from their sides, however, which is somewhat remarkable. We passed through Springfield, which at that time was a beau- tiful and flourishing little city. A school dismissed while we were riding through the streets, and from the walls of the large seminary issued such a swarm of pretty girls, as would make any youno; man's head swim with delisrht as he viewed them. I have always had a curiosity to go back there. From Springfield our route w"as through a good country for some distance, until we reached Barry county, in which the land is too poor and rocky to talk about. While traveling through it, we managed to tear oS" nearly every shoe from the horses' feet, and this caused some delay, in getting them re-set. Getting on our way again, we passed through Cassville. The country was still so rocky that the geese could n't walk about to graze; at least so I concluded, from the fact that I saw- one sitting on a hill-side, some distance from a house, and a wom^an carrying it food. . The goose made no effort to help itself, and the woman had to rough it over the rocks the entire distance. Crossing the Arkansas line, we reached Bentonville, a very thrivino; village in the Ozark mountains; thence wo went to Fayctteville, a town of considerable importance, to the north, but in sight of the Boston mountain, a spur of the Ozark range. As we passed through, we met the overland mail stage, coming at full speed, or at least as fast as mule flesh could move it. When stages were first put on this line, considerable excite- OVERLAND MAIL. 25 ment was created in Western Arkansas ; it was a new thing — an eighth wonder of the worki ; and to the great disgust of the " natives," some "of the managers and their wives, feeling the im- portance of their " posish," put on considerable " style ;" and the popular disgust would manifest itself on every possible occasion, much to the annoyance, both of employees and passengers. The children readily imbibed the spirit of their seniors and would continually reiterate the slang of their parents. On this par- ticular occasion, as the coach came down a steep hill into the town, a crowd of little wchins was standing by the roadside, waiting to see the " sights ;" when one of them, a bright looking boy, but as ragged as only Arkansas children are, elbows and knees out, with a huge rent in that part of his pants covering the spot "where mothers smite their young," from which protruded a piece of muslin very much the color of the surrounding soil, — shouted at the top of his voice: "The g-r-e-a-t 0-v-e-r-l-a-n-d M-a-i-1 C-o-m-p-a-n-y — " and was, evidently, going to add some- thing more, when a huge, muscular, six-footer of a passenger thrust his head out of the window and yelled : " Dry up, you little reprobate, or I'll jump out and raise a crowd and clean you out in a minute." The little urchin and his party, not exactly expecting such a reception, took to their heels, each with his flag of truce flying behind him almost horizontally. The sight was immensely enjoyed by the wearied passengers, who greeted the retreating boys with roars of laughter. The lumbering of the coach and the shouts of the passengers so frightened our horses chat we had a stampede for the next five miles, but fortunately, no harm resulted. Boston mountain was the next difiiculty we had to surmount. The road over it is fifteen miles long, and the ascent was exceed- ingly steep ; but there are several steppes, or benches, on the sides, and these aff'ord good resting places for travelers. Every acre on these steppes is good tillable land, and would be admi- rably adapted to vine growing; while upon the very summit is one of the finest farms in Arkansas. We stopped here for the night and were generously entertained, as indeed we always 26 A MOUNTAIN STORM. were ; for tlie people of this State, before the war, were ever noted for their hospitality. On the following morning we started down the mountain. The sky wore a threatening appearance; great banks of clouds seemed to rise from the horizon, and, as it were, to be sucked or drawn from every direction toward the mountain by some powerful current or attraction, until, finally, as we reached the first bench from the top, they met with such violence that the concussion seemed to jar the mountain itself, as if it had been shaken by an earthquake. Peal upon peal of thunder rolled through the clouds, accompanied by terrific flashes of glittering lightning, that seemed to leap from heaven to earth, and from earth again through boundless space. To add to the terrific noise of the thunder, it bellowed through the mountain gorges, reverberating from cliff to cliff, like volleys of musketry, and A\ as accompanied by the sound of creaking boughs, falling trees, and of rocks loosed by the winds, tumbling from the summit of the mountain to the abysses below. The falling rain soon accu- mulated into torrents, and these added to the din, as they fell over precipices, until one could scarcely do other than conclude that harmony had been broken up in the heavens and that the ele- ments Avere engaging in one long, desperate, and terrific strife. We did not stop — we could not; the storm came sweeping down the mountain with a fury that was irresistible; and nearly carried our animals over the cliffs. The clouds themselves seemed to be falling, for in addition to the torrents of rain which drenched us, we were closely envelo|)ed in a thick mist which shut out from our view all surrounding objects. The horses en- tirely bewildered, became frantic, and dashed off in all directions, but chiefly up the sides of the gorge, down which our route lay. Some were speedily lost to view, while others almost precipitated themselves down the mountain side, regardless of danger. As for ourselves, we were poAverless, and could only await the dis- persion of the clouds that we might see what to do ; and fortu- nately we were not compelled to wait long, as the stem was brief; it however made up in fury what it lacked in duration A FREE FIGHT. 27 One by one -we discovered our horses on the mountain side, trembling at the giddy hight to which, in their terror, and while enveloped in fog, they had clambered. To get them down was a Avork of no little difficulty and danger, but it was accom- plished, however, without accident, and we sped away for Lee's creek, a mountain stream which was known to rise with great rapidity, and when up was not fordable. The prospect of being water bound in the mountains for two or three days without pro- visions, the reader will admit, was not very inviting ; and so we concluded, and we put on our best speed and gained the ford just in time; for five minutes later and it was a roaring torrent. Not far from the foot of Boston mountain Ave passed through n little village of sixty or eighty houses, the inhabitants of Avhich appeared to be settling some question of vital importance to the community, as they were engaged in a free fight after the most approved style — every body being in ; and oaths, rocks, clubs, and pistol-shots were the order of the day. Not receiving any invitation to participate, and being firm adherents of the theory that every community should be alloAved to settle its domestic affairs in its OAvn way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States — even though that way was a little rough — Ave passed along on our route, through a shower of ill-aimed missiles ; and for once denied ourselves the luxury of eno;agino; in a free fight. We crossed the Arkansas river at Van Buren, and stopped with very good Avill at a plantation OAvned by a handsome Avidow, whose husband had been an oificer in the regular service. Oar entertainment Avas superb, and at nine o'clock we retired, and, being Avearied, Avere soon enjoying a profound sleep. ToAvard midnight wc Avere aroused by a loud barking in the yard from half a score or so of dogs. On going to the door I looked out and discovered a man in the act of turning our horses out of the lot. Seizing my rifle, I aroused Johnston, and started for the scene of operations. Luckily the animals Avere tired, and moved sloAvly, so that I was on the thief in a minute ; and he, seeing that 28 INDIAN CIVILIZATION. I was armed, loosed his hold, fired a shot, and fled. I returned his fire in haste and at random ; so the ball did not take effect. The thief ran down the lane, at the end of which an accomplice was standing, and in a moment they both mounted their horses.^ and were soon out of sight. At Fort Smith we entered the Indian Nation — the first we met being Choctaws. They had long been on friendly terms with the whites, and traveling through their country was as safe as, and perhaps safer than, in Arkansas. But few of the Indians build their houses on public roads, the exceptions generally be- ing half-breeds. The full Indian always seeks some secluded spot on which to build. There were some handsomely improved farms through the country, but they were mostly owned by white men who had married Indian wives. We camped out through the Nation, and procured our food, ready cooked, from the people. The squaws make excellent bread, and they supplied us bountifully with stewed venison. One may go to the Indian's house when he will, and he will find the kettle on and boiling, filled with the choicest meat. I inva- riably found the natives kind and obliging, and very reasonable in their charges. I often left Johnston to wait in the woods for his rations, while I sat down with the Indians, and enjoyed a warm meal. They had milk, eggs, and butter in abundance. All eat soup, succotash, and other " spoon victuals,'' out of the same dish, and with the same spoon; not from a scarcity of either, but from their laws of etiquette. He is regarded as ex- ceedingly rude who refuses to eat soup from the same bowl with them, though each is supplied with separate plates, knives, and forks for the eating of meat, eggs, fruit, etc. Although I did not discover any malicious disposition among the natives, I was informed that human life was held very cheap by them; although they seldom molest white men traveling through their country, they frequently engage in deadly strife among themselves. I do not think much of their progress in civilization as a general thing. Here and there a farm and resi- dence evinced industry and taste ; but on the next, perhaps, one WHISKY IN DEMAND. 29 ■will see a crowd of grown young men and ■women, stark naked, playing marbles. Their police regulations were well adapted to preserve order. In every township of six miles square there was a mounted force of ten men, one relief of whom was almost constantly in the saddle, traveling the country in all directions ; and their mode of transmitting intelligence from one beat to another was only excelled by the telegraph. The country is beautifully diversified ■nuth mountains, bold, rugged, and often isolated, rising from the surface of a level valley. They are covered with pine and cedar and other ever- greens. The valleys are well adapted to grazing, and hence the principal wealth of the country is in horses, cattle, and hogs. We were often stopped at the bridges to pay toll. As the streams throughout the entire region usually have quicksand bottoms, it is a great convenience to travelers to have these bridges, although it is rather disagreeable to encounter a squaw every few miles vigorously demanding toll. On Boggy River we were out in the rain for some time, and, being wet without, we were naturally dry within; and as the water in the Indian Nation does not possess sufficient consis- tency to quench thirst on such occasions, we resolved to procure some Avhisky. But how? That "was the question. The law was very strict in prohibiting its importation or manufacture, and it was not easy to evade it. However, we must procure some; and, seeing a house at a short distance from the road, we stopped the horses to graze while I set out on the questionable mission of purchasing whisky, without knowing what to call it In Choctaw. At the house I found no one at home except a squaw so old that her teeth were worn off even with her gums, and a young ^irl — very pretty, but very shy. I made known the object of my visit by telling her, in the very best English I could command, that I desired to purchase some whisky ; but she failed to com- prehend my meaning. I thought for a moment, and then con- ■ eluded that as they had to smuggle it, perhaps they would be 30 nature's language. mo]-e familiar with bottled liquors, and I said "brandy," but was still not understood, " Morning-glory," " eye-opener," "wliis- ky-cocktail," " gin-sling," " stone-wall," and the names of a host of other drinks arose in my mind, but were discarded, one after another, as altogether unknown in that barbarous locality; and I be^an to indulge in unavailin^c regrets that I had not learned to speak Choctaw before visiting the country. But at this mo- ment a happy idea presented itself, and I forthwith proceeded to put it into execution. Up to this time the Indian girl had stood resolutely in the middle of the floor, as if prepared to dispute my further advance. I now passed by her, and walked to a table where there was a gourd. Seeing the movement, she sprang to it, and filled it Avith water from a bucket near by, and presented it to me to drink with every expression of kindness. Reader, I must own it was a most eloquent temperance lecture; and, perhaps, had I been alone, I should have made no further attempt to make myself understood; but Johnston was out on the prairie, thoroughly dnmched, while I — well, for my part, I was dri/. Pouring the water back into the bucket, I raised the gourd to my mouth, pretended to take a long drink, then made a wry face, smacked my lips, touched my breast with my fore- finger, and then staggered a little. In an instant I was under- stood. Her black eye sparkled with delight, and she indulged in a merry laugh. Running out into the yard, she spent some time looking up and down as if in fear; then hastily entering the house, she lifted a board in the floor under the table, and drew forth a quart flask nearly fidl of the desired article, and lianded it to me. I produced some money to pay for it, but she put back my hand in an agitated manner, pointed to the path by which I came, and patted her hands together several times has- tily, which I interpreted into "go quick;" so without waiting to retui-n thanks which she could not understand, to her evident satisfaction, I left. That night Ave encamped on Boggy River, Avhich, I believe, divides the lands of the ChoctaAVS and Chickasaws. It is a very considerable stream, Avith broad, i-icli valleys, finely tiuibered. IN TEXAS. 31 The land has been but little improved by labor. It was here that Johnston took it into his head to be "unlawful;" but that was the only difficulty I ever had with him. At Boo^fry Depot Ave saw a great many Choctaws and Chicka- saws assembled to hold a grand council, and, like all political gatherings, it was a mixed crowd. Some Avere gay, some were quiet, some were noisy, and, despite of stringent prohibition, some were drunk, and consequently boisterous. This depot is a great resort for all classes of traders. From Boggy we traveled through a well-timbered country, occupied by the Chickasaws. It is not so mountainous as the Choctaw country, and I do not consider the people nearly so far advanced in civilization as the Choctaws, but far more docile and kind in their manners. We crossed the Red river at Colbert's ferry, when the Colo- nel gave a shout of delight as he once more landed in Texas. My first impressions of the country were not pleasing. For twelve miles our way lay through a country heavily timbered and thickly interlaced with vines. A sandy soil, with, once in a while, a badly-managed farm and shabby log house, did not agree with my preconceived notions of the State; but after hav- ing traveled twelve miles, the landscape began to change. We reached high prairies, covered Avith luxuriant grass, and dotted with highly-cultivated plantations and beautiful groves. Immense herds of cattle were seen in every direction, and although this is not the chief grazing part of the State, there Avere many herds of horses, and flocks of sheep interspersed among the cattle. The soil is black and waxy, and no matter how much the roads are traveled they are never dusty, but become beaten down, like a cake of beesAvax; and this species of soil extends as far south as Austin. We passed through Sherman, a place of great commercial im- portance in Northern Texas, Avhich at that time bid fair to be a large city; and the next place we reached was Dallas, celebrated for its mills which produce the best flour in Texas. The staple of the surrounding country is wheat, the soil being peculiarly 32 AT OUR journey's end. adapted to its culture. JNortbern Texas is settled almost exclu- sively by people from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the West ; and there is consequently more energy displayed in that section than in other portions of the State. We reached Mr. Johnston's house, twelve miles south of Dal- las, and were welcomed by his wife and daughter. They went out on the prairie to examine the stock; and as part of the horses had been represented as belonging to the estate of his wife's first husband, I naturally expected that the lady would recognize some of them, and call them by name, or otherwise particularly designate them ; but to my astonishment she seemed never to have seen any of them before. I now remembered our haste, and the Colonel's unaccountable excitement at times ; and I could not escape the conviction that I had helped to run off a drove of stolen horses. As ray contract was now up, the Colonel pressed me to con- tinue with him ; and his solicitations were cordially seconded by his wife and daughter; but as soon as I had secured a settlement with him, and received my money, I pushed on to Austin, where I expected to find employment as a printer. CHAPTER II. MY FIRST INDIAN CAMPAIGN. My expectations of finding employment as a printer, at Austin, were not realized, and I went back to Bell county, and turned my attention for a while to horse taming ; but it Avas not long before there was found more congenial employment for me. The Kiowa, Comanche, and Kickapoo Indians suddenly began to wage a most relentless and cruel warfare upon the frontier settlements. Their first act of barbarity was committed far down in the country, within a few miles of where I was em- ployed. About the 1st of May, 1859, a small detachment of Comanches appeared on the west side of Bell county, stole some horses, and drove a lance through the body of a little boy about twelve years of age ; the act being done in the presence of an agonized mother, and of sisters frantic with grief and fear. The Indians, after mocking their terrified actions, galloped away, laughing and sneering at their agony. The neighborhood was at once aroused, and a few men went in pursuit ; I, myself, con- stituting one of the party. The savages fled toward the moun- tains, at the head waters of the Colorado river ; and high up on the San Gabriel, we came in sight of them ; and at once the chase became so hot that the Indians " scattered," — always their last strategic resort. We only succeeded in finding one, a gigantic fellow, who had long been known on the frontier, and was recognized by some of the pursuing party, as a famous Ca- manche warrior, called Big Foot. True to his own manhood, he sustained his reputation as a wari'ior to the very last, and ceased to resist only as he fell into the rolling waters of the San Gabriel, pierced with more than a dozen bullets from trusty Texan rifles. His body was swept away by the swift running stream; 34 ES'DIAN Ot'TRAGES. but his rifle, lance, and bow and arrows were captured, and di- vided out among the party as trophies. Big Foot was a giant in size and strength, being about seven feet high, and in all re- spects well proportioned; and his loss must have been severely felt by his tribe. Their next outrage worthy of note, was the capture of two benutiful young ladies, named Whitson, whose persons they brut- ally violated. The ladies were walking home from a neighbor's house, where they had been on a visit, when they were suddenly surrounded by twenty-five savages, who committed the fearful deed already indicated, and then carried them away into a cap- tivity a thousand times worse than death. They lived near Weatherford, on the Brazos river, and after cap- turing them, the Indians carried them far out on the Staked Plains, stripped them, and left them on the open prairie, without a morsel of food, or a drop of water, and far away from any civilized habitation. "When found they were lying beneath a little mesquit bush, locked in each other's arms, and quietly awaiting the approach of death. It was evident that they had been crazed by hunger, thirst, and cruel treatment, as their hands and arms were lacerated, as if they had struggled to tear the flesh from their own limbs. Luckily, we had a skillful surgeon and physician among our party, who immediately set about re- storing them. "We gave them liberally of our clothing and sewed blankets into skirts, so that they were soon as comfortable as could be expected. It was about two hours before sundown when vce discovered them on a high plain, between the waters of the Colorado and the Double Mountain fork of the Brazos ; and I do not think the}- could have survived more than thirty-six hours longer if left to themselves. We started that night and went a short distance, and in the morning began our journey to the settlements in earnest. On the Clear fork of the Brazos the party separated; those of us who belonged down the country taking the route to Gatesville, while the friends and neifrhbors of the girls made haste to restore them to their sorrow-stricken parents and family. It was some MORE INDIAN DEPREDATIONS. 37 time before they were sufficiently recovered to tell us their heart- rending story. Although they expressed their gratitude in the most fervent manner, and their eyes beamed with delight at the prospect of being restored to their home, their features wore a sad expression ; and although we did all in our pov/er to revive their spirits while they were Avith us, they were never seen to smile. This outrage threw the whole frontier into a frenzy of excite- ment, and wherever the story of their wrongs was repeated, it enkindled a blaze of indignation which only the blood of the Comanche could quench. From this time every species of depredation became common. Horses were stolen; cattle shot; men, women, and children murdered, and their residences committed to the flames ; the mangled bodies being thrown within and consumed by the de- vouring element ; and to mnke matters worse, the people v»"ere unfortunately divided in sentiment, relative to which was the guilty tribe. One faction, led by the redoubtable John R. Bay- lor, ascribed the m.urders to the Reserve Indians of Texas ; notwithstanding the fact that these tribes were under the care and supervision of Major Neighbors, a careful, energetic, and strictly honest agent, who had the roll called frequently ; and no warriors were allowed to be absent from either of the two reser- vations without a written permission. Capt. Ross was the recognized leader of the other party, and contended stoutly for the innocence of the Reserve Indians, and alleged that the depredations were committed by the Co- manches. But the fact that Baylor had once been the agent of the upper, or Clear fork Reserves, caused his statements to be believed, and secured him numerous followers. Major Neigh- bors, the agent of the Reserve Indians, denounced him as a liar ; and this was the cause, and the only cause, of Baylor's warlike demonstration. Raising about four hundred men, he marched to the Lower Reserve, vowing vengeance at every step. He was met about a mile from the agency by a small body of 3 60 RANGERS CALLED OUT. Caddoes, Tonchues,* and Wacos, and a skirmish ensued, and Ba}"- lor was handsomely Avhipped, and compelled to retreat toward the Clear fork of the Brazos. His men then soon began to break up in squads, and scatter off — some to go home, others to hunt, while a few of the most daring ones pushed out after the wild Comanches. While these stirring events were transpiring, Governor Run- nellri was not idle. He hastily fitted out a squadron of rangers, under command of Capt. John Henry Brown, an energetic and. courageous man, who had had a wide experience in previous contests with the Indians, and was perfectly familiar with the frontier. This command was mustered at Belton, in Bell county, and left for the Indian country about the middle of June. I enlisted for six months, unless sooner discharged, and I pre- sume the others entered for the same term. Perhaps a description of our appearance Avill interest the reader. Imagine two hundred men dressed in every variety of costume, except the ordinary uniform, armed with double-bar- reled shot-guns, squirrel rifles, and Colt's six shooters, mounted on small, wiry, half wild horses, with Spanish saddles and iMexi- can spurs ; unshaven, unwashed, undisciplined, but brave and gen- erous men, riding pell-mell along roads, over the prairies, and throuo-h the woods, and you will be able to form a correct con- ception of a squad of Texan Rangers on the march. In such a band it is impossible to distinguish officers from privates, as the former have no distinct dress; and all act alike. Usually, we encamped in a hollow square, placing our tents at regular intervals around the outside. The horses were tied to stakes by a forty foot rope, and allowed to graze outside the camp until " retreat," when they were led inside, and the rope shortened. Guards were posted outside the tents, and at some distance off; while the horse guards were inside the square. From Belton, we started in the direction of Gates- ville, going up Cow House creek, and crossing the Owl creek ♦ Pronounced, Tonc-oo-a. ADVENTURE "WITU A. PANTHER. 89 mountains. Encamping on Owl creek, \>'e disposed ourselves for the night, and felt felicitated at the prospect of several hours' rest after a hard day's travel; but our hopes were falla- cious. At about two o'clock in the morning, when all were wrapped in deep slumber — the previous quiet having been perfect — a^o were suddenly aroused by a terrific scream ; the horses surged, and pranced around their stakes, their eyes glittering, and their nostrils distended, while they made the air reverberate with sharp piercing snorts of rage and fear. It became evident that an enemy of no mean pretensions was upon us; and the men, springing to their guns, at once prepared for a defense. For perhaps five minutes the camp was hushed and still ; then again that fearful shriek rang out, and a large panther sprang from a tree almost over the Captain's tent, seized a piece of raw beef, which lay convenient, and was off with his booty so suddenly, that not a shot was fired. The animal was so large and power- ful, that although the beef weighed at least thirty pounds, yet its flight was not in the least impeded. After indulging in a hearty laugh, and numerous speculations as to how the animal passed the guards unobserved, quiet was restored in the camp; and while most of the men ao;ain resigned themselves to slum*- ber, the old hunters gathered in groups around the camp-fires, " spinning yarns," and relating remarkable adventures with " pantcr," " bar," and catamount, till daylight. On the following day we passed through Gatesville, and en- camped on the north side of town. The inhabitants insisted on presenting us with cakes, and pies, in lavish profusion, siniply because, as one old man expressed it, Avhile dealing out a basket full : '• yourc gwine whar you Avont git no more soon." From Gatesville, our route lay through the " Cross Timbers," to the Red fork of the Brazos. VYe hunted deer, wild turkeys, and musk hogs ; fished in the little streams on the route ; had bull- fights at almost every camp ; had horse-races, foot-races, and all sorts of sports ; had plenty to eat and irink ; and, in short, a good time generally. 10 ■\A'ARLIKE PREPARATIONS. About the Stli of July, "we reacbeJ tlie C;uUloe village, ami encamped at a famous chalybeate spring, the waters of v.hich are slightlv tinctured with salt. It was some time before we could reconcile ourselves to the drinking of salt water, but as it was all that was to be had, we were compelled to come to it. After we had pitched our tents, I was detailed with a squad of fifteen, to accompany Captain Brown to the agency, where ho had orders to report. After scrambling over a very high mountain, and getting a horse killed, and a man accidently shot in the leg, we came in sight of the agency, where everything appeared to be in a high state of excitement Captain Ross, the sub-agent, and Captain Plummer, commanding the United States regulars, at the post, had mistaken us for Baylor's men, and had accordingly prepared for a vigorous defense. The Indians Avere mustered in the rear of the regulars, who were drawn up in line, so as to command the approaches to the palisade fort ; while two pieces of artillery, loaded with grape, were placed so as t« sweep the road, by which we Avere approaching, and a small body of cavalry stood prepared to distinguish itself, whenever opportunity oifered. AVe held on the even tenor of our way, until arriving within short pistol range, when the troops were dismissed, and all gathered around us, to know who we were, where we came from, what we were going to do, and Zfow we were going to do it? They were glad to see us, and treated us with every kindness. AVhen Captain Brown explained his business to the Indians, and told them he had orders to whip Baylor off and away from their country, they were so delighted, that the}^ could scarcely find words or means to express their joy. The chiefs of the different tribes crowded around the Captain, followed by their principal warriors, and in their eloquent sign language, and in broken English, expressed their friendship, as manifestly, as the most polished plu-ases could have portrayed it. This was the Lower Reserve — the upper manifesting a different temper. Their head chief, Katampsie, possessed a warlike dis- position. Exceedingly suspicious in all his deal'ngs with the A SCOUT. 41 whites, and crafty as a fox, he was not so easily satisfied of our good intentions. He was at a loss to understand how one por- tion of the people of Texas should want to wage war on him, while another party, claiming to be the troops of the governor, should come professing friendship to the Indians, and hostilities to the white men, who had recently paid him a visit. He knew, find recognized no authority but the United States, and his own free will. When, therefore, he was informed that we Avere ordered to shoot any of his warriors found off the reservation, he regarded us as open enemies, and he himself was the first to set our authority at defiance. After the first interview, we went back to our camp at the Caddoe village. A fcAV days afterward, Lieut. Tob. Carmack, Avith twelve men Avas sent up the Clear fork of the Brazos, Avith orders to scour the river bottom, in every direction, to see that none of the Avild Comanches were lurking in the thick timber along the river — a very dangerous service ; and we had orders not to fire a shot in any emergency, unless at an Indian. After scouting the country a considerable time, we discovered signs of Indians, of a nature to lead us to believe that Ave were in the vicinity of a considerable force of Comanche, or Kiowa warriors. We struck the trail just before night, and conse- quently had but little daylight by Avhich to folloAv it ; and Ave consequently left it, and went down near the river bank to encamp. We tied our horses in a well concealed place, and es- tablished ourselves in a strongly defensive position, by the side of a bluff, on the second bank of the river, and kindled but a single small fire, to favor the guard, Avho had to watch both camps, and horses ; after Avhich Ave laid doAvn to sleep, I came on guard, as the first relief, and Old Sharp as the second ; and I was also to stand the last relief, in place of a young man avIio Avas sick ; so that the guard duty for that night fell exclusively on Old Sharp and myself. Sharp was an experienced hunter and Avoodsman, and had had many an encounter Avi'-h the In- dians. He Avas social and lively, and about forty years of age ; Avell built, Avith dark, keen eyes, black hair, and of swarthy com- 42 REFLECTIONS. plexion, with wiry frame ; he was active and brave, and he re- ceived the name of " Old Sharp,'' not on account of age, but because of his expression and quaint manner. Never was the camp safer from surprise, than when he stood sentineh Time wore on slowly that night, as it is a lonely task to stand guard, in the depths of the trackless forests of the southwest, with no sound reaching the ear, except the twitter of the night bird, the hoot of the owl, the occasional sighing of a tired horse, or the breathing of one's Avearied companions. Perhaps the sentinel, at such a time, may find that his thoughts have left him, and are wandering aAvay amid more pleasant scenes — by chance reveling Avith delighted friends, or lingering around loved ones at home, Avho anxiously await his tardy coming. It is a cruel thing, when one is lost in sweet reverie, to be recalled to a sense of his isolated and dangerous situation, by the melan- choly howl of a Avolf, the agonized screaming of the panther, or, as is often the case, by the muffled sound of moccasined feet, stealing around him. Not unfrequently is the sentinel first made aware of the danger Avhich surrounds him, by the sharp twang of the boAvstring, and the plunging of an arroAv deep into his flesh. I had become Avearied with Avatching on this night, and my mind Avas lost in a dreamy reverie ; I had done my best to pierce the gloom of the forest Avitli my eye, in order to detect the slightest movement ; I had listened to every sound, Avith an eagerness, Avhich those Avho have stood sentinel, and have hail the lives of hundreds of their companions entrusted to their care, can readily comprehend ; I saw around me the sleeping forms of my companions, and felt, and kncAv, that upon my Avatchfulness, and fidelity, depended their safety, and their lives. My time had passed aAvay slowly enough. Not an unAvonted sound had broken in upon the solemn stillness of the night ; and at length, when my time had expired, I Avent to arouse Old Sharp ; but had scarcely touched him, when a loud rattling of rocks at the Avater edije, brought him to his feet instantaneoush'. "What's that?" said he, in a Avhispcr, "Horse loose, I reckon," Avas my reply, in an undertone, and leaving Sharp on guard, I ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAK. 43 slipped down to the river bank, Avhicli was here about eight feet high, and perpendicular. I was advancing rapidly, with my left hand raised before me, to protect my f\ice from overhanging boughs, and my right on the stock of my "Navy Six," when the sound of rattling rocks was repeated, but I failed to detect the hard ring of horses' hoofs, and I therefore at once concluded an Indian was secreted in the vicinity. I was going rapidly tovrard the sound, Avhich, in turn, seemed to approach me, when I suddenly stepped over the bank down on the hard rocks, and found myself confronted by a full grown black bear ; indeed, I had almost fallen on his head. I sprang to my feet without delay, and drew my pistol as quickly as possible, but it was too late. Just as I regained my feet, the bear reared upon his hind legs, bellowed piteously with fright, almost turned a back summersault, and then fled precipi- tately across the shoal, and into the thickets on the opposite bank of the river. Returning to Sharp, he wanted to know what the " row " was, and I informed him that it was a bear that had made the noise. "Yes, yes," he replied, "but I allowed you had knifed the 'cuss,' from the way he ' bellered.' " This was the first time I thought of my knife, though I then carried a splendid Bowie knife in my belt. The bear had awaked some of the men by his bel- lowing, but as soon as they discovered that no harm had been done, and that the "varmint"' had made his escape, they lazily rolled themselves up in their blankets and slept again. Sharp was fully aroused by this little incident, but was not at all pleased that I had suffered the "bar" to escape. "You had oughter have knifed him," he insisted ; but I was satisfied to let the bear off with Uncle Toby's address to the fly: "go, poor devil, the world is big enough for me and thee." Old Sharp now seated himself on the ranger's chair, that is, an inverted saddle, and I took a seat beside him, to see what would turn up next, or if our nocturnal friend would pay us an- other visit. The little affair at once roused in Old Sharp's mind the recollection of many a scene, and hair-breadth escape, and 44 DANGER HERE. lie went on to relate several adventures of his own, with "bar;" our conversation, of course, being carried on in a whisper ; and he concluded his narratives with : " but la, hoy, the bars a'in't savage in this country like ' they are furder north ; they git plenty to eat in the southern country, but furder north, 'specially in the winter season, when pressed with hunger, they git terri- bly severe." By the time he had concluded his stories, I was too sleepy to continue the confab, so I picked out a good place by the side of an old log, where there were plenty of dry leaves, for a bed, and laid down to sleep, although I was some distance from the re- mainder of the party. I had been asleep some time, when I felt a sense of closeness or Avarmness, and woke up ; and judge my surprise on finding myself entirely covered up with the leaves, and I felt Sharp's hand upon me, at the same moment. " Come, my boy," said he, " there is danger here." In an instant I was on my feet, rifle in hand, ready for any emergency. "Injuns?" I asked. "Look thar," said he, pointing to a dark object, slowly re- treating into the shadows of the timber. Instantly I brought my rifle to bear upon it, when Sharp laid his hand on my shoulder, saying, in a whisper, " Stop, boy, thar's Injuns about, and ye musn't shoot." At this moment, the animal turned around, and came back a few paces toward us, stopped with one fore foot partially raised, and glared upon us in an apparently mingled rage and astonish- ment. Sharp only tightened his grip on my shoulder, and whispered : " Look him right straight in the eyes, boy." Instinctively I did as I was ordered ; never moving a muscle, but gazing straight into those two great, fiery eyeballs. "We stood thus for perhaps twenty seconds, when the animal, putting its foot softly to the ground, stepped half a dozen paces toward us, and stooped upon its hinder legs for a moment, while its tail moved gracefully to and fro. It eyed us thus for perhaps five seconds, then turned itself and airain retreated into the INDIANS DISCOVERED. 45 depths of the forest, looking back as it ^vent, until it got a con- siderable distance from us, when it uttered a scream so loud and shrill, that it echoed through the woods like the shriek of a ter- rified woman, except that it was louder than the human voice. It v.-as a panther of the largest size ; and as it disappeared. Old Sharp relaxed his grasp upon my shoulder, saying slowly : " I thought that varmint war about to give us some trouble. Pick up your blanket, boy, and come up where we kin see the horses, thar's danger here ; thar's Injuns in these woods. I've bin oneasy for some time ; wake up t'other chap if you're sleepy, we must have two men out at onct." I declined, however, to awaken the sick man, who, though an agreeable companion and a good soldier, was in too feeble health to endure the fatigues of so rugged a service. I then informed Sharp that I was willing to stand with him till morning; and from that time till daylight nothing occurred to further disturb the camp. Early next morning Ave dispatched our breakfast, mounted our horses and again struck out on the trail, keeping a good lookout for Indians. It was scarcely half an hour after sunrise when we descried a faint smoke curling up through the timber on the river bottoms, but apparently not in the direction in-which Ave ■were traveling. Leaving the trail, we moved directly toward the smoke at a charge; and as Ave entered the timber, Ave could see ten or a dozen Indians spring up from the ground, rifles in hand, the whole party scampering off toward a thicket some distance aAvay. There was no chance to cut them off from the thicket before they could enter it ; but Ave kept up the charge until Ave had come within two hundred yards of it, A\'hen we received a pretty well-directed volley from behind the bushes. We then hastened to surround the thicket as quickly as possible ; but while Ave Avere doing this, the savages mounted their horses, and charged out upon and over us, I might almost say, for Ave had deployed too far to be able to rally in time to prevent it. Lieut. Carmack rallied his men and made preparations for a pursuit. We had discharged a portion of our yagers and pistols 46 EXTRACTING AN ARROAY. in the melee, which had to be reloaded ; and one of our men had received a wound in the arm from an arrow, and two horses had been hurt in the charge. It was a short job to extract the ar- rows from the horses, though thej fought and kicked frantically; but not so with the man. Carmack tried to pull the arrow out, but it was no go. Next Sharp proposed to try it ; he had had some experience in such matters, having been wounded more than once with arrows in his time. Opening his hands, he took the arrow between his palms and began rolling and lifting it, at the same time. The wounded man whose name was Williams, sat still on a log and endured the torture heroically. It lasted a full minute — this rolling and twisting — before the dull arrow had cut its way out of the flesh. His success so elated Sharp, that he held it up triumphantly, saying : " Thar, now, I told you so ; ef ^-ou'd a pulled ogin on that arrer, you'd a did the business for that arm. Do you see that?'* he continued, pointing to where the arrow was bent against the bone ; " now the wonder is, that the spike hadn't a come out the fust pull you made." Hastily bandaging Williams' arm, we mounted and commenced the pursuit. The Indians had headed directly for the Upper Resetve, now about twelve miles distant. We pursued till we were satisfied they belonged to Katampsie's band of Reserve Comanches, when turning, w"e struck out on our return to the Caddoe village. While passing through the settlements we W'cre informed of a great many petty outrages committed by both Reserves, since their fight with Baylor's party. At one place they had robbed a man's dwelling ; at another, thrown down the fences, and rode through and trampled down whole fields of corn ; one man had been robbed of a fine mare; several watermelon patches had been plundered ; and in one of the last-named oiienses, we chanced to catch a party; but they mounted their horses and were quickly off. Not content with what they could eat, each man had some sort of a sack, and some of them, two or three, all filled with melons. As they fled we closed in on them at a charge, but our horses were tired. A CHASE. 47 and no match for their fresh ponies. "When the pursuit -was at its hight, they hastily cut their sacks loose from their saddles and dropped them on the trail. Not desiring to provoke hostilities "with the Lower Reserve, to ■which these Indians belonged, "we did not fire upon them ; nor did they attempt to fire upon us. They perfectly umler- stood our orders ^vhenever found oif their Reserves ; but they evidently did not fear us much, for when they were high up on the mountain, one of them turned in his saddle and shouted back : "White man's hoss no good; Injun's boss heap good: white man no catch um. You go home; hoss heap sick; me see um." Then, with a loud laugh, he pressed on with his companions. Carmack did not fancy following them into the mountain, for there were at least thirty of them ; and they would have been more than a match for us, if they assumed a hostile attitude. We dismounted here and helped ourselves to the captured mel- ons and encamped near b}^ for the night. We procured miik from the settlers in the vicinity ; and the women brought us warm bread, fresh butter, etc., which proved a great treat, as we had been living for some days on meat alone. On the following day we rode back to the Caddoe village and once more found everything in excitement ; the cause being a report to the effect that the wild Comanches had come down on the Lower Reserve and stolen seventy-five head of horses, and then made good their escape. Captain Brown, with as many of his men as could be spared, and a large force of regulars and friendly Indians, were soon on the trail, while a party of us that were left, had nothing to do but to rest ourselves and horses until they returned. About the first of August, Captain Brown sent Captain Know- lin to the fork, with similar orders given to Lieut. Carmack, viz : to fire on any of Katampsie's band who might be found off" their reservation. We had the usual amount of sport all the way up the Brazos, killing deer, turkeys and antelope in abundance, together with a venerable bear, so old she was nearly toothless. 48 INDIAN FIGHT. Wc saw 110 Indian signs until y\-e got -svitbin about three miles of the Reserve line on the east, -when ^ye -were suddenly attacked ■while at dinner, by about ninety Conianches. Our horses Avere concealed in a thicket near by, and -were not discovered by the Indians at all, or it 'U'ould have been impossible for us to have saved them. We were seated round in a rinor with our smokingr mess pans filled wuth stewed venison, in the center, Avhen we were suddenly startled by the long, fierce war-hoop, and look- ing up, we saw a large party of Comanches in full war paint and costume, each with every feather that his vanity, or the custom of his tribe would prompt or allow him to wear, streaming in the wind, while their horses were literally bedizzened with paint and silver plate. The warriors' shields and clothing were like- wise spangled all over with silver; but we had no time to enjoy this splendid array of barbaric pomp, although it was one pos- sessed of fearful interest to us. "When we first discovered them they were under full headway, coming around a point of timber; and the next instant they came down upon us at a charge. We had barely time to seize our rifles, which were l^nng beside us, and spring to the side of a house near by, when they sent a shower of arrows among us. We delivered a hasty but Avell directed volley as we ran, and emptied seven of their saddles. Staggered and annoyed at resistance from so small a party, they circled away to a safe distance, reformed and charged down upon us again ; this time sweeping around us in a complete circle and getting between us and our horses. But their arrows flew among us harmlessly, while five more of the assailants fell from our well directed fire. But they were not yet defeated, and returned upon us a third time. We were then ordered to aim at their horses, and I think the bullet of every man must have taken efl'cct, and some must have got two shots, for we killed fifteen horses, and there were but thirteen of us in our part3^ The Indians now circled away out of sight, around the point of timber where we had first observed them, and did not return. Presently we saw a runner start for the village at full speed, FIGHT THEM. 49 and in about half an hour we could see squaws and boys carry- ing guns and shot pouches to the Indians in the timber. Seeing this the Lieutenant inquired : "What do you say, boys, shall we fight with them?" "Fiffht them," was the answer on all sides. We had a hope of being relieved by the regulars from Camp Cooper, and this, with our recent success, made us confident of victory. By this time we could see the Indians filing around the point of timber and approaching us on foot, in the fullest confi- dence. They moved on toward us until nearly within rifle range, when they went down into a deep ravine, which ran nearly in a half circle around the house, and about one hundred and eighty yards distant from it. It was evident from their deliberate move- ments, that they intended to make sure work of it this time, even if it was slow. For my part, I could almost feel the scalp slip on my head. The savages followed down the ravine and were soon within short range, and began to peep over the bank at us. We kept a close watch but did not fire a gun, for we were expecting a charge. We kept ourselves well sheltered by the corners of the house, while the Indians hugged the bank. Presently the report of a rifle was heard in the ravine, which was followed by a volley, almost as well delivered as if fired by disciplined soldiers. Then was heard the war-whoop, and the fire became general, but irregular — each man loading and shoot- in o- as fast as possible. We only discharged our rifles when we saw a sure mark, always taking care that not more than two or three pieces were fired at a time, holding our loaded guns and pistols ready to receive a charge; but it did not come, and the Indians, after keeping up a desultory firing for an hour and a half, struck out for their village, carrying with them their dead and wounded. It was apparent that they had been expecting us, their horses being ornamented and feathered with great care. Their own faces were also elaborately painted, and they were decked out in their most fanciful war dress. After they dismounted they fought us with Mississippi rifles ; and, as evidence of the skill 50 REI^'FORCEME^^TS se^:t for. with which they Avere handled, it is only necessary to state that over fourteen hundred bullets struck the house, and perhaps as many rcore whistled disagreeably near to it. As there were no loop holes in the house, we were compelled to fight around the corners, which prevented us from doing as much execution as we otherwise Avould have done; but with all this, the savages were severely punished, as we counted eighteen litters taking off dead and wounded, and found, beside, three corpses which they had been unable to carry away. As soon as they commenced leaving we began to fear they would be reinforced and return, and we immediately dispatched a young man named Gus Sublett, for the Caddoe village for more men. He was a manly fellow, and would do as he promised — go ihrovgh or die! We immediately began to put the house in a good state of defense, cutting loop holes on every side, and covering the roof with raw hides, to prevent it from being fired by burning arrows. We had two men badly wounded who claimed considerable attention, as they suffered severely; one of them, Patrick O'Brien, having received a ball in his hip, and the other, whose name was Terry, had been shot in the calf of the leg. After tvrenty-eight hours our reinforcements arrived, when we felt a perfect ability to hold our own; but we were not attacked; the Indians remaining on the Reserve Avithout any further admo- nitions. I do not know that the savages Avould have left off where they did, had it not been for the intervention of Major Liepcr, their agent, who appeared on the ground just after the fight was over; and, on our promise to cease firing, rode over and had a pow wow with Katampsie, in which the latter ex- pressed a willingness to " quit and call it even," provided we would do the same; but Captain Knowlin insisted that Katampsie should give us six sacks of flour and two hundred pounds of bacon, as "blood money;" and to this he agreed, but refused to let more than three of our men go into his village after it. The Indians then gathered up their fallen braves and returned in sullen silence to their village; but that silence Avas not long BLOODMONEY.^ 51 maintained, for their women speedily began to " howl" the dead. This is a regular ceremony among them, at which, in addition to outbursts of grief and exclamations of sorrow from relatives and friends of the deceased, all the old crones of the tribe join in howling over the remains, xin Indian " wake" is a noisy con- cern — especially if the deceased is a man of note. A Avife crops her hair off, even around her neck, and scarifies her breasts, arms, and thighs, as a token of mourning for her husband ; and a daughter undergoes similar manipulations on the death of her father. The scarifying knife is fixed in the end of a stick, so as to guage the cut to a certain depth, generally well through the skin, in order to form a tolerably broad scar. Although the process is a severe one, they not only readily endure it, but use the knife on themselves. On the day following the fight Sterling White, Sublett, and myself went into the villnge after our "blood money." When Katampsie saw us coming he sprang to his feet, vowing ven- geance. The old fellow had several squavrs about his tent, who, I suppose were his wives, as they all seized hold of him and held him tightly as soon as they saw us prepare to defend ourselves. The chief raved and tore, jumped up and down, and cursed us in Spanish, finally worrying the women down till they were obliged to turn him loose; when, instead of carrying out his threats, he quietly sat down on a dilapidated cracker box, folded his arms across his breast, and appeared for some time lost in meditation. Again we pressed our demand, when he arose, and in com- pany with some of his leading warriors, went with us to Major Lieper, and requested him to fill our requisition from the gov- ernment stores, which was promptly done, and we left the inhos- pitable village for camp, well satisfied that Katampsie's warriors were not inclined to back their chief in his hostile intentions toward the whites. A small force was left to patrol the country up and down, to see that the Indians obeyed orders, while the remainder of our party returned to the camp at the Caddoe village. The men at the upper agency were left under charge of Captain Knowlin, 52 LONELY JOURNEY. while Captain Bro-wn, ■s\itli the main force, Avent down the country to guard the more exposed settlements. While we were near the Caddoe village, a reliable citizen came into our camp and reported having seen a considerable force of Indians on Rock creek, a little over twenty miles distant. Judg- ing- from the intelligence received as to the number of warriors, Captain Brown thought it prudent to prepare for a defense of "his camp rather than to start in pursuit. ^Ye were out of ammu- nition ; and to procure a supply, it was necessary for some one to go to Belknap, twenty-two miles distant, and it fell to my lot to be the messenger. It was by no means a pleasant task, partly because the weather was exceedingly hot, but especially because all the Indians in that region had come to look upon the Rangers as enemies. I passed through the agency, and as long as I was near the regulars I felt perfectly safe; but was a little doubtful as to personal safety outside of their jurisdiction. About half way between the agency and Belknap, in going around a short turn in the road, I met sixteen warriors riding along at a walk. Instantly the foremost of them strung their bows and unslung their quivers; but I rode deliberately and boldly up, till within the length of a lance of them, when one of them made signs for me to stop, which I did. Four of them tried to ride behind me, but having seen them string their bows, I refused to let them pass; at the same time throwing my horse around so that a gigantic forest tree covered my back. They affected not to understand me, when I drew my pistol from my belt, and said to them in Mexican, '■'■parreti, amigos .'" '^ and immediately they stopped, with a cunning laugh, and turned to their chief, as if awaiting orders. The Chief, whose name I learned was Placido, and who v.as afterward my firm friend, seemed to regard me with suspicion. Eyeing me from head to foot, he asked me some questions in his own tongue ; but I told him I did not understand him ; but he went on, delivering a lengthy discourse, still speaking in Indian ; and seemed to re- * "Stop, friends." .^..||v^ry^^i A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. 55 gard me "vvith an air that said, "I know very well what I am saying, and you must understand it." I now said in Mexican — "«o enfiende" — I don't understand. He then looked at me, for some time, and inquired my name, speaking in Mexican, and I told him my patronimic. He then accused me of being a Texan and an enemy. I understood him now perfectly ; his eyes fairly blazed with malicious an- ger, as I deliberately eyed him from head to foot. I began to think it was a mixed case as to whether or not I passed further inspection. The savages stood around me, in a half circle, seemingly determined to know, for certain, all about me ; and at the same time, the lack of a medium to convey ideas, ren- dered our situation peculiarly embarrassing, particularly as they had already begun to show unmistakable signs of hostility. They held a short consultation in their own tongue, after which the Chief again asked me my name, speaking in Mexican. I again favored him with it, but it was evidently not the informa- tion he sought ; and he hesitated a moment as if to recall some forgotten word, when he said : "Donde vienne usted ?" (where do you come from ?) Without hesitation, I answered, "From Fort Arbuckle." "Por donde vamos ?" (where are you going ?) he continued. "To Fort Belknap," was my answer. "Que quiere alia?" he persisted in inquiring. I told him I had a "big letter" for Captain Thompson, from Captain Plummer, and that I was a United States soldier, and not a Texan ; and that I was friendly to them so long as they were friendly to the United States soldiers ; and this being de- livered in a very earnest manner, and tolerable lingo, made some impression ; for, pointing to my drawn pistol, he indicated a desire to have it returned to its scabbard. I pointed to their bows, and intimated that I wanted them returned to their quivers. They looked at one another, and laughed, and then unstrung their bows, while I, at the same time, put my pistol in my belt. After expressing great love for the United States soldiers, and undying hatred to all Texans, they bid me "Adios," and 4 56 HORRID DEPRAVITY. galloped away ; not, however, until they had bantered me for a horse race and a horse "swap." I watched them till they had disappeared, and then resumed my journey. I got through all right, and with my ammunition and carts, returned to Caddoe Tillage. On my way back, I heard most piercing cries of pain, near an Indian camp ; and as it was quite dark, I approached as nearly as possible, in order to discover whence it proceeded. Riding cautiously, and keeping on soft ground, I approached within one hundred and fifty yards of a large fire, from which the shrieks appeared to emanate, when I discovered about forty warriors in a circle around a tree to which a prisoner was tied. From his appearance, I took him to be a Comanche ; and his captors were trying his manhood by threshing him with a raw-hide rope. Bis sufferings were excruciating ; and, the crackling fire was built so as to throw out a strong heat on his lacerated back. He was greatly exhausted when I saw him, and he was not bearing him- self with that stoicism which the Indian is supposed to possess. He was probably put to death that night. His captors were ex- ceedingly grave, and quiet, during the short time I watched them ; not one moving from his place except the one who ap- plied the lash. The victim had probably ventured too far, while following the avocation of a Comanche warrior, viz. : horse sterling, and had fallen into the hands of the Philistines, who, although they them- selves might not set a better example, were determined to con- vince the unlucky one that it was a great crime to be caught. Fearing that, if discovered, I might become more than a disinter- ested spectator of the scene, and not relishing the idea of as- sisting the prisoner in playing his particular role, I rode away as quietly as I approached, and put out for our camp, in a hur- ry. Residents of a civilized country will find it difficult to believe that I witnessed this scene within three miles of the agency, and tluit the actors were Delawares, who have been for years under the supervision of the United States authorities ; yet the statement is as true as it is lamentable. C H A P T E R III MOKE ADVENTURE — MUSTERED OUT. The people on the frontier became daily more and more in- censed against the Indians ; and although they knew the govern- ment intended to remove them at the earliest practicable mo- ment, to the head waters of the False Washita river, it required the utmost vigilance to keep citizens off the Reserves and the Indians on them. At length the preparations for the removal were complete, and on the loth of August, 1859, the march to the Washita agency began. The alTiiir was superintended ex- clusively by United States troops, under command of Major Geo. 11. Thomas, now Major General Thomas, who managed matters in an able manner, and gave complete satisfaction to the people of the frontier. Every warrior was compelled to be present and answer to his name, at roll call, in the same manner as the regular soldiers ; and in this Avay, very few had an opportunity to drop out and lay back, to wreak private vengeance on the settlers ; nevertheless, fearing that some might escape the vig- ilance of the regulars, we had orders to follow up, and arrest or kill any Indian found straggling more than three miles to the rear of the column. We had but little to do except e.xercise vigilance. One adventure, however, shows the partiality of the Indian for horse-flesh. We discovered a party of horsemen, one day, at a distance from us, and near the west bank of the Trin- ity river. We Avere on rising ground, and they had not dis- covered us, and we therefore hastily withdrew and took down the river under cover of the timber, directly toward them ; they were on one side of the river and we on the other. There Avcre ten or a dozen of them, and were apparently leading more horses than they were riding. We rode on till within about a mile of the party, when we could plainly discern that they were 58 A PURSUIT. Indians, and immediately we gave chase. Our horses were put to their best speed, and we rapidly gained on the savages. One by one their led horses were turned loose, while the "quirt"'^ was mercilessly used to those they were riding. Soon their baggage was cut loose and left on the trail to facilitate their escape ; and after this the Indians made much better time, and it became, for a while, about an even race, we neither gaining nqr losing any- thing ; when at length the Indians began to scatter, with a view to keeping out of our way till night, when they hoped to escape. Two of their horses were evidently badly wearied, and were rapidly "giving out;" and, therefore, Jack Anderson and myself singled them out and followed them, till they abandoned the animals, which they did in the mouth of the rocky gorge which led up into a mountain. The savages were about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, and consequently when we reached the spot, they were already far up the side of the mountain, which was almost inaccessible; and seeing thit it would be impossible to overtake them, we caught the abandoned horses and started for our rendezvous on the Little AYashita river. "We were much wearied, having run our horses, as Ave afterward discovered, about thirty-two miles. AVe had a rough time finding our way through a strange country to an unknown place during the ni