YALE UNIVERSrrY
LIBBAPY

^'.fffl..- •.•-.'.

ROSS- FAMOUS FIGHT WITH COMANCHE CHIEF. BIG FOOT

Border Wars of Texas

Beingr an Authentic and Popular Account, in Chronological
Order, of the Long and Bitter Conflict waged Between
Savage Indian Tribes and the Pioneer
Settlers of Texas.

Wresting of a Fair Land From Savage Rule
A Red Record of Fierce Strife
Profusely Illustrated with Spirited; Battle ScenesJ by Spe
cial Aitists.--^ Rare Portraits of Famous Rangers,
Indian Pighters.'and Pioneers.^apsj Etc.

By
JAMES T. DE SHIELDS
Member Texas Historical Association
Author of "Frontier Sketches," "Texas Border Tales,"
" Cynthia Ann Parker, the Story of Her Capture," "Life
of Jack Hays." "Stephen PuUer Austin," "Sam Hous
ton and Texas," "Siege of the Alamo," Etc.

MATT BRADLEY
Revising Editor and Publisher.

i9ia
THE HERAl-O COMPANY
TIOGA. TEXAS

Copyrighted 1912
By MATT BRADLEY, TIOGA, TEXAS

DEDICATED TO
The Sons and Dau^ters of Those Noble Pioneer
Fathers and Mothers
Who, boldly entering the savage-infested
wilderness, battled so bravely for supremacy;
and which finally obtaining, made possible all
the glorious blessings that have foUowed.
Dangers and hardships they endured, the in
estimable heritage bequeathed, we now enjoy.
All honor to the pioneers of Texas, than whom
there were none more courageous and in
domitable. THE AUTHOR.

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FOREWORD

The present volume is tbe progressed! efforts of tbe au
thor's long cherishied design to prepare a popular and.' reli
able narrative of border warfare and Texas frontier history,
no satisfactory acoount in coniUected form havingi ever be
fore appeared; indeed it is the first serious attempt ia that
dire-ction, and the author's purpose ¦will have been accom
plished if it shculdi prove of value and be handed down to
posterity with increasing interest to each generation, which
is but natural as we recede further and further from that
dark era of fearful strife so long waged between the red
men and their white conquerors.
Let the reader remember that this work has' been put
forth and executed' through great dabor andi painstaking re
search for data, and' a judieiou-s sifting o^f the wheat from
the chaff, that the story might coiaf orm to truth, andi thus
possess a positive value, a mine of historical "wealth which
wiU prove the most wholesome of mental pabulum ; though
the story be toldi with lack of facilenessi; "vsdth more regard
for esactness of statement than ornateiniess of style or
grandiloquence. The complete story in all its thrilling details will never
be told, from the lack of reliable data and) because of the
vastness of such an undertaking — as so fittingly expressed
by the "versatile J. H. Beadle, as he crossed) Red! River into
Texas on his tour of the ""Western WildB":
"Here wei enter thef lamd off border romance. Hence to
the Rio Orande southwest, and to the Rocky Ridge west and

6 FOREWORD
northwest, every grove, canyon and valley has been' t ©
scene of some romaaitie and' daring incident,- but should I 3-t-
tempt to repeat all that are told here, the/ world' itself, to
borrow a simile from Scripture, would) not contain the books
that should be written."
Very properly the narrative opens with thei arrival of
the first American settlers within the game preserves of the
native and ferocious Caranehua tribe — the present volume
chronicling the bitter strife down through the colonial and
revolutionary periods, and' closing with the last days of the
Texas Republic ; a second! volume covering the era* of state
hood and efadiag with the last confiict between red and
white men am Texasr soil, iu comparatively recent years.
Along this line our State's history has beemi sadly defi
cient, and tradition only has preserved much of deep inter
est for the pen of the faithful historian. The present work,
however, dioes not aspire to the dignity of a State's history,
but rather as an urn in which are gathered the fragments,
sifted, and shorn of fiction; and which may serve the con
scientious and capable historian to weave a more complete
chronicle of a matchlesa and incomparable history.
For more than a third of a century the writer has util
ized his spare momentsi in the ,gathering olf materiaJs for
this work; narratives of Indian hostilities to the early set
tlers andi subsequently agaiast the frontier settlers; verify
ing reponts of engagemejnts hy imterviews with many of the
actors aitad eye witnesses' olf the actions and events related,
aind by untiring and "voluminous correspojidience with oth
ers ajad with those besit informed on thei early htistory of
settlements and affairs of the frontier; of course carefully
consulting all published histories, and especially files of
our early newspapers — the most profitable source of all —
no effoir»ts having been spared in aaiy direction to attaia a
completeness of facts, and' henee I may confideaitly say that
JMO other history has been writtein that has been so carefully
collated from original sources of information upon the
subject to) which it relates, aud I mighrt;, pea-haps, also say
that none "will ever be. The early selttlera are not cmly

FOREWORD 7
passing away, bub have passed. The recoll.?ctic;cs of the
few who remain can add but little, edlther of narrative or
correction, to the defective rtecord as a whole, of Indian
hostilities. Historians have oftem. regretted that .the reader cajQ be
but imperfiectly introduced to the private and domestic life
of the peoiple. Th« dignity of coujaeils, the parade of camp;j
find) armies, preveat tbe histtoriiua from attempting the
"short and simple armals of the poor." The history of lu-
diani hostilities, in some mciasure iacidentally supplies this
defect, affording a glimpse of the people as they were, viv
id) and faithful as a photograph.
I can aay that the impao-tial truth of history has been
strictly adhered ito in the pajges now befoire tbe reader.
Of whatever value o!r dmportanioe this history may be to
present or future times, the evemts which it relates afe, and
always will be, the beginning af Texas history. The Inidianfi
will always appeaar in the opeming ohiapters, aadl fcheiar "wild,
uinieouth figures will be defined on the hocizion to which at
tention will be first directed, while theiir opposers and final
conquerors, the equally oouirageous and daiim,tlesa piomears
and border troopers will stride boldly iorth in the gireat pa
geant atnd mingle freely in every paige of the fiery and
bloiod-^ekiaig border history.
The soeflDes here recounted, the deieds of prowess, aclis of
heipoism, tales of iadv«.nituire, cruel sufferings and harnowing
events portrayed, will never again, be enacted; there i£me no
more f rontiera to be defended, the day and usefulness of thie
piotneeor is past; the Indian, as a foe, is forever gone; there
will uever be more border wars. JAMES T. DeiSFTEIiDS.
Sam Marcos, Teaas, October, 1912.

Editor's Note

In presenting this volume of Texas Bonder History
to the public, the editor does so with positive faith and con
fidence in the author's ability, comnage amd strict adher-
enice to the truth. As a Texas historian/ hisi works are ac
cepted as authority by tihe best edoicators of the lamd; while
his unflimchinig retgard for authenticated facts, iiQ the facie of
popular bat fictitious traditions, is unquestioned. His selec
tion, over anainy competitors, by the Alamo Heroes' Monu
ment Association, to write the "Story of ,th© Siege of the
Alaano", shows the omdoubted merit of his writings on nota
ble Texas e"vients, amd gives added weight to this "woirk.
While .the labor of thei e ditor has been stupendous amd
long comtinraed, he feels that the cnesults attained more tham
compensates the arduous .toil.
He sends forth this volume with much confidence that it
"will fill a long felt want in Texas history.
MATT BRADLEY, Tiogia, Texas.
November, 1912.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER L
1819-23— Early Conditions— First Fight — Austin's In
fant Colony — SkuiU Creek Encounters — Horse Thieves — ^The
Famous Canoe Fight — ^Fight 'in tb.e Cane BraJie — Austin
Leads Expedition Against Caranchuas — ^Last of the Caran-
chuas. CHAPTER n.
1824-25 — Caranehua Depredations — ^Early Trials of De-
Witt's Colonists — Edwards' Colony and the Fredonian War
— ^Austin's Letter — ^Rebellion Ends.
CHAPTER IH.
1826-29— Hostility of Wild Tribes— War Againt Them—
Fight) Near Old Cabiai — The San Saba Expedition — ^Early
Border Chiefs — Abner Kuykendall — ^H'enry S. Brown— Mur
der of Elijah Roark. CHAPTER IV.
1830 — Inteimal Affairsi — Wacos and Cherokcies Fight
— Cherokee and Tehuacana Fight — Sundry Engagements —
1831— Bowie's Famous Figlit.
CHAPTER V.
1832 — Sha"wnees and Comanches — ^Battle of Vdasco —
Ad La'wrence 's Leap. CHAPTER VI.
1833 — ^Lxtemal Matters — Memorial to Congress — Scalp
ing of Wilbarger — Other Depredations — Madden Massacre.

10 CONTENTS
OEIAPTER VIL
1S34— Summary of Internal and Other Events— Murder
of Judge Gabriel N. Martin— Corrected' History of Event—
Recovetry of Son^ — ^Frooitier Troubles.
CHAPTER Vin.
1835— Massacre of tflie Traders— Fight on the San Mar
cos—Battle on the Blanco— Murder of Canomar— Routing of
Keechis — Coleman, 's Fight— Moore's Expedition — Heroic
Defense of the Taylor Family- Trials of Early Emigrants
—Murder of the Rancheros— Fate of Peter Mercer— Other
Encounters. CHAPTER IX.
1836— Birth of the Lone Star Republic— Failure of
Beale 's Colony— The Sad Sequel-^Iurder of the Douglas
and Daugherty Families — ^Pioneer Tim'es in. Robertson's
Colony — ^Killing of Crouch and Davidson — Capt. HiU 's Scrap
' — Murder attdl Capture of the McLennan s — ^FaU of Parker's
Fort — ^Cynthia Ann, Painker and John Parker — Chief Quanah
Parker-Death of McSheory and Stirmett — ^KiUing of Hib-
bins and Creath — The Harvey Massacre — Capture of Mrs.
Yeargin and Childrem — Fate of the Reeds — ^Killing) of Ed
wards — ^Troubles in the Hornsby Settlement — ^Davidson Let
ter. CHAPTER X.
1837 — ^Internal Affairs — ^Murder of Goteher Family^-
Capture of Mrs. Crawford and three Children — ^Lieut. Wren's
Fight — Murder of Congnessman Robinson and' Brother — ^Lit
tle River Fort— Erath's Famous Fight — ^KUling of the Fatd-
kenburys and Anderson — ^Death of James CoryeU — Capture
of Warren Lyons — Indians Ambush Three Settlers — The
"Stone House" Fight— Mur'der of Kellough Families— KiU
ing of McCuUom and' Capt. Rogers — Post Oak Springs Mas
sacre — Gen. John B. Hood's BriUiant Victory.
CHAPTER XI.
1838 — Progress and Prosperily— Treaties "with the In
dians — ^Battle Creek Fight — Other Surveying Expeditions —
Pioneer Mothers of Texas — ^Early Daya of Bastrop — Captain

CONTENTS 11
Harvey's Adventure — B[arnes' Famous Fight — Capture of Ma
tilda Lockhart and the Putnam ChiLdren — Incidents Around
San Antonio — ^Beginniiig of Cordova's RebeUion — ^Defeat of
the Kickapoos— Routing the Comanches — ^Lamar's Reign.
CHAPTER XIL
1839 — The Morgan Massacre — Attack om Marlin's House
— ^Bryant's Fight and Defeat— Pate of the Websters — ^Bird
Creek Battle — Col. Moore's San Saba Fight— Murder of G&p-
tain Coleman. 's Family — ^The Cordova Rebellion — ^Expulsion
of the Cherokees — Rights of the Cherokees — ^Locating the
Capital at Austin — Capt. Howard's Skirmish — ^Death of "The
Bowl" and "The Egg". CHAPTER Xm.
1840 — ^Famous Couucil House Fight — The Great Coman
che Raid — Sacking of LinviUe and Victoria — ^Battle at Plum
Creek — Huston's Official Report — ^Attack om Kinney's Fort
— Jack Hays Fights War Party — Captain Erath's Servieesr—
Beginning of San Marcos — Moore's Great Victory — ^Indian
Troubles Along Redl River — ^Fate of a Pioneer FamUy — Oth
er Tragedies — Saving Osborne's Scalp.
CHAPTER XIV.
1841 — ^Internal Affairs — ^Indiatb Hostilities — Official Re
ports of Border Doings — ^Ben McCuUough Routs Indians —
Services of Chandler's Rangers — Bird's Fort — Gen. Tarrant's
Expedition — Village Creek Fight — Death of Denton — Other
Expeditions Against Indians^ — ^The Santa Fe Expedition —
Battle im Canon De Uvalde — ^Border Banditti — Capt. Erath's
Fight — ^Death of Major Heard.
CHAPTER XV.
1842-45— Peace oar War — ^Houston's Indian Talks—Hous
ton's Indiam Pow Wow — ^Houston's Indian Treaty — ^Death of
Chief Big Foot- Tbe Hand! to Hand Strnggleh—Fate of thc
Gilleland Family — Story of the Heroine — ^Last Raid into An
derson County — Capture of the Simpson Children— Murder
of Capt. Kemper — ^Thie Later Colonies — The Republic of Tex
as la No More— The End.

IIXUSTKATIONS
Ross' Fightlwith Chief Big Foot— Frontispiece  _  Facing Page
TheAuthor and the Editor  5
Long's Fight on Galveston Island    „   16
*'0 Lord Mary Ann's A Widow," and "Gone to Burnham' s.'    17
The Canoa Fightand Fate of the Bee Tree Hunters       32
The Lurking Foe and "Take it D  n You"    33
Stephen F. Austin  _       48
Sam Houston  _  _  _   49
Mirabeau B. Lamar.   _  _  _  _  _  — 64
Albert Sidney Johnston   _  _  _  _   66
Wallace, Williams, Fosterland Moses Austin      - 80
Tyler. Harrey, Davidson and Henderson   .-    -  81
Bowie'sFaraous Fight    „  88
James and Sezin P. Bowie  _  -  89
Lane. Anglin, Edwards and Robertson      96
DeWitt, Sylvester. Bobinson and Thompson   _  _  97
Scalping of Wilbarger  _       112
The Cherokee's Revenge  -  -  _    113
Massacre of the Traders  128
Ad Lawrence's Famous Leap  129
Henry and Ben McCnllocb. JackEays.,  169
The Parkers  161
Bryan, Erath, Jones and Coleman  176
Ross, Brown, Stout and Highsmith  .,  177
Defense of the Taylor Family  .*.  208
Erath's Fight with an Indian  -  209
Walter P. Lane rescues Euclid M. Cox  224
Bobinett Killing Chief Buffalo Hump  225
Davis, Wilbarger, McKinney and Anglin  256
Monument to Battle Creek Heroes  -  257
The Capital at Austin in 1844  272
Hays' Texas Rangers In 1844  273
Scene at Parker's Fort Massacre  304
Famous Council House Fight.  „  305
Battle at Plum Creek —    _    320
Death of Denton.    _      _ 321
Charslng the Village.   —  ;  368
Eonston's Indian Pow wow  .  869
Map of Texas, Showing Colonies      384
Map of Texas, Showing Roads ana Rivere  ". —    •  385

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS

HE history of "that period in
which the Spaniards occupied
Texas — ^1690 to the Mexican rev
olution in 1820 — and not inap
propriately called "The Mission
Era," has much to do "with the
native and migrated' tribes who
had occupied the oountry fi'om
earliest tnmes. Brat no system
atic account of the Indian- trou
bles of this period has eiver been
attempted I and indeed the ma-
teriaJs for such a narratrve are
yet to be searched out and trans-
laled from the documents and
archives of that time. Enough,
however, is known to war
rant the assertion that the
bold Apaches and Comanches
in their perennial raids and depredations were the dread
amd scourge of the western frontier ntader both Spanish and
Mexican rule.
Being in fact th« rightful o-wmieirs of the country, to
which a native trdbe gave name*, by priority of occupa
tion at least, these brave and warlibe tribes beld all intrud
ers as vassals to their powerful confederacy. The following

3f From an old tradition we leam. and axe inclined to believe, that "Texas" ia an In
dian name, derived from the word "Tehas," and signified, paradise; and applied to the
country in the gorgeous beauty of its virgin existence, was certainly an appropriate name.

16 BORDER "WARS OF TEXAS. ^
statement by historiam Kennedy "wdll serve to illustrate tie
conditions in that section during the tinue referred to:
"In the destruction of the Missions, the Comanches
were tbe principal agents. Encouraged by the passive sub
mission of the Mexicans of mixed blood, they carried their
insolence s:o far as to ride into Bexar, and alight in the
public square, leaving their horses to be caught and
past"ured by the obsequious soldiers of the garrison, on pain
of chastisement. To raise a contribution, they would en
ter the town with a drove of Mexican horses, stolen by
themselves, amd under pretense of having rescued' the cabal-
lado from hostile Indians, would exact a reward for their
honesty ! They openly carried off herds of carf;tle and horses
from the settlememts east of the Rio Grande, sparing the
lives of the herdsmen, not from motives of humanity, but
becaus-e they deemed it impolitic to kill those who were so
useful in raising horses and mules for the benefit of the
Comanches." Thus we see the lordly Comanches were more than a
match for the Spaniards and Mexicans, and after more than
a century of untiring effcxrt to conciliate and christiainize
these Indiams, and to people the territory of Texas, Mexi
co * wais ¦willing to gifve up in despair. But a new era
dawned in the history of Texas, henceforward the red men
must deal with a more formidable intruder — that invincible
vanguard of western civilization — the American pioneer. ,
**'The leading object of the Mexican Government in allowing the colonization of Texas,"
Bays Newell, "was undoubtedly the protection of her frontiers from the hostile invasion of
the Indians. The Comanches and other tribes had waged a constant and ruinous warfare
against the Spanish settlements at Bexar and Goliad, on the western limits of Texas and
extendi their ravages also beyond the Rio Grande. Mexico, even nnder the govern
ment of old Spain, had been unable to subdue or restrain them, and she would have had
to abandon Texas altogether, if not other parts of her territory, had she not found a peo
ple, willing, for the sake of a small portion of her soil, to go in and subdue them." (Histo
ry of the Texas revolution, pages 14-15)— "And yet," adds Yoakum, "the colonists have been
charged with ingratitude. "Wherein? Thay were invited to a desert. They came, and found
it Inhabited by Indians and those of such audacity, that even in San Antonio, where the
Mexicans mostly lived, they compelled the citizens and soldiers In the place to hold their
horses while they paraded about the town; these savages the colonists had to subdue at
their own expense and on their own account. Mexico gave them nothing— the lands only
were valuable because they made them so. They were determined to keep it free, not only
from Indian cruelty, but Mexican tyranny." (Texas, VoL 1, Pages 245-246.)

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BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 17
FIRST FIGHT.
The first conflict between Anglo-Americans and Texas
Indians occurred on Galveston Island late in the fall of 1819,
antedating more "tfh'aiD a year the arrival of Moses Austioi at
San Antoniio de Bexar, seeking permission to establish a
colony in the prio"vinoe of Texa.s.
At that time the patriotic but unfortunate General
James Long, venturing a second expedition into Texas, was
fortified with fifty-odd of his followers at Bolivar Point,
opposite the east end of Galveston Island. A French sloop,
freighted with Mexican supplies, wines, etc., and bound for
Cassano, stranded near the present city of Galveston. The
Caranehua Indians, to the number of 200 warriors, were en
camped in the immediate vicinity, and at once attacked and
butchered aU on board the luckless craft, destroying the
cargo, and indulging inr a drunben carousal and war damce.
IxxDig deteocmined to avenge thfe outrage, and after night
fall, with tihirty men, crossed over in small boats to the is
land; and while the orgies were at their height, made a vig
orous attack upon the unsuspecting and jubilant savages.
Quickly rallying from their surprise and confusion, the
Indians secured their weapons, and) yeUing furiously, mei
their assailants with determined courage. Superior in num
bers, they "were a full match for th'e whites. A desperate
hand to hand fight of doubtful issue, now ensued; but
Long effected a timely retreat to his boats, leaving thirty
t"W0' Indians kUled, and many wounded"; three of his own
meai were killed and two (George Early and another) bad
ly, besides several slightly, wounded. Two Indian boys were
taken prisoners and retained by the whites, one being ac
cidentally killed some time afterwards.
If Prior to this engagement, in 1813, while Galveston Island was occupied by Jean La
Fitte, the celebrated pirate chief, some of his men kidnapped a young Caranehua squaw
Through revenge, the Indians crossed over to the island and discovering a party of the pirates
out hunting, ambushed and killed four of them; whereupon LaFitte, with 200 men and two
smaU pieces of artillery attacked some 3C0 of the tribe than encamped at a place since locally
known as the"Three Trees," and after a desperate fight, in which some thirty warriors were
slain and a much larger number wounded, forced them to disperse to the mainland. None
of LaFitte's men were killed, but a nnmtwr were badly wounded with arrows.

18 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
In 1821, after LaFitte .was forced to abandon his "lit
tle kingdom" by the United States naval authorities, a Dr.
Parnell, with a party of about twenty men, visited the is
land to search for supposed buried treasures. Encountering
about 100 Caranchuas at tbeir favorite camp, the "Three
Tree-s," the Americaims again attacked and defeated the In
dians, who left the island, forever, it is said, carrying off sev
eral dead and wounded, and leaving one of tiieir children
prisoner. The only casualty to the whites was the slight
wounding of Dr. Parnell — an arrow pinning his cap to the
skin of his head, which he failed to notice till after the
fight. "It was these attacks," suggestshistorian Yoakum, "that
made the Caranchuas so hostile to Au'stim's colonists in af
ter years."

AUSTIN'S INFANT COLOHY.
A new era had dawned in the history of Texas. The
fair land was not destined to remain an unsettled and sav
age infested land — civilizati on was rapidly advancing to
the Southwest, the American pioneer was coming as the
courier amd advance guard. Austin and his first colo
nists had boldly entered tbe vvildemess, and were determined
to maintain a foothold, though they did so under difficulties,
and suffering great privations. The first settlers arrived on
the Brazos River during the last days of December, 1821,
.'ind the dawn of New Year's cay. 1622, marks the date of
the first permanent Anglo-American settlement in Texas.
Austin's colony soon attracted the attention of home-
seekers throughout the whole Southwest, and other settlers
continued to arrive overland and by water. In June, 1822,
the sdhooner, "Only Son," with upward of ninety emi
grants (among them Horatio Chrisman, who became the
noted surveyor amd Indian fighter of Austin's Colony) and
supplies for the new colony, anchored in Matagorda Bay.
A few days later another vessel, from New Orleans, enter-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 19
edthemcuth of the Colorado. Among the passengers aboard
the vessel, from New Orleans, was Samuel M. Williams, af
terwards the famous secretary of Austin's Colony. The pas-
semgers from both vessels were landed on the west bank of
the Colorado, at a point three miles above its' mouth, where
they went into camp and erected temporary storage for
their goods. Before leaving for the interior, a treaty of
friend'ship was formed Avith the Indians, and four young
men were left to guard their property, while six of their
number, including Helm and Clare, were dispatched to La
Bahia for means of traoisportaticn. On returning with
Mexican carts, they found the canip had been attacked,
guards murdered, and the supplies all destroyed or carried
away by the faithless and fiendish savages. This was a most
serious loss to tlie emigrants, and caused them much suffer
ing for lack of provisions, and other necessities.
The sad news reaching the settlement, a party of colo
nists were soon collected, armed, and in pursuit. Locating
the camp of the enemy, the settlers made a surprise attack, re
covering a remnant of their supplies, and routing the In
dians with some loss.
Thus hostilities commenced, and, with brief intervals,
was can'ied on for years, resulting in the loss of many valua
ble lives and the final extermination of this once powerful
and formidable coast tribe. With savage stealth, the Indians
often lay in ambush till the men would leave their cabins,
when, without Vi^aiining, they would rush upon the unpro
tected and helpless women and children, who pleaded for
mercy in vain. Om one occassion, only one child out of
a large family, was found alive, but it was mortally wound
ed by an ugly arrow. * The whites may not have beeoi' so
wantonly cruel and bloodthirsty; they were equally stub
born and determined. The conflict was inevitable, irresis
tible — one of expulsion and extermination. Scores of trage
dies were enacted between the emigramts in Austin's Colony
and the Aborigines during the first years of its feeble exist-
»Mr8. Helm's "Scrap of Early Texas History," Page 36.

20 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ence— the particulars of which, alas! were never recorded.
Such reliable notes as we have been able to gather, mostly
from the "Kuykendall Reminiscences," will be given in the
order of their occurrence.

SKULL CREEK ENCOUNTERS.
Duiirg the spring of 1823 a severe drouth prevailed,
and but a scant crop of com was made that season isn the
colony. In the summer three young men were ascending
the Colorado River with a canoe load of corn, which they
had raised on the cane lands below the settlements.* Near
the mouth of Skull Creek, a f ew^ miles from tbe presemt
town of Columbus, in Colorado county, they were waylaid
and fired upon by the Indians, Loy and Alley being kUled.
John. C. Clark, however, with seven severe wounds, swam
to the opposite shore, amd, by secreting himself in a dense
thicket, escaped, and recovered — to live- many years and ac
cumulate immense wealth. He died in 1861.
Latet, the same day, and near the same place, Robert
Brotherton, a young man recently from St. Louis county,
Missouri, unexpectedly rode among the same party of In
dians, thinking they were friendly Tonkawas. Losing his
gun in the struggle to free himself, he put spurs to his
horse and escaped with a painful arrow wound in the back.
Reaching the settlement, Brotherton gave the alarm.
"When this news was received," says Kuykendall, "about
a dozen of the settlers led by my uncle, Robert Kuykendall,
went in pursuit of the Indians. The Tonkawas were at
that time camped mear his house, and the settlers thought it
prudent to take their chief (Carita) "with them to insure
the good behavior of his people during the absence of the
party, whose families would be unprotected until their re
turn. Upon arriving near the mouth of Skull Creek, the pap-
if The manner in which the land was prepared was simple. The cane was burned off
and holes madfe'in the ground with handspikes, Wherethe corn was planted. The land being
very rich, a good yield was obtained in this manner. "Dewees Letter from Texas." Page 39.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 21
ty halted in order to spy out the Indians, and some time af
ter dark, they heard them in a IhJciet pounding briar
root. Locating the enemy, the settlers dismounted, secur
ed their horses, and awaited the coming day." By the moi-n-
ing twilight they were enabled to find a small path which
led into the thicket and to the camp of the Indians, "and as
silently as possible," says one of the party," we crawled in
to a thicket about ten steps behimd the camp. Placing our
selves about four or five steps apart, io' a sort of semi-circle,
and completely cutting off their retreat from the swamps."
A» the fii-st Indian arose, the Kignal for action was
givien. The surprise was complete. The settlers rushed
on the camp and delivered a deadly fire. Nine or
ten warriors were killed on the spot; ten more Were slain
in their wild attempt to retreat; two escaped badly woumd-
ed. The encampment was destroyed, and the settlers re
timed home without further incident. This was a severe
blow to the Caranchuas, and it caused them to leave the
settlement for a time and to use more stealth and ppeeau-
tion in their depredations.
Durirg tbe faU and winter of 1823-24 Aa^stin's colony
was in a very feeble condition. The empresario Austin, re
counting the trials and privations of his colonists at this
early period, says, "They were totally destitute of bread
end salt; coffee, sugar, etc., were remembered and hoped for
at some future day. There was no other dependence for
subsistence but the wild game, such as buffalo, bear, deer,
turkeys and wild horses, (mustangs). The Indians rendered
it quite dangerous ranging the country for buffalo; bear
were very poor and scarce, o"wing to failure in mast, and
poor venison, it is well known, is .the least nutriticue cf all
the meat kind. The mustang horses', however, were fat
and very abundant, and it is estimated that at least one
hundred of these were eaten tbe two first years.
"The Caranehua Indians were very hostile on the
coast; the Waeos and Tehuacanies were equally so in the
interior, and committed constant depredatio<ns. Parties of
Tonkawas, Lipans, Beedies and others were intermingled

22 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
with the settlers; they were beggarly and ir sclent, and were
only restrained the first two years by presents, forbearance
and policy ; there v.'as not force enough to awe them. One
imprudent step with these Indians would have destroyed
the settlemeut, and the sabtleirs de..ser"ve as much for their
forbearance duirinig the years 1822 and 1823, as for their for
titude." "In 1824, the strength of the settlement justified a change
of policy, and a party of Tonkawos were tried and whipped
in the presence of their chiefs for horse stealing. ' '
Thus the empresario Austin himself 'has given us a
brief, but vivid picture of what must have been the difficul
ties, privations and damgers which had to be borne and
overcome during the first years of his colony. Austin him
self was absent from his colon v for several months, being
very unexpectedly called to the city of Mexico, to secure
ratification of his colonization contract by the new, revolu
tionary formed, government of Iturbide. The Indians were
more or less troublesome and threatening; provisions were
scarce, "store bought," clothing was an almost unknown
luxury, and many privations, as well as real sufferings, were
experienced. To give the reader a better knowledge of the
deplorable conditions and gloomy prospects existing in the
infant colony at that period, we extract briefly from letters
amd narratives of some of the early settlers :-
Colorado River, Coahuila, and Texas.
December 1, 1823.
Dear Friend : Since I last wrote, our sufferings have
been very great for want of provisions. On account of dry
weather our crops were very poor, and are now entirely
spent. The game bas left this section of the country, and
we are mow very m^uch pressed for food. There have been
a great many mew settlers come on this fall, and those who
have not been accustomed to hunting in tbe woods for sup
port, are obliged to suffer. Were it not for a few boys who
have no families,, their wives and children would suffer
much more than they now do ; in fact, I fear some of them
would starve. Those of us who have mo families of our own

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 23
reside with some of the families of the settlement. We re
main here, notwithstanding the scarcity of provisions, to as
sist in protecting the settlement. We are obliged to go
¦out in the morning , a party of us, to hunt food, leaving a
part of the men at borne to guard the settlement from In
dians, who are very hostile to us. Indeed, we dare not go
out and hunt except in companies, as we are obliged to
keep en a lockcut, lest the savages fall upon us; and one
cannot hunt and watch too. Game is now so scarce that we
often hunt all day for a dee- or a turkey, and reitum at
night empty handed. It would make your heairt sick to
see the poor little half naked choidren, who have ncthing to
eat during the day, watch for the return of the hunters at
night. As soon as they catch the first glimpse of us they ea
gerly run to meet us, and learn if we have been successful in
our hunt. If the hunters return with a deer or turkey, the
children are almost wild with delight; while on the other
band, they suddenly stop in theii' course, their counte
nances fall, the deep, bitter tears well up in their eyes
and roll down their pale cheeks.
'Tis truly heart-rending to see us return home after
a hard days bunt without anv game, knowing, as we do,
that the women and children are entirely without food,
and can have nothing until we find it in our hunt. No one
can know our sufferings, or even imagine our feelings, un
less they have been in similar situations. And to render
our situation the more dreadful, our sufferings the more
acute, we are often obliged to get the women of the differ
ent settlements together, and make a kind of fort to protect
them from the merciless savages. It is surprising to see
how bravely the delicate females beiair up under their suffer
ings, without a murmur or complaint. 'Tis only by their
looks they show their feelings. When "vv<e seem the least
discouraged, they cheer us with kind words and looks, and
strive to appear cheerful and happy. They do more when
we are worried out with toil and fatigue — they take our
guns in their hands and assist us in standing guard.
"Our prospects for the winter look very gloomy. If the

24 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Indians attack us, I scarcely know what we shaLL do; but I
hope for the best, and trust that we shall be provided for
in some way. Were it not for the Tonkawa Indians, a
fcmall tribe who are friendly t j us and supply us with, dress
ed deerskins, we should be almost entirely destitute of cloth
ing. Once in a great while we are able to obtain a small
piece of unbleached domestic, or a bit of calico, at the ex-
orbitamt price of seventy -five cents a yard, from some one
passing through the country; but this is very seldom. The
common dress of men and children is made of buckskin, and
even the .women are often forced to wear the saline.
Your affectionate friend, W. B. Dewees."
Captain Jesse Burnham in his "Reminiscences," after
telling of 'his enfeebled condition from sicfcness, and that
"we got out of bread" and had no food £or two days,
Bays: "At last I heard one of my children say, 'J am so hun
gry.' I was too feeble to hunt, but I got ixp and began to
fix my guo slowly. I didn't feel as ttiougb I could walk,
but I stai'ted on my first hunt. I had not gone far wSien
I saw two deer, a fawn and its mdther. I shot the fawn
first, knowing the doe would not run far, then I shot and
killed her. '0 ho,' I said, 'two deer in one day, and my
first hunt!* I took the fawn to camp to my hungry chil
dren and took William, my oldest boy, and a horse after
the doe. My wife had dressed a skin and made WiUiam a
fBhirt, but it lacked one sleeve, so she dressed the fawn skin.
that day and made the other sleeve."
"We were still out of bread, and it had been nine
months since we had seen any. A man from lower down the
country came up and told me he had corn that he had plant
ed with a stick — there were no plo>vs or hoes in the colony.
I gave iiim a horse for twenty bushels end went twenty-six
miles after it with two horses, amd brougfht eight bushels
back. I walked and led my horse. I had prepared a mor
tar* before I left 'home to beat it in, and a sieve made of
»MaBj of the first emisnmts to Austin's C«!ooy had cot even a hand mill, and for a.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 25
deer dtin stretched over a hoop and with holes punched in
it. We would have to be very saving, of course, amd were
allowed only one piece of bread around.
"About this* time my oldest daughter's dres» wore out
before we could get any cottou to spin, and she wore a
dress of dressed buckskin. I ihad pants and a hunting
shirt made of deerskin. My wife colored the skin brown
and fringed the hunting shirt, and it was considered the
nicest suit in the colony."
.Horatio Chrisman, the famous surveyor and early In
dian fighter of Austin's colony, says: "All . tbese emi
gramts suffered for want of provisions. We had about
eiglht acres of corai which if not worked immediately, was
eertain to be lost. I could not stop the plow to hunt. I
took no sustenance save a few stint«4 drinks of buttermilk
until after I finbbed plowing over tJh'e eigbt aeres. My
plow aaimal was an old, kIow, blmd mule." A few weelaB
afterward, Mr. Chrisman learned that James WHtesides —
w<bose residence was oin the east side of the Brazos— bad
gone to the United States on business, and that his family,
consisting of bis wife and two little boys, had Mttle or
jwthing to eat but lettuce. Sending out his excellent hunt
er, Martin Varner, he secured a very large buck, which be
thr«w across his horse and carried to Mrs. Whitesides, a dis
tance of twenty miles. "Aunt Betsey," says Chrisman,
''never forgot this favor."
The lot of these first piioneeis was indeed a bard amd
rugged one, but in common, and Uiey were ever ready to
assist and protect each other at their own discomfort, and
often at the risk of their lives.
During tbe summer Capt. Chi-ismaqi was "without a shirt,
and wore a buckskin hunting shirt instead. Toward au
tumn be learned that Col, Jared Groce had s»me goods.
He therefore visited the colonel to replenish his wardrobe.
lontr time their only means of manufaetnrinsr meal was by pounding the corn with a wooden
pestle In a motar made In a log: or atump. The first saw and srist mil] propelled by water.
was erected on Mill Creek, by the Comminca family. It went into operation in the year
1X2S. One or two horse uiUa bad been erected e sh(»t time before,— KuykendaU's Re>
¦sliuecenoes.

26 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
He bought a few yards of coarse browm "Plolland," from
which he had a Mrs. Byrd to make him two shirts— "the
best I ever wore, as they lasted three years.". But we are
diirressing.

HORSE THIEVES.
Another sort of annoyance to the struggling colonists,
and one that for a while threatened to be more serious than
Indian troubles, was a clan of Jilexican amd American rob
bers and horse thieves that infested the colony about this
time — some of them erstwhile denizens of the "Neutral
Grounds, ' ' where' they held undisputed sway and found a
safe retreat. Others, "men Who had fled from justice in
the United States, and come to the colony with the hope of
•committing their depredations with greater impunity^" —
Yoakium's Texas, Vol. 1, page 228.
"During the same summer," (1823), says Kuytendall
in his Reminiscences, "A Frenchman and two Mexicans, all
residents of Louisiana, returning f Pom the Rio Grande with
a small cavalcade, passed through our neighboi'hood and
crossed the Brazos at the La Bahia road. As they passed
by the residence of Martini Varner, (near the present town
of Independence), they stole his most valuable horse. Our
Alcalde, Joseplh H. Bell, ordered me to raise a few men
and pursue the thieves. The men who went "with me were
Martin' Varner, Samuel Kennedy, James Nelson, Oliver
Jones and George Robinson. About midnight of the day we
started, we arrived at the creek much swollen by a receot
rain. Dark as it was, we swam this stream, and about am
hour before day, on the waters of the Trinity, we came up
on the camp; and at daylight captured the theives, and re-
•covered Vamei:'s and ten or eleven other horses. The cul
prits were tried by the local authorties aud sentenced to
"receive thirty-nine la^es, which sentence was duly execut
ed; 'after which the Fpenchman was released, it appearing
Ihat he was only accessory to the theft. "The principal was
mow carried before Alcaide BeU for further proceedings;

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 27
again whipped, and released on the east side of the Brazos,
with ordei-s to depart the Colony."*
Colonel Austin, as ci\nl and •military coonmandant, now
adopted more drastic measures, determined to rid his colony
of the scourge. An opportunity soon offered to carry out
his plan. "A still greater outrage" continues Kuykendall,
"was peirpetrated this summer by another party of Mexi
cans from the border of Louisiana. They were enroute to
the Rio Grande, and fioding a small party of Mexicans on
Skull Creek, Avith a cavalcade which they were driving east,
the Louisianans camped with them. The ensuing night they
fell upon their Rio Grande brethren^ and after murdering
two or three and dispersing the rest, took possessi^ju of the
cavadlada. Carrasco, the owaier of the horses, though wound
ed, escaped to the settlement on the Colorado ; "w"hereupon
uncle Robert Kuykendall with a few men, started in- pursuit
of the theives. It was sfoon discovered they had separated
into two parties (having divided the horses), one of which
had crossed the Colorado a short distance below the La
Bahia road, and the other many miles above it. The latter
party, after crossing the river, fell into and followed tiie San
Antonio road and escaped to Louisiana, but the former was
pursued a'nd overtaken on the west bank of the Brazos, at
the Cooshatte crossing. Two of them were killed and their
heads stuck on poles at the roadside. The horses were also
taken and restored to their 0"\vner. After this example,
the 'border ruffians' ceased their depredations within the
bounds of Austin's Colony."
However, the Tonkawas, ever professing friendship for
tbe whites, could "not restrain their. propensity for stealing,
and coanmitted numerous petty depredations.
"Toward the latter part of this summer," says Kuyken
dall, "a party of Tonka "was stole a horse from my
father and several from Mr. Wheat. Father, Thomas Boat
wright, my brother Barzillai and myself, pursued the thieves.
*"At first" says Yoaknm. "they were pursued, the property reclaimed, and the rob^-
bers whipped and turned loose, but this only seemed to exasperate and cause them to add
mufdar to robbery. In order to prevent detection."

28 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
At the infant town of Sam Filipe, then comtaining but two
or three log cabins, we were joined by Austin and a few
others, who went with us to Fort Bemd, where we were join
ed by a few more men, making our force thirty strong. On
approaohdng the Tonkawa camp, Carita, the chief, met the
party, professing regrets that five of his young men had
stolen the horses; that the animals would be restored and
the thieves punished. Delivering the horses, the old eliief
pointed out the five men "wiho had committed the theft, each
of whom' was sentenced to receive fifty lashes, and have one
lalf of his head shaved. The sentence was fully carried
out on four, one being excused for sickness. Chief Carita
inflicting one half, and Capt- Kuykendall the other half of
the lashes." "
At this time thene were t"w>o divisions of this tribe ; the
other emcampment being on the Colorado under Chief Sandia.
The combined Dumber of warriors "did not mudb exeeied
one hundred — it certainly did not readi one hundred and fif
ty."* With 'til* netm-n of spring, favorable seasons amd a fair
yield of crops, came mew life and renewed hopes for the
struggling colonists. "New comers" were locating at dif
ferent points, and a more prosperous and peaceful condition
prevailed in the Colony. But the settlers were not long left
undisturbed. The Caranchuas soom renewed .hostilities. In
Jume of this year, a party of Caranchuas halted near the
camp of Capt. Robert Kuykendall, on Peacji Greek, a few
miles below Eagle Lake, killing some of bis stock amd shoot
ing at his little t^ year old son, wbto escaped and rode for
aesdstance. Kuykemdall, -with his wife and smaller children
secreted thiemselves' in a thicket, Oapt. Ingram amd a dozen
neighbors soon came to their relief. The settlers followed
the trail of the retreating Indians, which wound for sever
al miles through a dense cane brakte. When the pursuers
arrived at the Colorado River, they espied th!e Indians on
the opposite bank, where they were drying meat. "Spur
ia Knykendall'a Reminiscence*.

BORDER WARS OF TJEXAS. 29
ring their horses to a gallop, tl*ey plunged into tha river in
the face of the enemy, who saluted them with a swarm- of
arrows, and fled to the adjacent cane brake. In the camp
Alexander Jackson stooped to pick up a buffalo robe, wlhen
a 'cloth yard' arrow was driven through his elbow. At
the moment, a companion, John V. Clark, saw the In
dian wluo had abot Jackson, in tlie came brake, with his bow
raised to shoot again. Clark quickly aimed and fii-ed, the
Indian falling dead, the rifle ball cutting his wrist in- two,
and penetrating his breast. The Indiams being secure in
their cane brake (retreat, tbe settlers deemed it prudent to
give up further pursuit."

THE FAMOUS CANOE PIGHT.
About this time Capt. White, an old trader who lived
at La Bahia, amd owned a small boat, had an adventure
with the Caranchuas. Embarking at Port Lavaca his vessel,
loaded with salt to exchange for corn, he steered up the
Colorado to what is called "Old Landing," two miles from
its mouth, where he landed, leaving his boat in charge of
two or three Mexican's, and went up to thie settlement in
search of corn. A party of Caranchuas were encamped
near the landing, amd professing friendsMp for White and
his Mexican companion, requested him to visit them on 'bis
return, as they wished to trade for com. Goinig up Peach
Creek to the Kincheloe settlement. White found com in ex
change for his salt — the corn to be delivered to his boat, and
the salt received there. Meantime the settlers were inform
ed of the situation, and a runner sent sixty miles above for
Capt. Jesse Bumam, who hastily coUected a company of twen
ty-five and marched on the Indians. We quote Bumam 'sown
accoumt: "White was to inform the Indians of his return,
by making a camp fire. He ga^ie the signal just at day
light. I left twelve of my men at the boat, for fear the In
dians might come from a different direction, while I took
the other half and went down 'the river, to the Indians'
landing place. About half au hour by sun, the Indians came

30 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
rowing up the river, very slowly and cautiously, as
though they expected danger. The river banks were low,
but with sufficient brush to conceal us. Just as tbey were
landing, I fired on them, my signal shot killing one In
diam, and in less thiam five minutes we had killed eight. The
other two swam off with the canoe, which they kept between
them and us, but finally one of them, raisrlng his bead to
guide the camoe, received a moi'tal shot. I returned home
without the loss of a man."*

DISASTROUS FIGHT IN THE CANS BRAKE.
Through favorable reports sent out by Austin, his
colony continued to increase in population — giving a sem
blance of strength that would better enable him to cope with
the Indians. The laujd office was opened, surveyors appoint
ed, and we are informed, about two hundred amd fifty titles
were issued 'to the original "300" se'ttlers during
this year.** While the- colonists busied themselves se
lecting locations, surveying lands, and making improve
ments, tidings came th'at a small party of emigrants,
emroute from the mouth of the Brazos, had been at
tacked amd murdered by the exasperated Caranchuas. Col
onel Aiuistin, to retaliate, and prevent a repetition, of such
outrages, in- September, eommisisicEied Capt. Randal Jones,
with a company of twenty three men, to proceed down the
Brazos in canoes, reconnoiter the coast as far as Matagorda
Bay, and, if foumid, 'show no mercy to the party that massa
cred the emigrants, as "well as amy other hostiles. Landing
at a favorable position, scouts were sent out to reconnoi
ter. We quote from Jones' Journal: "Convinced that the
.Indians were secretly preparing for an attack, two of the
scouts were dispatched up the river for reinforcements. At
Bailey's store, on the Brazos, they were joined by eight or
^-Beminiscences of Capt. Jesse Bumam, in Texas Historical Quarterly— Vol. 5. paires
17 and 18.
* *Zil was the exact number of titles issued in 1E24.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 31
ten colonists already collected to watch the maneuverings
of about a dozen Indians who had visited that place for am
munition. At daybreak the following morminig, an attack
was made, a few Indians were killed, and their discomfitted
companions routed."
In the meantime, directed by the loud waUing for their
fallen comrades at Bailey's, Capt. Jomes ascertained that
some thirty Indians were encamped om the west bank of a
small, sluggis^h tributary of the Sam Bernard — since caU
ed Jones Creek.
Approaching under cover of night, within sixty yards of
the 'encampmlemt, the company halted, quickly prepared
for action, and "when it wais light enough to see their
sights "made a furious attack. AUIhough greatly surprised,
the Indians quickly hid themselves in the reeds amd tall
marsh grass, w"<here they fought with great desperation and
advantage. Exposed to the deadly balls and arro-ws of the
Indiams, the whites finally retreaited, with a loss of three of
their number, Spencer, Bailey and Singer. The Imdiams, too,
suffered severely, their dead being estimated est fifteen. A
proportiomaite number were wounded on either side.
John Henirty Brown says, "It was a clear repulse of
the "wfhites, whose leader, Capt. Jones, was an expeirienced
soldier of approved courage. Such a result was lamentable
at that period in. the colony's existence."
The whites returned home, and the "Indians retreated
westward across the San Bewnard. Greiatly incensed, amd
somewhat emboldened, the Caranchuas now became more
hostile and troublesome. *

AUSTIN LEADS EXPEDITION AGAINST CARANCHUAS.
As the confines 'of Austin's colony were extending in
every direction, many outrages were perpetrated on the
more vemturesiome and exposed settlers. Ool. Austin, now
yH>uring this year, Capt. Chrisman, while out surveying with small parties of "land
locators," had several skirmishes and ni.merous adventures with ahe Caranchuas on the
San Bernard River and Gulf Praii-ie.

32 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
deeming his forces sufficiently strong, determined to chas
tise and expel the thieving and murderous Caranchuas
from his colony. Accordingly, in July, he beaded an expedi
tion of forty or fifty armed' men from San Felipe. Cross
ing the Colorado mear Eagfe Lake, and proceeding down
the west side of the river to "Jennings Gamp;" thence to
the Lava«a below the mouth of the Nabadad; most of the
route being through; the prairie country. Pi'oneera were de
tailed to opem roads through the dense thickets and cane
brakes, bordering streams they crossed. Bu<t the Indians
had warning of this expedition and fled from the colony —
west, toward the San Antonio River.
Returning to the capital for fresh supplies and rein
forcements, Austin determined to pursuie and de'a!^ these
Indians a telUng blow while they were united in their retreat.
Thia eeeon'd expedition, of some ninety men, thiirty of
"whom "were negroes, tlife slaves of Col. Jared E. Groce,
mounted, armed and commamded by him, left San Felipe in
August; {vassing tbie Colorado at the Atascocito crossing,
and foUowiiog the Atascocito road to the Guadalupe River,
near the present town of Victoria;* thence marching in
the direction of La Bahia, expecting to strike the Indiams
west of the Sani Anitonio River, on either Espirita Santo
or Aransas Bays. "But on the ManahuiUa Creek, a few
miles east of that town," says John Henry Brown, "he
•was met by the priest. Alcalde amd citizens, who ap
peared as mediators for the Indians. The Caranchuas,
aforetime nominally belonging to tihe Mission of La Bahia
as converted Indiaais, U'ow seeing danger aipproaohiing, pro
fessed penitemoe, 'and appealed to the priest and Alcalde to
avert their threatened destruction. The residt wias a confer
ence and quasi-treaty, in which the Indians solemnly pledged
themselves to never again come east of the San Antomio
or Guadalupe Rivers. The colonists thereupon returned
home."

i^'At that time there was not a single habitation on the Guadalupe River from Its head
to its mouth'— Kuykendall Reminiscences.

¦:^- !Si

^^'

.^M-

* 'T*=5"

"*^^
^'3.^

u0u.
QIE
3AIUr
I-

0>-z I
0
t-u<I-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 33
For a time these Indians remained quiet, the good
prieist exerted himself iu their behalf, and ihopes were en
tertained that he would succeed in bringing them under tihe
benignant influence of Christiam civilization. But "tothe
manner born" the Caranchuas could mot long restrain their
murderous and tihie"vdng propemsities; the treaty was soon
bi^oken, amd for more than twenty years they continued to
commitmany petty, and some serious depredations. "In fact,"
says Kuykendall, "some of the greatest atrocities ever com
mitted by these Indians in Austin's Colony, w&re perpe
trated after this treaty was made.*
In the "Winter of this year, illie families of Flowers and
Cavaniaiugb were murdered by the Caranchuas. Capt. Buck
ner, with a compamy, pursued the Indians to their camp
on the bay about three miles east of the present town
of Matagorda, where at day break (he made a surprise at
tack, killing some thirty, and completely routing them.
This was the greateist loss these Indi'amis ever sustained in any
ome fight witOi the eolonists. Sometimle durinig the yeair
1832, Oapt, John Ingram led a party of nineteen men in an
attack om am encampment of Caranchuas on Live Oak Creek,
"within! the presemit limits of Matagorda County. Tie pairty
fired on the Indiams at the dawn of day, kiUing four or
five amd disptersing the remain dear.
"Near the mouth of the Guadalupe, in 1834," says John
Henry Browm, "they wene only detared from attacking the
party of Major James Kerr, surv'eying lands for De Leon's
Colony, by a ruse practioed upom them by him; and during
that year they were wfeipped in a fight mear Laguna Verde,
or Green Lake, now in Calhoun County, by a party of Mex-
ieam 'and American settlers commanded by the brave Capt.
Placido Venibides." "In the year 1834 or 1835," says Kuy
kendall, "the Tonkawas, instigated by the Mexicans of Vic
toria, treacherously 'assassinated fifteem or twenty of the
Caranchuas. The Tonkawas went to the camp of the Ca
ranchuas, taking with them a small boy, who secretly put
4- In the year 1326, Capt. Aylett C. Buckner, defeated a party of Caranchuas below
£niotf s Crossintr.

34 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
the bow strings of the Caranchuas, when the Tonkawas f eU
upon them and murdered all but two or three.
Im- the Spring of 1836, 'the Caranchuas stiU counted
twenty-five or thirty warriors. Whm the army of invasion
reached our fromtiei-, tbey joined it, and fougiht against uS
at the Mission of Refugio in March, 1836. They had pre
viously offered to fight for the AmiericanB, but their offer
was either rejected 'or neglected.
About 1840 thiey were encamped on the Guadalupe Riv
er, below Victoria, near the juniction of the San Antomio, and
on account of some depredations committed -by them, were
attacked by the Mexican 'amd Amierica'n settlers of that vi
cinity, amd many killed. "They fled to the southwest, along
the coast," says Kenney, "and their brief history hastens
to its eatajstrophe. "
In 1843 they were camped about fifty miles southwest of
Corpus Christi, Vv'here they were found by a Mexica'n rang
ing compamy under Capt. Rafael Aldrete, who had known
them from' his childhood as cannibal savages. He at once
attacked and almost annihilated them, very few escaping.
Their last notable, hostile act was the murder of Capt. John
Kemper 'at his home ion the Guadalupe, Victoria County, Jn
No-vemiber, 1845. Mrs. Kemper, witii ber two Uttle children,
and her mother, after the Indians had attempted to burn
them with the dwelling house, escaped in tbe storm'y night,
and crept to the house of Alonzo Bass, situated twelve miles
distant, on the Oalito.
"The last that was seen of these Indian" says Kenney,
"was in 1847, when a remnant of some eight or ten
Caranchuas crossed the Rio Gr&nde at its mouth, begging
their way into Mexico and oblivion." "In the year 1855,"
adds Kuykendall, "the once formidable tribe of Caranchuas
had dwindled to six or eight individuals, who were residing
near San Felmando, State of Tamaulipas, Mexico."

CHAPTER II.

.'¦'5Cr,a>¦Ja"o,a•¦i-*xsJ,^¦;3

S we have seem, the principal lamd most fe
rocious "bribe "with which Austin's colonists
came in contact, oai tiieir aiTi"v!al amd for the
first few years, were the Caranchuas. But
it was not long before the Wacos, Tehua
canies and allied tribes, were depredating.
In the Spring of 1824, a party of Wacos
wemt down, the Brazios as far as the Kuy-
kendaU settlement, where they stole thir
teen head of valuable horses, amd escaped
¦with their booty, having been pursued some forty males to
the head of Cummimgs Creek where the trail was lost. Fol
lowing this successfuil raid, 'the Wacos aigain -visited the Set
tlements, and stole all the horses of Mr. John. Oummamgs.
"We foUowed the thieves as far as the Yegua, about fifty
miles," says Kuykendall, "where we lost the trail in con-
sequienoe of the great number of wild horses and buffalo
which then ranged through tbat section of country." Many
other depredations "were committed by tihesle Imdiams about
this period, but details are too meager folr recoaxi.*

^ In consequence of repeated thefts committed by the Wacos and Tehuacanies, Col.
Austin. In July, 1834, sent Capt. Aylett C. Buckner, with Jud^e Duke, James Baird, Thomas
H. Borden, Selkirk, Jones and McCloskey, en a mission to treat with these tribes. They took
with them some foods to barter with the Indians for horses. They crossed the Biazos at
the San Antonio road and proceeded up th e river on the east side to the Tehuacanie villagre,
crossing over to the Waco village, the site of the present city of Waco. They were well re^
ceived by the Indians, who had recently returned from their summer buffalo hunt, and were
feasting on buffalo meat, green com and beans. They had also pumpkins and melons. They
dwelt in comfortable lodees. conical in shape, the frames of which were of cedar poles of

36 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS,
In the Spring of 1826, Austin rebolved to make a cam
paign against tbe Wacos amd Tehuacanies, who.se depreda
tions had mow becomie frequent. Rendezvousing 'cm the Bra
zos at the crossing of tihe Sam Antonio road, about the mid
dle of May, a force of about -one hu-ndred amd ninety men
was socm collected and orgamized, Ool. Austin in command,
with' Aylett C. Buckner, Horatio Chrismam, Bartlett Sims,
William Hall amd Ross Alloy, captains of compam.ie3.
The first days m'areh brought tbe expediticm to the Lit
tle Brazos, where tbey left all pro"\"isions, save rations for
three days, amd a forced march was ordered against the In-

On arriving in the vi(Hmity of the Indian encampment,
Bcouts were sent to reconmoiter, amd fouEid it deserted.
"Appearances" says Kuykendall, "indicated that the Tehua
canie village had been deserted about tsvo weeks. The
Waco village was on the west side of the river a little far
ther up. We could mot reach it, as the river was much
swolle(Q, buit ascertained that it, too, "Was uninhabited. The
Indiams were doubtless gone cmi a buffalo buoat. Their
patches of com were in silk and tassel. There was an
abum,damce of beans, of wMch we picked a mess or two, but
n'Othing was destroyed."
Thus di^pjxoinlted and their rations being entirely ex
hausted, the expedition returmed to their supply depot — and
to the Brazos, where it was disbanded.

EARLY TRIALS OF DeWITTS COLONISTS.
Early as 1822, wMle Austin's colony ys'as yet in its in-
fafncy, several American gemitlemein, among thens Green De-
Witt of Missouri, appeared in the city of Mexico, seeking
slats, thatched with crrass. The largest of these lodges (their council house) was fifty-nine
paces in circumferenoe. The Wacos and Tehuacanies spoke the same lansua^e, and were es
sentially the same people. Judsre Duke estimated the two tribes would number between 200
and 300 warriors. 'They had a srreat number of horses and mules— a small plu? of tobacco be-
inir the price of a horse, and a plua: and a half that of a. roule. They smoked the pipe of
peace with the embassy, and pledged themselves to peace and amity with the coTonistS:. The
embassy remained with the Indians between two and three weeks, and returned home by the
same route they went out."— Kuykendall'a Reminiscences.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 37
empresario ccntraets. Owing to the unsettled political
comditiona of the country at that period, I>e Witt's peti
tion to settle four hundred fumilies in the province of Tex
as, "wa'S not approved till after the promulgaticn and enact
ment of the first general colonizaticai law of Coahuila amd
Texas, March 24, 1825.
Anticipaticig the success cf his application, v/hich was
duly granted April 15, 1825, DeWitt had pre-arranged witlh
Majotr James Kerr, late of Missouri, but them of Austin's
Colony, as agemit and surveycr for the colony.
Ini August of this year. Major Kenr, ('having r&cemtly
buried Ibis "wife and two ohildren on the Brazos), with his
negjTo servant and six men, viz. Erasmius ("Deaf") Smith,
Basil Durbin, Gerron Hinds, John Wightman, James Mu
sic and — Strickland, leaving Sam FeUpe de Austin reach
ed a spot en Kerr's Creek (near the present town of Gonzal
es), where they halted, speedily erected cabins and laid off
a site for tiie capital of the future colony, "R"!hich was
named Goazales, in homdr of Don Rafael Gonzales, the first
Governor of Coahuila and Texas. The location was most
favorable, but the town itself was of sIoav growth and for
a while of uncertain existence, as will be seen. "The sur
vey of lands for future colonists, was prosecuted las rapidly
as possible," says Brown, "and a few weeks later, Francis
Berry and family settled near the crsok. Of this famnly
were also John and Betsey Oliver, grown children of Mrs.
BeiiT by a formar husband.
About the first of October, DeWitt arrived from Sal
tillo, and reinaioed! in the colony three or' four weeks be-
fotre proceeding cU' "his way to Missouri. During tbe year, a
number of prospectors "visdited the coumtry, and 'after selec
ting locations left, to return leter. Thus th-sse few brave
settlers at old Gonzales in 1825-6, were truly pioneers, the ad
vance guards of American civilization on that then remote
amd greatly exposed frontier, their mgiaTesrt; neighbors being
DeLeon and haP a dozen Slex icama, at tlie infant sattlemeU'ts
of Gujadalupe Vict'cn-ia, sixty miles southwaird ; emd with no
roads im amy direction, save IJheir o"wn frealhly made tiraal

38 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
sisty-ii"vie miles east to the Colorado. But the 'ot of these
isolated settlers was not inftolerabl'e, amd would have speed
ily improved but for an unexpected calamity. Parties of
Indians, professing friendship, frequently called, passing to
and fro; and demom'strating no signs of hostility, the colo
nists apprehended no danger. "Thus matters stood, "says
"bistoriami Brown, "wten the first day of July, 1826, arrived.
There was a celebration of the fourth of July at Beascm^'s,
at (the Atascocito crossing of the Colorado, '& few miles be
low the present town of Columbus, Major Kerr had gome
on a buffalo tunt. It was agreed that BasU Durbin, John
and Betsey Oliver, and Jack tbe sarvamt boy of Kerr, should
go on/ hiorsiebadk; to the Colorado ceMaration. They staaited
om Sunday, July 2, and emcamped for the night on Thorne 's
Bramch, fourteen mUes eaist, having no appriehemsion of
danger at the time. The Uttle party howevier, were doom
ed to disappointment, for about midmiglht, "wtUe sounfUy
fileeping em their blanikets, they were suddenly arous'ed by
the firin'g of guns and the yeUs of the Indians. Durbin
was shot in the sanoudder by a muskelt bail 'and badly
woumded, but escaped "with his companions into a thicket
near by, the hc«rses and other effects beiqg left in the pos-
isessiom of the enemy. From loss of blood and intensie pain,
Durbin repeatedly s"wooned, but "Was restored by the efforts
of his companiiomg and enabled to walk, by noon om the fol
lowing day, back to Major Kenr's cabin, where the painty
wa/s astonished to find John Wigjhtman lying dead amd
scalped in the passage way between the rooms, and the
house robbed of everything, iu/cludiing importamit papers amd
three compasses, amd that an unsuooessful attempt hadbeem
made to burn it. They hiurried to Berry's cabin amd found
it closed, amd on the door, written "with charcoal, "Gome to
Burnham 's on the Colorado.' "
Whem Durbin amd' his companions left om. the previous
day, Strickland, Musick and Major Kerr's negroes' (Shade,
'Anise and thieir four or five. children), went to Berry's to
spend the afternoon, learvimig Wightman alone at the cabins.
Returning later in Uie day, fhey found Wightman as de-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 39
scribed, yet warm in his 'Own blof-d. Hurrying back to
Berry's witji the tidings, the emtire party started for the
Coloarado, "wthiere they safely arrived, amd were a few days
later joined by Deaf Smith and Himds.. Duifbin'is wounds
had ¦already rendered him very weak, [but his only alter
native was to reach the same place lom foot, or peridhJ by
the way. The weather was warm, and there was imminent
damger 'of gangrene making its appearance in his wound,
to prevent which, it was kept poulticed "with mud and oak
juice. Leaning on Betsey Oliver 's arm, he arrived at Bum-
ham 's on the afternoon of the sixth, three days and a half
after starting from the place."
Duribims's wound soon healed, the musket baU remaining
in his shoulder tiU death, and he lived to participate in a
number of other adventures. Seven years later he received
six rifle balls in bis person at one time, amd, aa if he bore
a charmed life, survived, carrying seven baUs in his body
tiU his death in 1858.
Thus was DeWitt 's colony, like Austin's at the mouth of
the Colorado, christened "with blood, and thus for the mo-
menit ended the first efforts to found a settlememt within
its Umitsi. FoUowing these events, Major Kerr and a few compan
ions moved to a point on tie west bank of the Lavaca, now
in Jackson Cduxiity, where blodt-bouaes "wiere bfuilt, and a nu
cleus formed for the revival of the enterprise. The place,
only temporarily occupied for defensive and rallying pur
poses, was subsequently known as the "Old Station." Major
Kerr estaiblished his permanent home om the east bank of
the Lavaca, near the station.
On the 12th. of December, 1826, Major Kerr, under the
authority invested in him as snirveyor-general, commissioned
Byrd Lockhart as deputy-surveyor of the colony — a judicious
selection' — amd the survey of land, despite damger fiiom hos
tile Indians, proceeded with aU reasonable dispatch, amd emi
grants continued to arrive and locate mear the station on the
Lavaca. DeWitt, -with his family, arrived at the "Old Station"

40 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
in October, 1827, and during the succeeding winter, with
his own and a number of other famiilies, repaired to Gon
zales amd its vicinity, and then, with the opening of the
year 1828, begam^ the permanent settlement of the region des
tined to become the Lexington of Texas in the revolution of
1835-36.* As early as May, 1824, the Mexican Congress had pass
ed an act temporarily combining the provinces of OoaihuUa
and Texas into a State, with a provisional legislature, (Don
Rafael Gonzales being elected governor), and in March, 1825,
as we have seem, the newly formed government promulgated
a general State ¦oolomization law.
The fame amd success of Austin and his colony, toge'tier
¦with the more liberal provisions of the new colonization act,
induced a number of persons to seek empresario privUeges.
Among those who secured granits amd fulfiUed or attempted
to carry out, their contracts, were Robert Leftwich, of Nasii-
vUle, Tennessee, (permission April 15th, 1825, to settle 900
famiUeis in what was afterwards known as Robertson's Colo
ny) ; Hayden Edwards, a Kentuckian, then resident of Louis
iana, (concession April 18th, 1825, to settle 800 families in .'the
Nacogdoches district of east Texas) ; and Don Martin de
Leon, a native Mexican, but then and since 1805, residing in
*Thc venerable pioneer, Noah Smithwick, who visited DeWitf a Colony in the sum
mer of 182S, in a letter to the author from his last homs at Santa Anna, California, a few
months before hia death (Oct 21, 1899) trives the f ollowingr pen picture of colonial life at that
period: "The colonists, (DeWitt' s) consistins: of a dozen families, were living, if such ex
istence could be called living, huddled together for Bscurity asrainst the Indians. The rude
losr cabins, windowless and f loorless, have been so oit^n described as the abode of the pio.
neer, as to require no description here; suffice it to say that save as a partial protection
against rain and sun, they were absolutely devoid of comfort. * • " " Co]. DeWitt, my host,
had bread, though some of the families were without. Flour was $10.00 a barreL But few
people had money to buy anything more than coffee and tobacco. Money was as scarce as,
bread. Game was plentiful the 3 ear round, so there was no need of Btarvins. Men talked
hopeful of tho future; children reveled in the novelty of the present, and the women bore
their part with heroic endurance. Deprived of friends and former comforts, they had not
even the solace of constant employment. The spinning wheel and loom had been left behind
—there was as yet no use for them— there was nothing to spin. There was no house to keep
in order; the meager fare was so simple aa to require little time for its preparation. There
was no poultry, no dairy, no sarden, no books or papers— and had there been, many of them
could not read; no schools, no churches- nothing to break the dull monotony of their Uves
save an occasional attack from Indians, the howl of some wild animal, or the stampede of a
herd of buffalo or mustangs. The men at least had the excitement of killing game and
banting bee trees, roping mnstangs, hunting buffalo, toeating lands and watching for bos>
tile Indians."

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 41
the province of Texas, (concession of October 6th., 1825, to>
settle forty one Mexican familes, south of DeWitt's colony,
and between the Lavaca and Guadalupe Rivers). A number
of other concessions were made about this period to pai«ties
who failed of success, notably to Ben R. Milam, the famous
"hero of San Antonio," to settle 200 familes north of the old
Sam, Amtonio road, amd between the Colorado amd Gaudalupe
Rivers. But brave Mdlam' was a soldier, rather than civilian,
and sacrifioed his life in a more glorious cause — on. the altar
of liberty, falUmg in the moment of victory. Thus. the spirit
of col)oni2;aition was infused throughout the whole aoutitwest
and a oonstanit Hide of inumigratiom was flowing into Texas,
giving to the country some assurance of permanent prosper
ity and stajbility.

EDWARDS' COLONY AND THE FEEDONIfiJSf WAR.
But in the midst of the general prosperity, a dark cloud
arose in the east, which for a time, threatened the destruction.
of tbe pilovince. We refer to the Fredonian revolt in Ed
wards ' Colony. Hayden Edwards had wealth and emterprise,
amd intended to fill his contract in good faitli; but his loca
tion proved exoeedingly unfortunate. For a long time a rov
ing and migratory class of motley people, had occupied the
country about Nacogdoches, "heroes of the Neutral Ground,"
men who, commit'ting an offense, either in Mexican or Amer
ican territory, here sought an asj'lum. Here, too, an antago
nism had arisen between 'the Anglso-Ameraeaa's and the Mex
icans, created, perhaps, by the ill-fated filibustering expedi
tions cf Nolan, Magee and Long.
Edwards' contract required bim not only to respect, but
to give pref eremce to Mexican claimants. As soon as one of
the new emigrants had m'ade a sielection amd commenced air
improvememt, some Mexican would appear amd set Tip a claim.
for his land. The alcalde was appealed -tlo; but he, being
elected by Mexican votes, invariably decided in favor of his,
constituemts. At an eleclnon for a new alcalde, a majority-
of the votes east were for Chaplin, a son-in-law of Edwards?

42 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
but Norris, who aithough am Americam, was in tlie interest of
the Mexioanis, "was counted in, amd by otrder of the political
chief, invested with the office. Ittius supported by the mili
tary, the tyranny of the alcalde soon became intolerable.
Foote, tbe historian, and am intimate friend of Ediwards,
gives the follo"wing picture of that turbulent period:
"Nacogdochies now became a scene of wild uproar and
confusion; acts of lawless and cruel violence marked the his
tory of every day, and indeed of every hour ; bands of Reg
ulators, 'as they were called, pervaded the whole country,
under the ostensible sanction of the alcalde, and ready to .
•execute any mandate to which he miglit give utterance. Pri
vate familes were often driven from their hivbitations, to
•jmake way foa* the pdraticai minions of the alcalde, who sigh
ed for the comforts which the honest assiduity of the colo
nists had assembled about 'fih/eir domicdles, and which they
were too lazy and luxurious to acquire, except by violemce ex
ercised upcm the-ir peaceful owners. Respectable oolomists
were dragged from their beds at midnight by 'an armed m)ob,
and hurried before the alcalde, in order to undergo a secret in
quisition relative to acts that they had never so mu'dh as
"thought of committing; even the passing traveler was not
free from 'molestation and outrage, but was compeUed to pay
tribute for tSie privilege of transit 'through the country, un
der penalty of forfeiting whatever merchaxdise or other
pre f city that was found in his possession."
It was not to be expected tJiat free born and liberty lov
ing Americans would tameJy submit to snioh acts of injustice
and tyrannical oppression.
During the summer of 1826, Hayden Edwards visited
the United States to bring moro colonists, leaving hia broth
er, Benjamin Edwards, in charge of the co'lony. In the ab
sence of the empresario, seria^us ciharges were pnefemed
against bim to Governor Blanco. On July 21st., Benjamin
Edv/ards addressed empresario AuBtiui a long letter in
which he recounted his griievances and asked for advice. In
due coiuise toi time Austin gave Edwards a reply, in whiah
he said: "The sulbject has caused me great unhappiness but

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 43
I bad decided not to interfere with it in any way. It is a
dangerous one to touch, and particularly to write abonit.
You wish me to advise you. I scarcely know what course
will be best. Ithe uncertainty as to the precise nature of the
charges against you, renders it difficult, nay impossible, to
mamie a regular defense. I think, however, I "would write di
rectly to the governor of lihe State. Give him' a full state
ment of facts, and a very minute history of the acts of
your priaicipal enemies and their opponents, and their man
ner of doing business in every particular, bothi in regard to
your brother as well as aU others."
Accordingly, Benjamin Edswandis directed a long, and,
linf ortnmately, somewhat dictatorial message to his excellency,
Governor Don Victor Blanco, vindicating his brother's
course, -amd remonstrating very emphatically against such
treatment; to wihich that irate functionary, on the 20th day
of October, replied — ^"Tha.t bv the virtue of the supreme.
authority with wihich he was invested, ihe had decreed the
annulment of the contract of Hayden Edwards; and furtheir
more, ordered the expulsion froni the ciolony, of botSi the Ed
wards brothers." Haydlein E dwards returned just as the
news of this high-hJanded and arbitary act readhed the colo
ny. He had spent several thousand 'doUara in bringing colo
nists to the coutntry, iamd) naturally became very indignant,
resol'ving upon resistance and revenge vi et armis.
At this juncture two celebrated half-breed Indian dhiefs
Riciard Fields and Jobm Dunm Hunter, appeiared im the
arena, with grievances of their own, in behaM of their peo
ple the Cherokees. Governor Trespalacies had promised to
secure them titles to the land they occupied, but the Mexi
can Government was slow in the excitement of the moment,
and chafing for revenge the colonists entered into a
league, offensive and defensive with the Indians.
Tihis eompaot was foirimially sigmed om December 20,
1826, by Hayden Edwards and Harmon B. Mayo, on the
part of the Ameiricans, and Richard Fields amd Johm Dunn
Humter, on the part of the Indians, The allied parties at
-Office proceeded to organize a legislative council. Martin

44 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Parmer, better known as the "Ring-Tailed Panther" was
elected president.
Im this aUiamce it was stipulated that the whites were
to have the territory bellow the old Sam Antonio road and
for a short distance albove; the remainder cf the province,
westward to the Rio Grande, was given to IJhie Imdiams.
Slavery, whichi had beem prohibiteid' in Mexico, was to be es
tablished in both territories.
Denominating themselves "Fredonians," the injured an-
BTirgem^ts raised the standard of revolt, and boldly declared
their independemice. The flag of Independent Fredomia was
unfuirkd to the breeze, and, "doubtless" says the histo-
riam of thos ill-plomned and hopeless revolt, "Old Norther,
himself, who so often swept over tihe prairies of Texas,
stood aghast at the chilling exhibition."
One of the first acts of the executive oouncU created at
Nacogdoches, was to deposie tbe alcalde, Norids, amd appoint
another. While these troubles were brewing, Peter E. Bean, a
survivor of Nolan's expedition, and "wJiose Mfe history reads
like a romance, was stationed at Fort Teran, as Indian agent.
Learmimg of these troubibss. Bean, with a small oompany of
cavalry, marched upon Nacogdoches for the purpose of quell
ing the disturbance and to restore Mexican authority. Bean
did not seem to apprehend that he would have much diffi
culty. He, liowever, foun,d the disturbance more serious
than antacipatcd, and oa learning that the Fredonians, about
two hundred strong, were oocupyinig the old stone fort,
prudemtlv decided to wait for a reinforcement from San An
tomio. In the meamtime, he succeded in detacilidmg most of
the Indians from the league. Fields amd Hunter, however,
were faithful to tbe last, and were bar'barously assassin'a-
ted by the very tribes for whose welfare they had labored
long amd patiently. The assassin's first sth/ot not proving
immediately fatal, poor Humter implored the murderer to
spare his life, exclaiming," it is hard thus to die by the
hamds of my professad friends." The appeal was in vain.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. ; 45
Another shot closed the career of this strange and extraor-
diniary man.
News of tihe revolt reaclhang Bexiar, Go-siei-nor Saucedo
dispatched Col. Matio Ahumada, with two hundred soldiers
to suppress the insurrectionists. The part which Austin took
in this affair bias excited a good deal of ocanmemt and some
severe criticism. Historian Fcctle, who was a warm frietnd
of the Edwards', conveys the idea that Austin "was greatly
perplexed and hesitated long whether hie would join the
Fredomian movement or make war against it. SuchI was not
the fact. On the conitrary, he advised the leaders of this re
volt that their cause was one of consummate folly, and
that they were rushimg upon certain destruction. Indeed,
as ian honoraible and titue citizem ¦of bis adopted country, he
could not have dome otherwisie. In snich a controversy, neu
trality was impossible, and instead of hestitating a moment,
Austin, on the 22nd. day of January, 1827, issued tbe follow
ing address:
To the Inhabitants of the Colony:
The persons* who were sent on from this colony by the
political eb.ief aWd military commandant, to offer peace t|0
the Nacogdo<ih€& madmem, have returned "witlDout liii"ving ef
fected anything. Tihe oUve bramcih of peace which "wa® iheld
out to them has beemi insul'tingly refusied, and .tihat party
has denounced massacre amd dissolution on this colony.
They are trying to excite all the mortherm> Indians to mur
der amd plunder, amd it appears as 'tibjoughi they ihiaive no
Oitiber 'cbject than to ruin and plunder this country. They
openly threaten us with Indian massacre and the plunder of
our property. To arms, then, my friendis and fellow-citi
zens, and hasten to the standard of our country. The first
hundred men "will march cm the 26th. Necessary orders for
ir.ustexirg and other purposes will be issued to the com-
»Aust!n sent a delesation of citizens— Abner Kuykendall, Judge Ellis, Francis W.
Johnson, and James Cummings — from his colony, accompained by James Kerr from De-
Witt's colony, to confer and fraternally remonstrate with the Fredonians, and endeavor to
dissuade them from rash measures. The delegation failed to accomplish the object desired.

46

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.

jnamding officers. Union and Mexico! S. F. Austin.
San Feilipe de Austin,
22nd. January, 1827.
The news lof Cioloaiel Ahumada 's approaoh completely
deinoralized- the Fredonians. They miscalculated thear
strength. No help reachted them from! ithe settlement of
Pecan Point, on Red River, nior from Ayisbi Bayou. But
they were still more chagrined at the course of Austin's
colony, and hiastiily retreated across the Sabine, leaivimg a few
of their partisans, who were oaptuired' byl tihe Mecaicans.
Amd now it was that Austin exerted his dnflu'emce to good
purpose; instead of putting them to deaith, according- to
the custom, they weine, at bis earnc'st solicmtaticm, pardoned
and Bet at liberity. This magnanimous conduct called forth
a letter irma Edwands, in which he returned grateful
thanks to Ahumada for his humanity.
And Jtbus this unfortunate rebeUion passed away ' amd
"Was numbelre'd with, the things *fliat were.

,  rfe.\-^"N/.^l

CHAPTER III.

EFEATED in almost every engagement,
and melting away before the unerring rifles
of Austin's colonists, the formidable coast
tribe — the Caranchuas — ^had been forced
to retreat and sue for peace. DeWitt's
Colony, surviving the serious' misfortunes
which befell it in the Summer of 1826, was
rapidly taking on new life and energy.
The Fredonian mutiny did not seriously
affect or retard the growth of Austin's Colony, and
with its quelling a period of comparative peace and
prosperity prevailed. But this state of quiet was not
of long duration. The Wacos and Tehuacanies who had been
more 'Or less troublesome all along, now became openly hostUe
and were depredating on the settlers of the Brazos and Col
orado, to au) alarming extent. "Indeed" says Y.oakum, "the
grant of Milam, laying between tbe Guadalupe and Colorado
Rivers, and north of the Bexar road, could not well be set
tled because of hostile Indians."
In ithe winter of 1828-9, a party of these Indians enter
ed Fayette county, camping — so the bluffs "would pnotect
them from the chUling winds — ^in the b'ed of Ross Creek;
"w^re they migb.t have remained undisturbed had they not
kiUed a worrthy Mexican resident of the neighborfiiood.
Wheneupon a pprty consisting of James Tiomliimson, J. J.
Ross, A, A. Anderson, John. Vryer aind others, attacked and
rouited the murderous intruders, kiUing eagBiit of thiem out-

48 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
rigiit, and 6)e"vreirely wounding seven more, who managed to
escape, but perisb.ed soon, it was supposed, as cmly one of
this unfortumate parly was' kno"5vn ito have reached hia tribe.*
"When the Indians were attacked," saya J. J. Ross,
who furnished' the above facts, "some wene lying down,
some parching conn, and others were engaged in a scalp
dance. An attempt was made to burn ttihe bodies of tbe dead
Indiams, but with poor success — only crisping their skins.
Their bleaching homes long remained on the battle ground."
About this time one Thomas Thompson opened a smaU
farm near the present town of Bastrop, and occasionally
visited it to cultivate and take care of his crops. On going
*here in July, 1829, he found the Indians in possession. Re
suming below for assistance he was joined by ten men with
whom he approached the Indian camp at night. At day
light they kUled four of the savages and routed the others.
Of course these affairs were unfortunate and served to
Increase hostilities — ^Yoakum says they opened the war. At
any rate, "numerous cases of murder and theft had occur-
jred, and it became necessary to apply a remedy" — ^which
empresario Stephen Austin promptly did.

THE WAR OPENS AGAINST THE WILD TRIBES.
Captain Abner Kuykendall :-
The Indians have robbed a large drove of horses from
V, traveler whlo stopped at Ratcliff 's on the Lavaca. They
-were pursued two days by a few men and overtaken be
tween the Colorado and Brazos, below the San Antonio road.
There was one white man— supposed to be an American —
and fifteen Indians. It is highly important that the trail
should be foUowed so as to ascertain what Indians and
white man or men have become so base as to commit this
depredation; and to punish them — also recover the horses.
A party of volunteers is ready at Beason's to follow tht
robbers, and a number will go from here. It is their wish
and also mine, that you take the cc'mmand; and I hope and
y Statement of Mr. Pennington, an Indian trader, then among this tribe.

SAM HOUSTON

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 49
expect that yon wiU undertake the exi)edition if your
health "will permit.
I hereby authorize you in the name of tbe Govemjtnent,
and of the civil authorities, whom I have consulted, to take
the command of said party of volunteers, and to pursue and
kill said robbers, be they Indians or whites, and to recover
the stolen horses, and do such other acts as in your judg
ment be deemed necessary, equitable and proper, to punish
the robbers and afford security to our exposed and scatter
ed settlements, by making a severe and striking example
which will have the effect to prevent the repetition of simi
lar outrages by the lawless bands who are moving through
these unsettled wilds.
You "will, however,' be cautious of offending innocent
persons, as you will be responsible for any wanton cruelty
committed by your men while acting by your orders, on the
innocent. You will keep a journal of your proceedings and
report same to me on your return.
Town of Austin, August 23, 1829.
Stephen F. Austin, Col. of Ma.
This order was received by Capt. Kuykendall the even
ing of the same day it was written, and in obedience there
to, with his two sons, WilUam and Barzillai, he left on the
ensuing morning for the Colorado, where he arrived the
same day and was joined by eight men — "most of whom
were old frontiersmen" — to-wit: Norman Woods, John F.
Berry, Elijah Ingram, John Williams, Thomas Thompson,
Seaborn Jones, .... Hazlitt, and one not remembered.

FIERCE FIGHT NEAR THE OLD CABIN.
"We now counted eleven," says Kuykendall, whose nar
rative we follow, "and resolved to pursue the Indians with
out losing further time to increase our force. We forded
tbe Colorado at the crossing of the La Bahia road and pro
ceeded eight or nine miles up the river, wben about noon,
we discovered people moving about an old cabin. As we
knew the inhabitants of this neighborhocd had, some time
previously, been driven from their homes by the Indians,

50 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
this circumstance excited some surprise, and Hazlitt and
another man were dispatched on foot towards the cabin to
ascertain the character of its visitors. The rest of us sat
in our saddles, concealed by a point of woods.
"In order to approach near the house, Hazlitt and his
eompanioji had to pass through a cornfield. They l^ad not
proceeded far in the field when am Imdiam shot an arrow at
Hazlitt, and raising a war whoop, fled to the cabin. As he
ran straight between the rows of corn, Hazlitt shot him in
the back. The instant we heard the alarm we galloped for
ward and saw five Indians on foot, running up the river,
trying to reach a thicket on its bank, two or three hun
dred yards above the cabin. Spurring our horses to their-
best speed, we intercepted themi a short distance below the
thicket. As we dismounted, each man dropped the coil of
his tethering rope from the pommel of his saddle and
charged the Indians on foot. They were now compeUed to
fight us in the open prairie or leap down the precipitous-
bank of the ri"«er. They chose the latter alternative. Nor
man Woods shot one as he was in the act of leaping off the
bluff. The remaining four threw away their arrows and
plunged into the Colorado. As they swam toward the oppo
site ishore, we plied them with two or three rounds of rifle
balls, and sank two midway the river. The remaining two
reached the opposite shore with mortal wounds from which
we could distinctly see the blood flowing. One of them
uttered a few words in a very loud voice anld almost in
stantly afterward our ears were assailed with terrific yells
from the thicket above us, accompanied by a flight of ar
rows and discharge of fire arms. Turning toward our un
expected assailants, we saw several of them running toward'
our horses. We also ran in the same direction, and all the
Indians, except two, returned to the thicket. These two
Indians succeeded in reaching our horses, of which each se
lected and mounted one and drove aU the rest save two, be
fore them — ^yelling and firing off their guns to frighten the
horses and urge them to greater speed. The two men whose-
horses were left, mounted them and pursued the Indians,.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 51
the rest of us following as fast as possible on foot. After
trailing nearly a mile and a half we discovered our horses
standing in a grove. Suspecting a ruse, we approached
them with caution, but found no enemy.
"Ha-ving now recovered all our horses but two (those of
Thompson and WiUiamson), wt returned to the scene of
action. Every Indian had disappeared. The one shot by
Woods was still alive, sitting under the bank. Deeming it
an act of mercy to put an end to his suffering. Woods shot
him in the head.
"After collecting the arms of the defeated Indians,
consisting of bows and arrows and one or two shot guns,
we went into the field to look for the Indian shot by Haz
litt. We did not find him, but picked up his belt which
had- been cut in two by the rifle ball. This satisfied us
that he had received a mortal wound. His body was after
wards found outside the field. The remains of the two who
reached the opposite side of tbe river were also found af-
terv/.".rds — making six killed. Not one of cur party was
hurt, though Berry, after the engagement, fainted from the
effect of heat and over-exrtion
"There were at least iorty or fifty of these Indians-—
Wacos and Tawacanies. They were well provided with
ropes and bridles, and had doubtless come on a stealing ex
pedition. The survivors left the Colorado without commit
ting any depredations.
"As we were reduced to but nine mounted men, two of
whose horses were already broken down, we Avere constrain
ed to forego the pursuit of the thieves w"-ho had stolen the
oavallada, and returned home. That e-vening we traveled
about five miles on our return, and slept at a spring about
three miles above the present town of La Grange."

THE SAN SABA EXPEDITION.
Immediatelv after arriving home and! reporting to Col.
Austin, Capt. Kuykendall received the folio-wing order:
"You wUl call a muster of your oompany amd endeavor

52 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
to raise volunteers to go against the Indians. If you can
not get volunteers enough to make one fourth the number
of men composing your company, you will raise them by
draft. You will rendezvous at this place with at least one
fourth the men composing your company, on the 12th. of
September next, armed and equipped as the law directs,
with provisions for a campaign of forty days. By order
of S. F. Austin. Oliver Jomes, Adjt."
Capt. Abner KuykendaU.
Similar orders were issued to Bartlett, Simms and oth
er captains of the militia in the colony. "About the same
time, but without concert," says John Henry Brown, "a
compamy of thirty-nine men of DeWitt's Colony, under
Capt. Henry S. Browm, left Gonzales on a mission against
the depredating hostiles, supposed to be in the momn-
tains." The contingents cf the different companies from Aus
tin's Colony, rendezvoused on the east side of the Colorado
about .twelve miles below the present town of La Grange,
where, between the 15th. and 20th. of SeptemLber, the re
quired force of one hundred men was coUected and organ
ized, under the command of Abner KuykendaU.
Striking the San Gabriel, the expedition marched up
that stream — ^scouring the countiy between the Brazos and
Colorado — and across the country to a point near the head
of what is now known as the Salt Fork of the Lampasas,
and some thirty miles from the mouth of the San Saba;
where it halted and sent out spies to locate the encampment
of the Inidians.
Returning on the second morning, the spies reported a
large encampment on the west bank of the Colorado, two or
three miles below the mouth of the San Saba, and "that
they were engaged in a dance, as they could distinctly hear
the sound of a sort of castinet which the Indians used on
such occasions."
It was evident the Indians were not aware of the ap
proaching forces, and planning a night march, KuykendaU

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 53
determined, if possible, to make a surprise attack at day
light the following morning. At sundown the command
was in motion and on the march. We quote from Kuyken
daU:- "Night soon closed around us. There was no moon
but the sky "^vas cloudless and starry. Our route lay over a
prairie, .studded with low hills, and in some places very
rocky. Hcur after hour the long double files of horsemen
foUowed the guide. There was no confusion in our ranks, rare
ly was a word spoken, yet our march was far from being
noiseless. The hard, metamorphic limestone rang like met
al beneath the tread of our horses, and ever and anon
we invaded the domain of a community of rattlesnakes, of
which we were promptly notified by rapid vibrations of
their rattles. Our guide conducted us toward nearly every
point of the compass, and at length, long after midnight,
declared he was bewildered and could conduct us no fur
ther until daylight. All now suspected the fidielity of our
guide — a, Mexican who had once lived with the Wacos and
Tawacanies. Perhaps he was actuated by cowardice, per
haps by revived affection for his quand om friends; but
wbatever his motives, it is highly probable that but for
bis conduct the expedition would have been completely
successful." Still anxious to effect a surprise attack, Kuykendall
concealed his force in a dense cedar-brake to await another
night, meanwhile sending out six of his men, Wm. Dever,
Amos Gates, Sebe Jones, Jeff Prayor and ome other, with a
Chickasaw Indian, named John, on foot to explore a route
to the Colorado River amd loca'fce a crossing.
Tbey bad proceeded about one amd one half miles,
when tihey were discovered by. twenty-five mounted In
dians, who charged upon them, yelling like demons. It
was a hard race and a miraculous escape for the spies,who
by making repeated stands and runs, succeeded in reach
ing their companiors and giving the alarm. "Meantime"
says Kuykendall, "the loud cries of the Indians had
been heard at our camp and the whole command' was
iastening to the rescue. When Williaim Dever per-

54 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ceived that succor was close at band he shot, and it was
believed, mortally wounded one of the Indians. At this mo
ment .our whole force came up, and the Indians fled at full
speed. Following in rapid pursuit, the viUage was soon dis
covered in a bend ,cf the river, almost concealed by a low
wooded hill — the valley around being almost literally cov
ered with mounted Indians — men, women' and children, fly
ing to the yellow cedar-brakes in the adjacent hills."
The Texans dashed across the river, and into tlie vil
lage, but most of the Indians had fled and but few shots
were fired, one by Nestor Clay, killing an Indian, a Tehua
canie chief.
Detachments were sent in pursuit but the Indians had
escaped to their mountain fastnesses; only a few women
and children were overtaken, who were of course unmo
lested. The Indians lost their entire camp equipage, includ
ing a considerable amount of com, blankets, robes, brass
kettles, etc., and a large number of horses, aU of which was
secured by the victors.
"We encamped upon the ground evacuated by the In
dians," says KuykendaU. "Their conical, buffalo skin cov
ered lodges were still standing, and -within them we found
their entire store of winter provisiops, namely, several hun
dred Tjusbels of comi and beans, amd a quantity of dried buf
falo meat. Many buffalo robes were also found and on the
fires were still boiling, several kettles of corn and beans —
sU of which property was consigned to the flames, or other
wise destroyed. The site of this encampment was very beau
tiful and had apparently often been temporarily occupied by
the Indians; but there were no traces of agricultural oper
ations. ¦ Early the ensuing morning. Captain Henry Brown,
-with a company of thirty men fr,om( Gonzales rode into
camp." "He bad discovered the camp," says John Henry
Brown, "secreted his men, put out concealed watches, and,
like Kuykendall, expected to attack at dawn the following
morning. He had passed through the mountains on the east

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS 66
side of the Guadalupe, across the Piedemales adud Llano, to
the head of the San Saba. He encountered two smaU bands.
In the first he kiUed tbree Indians. Near the E'nchanted Rock,
he surprised the second band. Five or six Indiaais fell, the
remainder escaped into the dense brush. Both appeared to
be only hunting parties of warriors. It was oa thia ti'ip
that Captain Brown, with his men, became the fir^t discov
erers of the Enchanted Rock. He had followed the San Saba
down to its mouth, and a little below discoveredi the In
dian encampment. Neither Brown nor Kuykendall knew
of the other being in that sectiooi until lafter the attack
upon, and routiaigt of the Indiaas."

Such bold expeditions by such sagacious leaders went
far toward keeping the Indians in check, but it was im-
pos ible to effectively protect the long line of exposed
frontier, and band:i of hostile marauders were constantly
scooping down, and slipping in, stealing, kiUing, amd then
quickly rfctreating, back to their mountain homes.

2AELY BOEDER OHtEPS.
The commanders of these early expeditions boldly pene
trating so far into the Indian country, a's they di'd, deserve
at least further brief notice.
Abnei" KuykendaU was one of the very early settlers in
Austin's Colony, having emigrated from Arkansas Territory,
and camped on the west aide of Uie Brazos River, at the La
Bahia road crossing, on Nov. 26, 1821.
About the first of January, 1822, he settled mora- per
manently on New Year's Creek, some ten miles weat of the
Brazos, and abomt four miles south of the present town of
Independenoe. KuykendaU brought several head of cattle and a few
hogis to the eolony. He was axtensively known and highly

56 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS
esteemed by his fellow colonists as a brave and worthy gen
tleman. He was early appoint&d Captain of Militia and
served in most of the campaigns and expeditions against
Indians during the colonial period.
The following letter gives briefly the facts of the tragic
and deplorable fate of this early pioneer and venerable pa
triarch of Austin's Colony:

1117 BeU Ave., Houston, Texas.
James T. DeShields, Esq.,
Farniersville, Texas.
My Dear Sir:
Yours of Dee. 6th received and contents noted. In re
ply wUl ,say Capt. Abner KuykendaU was killed in 1834 at
Sam FeUpe, by a man named Clayton, who was hung for
the crime — his being the second of the only two legal ex
ecutions for murder in Austin's Colony. KuykendaU was
stabbed in the neck with a knife which broke off, and he
died of lockjaw.
Claytoiii was a Mississippi an. He was raised hy an aunt
li"ving near Natchez. He killed a cousin in Misjissippi in
1832 or 1833, and ran away to Texas. His aunt heard of his
last trouble and came to San Felipe in 1834, but when she
found how he had killed Kuykendall, she returned home
without seeing him. Mrs. Clayton stayed at my father's
house while here.
I knew Joe Kuykendall, a brother — ^was a prisoner "with
him in 1836, and knew him many years after, until his
death in Fort Bend county. He came to Texas in 1822.
Hoping the information may profit you.
Yours truly, J. R. Fenn.

Capt. KuykendaU 's place of nativity and date of birth
are .unknown — his wife was a daughter of Owen Slianon, and
a siiter of John and Jacob Shanon. Two of her nephews,
Matthew and Jacob, may yet survive.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS 57
Henxy Stephenson Bro^vn was .bom.in,]i^adisqn..aounty,
Kentucky, March 8, 1793, and in December, 1824, in compa
ny with his brother, John, afterwards known as "Waco"
Brown, landed at the mouth ot the Brazos with a large stock
of goods for the Mexican and Indian trade. Engaged in thia
hazardous business at that period, it is but natural that
they should encounter many dangers and participate in nu
merous thrilling adventures, the details of whicb woidd fill
a volume. We ma,ke brief extractsi from th'e biofgraphies of
these brave and' worthy pioneers, and early defenders of in
fant Texais: "In 1825 Capt. Brown sent his brother with
a large cargo of goods to trade with the Comanehes in the
upper country. James Mnsick, Thomas Jamisoa and .An
drew Scott went with him. They succeeded in reaching
Clear Fork of the Brazo.3i River, without being molested and
f oundl the Indians very friendly, and anxious to trade. And
soon they were wending their way homeward "with eleven
hundred horses and mules, and as many buffalo robes as
they could manage, o.n their pack mules. The Indians as
sisted them a day or two on their way, and on the fourth
night they camped on the Brazos, about where the pres
ent town of Meridian stands. All retired congratulating
themseilves upon the suceesia of their expedition, and what
was their ivurprise, when midnight yeUs, au'dl the firing of
guns disturbed their quiet slumbers. AU sprang to jtheir
feet. Mr. Brown, being a cripple from white swelling, feU
over one of his companions. All thinking that he was
dead, fled into -the bottom. Brown secreted himself in
some brush nearby, where he remained untU daylight, nat
urally thinking that his companions would do likewise.
But to his dismay, he found himself all alone, lame, and
weak, without food; yet "with a brave resolution he staijted,
limping homeward. After traveling for three days, -with
blistered feet and achin,g heart, and almost famishing, he
was suddenly surrounded by a band of Waeo Indians. Moat
of them seemed anxious to kiU him but some pleaded for his
life, which was spared on aec ount of his lameness. He was
then mounted and carried) to their principal village, where

58 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS
the present city of Waco is located. His companions, sup
posing that he fell dc-ad, traveled all the first night, and
concealed themselves in thickets during the day. In this
manner they traveled until they reached .the settlements,
where they reportedi the de.ath of Brown and their great loss
of property. "Simultaneously with this expedition, was Capt. Brown's
first trip to Mexico, but fortunately with much better suc
cess, as he returned in a few months with a large number
of horses and mules for the Louisiana and Mississippi trade,
and a considerable amount of Mexican coin. On reaching
San Felipe, he heard of the sad fate of his brother, but had
a presentiment that he still lived, and resolved uponi his
rescue. In a short time after his arrival, he started with
forty-one volunteers in search of his brother. On arriv
ing at the Waco village, he found them hostUe, and at
tacked them. After some resistance, and' kiUing several of
their number, th.ey fled, and nine of them were shot while
crossing the river. Heavy rains prevented farther pursuit,
and in fact gave much difficulty in returning home, owing
to the boggy condition of the country through whieh they
passed, now embracing the counties of MUam, Burleson and
Lee. "While halting on the Medina River, he "was attacked
by twelve Tehuacana Indians who had followed, and intend
ed robbing him. In the fight he kiUed several, and the pth
ers fled. "Resuming his vocation. Captain Brown made a second
trip into Mexico, and returned in the fall of 1826 with sev
eral hundred horses.
' ' While halting at San Felipe, a majOi was; discovered ap
proaching rapidly from the west. He seemed to be an In
dian riding on horseback. Dashing up, he suddenly reined
his horse, dismounted and sprang toward Capt. Brown, ex
claiming, 'Brother Henry, don't you know mei?' He was
tbe lost and mournsd brother. Briefly he explained his
eighteen month i' captivity; how he had tried every means of
escape untU he 'had suoceedAd while with a compajiy of

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 59
fi'eventeeni ,on Cummings Creek, now in Fayjette County —
the band having oomje down to rob and kill the settlers.
Now was the opportunity — with his own well armed party
and a few volunteers, about 20 in aU, Capt. Brown rode aU
night and at daylight the following morning, surprised the
Indians kiiUng aU except one who escaped to oarry tidings
of the fate cf his comrades to his people on the Brazos."
With varj'ing success CapJ. Browm continued his busi
ness as a trader, making frequent trips to and from Mexi
co. The sequel to one .of his return trips is thus given by
his son amd biographer — John Henry Brown — "In the month
of December, 1828, Capt. Brown was returning from a
trading expediticm to Mexico, having as the proceeds' of
his venture, about 500 b,orses and a considerable amount of
silver im rawhide wrappers. He had with him mine Mexi
can ranchers, a faithful Cherokee Indian, named Luke, and
two or three Aniiericans, At night om the road betweem San
Antonio and Gonzales, his animals were stampeded and
driven off by a party of hostile Indians, leaving a portion
of his men on foot. He repair«d to Gonzales and increased
bis force to twenty nine men. With these he moved leisure
ly up the country through! the mountains, and finally cross
ed the Colorado a little above the mouth of Pecan Bay,ou,
into the present territory of Brown County, hoping to sur
prise an Indian vUlage, and recover his o-wn or an equal
number .of horses and mules.
"He suddenly came upom an encampment almost desti
tute of horses, and scarcely any women or children. Quite
a fight ensued, the defiant Indians, killing one of Brown's
Mexicans, besides wounding several of his men slightly. But
several Indians falling, the balance suddenly fled into the
creek bottom.
"Capt. Brown, stiU anxious to find the object of his
search, traveled westerly till night, and encamped. Dur
ing the night some of the guard discovered a camp fire
apparently about two miles distant. As day dawned the
party mounted, and moving cautiously, struck tbe viUage
just as it was light enough to see. Six of the Mexicans, un-

60 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
der prior instructions, stampeded the Indians' horses. The
other twenty three men covered 'the rear, and prepared for
battle. Forty or fifty mounted Indians made pursuit and
heavy skirmishing ensued, until four cr five warriors had
be.en "tumbled from their horses. Ihey drew off untU re-
enforced by about as many more who, however, made no
attack, but traveled parallel with the retreating party, oc
casionally showing themselves, till the sun went down.
But .all this time the horses had been pushed in a gallop,
and rendered too tired to be easily stampeded at night —
the forlorn hope of the enemy."
Thus tbe retreat continued by day and night, till the
party arrived at Gonzales in January, 1829, with the booty
— ^some 500 head of horses — which w.ere equally divided
among the captors.
Capt. Brown died at Columbia, Texas, July 26, 1834,
and rests from his toils within a few feet of Josiah H.
Bell, and the once noted Capt. Bird Lockhiart.

MURDER OF ELIJAH ROARK.
Among other early and v/orthy colonists on the Brazos
was Elijah Roark, a native of North Carolina, who removed
¦with his family "in a large wagon drawn by six mules" and
settled on Oyster Creek, ih 1824.
Frugal and industrious, bis efforts were scon rewarded
with ercp yields and sn increasing stock of cattle, hogs,
etc.. At that time San Antonio, some 230 miles distant, with
but two .small settlements em route, — at the crossing of the
Colorado, and at Gonzales, — was the nearest and in fact,
the only market in Texas. About the 10th. of December,
1829, Mr. Roark, with one man and his little son, Leo, left on
his annual market trip with about 100 fat ihogs and a Avag-
on load of butter, cheese, baccn, lard, soap, candles and va
rious otlier things, which they expected to exchange for dry
goods, coffee, sugar, salt and other family supplies.
Traveling slow to avoid fatigue of the porkers, the lit
tle party reached the "Forty Mile Water Hole"— that dis
tance short of San Antonio — where they camped for tbe

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 61
night of Dec. 24, little thinking of the fate that was so
soon to befaU them. After supper and a pleasant converse
on former Yule-tide pleasures, the usual preparations were
made for the night — ^intending an early morning start. We
give the sad sequel as told by Leo Roark himself : ' ' One man
was to keep guard while the other two slept. Father kept
tbe first watch, and the other man tlie second. I went on
guard about two o'clock, putting on my shoes and hat. The
weather had been very warm, but while I was sitting by
the camp fire, the wind began to blow from the north. It
was getting cold, so I put om my coat, took my gun and
kni^e, and walked a short distance. There was a large log
near tbe road about lOO yards from, the camp. Father told
me I must walk past the log and turn back. I got to the
log and was afraid to pass it. I thougb.t I would go back
and wake Father. The mules were staked mear, and they
were so restless I knew there was something wrong. Be
fore I got back the Indians surrounded the camp. I shot
at them and this woke the men. They did not get on their
feet before they were murdered. I tried to catcb a mule
that was tied to a stake, but could not get near the mule.
I laid down my gun and tried to cut the rope, but could
mot as the Indians were so near I had to run. I lost my
hat, knife and gun. I was west of the camp and knew the
way to San Antonio. Leaving the road, I ram into tbe mes-
quite thickets and did not look back nor stop to rest tiU
daylight. Being very thirsty I could find no water, but ate
mesquite beans. I traveled ai' day and late in the evening
*ound water. Here I rested a few moments, but was afraid
to lay down as I was so tired and sleepy. With much ef
fort I continued my journey and arrived in San Antonio
'"•te in the night. .The Mexicans were celebrating Christ
mas. Next day I got assistance and returned to bury my
father. Arriving at the camp il was a borrbUe sight, both
men stripped and scalped, the wagon burned, the mules
carried off, and everything, .taken or destroyed.
"After burying the dead, -we built a log pen over the
graves to prevent the wolves from; digging them up — the

62 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
burning of the wagon scared the wolves away, or they
would have devoured the bodies."
It was three months before Leo returned home — with a
company of Mexican soldiers on their way t* Nacog
doches. The family did not hear of the death of Mr. Roark
and companion till then. The news was a great shock,
and a source of sorrow to all tbe neighborhood.
Brown's "'larrative of this affair— History of Texas,
Vol. 1, pp. 159-61 — ^Avhile supplying some important details,
is difficult ,to reconcUe with the above absolutely reliable
account, and is evidently erroneous. Leo Roark 's state
ment, which we have followed, was copied from the journal
of Dr. Pleasant W. Rose, as written therein under date of
January, 1834. Dr Rose's daughter, IVIrs. Dilue Harris, in
her rieminiscences, based on this journal, says: "Mrs.
Roark was a widow four years, amd) had a large family, two
grown sons, twin daughters, one daugh.ter grown, two lit
tle childrem, a boy named Andrew, an,d a girl born several
months after the death of the father. I lived by the Roarks
three years, and went to school with the two brothers, Jack
son and Leo. Mrs. Roark could not talk about the death of
her husband, but her son,, Leo, _often spoke about it; re
membering the horrible scene he passed through; during that
eventful Christmas . ' '
Brown's narrative cannot be correct. He sayis Robert
Spears amd Andrew Cox were killed, and that David Mc-
Cormiek escaped and rode with Leo to San Antonio. Eea-
son was from, the Colorado, and was killed by Indiaus — ^per
haps about the same time Roark was murdered. McCormick
was probably in San Aatonio when Leo arrived there. At
"that time it was almost impossible to get correct news. It
would be months before events happening near San Anto-
T:io would be heard at Brazoria.
Beason's father settled where the town of Columbia
now stands. The place was called Beason's Ferry. Santa
Amna with his forces crossed the Colorado at Beason's in
1836. Of the brave boy, Leo, it may be said he lived to parti-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.

63

cipate in several Indian fights, and other stirring events of
our history; the affair at Anahuac in 1832; the battles
around Sam Antonio in 1835, and in the battle of San Ja
cinto. He married a Miss Pevyhouse, and reared a large
amd respectable family. In 1893, sixty .three years after
the awful tragedy of that eventful Christmas might, this
venerable pioneer died in Ellis County, Texas, fuU of years
amd of honors.

CHAPTER lY.

HE year 1830 marks the beginning of an
important era in the political history of
Texas. Heretofore, during the first years
of colonial existence, the American set
tlers had been left undisturbed save by the
hostile tribes of Indians who had constant
ly harassed them on all sides, as we have
seen. But much vigilance bad been exer
cised by Austin and other empresarios in
repelling and punishing the savages; and
now that the population of the several colonies and settle
ments were rapidly increasing, they were better able to
cope with the common foe.
But now it was that another and most serious draw
back to the colonies occurred. Ever jealous of their grasp-
i^g neighbors on the north, and presumably fearing a too
rapid increase in the American population of coveted Tex
as, on April the 6th. of this year, the Mexican Government,
now dictated by the arrogant, unprincipled and liberty
hating military chieftain, President Artastasia Bustamente, is
sued the famous and infamous decree — the eleventh article
of which virtually prohibited further immigration into Tex-
^ from the United States.

MIRABEAU B. LAMAR

ALBERT SIONEY JOHNSTON

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 65
As might have been expected, this act spread gloom
over the colonists, many of whom, coming in advance, bad
been industriously occupied in making preparations for
the arrival, amd, to sor.e degree, the comfort of others —
in many instances the wife and children; and coanimg thus
without previous notice or intimaticn, there was no time to
turn back or to warn those who were on the eve of moving,
(having perhaps, sacrificed home and property), of the
fate that awaited them cm their arrival at the border line —
garrisoned with Mexican troops to prevent their further
progress. To bumUiate amd further annoy the colonists, more than
a thousand soldiers were sent to the province, and distrib
uted at such points as their services might be needed The
greater portion of these soldiers, it is said, were discharged
convicts and enlisted vagabonds, who were to be support
ed by tbe money collected- from duties and' by colonial tax
ation. Piedras, as ranking officer, with 320 mem, was sta
tioned at Nacogdoches, to prevent further emigration from
the United States; and thia, too, at the time when Robert
son's Colony was settling and many families w.ere enroute;
Bradburn, with a force of 150 at Anahuac; Ugartechea,
120 at "Velasco; Col. Bean, with a force at Fort Ter
an on the Neches, as Indian agent to the central govern
ment — besides the forces at San Antonio and Goliad.
¦Bradburn was the first to manifest a direct hostile
spirit. Says Thomas Jefferson Chambers: "He introduc
ed martial law for the citizens; he took from them their
property without their consent and witliout consideration;
be bad many of thesm arrested and imprisoned in the fort
of Anahuac ; and bis troops, who were guilty of robbing and
stealing, were by bim protected from punishment." But it
is not our purpose to enter into a discussion or review of
the transpiring and approaohimg events of our political his
tory at this period, interesting and important as the sub
ject may be, and reference is made thus far somewhat in-
cidentaUy. Fortunately for the colonists, while occupied with their

66 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
internal affairs, the Indians at this date appear to have
been less troublesome— over^jved for the time perhaps, by
the expeditions of KuykendaU and Brown, tbe previous
year. Then, too, the Cherokees, Wacos and Tehuacanas
bad become involved in a serious strife among themselves.
The trouble encountered by one of these bands, enroute
to their people in Texas., and whUe temporarily halting on
Red River in the winter of 1828-29, is graphicaUy narrated
by John Henry Brown, in the only reliable account of this af
fair — written and published more than half a century ago:
"They had not been at this place very long before their
vUlage was discovered by a party of Wacos, on a robbing
expedition from the Brazos; and these freebooters, true to
their instincts from time immemmorial, lay concealed till
the silent midnight hour, and then, stealthily entering the
herds of the sleeping Cherokees, stampeded their horses,
driving off a large number. To foUow them was labor in
vaini — ^but to quietly forget the deed was not the maxim
among the red sons of Tennessee.

BED WARRIORS IN DEADLY STRIFE.
"A council was held and the matter discussed. After
the opinions of the warriors had beem given, the principal
war chief rose, and in substance said: 'My brothers. The
wild men of .the far off Brazos have come into our cainp
while the Cherokees slept. They have stolen our most
useful property. Without horses we are poor, and cannot
make corn. The Cherokees will hasten to plant their corn
for tliis spring, and while that is springing from the
ground, and growing under the Great Spirit, and shaU be
waving around our women and children, we will leave some
old men and women to watch it, and the Cherokee braves
will spring upon the cunning Wacos of the Brazos as .they
sprang upon us.*
"The com' was planted, and in the month of May, 1829,
£ war party of fifty-five, well armed, left the viUage on

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 67
foot in search of the Wacos. At this time the principal vU
lage of ,the Wacos, was on the bluff where the beautiful
city of Waco now greets the eye on the west bank of .the
Brazos. One band of the Tehuacana ( Ta-wak-a-na ) In
dians, who have always been more or less connected with
the Wacos, were Uving on the east bank of the river, three
miles below. Both bands had erected rude fortifications, by
scooping up the earth in various places and throwing up a
circular embankment three or four feet high, the remains of
which still are to be seen. Th,fc principal work of this kind
at tbe Waco village occupied a natural sink in the surface.
"The Cherokees struck the Brazos above the village
some forty miles, and travele.d downwards until they dis
covered signs of the proximity, and then secreted them
selves in the cedar brake till night. The greater portion
of the night was spent in examining the position, through
experienced scouts. Having made the necessary obser
vations, the scouts reported near daylight, when the war
chief admonished them of Avhat they had come for — ^re
venge! Waeo scalps! horses! and led them forth from their
hiding place, under the bank of the river, to a point about
four turdred yards from the wigwams of the slumber
ing Wacos. Here they halted till the rays of light, on that
lovely May morning, begam to gild the eastern horizon.
The time for action bad come. Moving with the noiseless,
elastic step peculiar to the sons of the forest^ the Chero
kees approached the camp. But a solitary Waco was aroused,
ard was collecting the remains of his fire of the previous
might, preparatory to his morning repast. His Indian ear
caugh.t the sounds of footsteps on the brusb, a glance of his
lynx eye revealed the approaching foe. A single shrill yell
from him, wbieb. echoed far and near through the Brazos
forest, brought every Waco to his feet. The terrible Chero
kee war-whoop was their morning greeting, accompanied
by a shower of leaden rain. But though surprised, the
Waccs out numbered their assailants many times, their wo
men amd chUdren must be protected or sacrificed, their
ancient home, where the bones of their fathers had been

68 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
buried for ages^ was assailed by unknown intruders. The.
chief ralUed th,e warriors, and made a stand, the fight be
came general, and as the sun arose majestically over tbe
towering trees of the east, he beheld the red men of Tennes
see and the red men of Texas in deadly strife. But the
bows amd arrows of the Wacos could not compete with the
unerring rifles of the Cherokees. The Wacos were falling
rapidly, while the Cherokees were unharmed.
"After half an hour's strife, amid yells and mutual
imprecations, the Wacos signalled a retreat, and they fell
back in confusion, taking refuge in the fortified sinkhole.
Here, though hemmed in, they were quite secure, having a
great advantage. Indeed they could kill every Cherokee
who might peradventure, risk his person too near the brink.
"The Cherokees had already killed many, and now
held a council, to consider what they should do. It was
proposed by one brave that they should strip to a state of
nature, march into the sink-hole in a body, fire their pieces,
then drop them, and with tomahawks alcne endeavor to kiU
every man, woman and child among the Wacos. A half
breed named Smith, who was in favor of this desperate
naeasure, as an incentive to his comrades, stripped himself,
fastened a dozen horsebells (w-^hich he had picked up in
camp) around his waist, and commenced galloping and yell
ing around the sink-hole, now and then jumping on the em
bankment and then cursing the Wacos lustily. The arrows
were hurled at him by the score, but he fell not.
"Just as the Cherokee council was coming to a close,
at about an hour after sunrise, they beard a noise like dis
tant thunder on the opposite side of the river, and delayed
a fe-w moments to discover its cause. Very soon they dis
covered a large body, of mounted Indians rising the river
banks a little below them. What could it mean? they
murmured one to another. The story is soon told. A
messenger had rushed from the Waccs in the outset, for
the Tehuacana village, begging help, and now two hundred
Tehuacana warriors, mounted and ready for the fray, were
at hard. The whole aspect of the day was changed in a

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 69
moment. To conquer this combined force was impossible —
to escape themselves would require prudence. The Tehua-
canas, in coming up, cut off a Cherokee boy, twelve years
old, kiUed and scalped him, and pkced his scalp, and held
it up defiantly to the view of the Cherokees. The boy was.
am only chUd, and his father beheld this scene. The brave
man's eye glared with fury. Without a word he threw
from his bccy every piece of his apparel, seized a knife in
one hand, a tomahawk in the other. 'What AviU you?' de
manded the chief. 'Die with my brave boy. Die slaying
the wild men who have plucked the last rose from my bos
om!' The chief interceded and told him it was madnessj
the Cherokee listened not ; with rapid strides he rushed
amorg the Tehnaeanas, npom certain death; but ere death
bad seized its victim, he had killed several and died shout
ing defiance in their midst.
"The TeKuacau'asi occupied the jxost oaks just below the
Cherokees, and kept up a lusty shouting, but ventured not
within rifle shot. The latter seeing that on an open field
tbey could net resist such numbers — having taken fifty-five
Waco scalps, (equal to their own number) and having lost
two men and the boy — ^now fell back into the cedar brake
and remained there till night. They were convinced that
their safety depended upon a cautious retreat, for if sur
rounded on the, prairie, they would be annihilated. "WTien-
night came on they crossed the river, traveling down the
sand bank a mile or two, as if they were going down the
country, thence, turning up the stream, waded up the edge
of the water some six or seven miles, (the river being low
and remarkably even), and thus eluded pursuit. In due
time they reached their Red River villages, without the
thousand horses they anticipated, but with fifty-five Wacts
ecalps — glory enough in their estimation. The entire band.
was now speedily collected and amid much rejoicing and
¦with great noise, it is said, indulged in one of the grandest
¦war dances ever -witnessed in Texas." , . . .

70 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
THE CHEROKEE AND TEHUACANA FIGHT.
"The Cherokees, it seems, did not forget the Tehuacanas,
but held them to strict account — determined to take re
venge en them for their interference in the engagement
with the Wacos— as the sequel will show. To this end it ap
pears, early in the summer of 1830, they armed and equipped
one hundred and twenty cf their bravest and best
fighters, who marched upon one of the principal viUages
of the enemy.
"The Tehuacanas, like the Waccs, had several princi
pal villages, favorite resorts, from some peculiarity, as fine
springs of water, abundance of buffalo, etc. One of them,
and perhaps their most esteemed locality, was at the south
ern point of the hills of the same name, now in the upper
edge of Limestone County. Arourd these springs there is
a large amount of loose limestone on the surface, as weU as
in the hills, and the whole surrounding country is one of
rare beauty and loveliness.
"The Tehuacanas bad erected several small enclosures
bf these loose stones, about three feet high, leaving occas
ional spaces some two feet square, resembling the mouths
bf furnaces. Over the tops they threw poles and spread
buffalo hides, and when attacked, their women, old men 'and
children, would seek refuge in the same, and lying flat on
the ground, would send their arrows and bullets through
these apertures whenever an enemy came in range. From
the attacks of small arms, such a protection, however primi
tive, was generally quite effective.
"This party of Cherokees, having been informed of the
locality of this place, and the value set upon it by the Te
huacanas, and knowing that it was a considerable distance
from the Wacos, determined to seek it out and there wreak
vengeance upon those who had by their own act called
forth feelings of hostility. Guided by an Indian who had
explored tbe country as a trappper, they reached the place
in due season. When discovered, the Tehuacanas Were en
gaged at a play of ball around the little fort. The Chero-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 71
kees stripped for action at once, whUe the ball players,
promptly ceased that amusement, rushed their women and
children into the retreats, and prepared for defense. They
had quite a large village, and outnumbered the Cherokees in
fighting men.
"A random fight commenced, the Cherokees using the
surrounding trees as protection, and taking the matter as
a business transaction, made their advances from tree to
tree with prudence. Their aim, with the 'rest' against the
trees, told with effect, and one by one, notwithstanding
their hideous yeUs and capering to and fro, the Tehuaca
nas were biting the dust.
* ' The moment one was wounded, unless a very brave fel
low, he would crawl into tbe hiding place among the women
and children, unless, perchance, on his way, a Cherokee
baU brought him to the ground.
"The fight continued this way an hcur or more, when,
upon a signal, the whole body retired within the breastworks.
At this time the Cherokees, elated by what they supposed
to be a victory, charged upon the open holes, ringing their
victorious war-whoop most furiously. But they were soon
convinced that though concealed, the besieged were not
powerless, for here they received a shower of arrows and
baUs from the hiddem enemy wbich tumbled several of their
braves alongside of those they killed on the other side. Yet,
excited as they had become, they were not easily con-vinced
that prudence in that case was the better pait of valor. On
Ihe contrary, they maintained the unequal contest for some
time, until one of their old men advised a talk.
"They -withdrew a short distance and held a consulta
tion. Their leaders said they had come there for revenge
and they would not relinquish their design so long as a
Cherokee brave was left to fight — that to go back to their
people and report a 'defeat, would disgrace them — they
would die en the field rather than bear such tidiu'gs.
'Where there's a will, there's a way' is a trite old adage,
and at this juncture of affairs, it was verified by the Chero
kees. The old man who had advised the 'talk,' nowi made

72 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
a suggestion, which was seconded by all. He proposed that
a party should be sent off a short distance to cut diy grass
and bring a load; that men, loaded with this material, should
cautiously approach each hole in the breastworks, from) the
sides, using the grass as a shield on the way; that the door
hoks should be stopped up with it, (with new supplies con-
-etantly arriving), and set on fire, by whicb very simple pro
cess tbe inmates would be suffocated or compelled to throw
off the bides and leap out, breathless and more or less
blinded through the smoke, while tbe Cherokees, stationed
around in circles, would have an easy time in butchering
their astonished red brethren. This was a rich idea and de
lighted wilh the anticipated fun on their part, and
misery among their enemies, the Cherokees speedily made
all their arrangements and disposed of their fighting men
to the best advantage. The grass was placed in the re
quired position, and at the same moment, set om fire. For
a moment or two no response was heard from within; but
very soon the smoke was seen escaping through the rocks
and from under the skins, proving that each little refuge
was full of the strangulating exhalation. To endure such
a torture long, was beyond human power; and in a little
while a doleful/ howl issued forth, followed by a signifi
cant upheaving of tbe buffalo-skin roofs, and a rush of the
gasping victims, blinded by smoke, leaping over the waUs,
tbey knew not where. To render tbe picture more appal
ling, the exulting Cherokees srt up a terrible yeUing, and
dealt death to the doomed creatures with their guns, toma
hawks and scalping knives until all were slain, or bad made
their escape from the dreadful sacrifice by headlong flight.
Quite a number of squaws and children, and perhaps a few
men, had been unable to rise, amd died from suffocation
in.side the works."
And thus ended this tragic scene in the course of our
Indian warfare. Comparatively few of the Tehuacanas es
caped. The Burvi-ving women and children were preserved
prisoners, and a considerable number of horses, blankets,
ekirfi, and indeed the entire wutp equipage, fell into the

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 73
hands of the victors, who returned to their people on Red
River in triumph, displaying not only their booty, biit ra.
large number of the greatest of all Indian symbols of
glory, scalps.
While no serious troubles from Indians appear to have
been committed during this and the succeeding year or
two, the isolated and extreme border settlers suffered from
occasional thieving forays of tne Wacos and Tabuacanas.
In November, a party of eleven Wacos entered the
settlements some twenty miles west of San Felipe. They
were on foot, and well supplied with ropes and bridles. A
party consisting of Adam Lawrence, Thomas Stevens,
Abner Kuykendall, Charles Gates, B. KuykendaU, George
Robinson, WiUiam Cooper and five others, were soon col
lected to intercept the Indians, Discovering them camped near
tbe house of John Stevens, on Caney Creek, the Bettlers
made a surprise attack at dawn.
"Favored by a gully and a dense fog, we approach^
within thirty feet of tbe Indiana (part of whom had not yet
risen), before tbey perceived us, at which moment we de
livered cur fire." As the Indians fled one of them shot
WUliam Cooper through the he-art, killing bim instantly.
This caused considerable confusion and delay on the part
of the settlers. "Late- in the morning," says KuykendaU,
"the trail of the Indians was followed as far as the bottom
of Caney Creek^ five or six hundred yards, some red strips
marked their course across the prairie and two or three
conical shaped pieces of r ott on wood, with wbich these In
dians are generally provided, to plug their wounds, were
picked up on the trail, saturated with blood." The carcass
of one of these Indians was found in the bottom, and from
the Mexicans at Tenoxtitlan, some two weeks later, it was
learned that seven of them died from their wounds before
reaching their homes.
1831 — ^Despite the prohibitory decree of tihe previous year
and the forebodings of political troubles, the American
population of Texas contiaued to increase — numbering about
twenty thousand. The most part of these prohibit«d.«mi-

74 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
grants came, however, under the general prvovisions of the
law, on their own account, halting east of the Trinity, where
they fixed homes.
Having designated their lands, these settlers were an
xious for legal possession, and, to that end, "in 1831 the
Governor of the State had commmissioned Don Francisco
Madero as commissioner to issue titles to the settlers on
and near the region of Liberty." Justly exercising the
authority of his position, and most gratifying to the people
of that section, Madero created he 'municipatlity of Liber
ty, appointing Hugh B. Johnson as Alcalde.
But for this, the Commissioner was arrested and im
prisoned, the Alcalde removed and the municipality of
"Libertad" dissolved — a new AjTintamiemto being set up
by tbe despotic and obdurate military satrap, Bradburn,
with its seat at Anahuac under bis immediate surveiUance.
Thus far, this suffices to show the general trend! of the
events transpiring in, and most affecting, the colonies.
Fortunate for the otherwise vexed colonists, no serious
depredations by Indians appear to have been committed at
this time. However, the year 1881, says Yoakum, did not
pass away M'ithout being witness to a battle, which, consid
ering the number engaged and its r^ults, was the hardest
contested field in Texas.
One of the early and unique pioneer characters of Tex
as, was Caiaphas K. Ham, born in the year 1803. He was
an intimate friend and associate of the Bowies in Louisiana,
and came to Texas in 1830, residing with Colonel James
Bowie and his beautiful Spani.sh wife — ^the daughter of Vice
Governor Veramendi— at the Mission of San Jose, on the
San Antonio River some four miles below the city.
Soon after his arrival in Texas, Mr. Ham decided to
join the Comanche Indians for the purpose of buying horses
for the Louisiana market. At that time, 1830, this tribe
•was at peace with the Texans. "Being in San Antonio
frequently, "isays H'aJm's narrative, "on almost every occa
sion I saw parties of Comanche Indians who came into
trade. My desire was to know something of them and the

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 75
country they wandered over. Cclcnel Bowie at first op
posed the scheme, but finding I was determined, he assisted
me in getting things in good shape. A Comanche chief
named Incorroy, came in. An interpreter was employed
and a treaty made. I was adopted into the chief's famUy,
with an assurance that I could return to the whites when
ever I chose. A supply cf powder, balls, butcher knives
and brass rings, was laid in." The object in adverting to
this freak wUl be seen farther on, when it will be discover
ed that this trading expedition had an important bearing
upon an affair affecting Colonel Bowie.
"We left San Antonio," continues Ham's narrative,
"and started for the chief's camp. I had no care on my
mind ; in the morning I saddled one horse and packed anoth
er — ^the latter being turned over to the care of my Indian
mama. "About this time a party of Wacos were encamped
near us. They wanted to trade, and had good horses. In
corroy instructed me how to trade — I gave one pint of pow
der, eight balls, one plug of tobacco, one butcher knife,
and two brass rings, for a horse."
After some five months. Ham received a message
from Colonel Bowie advising him to return to San Antonio
at once, as the Mexican Government was preparing to make
war upon the Indian tribes; and that if found among the
Comanches he would be killed with them. During his stay
with the Indians, Ham had gained their friendship com
pletely, and bad himself become attached to his red friends.
When be left the chief, twenty-five warriors escorted him
to San Antonio. Mr. Ham was convinced that the real mo
tive for his recall from the Indians was an intention on the
part of the Bo-vvies to re-visit the celebrated silver mine near
SanSaba, whieh had beenj discovered, and partially examin
ed hy Bowie, it .appears, some time previous to 1831.
The shaft was about eight feet deep ; the bottom was
reached by means of steps cut in a live oak log. Bowie
used his tomahawk in getting possession of some of the ore;
which he carried to New Orleans, had it assayed, and it

76 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
"panned cut" rich. He soon returc'td to San Antonio and
quietly set about organizing a select little party to revisit
and examine the mine. Mr, Ham was one of the party se
lected. These facts are deemed permissible in this connection as
shedding some Ught on the thriUing episode to follow.

BO"WIB'S FAMOUS INDIAN FIGHT.
Perhaps tbe celebrated engagement known as "Bowie's
Indian Fight" is without a parallel on this continent; cer
tainly a more skUlful and heroic defense against such ^'ear-
ful odds was never made on Texas soil.
Organized, equipped and led by the Bowie brothers, the
little exploring party consisting of Rezin P, and James
Bowie, David Buchanan, Robert Armstrong, Jesse Wallace,
Matthew Doyle, Thomas McCaslin, C. K. Ham, James Cor
yell, (for whom Coryell county was named), and two ser
vant boys, Charles, a negro, and Gonzales, a Mexican, set
out from San Antonio on November 2, 1831, to locate and
re-open the long abandoned and lost silver mines of Alma-
gres, SOMEWHERE, in the vicinity of tbe old San Saba
Mission. The secret of the .location of this celebrated and
rich silver mine was well guarded by the Indians, who
wished to prevent another influx of miners and adventurers
into their hunting ground.s. — a condition that brougbt
about tbe fate of the San Saba Mission, wben its inmates,
the miners, and people there congregated, were suddenly
feU upon and all massacred by the incensed Indians in 1758.
The little party traveled out and met with no adven
ture of note until the 19th, when they were overtaken by a
party of friendly Comanches, who informed Bowie that a
large body of hostile Indians were on his trail swearing
that they would take the scalp of every white man in the
party. The hostile Indians were the Tehuacanas, Wacos
and Caddos, numibering 1€4 well ai-medi braves. They
were too strong for Bowie to risk a figSit, andi eiven
¦when the Comanche chief offered to join Bowie witb his

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. , 77
hand of sixteen men, the odds were so fearful that Bowie
declined the generous offer and pressed forward with the
intention of reaching the old fort on the San Saba before
night. But the Texans soon struck' a rocky road, and
their horses' feet were so worn and sore that they were
compelled to step for the night in a small grove of live
oaks. This grove was in an open prairie, interspersed with
rocks and clumps of trees. Near it^ on the west, was a
stream of water, and on the north, a thicket of emaill trees
about ten feet high. Into this thicket, and through prick
ly pears, tbe Texans cut a road, in order that they might
be prepared for defense in case of an attack by the Indians.
They then posted sentries and hobbled their horsies, but
they were not molested until the next morning, when they
discovered Indians on their trail before they could get
ready to depart for the fort. One of thte Indians was some
distance in advance of bis comrades. He was on foot with
his head to the ground, foUowing the trail of the Texans.
Bowie and bis men flew to arms. The red men gave a loud
warwhccp and began their preparations for an attack.
'WhUe some of the bucks on horseback were reconnoitering
tbe ground, tbe Texans decided, on account of the fearful
odds, against them — ^164 to 11 — to avoid, if possible, a fight
so unequal and desperate. It was agreed that Rezin Bowie
should go out and parley with tbe Indians and try to make
terms of peace. He went, accompanied by David Buchan
an. They walked to within forty yards of tbe enemy's
line and in-vited the Indians to send out their chief, so that
Ihey could have a talk with him. Tbe Indians who had
been iaddressed in their own tongue replied "with a
"How do! How do!" followed by a volley of rifle
«bbts, one of which wounded Buchanan in the leg.
Bowie replied with tbe contents of his double bar
reled shot gun, and pistol, them: taking his wounded com
rade on his back, started for the camp. The Indians fired
another volley, and Buchanan was wounded twice more,
but not mortally. The savages then pursued with toma
hawks and were close upon Bowie and his unfortunate

78 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
companion, when tbe Texans charged them with rifles, kill
ing four and putting the others to fUght. Bowie and his
men then returned to their positions and for five minutes
all was quiet.
Then there came fierce yeUs from a hiU red with In
dians, and so near that the Texans could hear the voice
of the chief as he urged his men to charge. "Who is load
ed?" cried the Texan leader. "I am," answered Cephas
Ham. "Then shoot that chief," said Bowie, and Ham
fired, breaking the leg of the Indian and kiUing his pony.
As the wounded chief went hopping around his horse, four
of the Texans, who had reloaded, fired, amd he fell. Sev
eral of his men, who advanced to bear his body away, were
killed, and the whole band fell back beyond the hiU. But
they soon covered the hill again, bringing up their women,
and there :was rapid firing on both sides. Another chief,
advancing on horseback and urging his men forward, was
killed by James Bowie. Meanwhile a number of the In
dians succeeded in getting under the creek bank in the rear
of the Texans. They opened fire at forty yards distance
and Matthew Doyle was shot through the breast, and Thom
as McCaslin, running forward to avenge him, was shot
through the body. The firing then became general from
all quarters and the Texans, finding themselves too much
exposed, retreated to the thicket, where they were in point
blank range cf the riflemen under the creek bank and soon
dislodged them.
In the thicket the Texans were not only well screen
ed, but had a clear view of the Indians on the prairie.
They baffled the savages in their shots, by moving six
or eight feet the moment they fired, for the only mark for
the red men was the smoke o* the Texans' guns, and they
would immediately put a shower of balls on the spot where
they saw the smoke.
After the fight had continued in this way for two
hours, the Indians saw that they could not dislodge the
Texans with bullets, and they resorted to fire. By this
they expected to rout the little party and secure an oppor-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. .[ '. 79
tunity of carrying off their dead and wounded under cov
er of the smoke, for the rifles of the rangers bad brought
down several at every round. They set fire to the Ary grass-
to the windward of the thicket. The flamies soared high'
and rushed forward' with great fury. The Texans cleared
away the grass around their wounded comrades and made
whatever barriers they could against tbe flames by pUing
up rock and bushes to make a flimsy breastwork. Mean
while the Indians, who had succeeded in carrying off their
dead and wounded under cover of the smoke, returned
again to the attack. The wind suddenly shifted to the
north and the red men quick to see the advantage it gave
them, seized their chance and again set fire to the grass.
The flames went roaring ten feet high toward the thicket,
whUe the shouts and yells of the savages rent the air.
This was the critical moment in the fight. Tbe sparks
began to fly so fast that no man could open his powder
horli without danger of being blown to pieces. In case the
Indians should make a charge under cover of the smoke,
which was expected, they could give only one effectual
fire and then rely on their knives. Besides, there was great
danger from the flames, but as they came to the edge of
the cleared space around the wounded, those stalwart men
smothered them with buffalo hides, bear skins and blank
ets. The savages did not charge, but the fire left so little of
the thicket that the Texans took refuge in tbe ring they had
made around the wounded, and began raising their breast
works higher with earth and loose rocks. TheTndians, who
succeeded in removing their dead and wounded from the
field under cover of the smoke, seeing the Texans were
still alive and dangerous, became discouraged, and as
might approached, retired from the field.
The Texans strengthened their breastworks and filled
their vessels and skins with water and awaited the attack
which they expected the following morning. All night
they heard the savages wailing over their dead and at day
light they shot a chief who was mortally wounded, which

so , ". • BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
^as according. to tbe custom o' their tribe. They did not
Benew the attack the next morning, but went to a cave
about a mile away for shelter and to bury their dead. Two
©f the ramgers ventured out of the little fort and went to
tie place where the Indians had spent tbe night. There
they counted forty-eight bloody places on the ground where
the dead and wounded Indians had been laid as they were
brought from the battlefield.
According to the best authorities, it is estimated that
the Indians had eighty odd killed and wounded. The In
dians themselves admitted they, had 52 killed, and half as
many wounded. The Texans lost one killed and bad three
wounded. The little party remained in their rudely forti
fied camp for eight days after the fight, attending their
wounded, and watching for an opportunity to slip away
and elude pursuit. The homeward journey consumed ten
days. The manner of their reception is thus pathetically
told by one of their number — Mr. Ham.
"The Cowancbes, believing it impossible for eleven
men to defend themselves successfully against the fearful
odds of fifteen to one, went into San Antonio and reported
the almost certain death of Bowie and his party. It was
tbe general opinion that the explorers had been massacred.
Stephen Bowie had arrived in Texas and accepted the re
port as true. He was raising a company to avenge the
sanguinary murder of his two brothers. The shades of night
had fallen on tbe city. Sad hearts were bewaUing the fate
©f the adventurous Americans. A party of men, mostly on
foot, weary amd soiled by travel, entered tbe streets of the
Queen City of the West. Some of the men were recog
nized. A shout went up ; it was repeated, it spread from
street to street, from bouse to bouse. Stout men quivered
with excitemeent, tears of joy dimmed bright eyes. Fear
less men rushed forward to grasp in friendship and admira
tion, the hands of citizens who had proved themselves
IwToes in a contest demanding courage, prudence, endurance
and all the noble qualities adorning the soldier and the
jKitriot. 'Bowie's party have returned! Tbey have won

, WM. A. «. ..BIG FOOT" WAt-UACE. 2. SAMUEU M. WILUAMS
...I' FOSTER. THE HUMTER. «». MOSE:3 AUSt'iM. FATHER STEPH. F.AUSTIN

,.l. JUDGE O. i_. TYLER.
3. HON. W. U. DAVIDSON

2. CAPT. JOHN HARVEY
.«. COL.. WM. F. HENDERSON

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 81
a glorious victory!' was the cry. House to house was illu
minated. The people in their heart of hearts decreed them
a triumph. And well they deserved it. The pages of his
tory record but few such achievements. It stands almost
alone upon the scenic walls of Fame's grand temple. The
valorous men who braved their breasts to the assaults of a
savage enemy in overwhelming numbers, who fought -with
out fear and without hope, and roUed back tbe tide of bar
baric aggression,* should be remembered and honored aa
long as civilization endures and gratitude has a place in
the human heart." (Unpublished memoirs of Col. John S.
Ford.) Ere Long, nothing daunting the brave Bowies, they
determined to again seek, and yet possess, the coveted
treasure ; amd to this end, we are told, they organized and
equipped ^ second, and more formuidable expedition, of some
thirty men, which was well nigh starling when the Texas
war for independence ojiened; amd, true to their patriotic
promptings, the Bowie brothers were among the first to
heed the call to arms. They hastened to Gonzales, led at
Conception, and were among the first to respond to the
cry, ""Who -trill follow old Ben Milam into San Aatonio?"
Three months later James Bowie fell in the Alamo, be
queathing his name and heroism to all succeeditag genera
tions of Texans; while Rezin P. Bowie, mourning the un
timely fate of his brother, and leader in all matters, of an
adventurous nature at least, retired to his home and estate
in Louisiana, where he led a profitable and exemplary, but
less' baziardous, life, till Ms death in New Orleans, January
17, 1841. And thus tragically closed tbe history of this famous,
but, perhaps, forever lost, Almagres — since ever called the
"Bowie Mine," because Bowie was the only American who
ever knew the secret of its location. "His expedition be-

3f The citizens of B3xar in a memorial to the greneral en^a^em^nt, stated that within
ten years— 1822 to 1832— ninety seven citizens, besides soldiers killed in battles, had been
mtudered by hoatUe Indians.

82 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
gan," says one, "under the rainbow of promise, but closed
under the cloud of appaUing disaster."
Since that time, eighty years ago, many other adventur
ous and enterprising parties have sought tn vain to locate
this mine. The treasure is yet hidden, and wiU likely re-
miain a miystery.
The following letter will throw some light on tbe char
acter of the Bowies, and is here appropriately inserted:
New Orleans, La. May 3, 1889.
Mr. Jas. T, DeShields,
Dear Sir:-
I am, as you have been informed, connected with the
Bowies, being the grand-daughter of Col. Rezin P., and
grand niece of Col. James Bo-wie; and as such I thank you
for your kind intentions in regard to them. Some "penny
-a-liners" more fit to write for five cent, blood and thunder,
sensational publications, than for history, have seen fit to
describe them as pirates, border ruffians and characters of
such ilk, simply because Grand-father originated the knife
bearing (hiis mame ; and that for use only as a hunting knife.
The Bowies were men of honor, and gentlemen, possessing
both intelligence and handsome physiques. They loved ad
venture and excitement of a legitimate nature; they never
sought quarrels, for they were peaceful and amiable, but
fear had no home in their souls; and combined with a just
idea of their own rights, was the courage to defend them.
Not only wiene they heroes, but the sons of a hero, for
their father, Rezin Bowie, Sr.,was one of Gem. Mariom^'s men,
and their mother was of sterling worth. She met her hus
band in Georgia, during the Revolution, when with the
spirit of a patriot, she was nursing back to life the defend
ers of her country.
I biamdied your leitlter to my brother, (Major John S.
Moore, 167 Gravier St.) and would advise you to address
him personally, he is often in receipt of such requests as
yours. My mother is living, and with my brother, she is the
only living child of my grand-father. Uncle James left no

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS,

8a

children, his wife and two babies died pre-viously to his
death at the Alamo.
We have excellent portraits of Grandpa and Uncle
James. Thanking you omce more, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Engine Soniet de Fosset, • ;

Old Stone Fort at Nacogdc<dhes.

CHAPTER V.

HILE memorable in the history of Texas
as the, year in which the colonists first
took up arms in defense of their liberties
and vested rights against Mexican military
usurpation and despotism, the records show
but few incidents of Indian warfare in
1832.* Yoakum, however, tells us that "the In
dians along the Texan frontier were gener
ally mischievous— in fact there was scarce
ly a month that passed, but some murder cr robbery was
perpetrated by them." So we see that the year 1832 was
not an exception. Hence it was some consolation to the
Texans that, during this year, the different tribes had a
good deal of fighting among themselves, especiaUy a great
battle between the Comanches and Shawnees, in v.hieh the
former were badly defeated.

*But this year did not pass away without much apprehension of serious troubles with
Indians. "This was a year of suffering: for Texas; for no soonsr had they been relieved
from the contest with the Mexicans, than they were still more alarmed by the ravages of
the Indians, who were making continued depredations upon the frontiers. Their fears
were not without foundation; for the powerful bodies of Indians in their vicinity were truly
formidable." Agrainst these savages their own moral and physical resources constituted
about the sole means of defense, for at that time there were less than seventy Mexican sol
diers in Texas, and these were sustained by the citiaens of Bexar. And too. the calamities
of the settlers were still further increased by the appearance of the dreaded cholera, whicb
had been long traveling westward, desolating hamlets, towns and cities, in its well marked
course; and which reached Texas in the fall of this year, raging with fearful violence and
claiming as its victims, many of the valuable and useful citizens of the struggling colonies.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 85
SHAWNEES OUTWIT COMANCHES.
In 1632 a party of five hundred Comanches came in
to San Antonio. At that time a party of Shawnees, twenty-
five in njumber, were emcamped in the hills, about thirty-
live miles north of the town. A Comanche Indian attemp
ted to carry off one of the Shawnee women, who was in
the town. She fled to her own people, gave them informa
tion of what occurred, and they prepared an ambush for
their enemies at a point where they expected them to en
camp. The Comanches came as anticipated, and took off
their packs. Just at this time, the Shawnees opened fire
on them; and though they rallied often, so deadly was the
effect and so secure the position of the attacking party»
that the Comanches at last fled, leaving one hundred and
seventy-five dead on the field. The discomfitted party
returned to San Antonio, and the Mexican authorities sent
out a force to assist them ; but the Shawnees had made good
their retreat, and thus far escaped the wrath of the exas'-
perated Comanches.*
It will be remembered that at this period, and perhaps
during the next few years, the Comanches were on friendly
terms with the Americans.** We have seen that a large
» Telegraph and Texas Register, Aug. 14, 1839.
If If Although the Comanches frequently raided the Mexican settlements along the Rio
Grande, killing rancheros and capturing women and children, during the first years of the
nineteenth century, they were all along friendly to the American settlers, and no serious-
hostilities can be charged to this tribe previous to about 1834-35. Ample evidence can be
produced that these Indians maintained their friendship for the Americans till provoked to
hostility. David G. Burnet, afterward prominent in the political affairs of Texas, lived with
the Comanches from 1817 to 1819, and gives them a good reputation. Likewise, Gen. S. F.
Austin had ample demonstrations of their honorable intentions and friendly feelings toward:
the American settlers. And it may be remembered that late as 1831, the people of Gonzales
gave a barbecue dinner to about one hundred Comanches— the ladies of that then village as
sisting in serving the repast and entertaining their swarthy visitors: who after regaling
themselves, mounted their horses and departed, with mutual expressions of good wiU. But.
this, in marked contrast with all that soon follows concerning the Comanches and their at
titude toward the whites. Once provoked to hostility, they commenced a most cruel, and
bloody warfare— waged with relentless severity for nearly half a century against the settle
ments in Texas. Whether true or not. it is said the Comanches were first provoked to en
mity by a company of French traders from New Orleans, enroute to Santa Fe, and who-
gave poisoned bread to a begging party of Ccmancbes. The fatal results following greatly
Incensed the Indians, who thereupon determined on revenge, and declared war upon the-
whites in genersL

86 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
delegation of this tribe met Sam Houston, as Indian agent
of the United States, in friendlv council at San Antonio dur
ing the last days of this year or the first of 1833, "Dur
ing 1833 and 1834," says Kenney, "their name does not ap
pear in the hostilities ascribed to known tribes, but In
dian hostilities in general, would blacken many pages."
BATTLE OF VELASCO.
Recurring to political affairs, and further noticing the
warlike commotions of the Americans and Mexicans, in the
colonies, during this year, it will be seen that Bradburn,
the Mexican commandant at Anahuac, in violation of civil
law, arrested and imprisoned, seventeen colonists, including
Wm. B. Travis, Samuel T. Allen and Patrick C. Jack. The
settlers flew to arms, hastened to Anahuac and demand
ed their release. This was promised in return for the sur
render of twenty of Bradburn 's soldiers who had been cap
tured. The soldiers were delivered, the settlers meanwhUe
retiring to Turtle Bayou, where they held a mass meeting
June 13, at which they passed resolutions denouncing Bus
tamente, and pledging support to the Iilexican Constitution
of 1824, and the "patriot Gen. Santa Anna," The commis
sioners sent to receive the Texan prisoners were denied adi-
mission to the fort and were fired on. It was recognized
that nothing further could be done without cannon and re
inforcements. Jobm Austin, im command of a detail of men,
was sent to Brazoria for both.
During his absence. Col. Piedras, commander at Nac
ogdoches and Bradburn 's military superior, arrived at An
ahuac, set Travis and his companions at liberty, and re
moved Bradburn from office. Not knowing what wsis
transpiring at Anahuac, John Austin, -wath one hiun-
dred and twelve mien amd a schooner, carrying can
non, started from Brazoria. When they reached Velasco
the Mexican officer, Ugartechea, in command at that post,
refused to permit the schooner to pass. Thereupon was
fought the battle of Velasco, tbe first collision between the

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 87
colonists and Mexican soldiery in which blood was shed in reg
ular warfare, much more of an actual conflict than the battle
of San Jacinto, four years later, amd ome cif the most bril
liant actiors ever fought -within the limits of the United
.States— equal in point of success to the exploit of Dick
Dowling and his men at Sabine Pass during the war be
tween the States, and inferior only to the defense of the
Alamo by Travis and his comrades in 1836.
False rumors lof occurrences in Texas reaching Mexico,
where Santa Anna was engaged in a struggle with the
tyrant Bustamente for the supremacy, Santa Anna im
mediately despatched to Texas, Gen. Jose Antonio Mexia,
with four hundred infantry and five armed vessels to learn
what the intentions of the Texans were, Stephen F. Aus
tin, while at Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, learned
of this expedition and hastened to Matamioras, where he
joined Mexia and proceeded with him to the mouth of the
Brazos. Mexia visited Brazoria, San Felipe and other
places, and was thoroughly, convinced that the Texans were
loyal to the RspuibUc amd genuine supporters of the liberal
cause. A bamquet was given iu his hcmor, at whieh speeches
were made glowing -with patriotic enthusiasm and toasts
were drunk to Santa Anna. He then returned to Mexico,
taking with him most of the troops stationed in the coast
country and at San Amtonio. Shortly thereafter James W.
Bullock and thtee hundred men demamdedj that Piedras
declare for Santa Ainma. Piedras refused. A brisk fight
ensued, with the result that Piedras retired with his forc
es, or rather retreated from his post at Nacogdoches during
the night, to the AngeUna River, where he was over
taken by a detachment of colonists, under James Bowie,
to whom he surremdiered) — his soldiers at omce shouting,
"Lcmg live Santa Amma!"
Tihieee remarks make permissible, extracts from a re
cently discovered and highly interesting letter, penned by
the empresario, Alex. S. Thompson, colleague and partner
with Sterling C. Robertson of the famous "Nashville Com
pany," afterwards known as "Robertson's Colony."

88 . BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
The organization of this company was fully perfected
im 1830, and the foUowing year Thompson came out to the
colony bringing his family. Nashville subsequently be
came the capital of Milam County for several years, and a
f,'.>D, W. D. Thompson, was the first county clerk in 1837.
The ruins of his home may yet be seen on the site of this
old town. Another son, "Mac" Thompsom, was one of the
seventeen unfortunate Meir prisoners who drew the black
beans, amd were shot. Alex S. Thompsom lived mamy years
in Burleson county, where he died in 1863, aged seventy-
eight years. But to the letter:
Texas, Austin Colony, Aug. 5, 1832.
My Dear Son:-
I suppose you have seen in the public prints something
of our commotions, and no doubt felt anxious for us. A few
weeks ago the clouds o*' war hung thick over us, but now
are all dispersed, and more prosperous times are approach
ing tham. ever have beien sieem in tliis ooumtry.
Onr commotions in this colony arose from Colonel
Bradburn having taken four or five Amei-ioams of the dis-
triil in wbich he lived, and put them in confinement.
The alcalde of said district went to him and demand
ed them, wishing to have them tried by the civil authori
ties. He recused, but at length agBced that the Ayumte-
mento mig'ht try them, which they did, and set them at
liberty. A short time afterwards, Bradburm had them again in
confinement. This irritated the people of this colony, and
a good many of them volunteered and went down to Brad
burn and demanded the prisoners. He required time to de
liberate, which they granted, but it is said he sent off for
help, and them refused, after forfeiting his honor. Our
men then sent on for lall the cannon that was in the colony,
which they got and put on board a vessel at Brazoria,
but the Ooloniel that ccmmamd'ed at the mouth of the Braz
os, would not let them pass. They then attacked the fort
and after a fight of eight hours the fort surrendered, hav
ing fired ninety rounds of artUlery and 4,000 musket shots.

BOWIE'S FAMOUS INDIAN FIGHT-PAGE 76

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 89
Our vessel discharged 116 rounds of cannon. I have not
learned how many rifle balls, but such bold militia I have
never heard of before.
They stood in the open prairie and fought without
cover, and even marched up in thirty-two paces of the
mouth of the cannon and shot the Spaniards as fast as they
approached to fire. It is said there were 150 in the fort and
190 of our men. They killed six of our men and we killed
thirty four and wounded, I think about forty.
About that time Colonel Piedras, who commanded at
Nacogdoches, went to our army on the Trinity and treated
with them and went down to Bradburn and arrested him,
and delivered all the prisoners to them, whicb they passed
over to tbe civil power.
The men thus attained their object, and returned) home
peaceably, first showing the mUitary that the constitution
should be adhered to and the civil power rule.
Soon after this. Colonel Austin, who was in the in-
¦fcerior, came on witb a colonel in Santa Anna's service and
was joined by the whole colony. They sent on expresses to
tbe different garrisons, which had already consented to join
them. Austin says as soon as the legislature meets, the State
will declare in favor of Santa Anna.
I do not suppose they -will have amy more fighting here.
It is mow past, a doubt that Santa Amna will gain his poimt.
(General Teran has killed himself, and I have understood
nearly aU his army that were not killed have joined Samta
Amna, who now holds all the ports of entry, and commands
all the revenue. He has men and money plenty, while the
other side is destitute of money, and their men are con
tinually deserting them and joining Santa Anna.
Santa Anna is said to be a true republican, and deter
mined not to lay down his arms without republicanism pre:-
vails. He has declared himsel* in favor of religious tolera
tion and free emigration, which are two things very desirable
for this country, and so soon as that takes place, our coun
try will begin to flourish. We shall then have the right

fSO BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
;iind of people to settle our rich prairies, and bottom lands,
.and those of us who have ventured and suffered so much
¦-will then be repaid for aU our toils and troubles. * * *
Alex S. Thompson.

AD LAWRENCE'S FAMOUS LEAP.
In the summer of 1832 occurred an adventure, that a^
-tela by the hero in his own homespun phrase, affords the
:mind's eye a glimpse of the Texas of old, and its inhabi
tants of renown. The hero ir, qu&sticm- was Adam or
-"Ad" Lawrence, a gift of Tennessee to Texas, I believe, am,d
who first settled near the headwaters of the Trinity River
-about 1829.
Certainly no mam could have been by nature better
-adapted to the profession he had chosen. Though modest
T'm manner, simple amd unaffected in lamguage, and of kind
-.and gentle disposition, he 'was athletic in body, undaunted
Jn spirit, amd inured to hardships. He was especiaUy fit-
..4ed to risk the dangers of frontier life.
About 1838 or 1839 Lawrence settled on the southside
'Of Brushy Creek, about four miles west from what was
Iknown as the "Hole in the Rock," in Williamson county,
-and where he died in 1880, at the ripe age of ninety years.
A nephew, G. W. La\viremce, mlay still reside im the vicinity. Ad
JLawrence is said to have been the first white man who
-crossed Brushy Creek at the place sinicei known, as "Law
rence's Crossing." He was not only a brave and daring
ilndian fighter, but one of the most expert mustang ropers
that ever threw a lariat in Texas. On the occasion re-
..f erred to, Lawrence and three companions went out "mus-
^tanging." Far out into the broad prairie a herd of about
*one hundred mustangs was sighted, feeding on the tall, lux-
ruriamt grass. As .they cautiously approached, the horses
¦^ showed' mo signsi of flight. Comiing nearer, thie ihuia-
" tears prudently halted, beimg much surprised that the ani-
rmals exhibited no signs of alarm. An instant later and the
^-rfinomaly was explained in rather a surprising manner. Says

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 91
Ad: "The long grass of the prairie suddenly became alive
with Indians. There was one to each pony, and they all
mounted at a jump and made for us at full speed, coiling
their lariats as they rode. Tth,ere was no time for swapping
hors'es, so we all turned tail and made a straight shoot for
the nearest settlement on the Trinity, about ten mUes off.
Our animals were aU fine, but the nag I rode was a black
mare, a little ahead of anything in the country for speed
and bottom. We rather left tbem the first three miles,
but then their ponies began to show themselves. I tell you,
you've no idea how much an Indian can get out of those
mustangs. Instead of being a weight to them, they seem to
help them along, and they kept up such a fearful yelling,
'pears Idke ycu might have heard them to Red River. We
noticed that they divided, one half striking off to the left,
and we soon found out the reason, for we quickly came to
the bank of a deep gully or ravine, which had to be head
ed; it couldn't be crossed. They knew every inch of the
ground, and one party made straight for the head of the
ravine, while the balance struck in below to cut us off
in that direction. 'Twas no use talking — ^we had to ride
about a quarter of a mile to the left, right in theb very
faces, and bead that branch. My nag was still tolerably
fresh; the others were beginning to blow right smartly. I
rode just fast enough to keep in the lead. I didn't care
particularly about getting off without knowing what be
came of my companions. Just as I came to the head of the
hollow, the Indians were -within about a hundred yards,
and yeUiag awfully.
"They thought they had us sure. I gave my mare the
rein and just touched her with my spur, and turned the
corner "with about fifty arrows whizzing about my ears.
One stuck in my buckskin jacket, and one in my mare's
neck. You may believe she didn't go any slower for that —
for a while I thought she cleared about twenty feet at a
jump. Soon as I got headed right again, I looked around
to see what had become of the others. One look showed
me. They were aU do-wn. About half of the redskins had

92 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
stopped to finish them, and the balance were coming for
me like red hot lightning. I felt kinder dizzy-like for a
minute, and then straightened up and determined to get
away if I could. I hadn't much fear, if I didn't have to
head another branch. I could see the timber of Trinity
three miles away, and I gave my mare her own head. She
had been powerful badly scared, and had been working
too hard, and she was puffing a good deal.
"I managed to pull out the arrow which was sticking
in her neck. Then I worked off my heavy buckskin coat,
which was flopping about with the arrow sticking in it,
catching a good deal of wind, and threw it away. I kept
on about a mile further without gaining or losing much.
Then I made up my mind to stop and let my nag blow a
little, because I knew if I didn't she couldn't hold up much
longer. So I pulled up, and alighted and looked around.
Seemed as if the whole country was alive with Indians.
About forty in a bunch a few hundred yards behind, and
one not a hundred yards off. I loosened my saddle girth
£0 she could breathe good, took my bridle in my left hand,
and pulled my butcher knife with my right. It was the
only weapon I had; I had dropped my rifle when I got
dizzy. The Indian was game. He never stopped until he
got within ten feet of me. Then he throw^ed away bis bow,
jumped off, and came at me with a long knife like mine.
There wasnt time for a long fight, I had made my calcula
tions, and he was too sure be had me. He ran full against
my knife and I left him laying there. I heard an awful
howl from the others, and I pulled off my heavy boots,
tightened my girth, and mounted. A few minutes more
and I struck the timber of the Trinity, and then made the
best of my way to the river.
"I knew that for miles, up and down, the banks were
bluffs and fifteen or twenty feet high. Where I struck
the river they were fifteen. I knew if my mare wouldnt
take the leap I bad to do it without her. She stopped an
instant and snorted once or twice; but, hearing the sava
ges yell close behind, she took the jump. Do-wn, down we

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 93
went, fuU fifteen feet, plump into the deep water. We
both went under for a second,then she rose, and struck out
for tbe opposite bank witb me on her back. Poor creat
ure, she got about two-thirds across, and then gave out un
der me with a groan. I tell you I fairly loved that animal
at that moment, and hated to leave her as bad as if she
had been human,
"I swam the rest of the way and crawled out on the
bank pretty well used up. But I was safe. I saw the howl
ing and disappointed savages come to tbe bank I had left.
But not one of them dared to take the leap. And the dis
tance was too great for tbem to shoot. So I rested awhUe
and then made tbe best of my way to the settlement."*
^Lawrence's leap is, perhaps, equalled in American annals only by that of Major Sam
HcCulloch down -Wheeling HiU (West Virginia) in 1T77.

CHAPTER VI.

HEN the sun rose New Year's day, 1833,
it was confidently hoped by all, and be
Ueved by most of the struggling colonists
that it ushered in what was to be a new
and brighter era for Texas. It was known
that Santa Anna as Preadent amdi Farias
as "vice President of Mexico, would be in
augurated in April as victorious champions
of democratic-republican principles and
pledged to the restoration of the federal
constitution of 1824 in letter and spirit. It was thought that
centralism had been trampled in the dust and blood of the
battle field, never to arise again, that liberty was secure,
and that all other good things would follow^ — including ,a
separate state government for Texas. The people at this
time, viewed the Mexican flag with real affection, indulg
ing the vain hope that it might forever remain their nation
al ensign, guiding the destinies of their descendants.
But alas! All was soon changed. The mask had now
been so far removed from the face of Santa Anna, as to
show him the arch-traitor he was, and every promise made
to the people of Texas at the beginning of this year was
broken before its close
And now it was that the spirit of revolution begam to
assume form. "About this time," says Burnet, "small
clouds, the bigness of a man's hand, appeared, heaving up

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. * ' * 9£
from the poUtical horizon of Mexico, and porten^ng chang—
'Cs which time alone could comprehend or , develop. The-
little portentious clouds gradually expanded and gathered.
blackness, until the year 1835, wh*n the sitorm broike- violent
ly upon the confederacy; amd Texas, resolute to resist the-
imposition of a mUitary despotism, was driven to her finaM
and weU consummated declaration of independence in 1836.
Viewing the events of this period from the vantage;--
point of today, they are seen to be the seeds from whichi
sprang the wonderful future that followed.
Briefly moting the ireccrds of this year, we find that
both the American amd the Mexican population of Texas.
were clamorous for a separate state government: Jose de
la Garza, Augel Navarro, Jose Casiano, Manual Ximenes,.
Jose Augel Seguiim, Jose M. Zambramo, amd Tignacio Ara-
cha, aU prominent and influential citizens of San Antonio,.,
addressed a memorial to the Congress of Coahuila and Tex
as, in which they called attention to the necessity for a sep
arate state government for Texas, and reform of the land.
laws; and at some length reviewed conditions with regard
to Indian hostilities. They said that Bexar (San Antonio,)*
was founded in 1693, and La Bahia (Goliad,) and Nacog
doches in 1717; that in the time that had elapsed, the-
presidios cf San Saba, Sam Marcos, Trinidad amd other
miMiary settlements <mi the rivers Brazes, Colorado, amd
Guadalupe, had been formed am,d later disappeared' with-
the settlements that surrounded them, in some instances ev
ery soul being murdered by the savages, the Government:
having utterly failed to redeem its pledges to protect those-
who would undertake to people and civilize the wilderness ; ,
that since the year 1821 ninety-seven citizens of Bexar, LaBa-
bia and the new town of 'Gonzales, had been killed by In
dians, exclusive of soldiers who perished in various expedi
tions; that further west, settlements had suffered more, and'
that aU were threatened with destruction by the Coman
ches, who were taking advantage of all troops having beert-
"withdrawn from Texas, in consequence of mUitary opera
tions in Mexico. The memorialists further said that the?

96 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ouly body of soldiers in Texas consisted of seventy men sup
ported by voluntary contributions of citizens of San An
tonio. The memorial to tbe Federal Congress dra-wn up and
adopted by the American settlers of Texas in convention
assembled at San Felipe de Austin, in AprU 1833, and for
warded to the capital by commissioner Stephen F. Austin,
painted even a darker picture: "The history of Texas, from
its earUest settlement to the present time exhibits a series
of practical neglects and indifferences tbo aU her peculiar in
terests on the part of each successive government which has
had control of her politicar destinies. *'**** Bexar,
the ancient capital of Texas, presents a faithful, but gloomy
picture of her general want of protection, ¦amd encourage
ment. Situated in a fertile, picturesque, and healthful re
gion, and established a century and a half ago, (within
whieh period popiUous and magnificent cities have sprung
into existence), she exhibits only the decrepitude of age
— sad testimonials of the absence of that political guard
ianship wbich a wise government should always bestow up
on the feebleness of its exposed frontier settlements. A
himdred and seventeen yea,rs have elapsed since Goli
ad and Nacogdoches assumed the distinctive name of
towns, and they are still entitled only to the diminutive ap
pellation of villages. Other military and missionary estab
lishments have been attempted but, from the same defect of
protection and encouragement, they have been swept away,
and scarcely a vestige remains to rescue their locations
from oblivion.
"Bexar 'is still exposed to the depredations of her an
cient enemies, the insolvent, vindictive, and faithless Com
anches. Her citizens are still massacred, their cattle de
stroyed or driven away, and their very habitation threat-
«nfd by a tribe of erratic and undisciplined Indians, whose
long continued aggressions have invested them with a ficti
tious and excessive terror. Goliad is still kept in con
stant trepidation ; is paralyzed in all her efforts for improve
ment ; and ds harassed on all her borders by the predatory

1. GEN'I- WAI_TER P. l.AN£
3. HAYDEN ED\A^ARDS

X.. ELISHA ANGL.IN
4. STERI_ING C, ROBERTSON

.-:^-i^-^;u^¦i.¦o.:.-¦^J,^^l..!Vf.^.1^fM,|||¦|¦|¦^| WjIftsUliMiiiifKMiiiWnllifi-niri'^^tti-v-f-'-t ..^.r-- Si.*va..'.aeL

1. COL. GHF.EN DE WITT.
3. JOEL W. ROBINSON.

2. JAS. A. SYLVESTER
« ALEX S THOMSPON

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 97
incursions of the Wacos, and other insignificant bands of
savages, whom a well organized local government would
soon subdue and exterminate."
But we must desist, lest this should assume the pro
portions of a disquisition, involving the reader in the laby
rinths of Mexican politics. Rather our purpose is to re
count the more stirring episodes of border warfare — horri
ble amd atrocious as are the details in most instances.

SCALPING OP WILBARGER.
Many incidents in Texas history Ulustrate the verity
Olf the saydmg that, "Truth is stranger than fiction," but
none perhaps, so forcibly as the circumstances of the scalp
ing of Wilbarger — ^since their dramatic interest includes an
occurrence as remarkable, if indeed not as mysterious, as
any to be found within the range of spiritualistic and psy
chological literature.
Among the sturdy emigrants to Austin's Colony, was
Josiah Wilbarger, a native of Bourbcmi county, Kentucky,
who came witb his young bride and his father-in-law, Le-
¦mam Baker, from Limcolta) county, Missouri im 1828.
In March, 1830, 'after a couple of years spent in what
is now Matagorda and Colorado counties, Wilbarger loca
ted his headright league ten miles above Bastrop on the
Colorado, and with his wife, baby, and t-no cr three tran
sient young men, removed to that then extreme and great
ly exposed' secticn, and erected his cabin. Here, for
a /time, he Avas the. outside settler, but soon other fear
less pioneers located along the river, some below, others
above — ^the elder Reuben Hornsby becoming, and for several
years remaining, the outside sentinel of American civiliza
tion in that direction. "Mr. WUbarger," says Brown, "lo
cated various lands for other parties in that secticn, it be
ing Austin's second grant above the old San Antonio and
Nacogdoches read, which crossed at Bastrop."
Early in' August, 1833, Wilbarger, in company with
Christiam, a surveyor, amd'three young men, Strother, Stand-

98 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ifer and Hanie, rode out from Hornslby's to lock at the
country and locate lands. On reaching a point near Walnut
Creek, some five or six miles northwest of where the pres
ent capital city now stands, they discovered an Indian on
a neighboring ridge, watching their movements. He was
haUed with signs of friendship, but as the party approach
ed, the Indian rode away, pointing towards a smoke rising
from a cedar brake to fhe west. After a short pursuit, fear
ing they were being decoyed into a large camp of hostile
Indians, the whites halted, held a short consultation, and
at once determined to jreturn to Hornsby 's. On Pecan
Spring branch, some four miles east of Austin, and in
sight of the present dirt road leading from Austin to Ma
nor, they stopped to refresh' themselves and horses. "Wil
barger, Christian and Strother unsaddled and hoppled their
horses, but Hanie and Standifer left their animals saddled
and staked them to graze." WhUe the men 'were eating,
they were suddenly charged upon by about sixty savages,
who had quietly stolen up afoot under cover of the brush
and timber, leaving their hor%es Jn the rear, and out of
sight. The trees near them were small and afforded but
little protection. However, each man sprang behind ome
and promptly returned the fire. 'Strother bad been mortal
ly wounded at the first fire, and now Christian was struck
with a ball, breaking his thigh home. Wilbarger spramig
to the side of Christian, set him up against his tree, priined
his loaded gum, and jumped again behind his own tree —
receiving in the operation a flesh wound in the thigh and
an arrow through the calf of his leg; and scarcely had he
regained the protection of his tree, when his other leg was
pierced with an arrow. Meantime, the steady fire and dead
ly aim of the whites had telling effect, causing the Indians
to withdraw some distance and out of range. Up to this
time Hanie and Standifer had bravely helped to sustain the
unequal eontest, but how, seeing that Strother was dying.
Christian perhaps mjortally, and Wilbarger badly, wounded,
they took advamtage of the opportunity to secure and

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 99
mount their horses. Wilbarger, seeing himself thus de
serted, and his horse having broke away and fled, im
plored the two men to stay with him and fight ; but if they
would mot, to allow him to mount behimd) ome of them.
Just then, however, seeing the enemy 'againi appiroachimg,.
they fled at full speed, leaving Wilbarger to his fate. "The
Indians," says Brown, "one having moumited Christian's
horse, encircled him on all sides. He had seized the guns
of the fallen men, and just as he Avas taking deliberate aim
at the mounted warrior, a ball entered his neck, paralyz
ing him, so that he fell to the ground and was at the mercy
of the wretches.
With exultant yells the Indians mow rushed upcca, amd
stripped hiim (nafced, amd passing a knife entirely around
his head, tore off the scalp. Though helpless amd apparent
ly dead, the poor man was fully conscious of all that tran
spired, and afterwards, in recounting the thrilling experi
ence, said that while no pain was perceptible, the removing
of his scalp sounded like the oimimous roiar amid jveal cf dis
tant thnmder. The three men were strip.ped, Ohristiap amd
Strothei' Bcalped 'and' their throats cut, am'dl all left for deiad!;
after which the savages retired.
Wilbarger lay in a dreamy, semi-conscious condition.
till late in the evening, when the loss of blood finally aroused
him. Crazed with the pains o^' bis numerous wounds, and
consumed by an intolerable thirst, he put forth the little
remaining vitality in an endeavor to reach the spring near
by, which he at last accomplished, dragging himself into
the water, where he lay for some time, till chilled and quite
numb, he crawled out on dry land, and fell asleep. When
he awoke he found the flow of blood from bis wounds had
ceased, but, horrors! exposed in the hot sun, the detestable
"blow fUes" had infested and literaUy covered his scalp
and other wounds. Again slaking his thirst from- the lim
pid little stream and partially appeasing his hunger with a
few snails he chanced to find, he felt refreshed, and as.
night approached, determined to travel as far as he could in
the direction of Hornsby's. But poor man, he did not re-

100 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
alize his enfeebled condition from pain and loss of
blood. After many efforts be arose and staggered
along for perhaps a quarter of a mile, when he
sank to the earth thoroughly exhausted, and almost lifeless,
at the foot of a large post oak tree. Here, naked andi ex
posed to the chUling night air, he lay, suffering intensely
from cold, and unable to move, till revived by the warm
sunshine of the following day.
On arriving at Hornsby's, the two men, Standifer and
Hanie, told how the Indians had attacked and kiUed aU
three of their companions ; and how they had narrowly es
caped. A messenger was at once despatched to warn the
settlers below, and also for aid, which however, could not
be expected before the following day.
'And tnio;w we will relaite a 'mjost miarveloius coi'jncidetnice of
jcireumstaneeisi — imcidemits at once so mystierious amd super-
m.atural as to .excite credhlSty cif beUeif, werie it mot for ithe
high clilaraeter 'amd kmowaii veracity of those, who toi their
dyHag day, vouchied if or iheir truth :
During the night — that long and agonizing night — as
Wilbarger lay under the old oak tree, "in a state of semi
consciousness, visions flitting through his mind bordering
on the marvelous and the supernatural," he distinctly saw,
standing before him, the spirit of his sister, Mrs. Margaret
Clif ten, who had died the day before in Plcirigainit, St. Louis
county, Missouri.* Speaking gently, she said:- "Brother
Josiah, you are too weak to go in alone! Remain here and
friends will come to aid you before the setting of another
sun." And then moved off in the direction of the settlements,
Wilbarger piteously calUng, "Margaret! Stay with me."
But the apparition vanished.
That night, and about the same hour — ^midnight — Mrs.

If John Henry BroWn says: "Mrs. Clifton died the day before at Florisant. St. Louis
county, Missouri. .From the county post-office kept by my uncle, Capt Wm. Kerr. I bore
the letter, marked "In haste", written by Mr. Clifton to her father informing him of her
ileath."

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 101
Hornsby aAvoke from a most vivid and startling dream, in
which she beheld Wilbarger, alive, scalped, bleeding and
naked, at the foot of a tree. Her husband assuring her that
dreams Avere ahvays unreal; and the utter impossibility of
this one being true, she again slumbered — till about three
o'clock, when she again aAvoke, intensely excited, and arose
saying, "I saAv him again! Wilbarger is not dead,! Goto
the poor man at once;" and so ccmfidem^t was Mrs. Hornsby,
she refused to retire again, but busied herself preparing an
early breakfast, that there might be no delay in starting to
Wilbarger's relief. As the nearest neighbors arrived in the
morning, Mrs. Hornsby repeated to them her dual \'ision
and urged them in a most serious manner, to go to Wilbar
ger in all haste. The relief party consisted of Reuben
Hornsby, Joseph Rogers, John Walters, Webber, and others.
After quite a search from the vague directions of the two
excited men Avho had escaped from thc scene, they finally
found the bodies of Christian and Strother; and presently
discoAcred a most gbastlj' object— a mass of blood — causing
thean to hesitate and clutch their gums; whereupon' the
overjoyed man arose, beckoned, and finally managed to say
— "Don't shoot, friends; it's Wilbarger, come on." As
they approached he sank doAvn and called out, "Water!
Water! "and Avhen reviA-ed, spoke of his sister Avho had visit
ed him during the night and so kindly had gone for help
which he knew -would) come — firmly believing he had seen
and conversed with her in reality. With the sheets provid
ed by Mrs. Hornsby for that purpose, the bodies of Stroth
er and Christiam were Avrapped and left till the following
day, when the party again went out, and buried them. In
another sheet Wilbarger Avas wrapped and placed on a horse
in front of Mr. Hornsby, who, placing his arms around him,
sustained him in the saddle and bore him to the hospitable
home and tender cares of Mrs. Hornsby, that saintly moth
er ahd ministering angel of the frontier. His scalp wound
was dressed in bear's oil, and after a few days of tender
nursing, the great loss of blood preventing febrile tenden-

102 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
cies, he Avas sufficiently recovered to le placed on a sled
and conveyed to his OAvn cabin.
Rapidly Wilbarger recovered his usual health, and lived
for elfA en years, prospering, and accumulating a handsome
estate. Eut his skull, bereft of the inner membrane and so
long exposed to the sun, never entirely coA'ered over, neces
sitating artifical coA-ering, and eventually caused his death,
hastened, as his physician. Dr. Andersen, thought, by acci
dentally striking his head against the upper portion cf a low
door frame cf his gin house, causirg tl.e tone to exfoliate,
exposing the brain and producing delirium. He died at his
home in lf45, survived by his wife and five children. His
AvidoAv, AA-liiO 'afterAA'ard tmarried Tolbert Chambers, Avas the
second time bereft, and died a AvidoAV in Bastrop in 1896.
The eldest son, John Wilbarger, a most gallant ranger un
der Col. "Rip" Ford, Avas killed by Indians in the Neuees
River countiy, in 1847. Harvey Wilbarger, another son,
lived to raise a large family. One married daughter lives
at Georgetown, and another at Belton, Texas. Of the
brothers ard sisters of Josiah Wilbarger, who came to
Texas in 1837, J. W. Wilbarger, (Author of "Indian Depre
dations in Texas") died near Round Rock in 1890, and
"Aunt SaUie" Wilbarger, long resided at Georgetown,
where she died several years since. Another sister v,'ho be
came the wife of Col. W. C. Dalrymple, died many years
ago, and still another — Mrs. LcAvis Jones, — died on the way
to Texas. Matthias, a brother, was a noted surveyor, and
died of smallpox at Georgetown in 1853.
WiUiam Hornsby died in 1901, near Austin, and his par
ents many years before. The beautiful home and fertile
Hornsby farm is still owned by surviving members of the
family. So far as Ave can ascertain, this was the first blood
shed in that part of the State (in Avliat isnow Travis county),
at the hands of the implacable saA-ages, but it was "the be
ginning, hoAvever," says WUbarger, "of a blocd.y era which

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 103
was soon to daAA-n upon the people of the Colorado."*
"The visictn," continues Willargcr, "AAhich impress
ed Mrs. Hornsby, Avas spoken of far and Avide through the
colcny fifty years ago; her earnest manner and perfect
•confidence that Wilbarger Avas ali\-.e, in connection Avith
her vision and its realization, 'made a profound impression
on the men present, Avho spoke of it everyAvhere. There
AA-ere no telegraj:Ls in those days, ard no means of know
ing that Margaret, the sister, had cied seven hundred miles
aAvay, on the dsy before her brother was Avounded. The
stciy cf her apparition, related before he kncAv that she
was dead — her going in tbe direction of Hornsby's and Mrs.
Hornsby's A'isicn, recurring after slumber, presents a
mystery that made then a deep impi-essicn aid created a
feeling of av.e, which, after the lapse of half a cerutry, it
still inspires. No man Avho kncAV them ever questioned the
veracity cf either Wilbarger or the Hornsly's, and Mrs.
Hornsby was loA-ed and revered by all A\ho kncAV her.
"We leave to those more versed in the cceult the task
of explaining this mystery. Surely such things are not ac
cidents; tbey tell -ds of a spirit AA'orld and of a God who
'moves in a mysterious Avay His wcaiders to perform.' "
Other incidents of border warfare occurring this year
are of minoir importance and Avitihout exact date or details:
as tbe murder of Alexander, a trapper, near the Ledbetter-
La Grange road on a small streamlet since caUedi Alexandesr 's
Brainieb 5|n) Fayette coumjty; and the killing of one Earth-
man on Long Prairie, near the present post-office ^lamlet
o^' Nechanitz in the same county; the adventures of Tom
Alley while out hunting horses ami ithe 'Oummiiags' Creek
community — unexpectedly riding into a camp of Indians,
who fired upon and severely wounded bim, as he put spurs
to his steed and fled. Settlers followed these Indians to-

:f RecalMng the days of childhood," says John Henry Brown, in writing of Josiah Wil
barger and other worthy members of the family in Texas, *'when the writer often sat upon
his lap and received many evidences of his kindly nature, it is a pleasure to state that in
1853 he enjoyed and embraced the opportunity of naming the county of Wilbarger jointly
for him and his brother. Mathias, a surveyor."

104 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
ward .the beadl oif Cuimmtlmgis' Creek, where the traU was
lost in consequence of the grass being burned to elude
further piuirsuit.
In the spring of this year a band of Keechi Indians
raided the Cmnimlinigs' Creiek settlements, im Fayette county,
committing various depredations. Hastily collecting a com
pany cf tAventy settlers. Captain John York pursued, at
tacked 'amd idlled eight co- tem of them, dispersing thie
ethers. This was, so far as known, their last, and perhaps
only really hostile demonstration against the settlers. The
Keechis were comparatively a small, insignificant band, of
beggarly and thievinjg propensities^ and early lost their tri
bal esistemce, affilliaitiimg with other tribes.
During the same year a traveller named Reed, stopped
at Tenoxtitlan, Falls of the Brazos, now in the lower part
of Falls county. At that time a smaU party of friendly
TonkaAva Indians Avere camped nearby, and Avith one of
whom Reed "sAvapped" horses, and it is said, drove a
shrewd bargain, which he reif'used to .rue. A few days
later, 'as the stranger left the vicinity en his return to the
United States, he was waylaid and murdered by the exas
perated Tonkawas, Avho appropriated his horse and equip
ments and fled. The old Caddo chief, Canoma, AA'bo was
about the settlements a good d^al, and then at the "Falls,"
with some of his warriors, went in p'urHuit amdl cjni the
eighth day, returned with seven "Tonk" scalps. Reed's
horse and other trophies — receiving the substantial commen
dation of the settlers. The sad fate of Canoma at the
hands of the Avhites to whom he was ever friendly and
faithful, some two years later, will be related in the order
of its occurrence.*
"Other matters of interest," says John Hemry BroAvn,
occurred in and about 1833. The colony of De Leon had

(<

If The Tonkawas ever professed friendship to the whites, and beingr hereditary ene
mies of the Comanches, often joined the settlers and rangers in expeditions aerainst this
tribe, renderintr valuable and valiant services. Kenney says. "This Is the solitary instance
ef hostility by the Tonkawas in their Ions and trying experience cf more than fifty jrears
contact with the white people from the first settlement of Texas."

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 105
increased considerably by the incoming o^ a good class of
Mexicans and quite a number of Americans, including sev
eral Irishmen and their families from the United States,
the younger members being maitives of that icomtntry, amd
¦among Avlioiin were itlite f O'llcjAViim.g : Jobb McHemry (a settler
simce 1826), John Linn, amd his sons, John J., Charles,
Henry and Edward, and tAAO daughters, (subsequently the
wives of Maj. James Kerr and James A. Moody), who came
in 1830-31 ; Mrs. Margaret Bobo, aftei'wards Wright^ (who
came in 1825), Joseph Ware and others. From about 1829
to 1833-34, tbe colonists of Power atnd HoAvitsom, wilth head-i
quarters at the Mission of Refugio, and McMulleni and Mc
Gloin, of which Sam Patricio Avas the capital, received val
uable additions in a worthy, sober, industrious class of peo
ple, chiefly from Ireland, a feAv of Irish extraction, born
im .the Uini'ted States, and otbeirs who AVitli''e Amerieamsj
They Avere more exposed to Mexican oppression than the
coilomists farther east amd equally so to hostile Indians."*
Glancing at the history of colcmilal Texas abciutt this
period, one can but wonder at the signs cf substantial and
permanent groAvtb, despite all restrictions amd obstacles.
The spirit of colonization AA-as abroad, and fearless emi
grants Avere constantlj- arriving .overland by the various
liighAvays** — ^menaced though they Avere by lurkimg saA^ages,
who often lay in ambush to pounce upon the ncAv-comers.
"In 1833," says Pease, "the tiidei of .etmagraticfci froim' thei
United States, Avbich had been interrupted during the ad-

? it is of interest to note that 26 of these colonists signed the Goliad Declaration of In
dependence. Dec 20. 1835, and four of them sierned the regrular Declaration of Texas Inde
pendence, March 2, 1SS6.
* *The late venerable pioneer. I. D. Parker, says: "Ky fathei-*s family came to Texas
in 1833. At that time the San Antonio road was the only highway running- threujrh Texas.
it led from Nachedoches, in Louisiana, to San Antonio, and thence to the Rio Grande— via
Nacos:dnches. Tenoxtitlan on the Brazos, Mina (now Bastrop) on the Colorado, and thence
to San Antonio, crossing tbe San Marcos near the mouth of the Blanco. James Gaines kept
a ferry on the Sabine River, Joseph Durst on the AngeUne, Leonard Williams on the Neches,
Nathaniel Robbins on the Trinity, Jeremiah Timson on the Navasota, and Wm. Boren on
tbe Brazos. The La Bahia (Goliad) road left the San Antonio road three miles west of the
Trinity River, crossingr the Brazos at the site of the present town of Washington, where
Jack Hall kept a ferry, and thence to Goliad."— Unpublished "Reminiscences «f Pioneer
Life In Texas." MS. p. 1.

306 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
ministration of Bustamente, began again to flow into the
country. "
•"The history of frontier expansion in the United
States" says ThraU, "shoAVS that it is no easy task. In
'Texas the difficulties Avere verv great. It was remote from.
ether settlements— in a foreign country, Avith a government
stnd institutions entirely different from those of the North;
sijid the country Avas pre-occupied by Indians. Consider
ing all these circumstances, the success of Austin and
others in introducing Anglo-American colonists, was won-
xderful. If we inquire into the grounds of this success, we
BbaU find it in the character .of the mem.. They were brave,
hardy, Lndiastriofus mem, self-helpful and self-reliant. They
asked no favors of the Government, and that GoA'ernment let
them severely alone. Their sto'ut airms cultivated their
farms and protected their homes from the incursions of the
savages. Volumes might be Avritten, detailing instances of
indiA'idual bravery — of hardships cheerfully endured by old
and ycung, male and female coltoni/sts."*

THE MADDEN MASSACRE.
The Madden family came to Texas in 1832, locating
«i-eair the Trimity im Houston county. To better secure
iheniselves m case of am attack from Indiams, some three
or Sour meighbcirimg families, as AA^as frequently the case in
fcliose days, had joined together and built a strong double
log cabin Avith entry between, and where they all resided,
cpcnicg and cultivating small fields mear by.
The aAvful, bloody and heart-rending tragedy we must
«>ow relate — the one of omly tAvo such instances on record
im which the fair name and courage of Texas pioneers has
fccem disgraced Avith cowardice — 'Occurred in the fall of the
year, and during the moonlight nights, the time usually se
lected by the red men for making their raids.
On the fatal night, four men, eight women and several
• "Pictorial History of Texas," pp. 171-2.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 107
chUdren were occupying the house. For a time all were
in one room, but the men, leaving their guns, went into the
adjoining room, and kindling a fire, busied themselves
molding bullets. Lleantime the lurking saA'ages, a party
of Caddos, had crept up and around the buildings, cauti
ously peering in and ascertaining the defenseless situation
of the unsuyiecting inmates. As the full orbed moon arose,
easting its soft and tranquil flood of light upon the scene,
the stillness of the night was suddenly rent by war whoops
ajndl yells fiendlish emough to .clhill Ithe strcmgieSit heart,
and indeed strike terror to helpless women and chUdren;
at the same time forms, hidecus as those of the under
world, arose from brush and eoveit and rushed from every
direction into the hallAvay, and most of them, in upon the
terrified women and children, one poAverful and hideous
demon, guarding the doorway by ^reading his arms and
legs from side to side and grasping the lintels with his
bands, all the AA'hile yelling and gloating rapturously over
the bloody, sickening scene Ojf death wrought wiithim. Mrs.
Madden was first attacked and socm fell apparently life
less, but regaining consciousness ciawled under a bed fol
lowed by one of her little sons. Another lady was toma
hawked and fell dead into the fireplace, her life's blood
flowing so profusely as to extinguish the flames, and leave
the fiends to complete the slaughter in semi-darkness. Tak
ing advantage of this, and the engrossed attention of the
door -guard, Mrs. Madden with her little son succeeded in
crawling out of the room, and making her way to an unoc
cupied negro cabin a short distance away, where she secret
ed herself and child and thus escaped. Meanwhile, with tom
ahawk and scalping knife the savages completed their dia
bolical work, killing in all seven women and children.
As to the four men — ^we only refer to them through
necessity of completing the narrative — ^it is said that as
soom as the dying groans of their wives am/d chUdren reached
theiir ears, they dasihed oiut of the room a'nd escaped.
SecuriDi<T the .gum's of the whites, the Indians now set

108

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS,

fire to the buSldlng, which comsumed' it, witih the bodies of
their victims. Nearby they threw down their own in
ferior guns and left the settlememit without puirsiuit.
After a long and doubtful Ulness, Mrs. Madden recov
ered and lived several years.

CHAPTER vn.

HE year 1834 we are told, was ushered in
by a "freezing" norther — fitting precur
sor of the cold .indifference with which the
Mexican nation looked upon their Ameri
can colonists in Texas. Political events
had assumed a still Avorse complexion in
Texas at this date.
Santa Annai, haA-^img received the support
of the army and church, went over to the
cenitiraList party, dissoh-ed the constitution
al congress, convened one composed of his creatures, and
became virtually the dictator cf Mexico.
Im the sprimg Santa Amna assembled a council, com
posed of Stephen F. Austin, Lorenzo Zavala, three members
of the 'ccpigress of Coahuila and Texas, and seven Mexican
officials, to consider affairs in Texais. Austin: made a
strong plea in favor of the memorial of the Texas conven
tion of 1833. The three members of congress, all of whom
were from Coahuila, opposed it. Santa Anna announced his
decision to be that Texas should have a separate govemmemt,
and that four thousand troops should be stationed at San
.Antonio for the protection of the country — to which Austin
strenuously objected, but without effect. This opposition
on the part of Austin^ doubtless had much to do with the
continuance of his imprisonment.

110 . BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
An attempt to change the seat of governmnt of Coa
huila and Texas from Saltillo to Monclova, led to commo-
ticns that resulted in rival governors and legislatures being
instaUed at the two places, and the Mexican part of the
S-Jate being divided into tAVo factions. These difficulties
were referred to Santa Amna in December, Avho decided that
the capital should remain at Monclova, amd ordered mew
tlcotions. There were two parties in Mexico — the centraUst and
republican, the latter not being completely crushed. There
were also two in Texas — one favoring immediate and deter
mined action for separate state government and co-opera
tion with the patriot republicams of Mexico; the other fa
voring acquiescence in the existing status, at least until
Austin's release and return to Texas, lamd uinitil it should
definitely appear what Santa Anna's policy was to be. The
latter party in Texas prevailed for the time being.
This year did not pass away without the usual out
rages by Indians. No historical record has been preserved
¦of many of these events, but ample evidence has been left
that proves the Indians annoyed the colonists more or less.
Speaking of the Comanches a'Ud alludl'mg iineidemtally ito
other tribes, Kenney says: "During 1833 and 1834 their
name does not appear in the hostilities ascribed to known
tribes; but Indian hostilities in general would blacken
many pages."
Pioneer Dewees, in his "Letters from Texas," writing
under date, "Colorado River, Texas. Oct. 31, 1834," says:
"The first storm of Mexican A/rath is lulled; but the In
dians, who have ever been our enemies, still continue to an
noy us. They will faU upon small parties of men, and kill
them, and also steal our horses and cattle. Indeed such a
tiling as being free from the molestajtdoms of the Indiams
has never been knoAvn in the history of Texas, and doubt
less, will not be known for many years to come."*

»Decree No. 278 of Coahuila and Texas, enacted April 19, 1834, authorizes the eover-
nor to organae and employ militia asainst hostile Indians, place. 400 sites of land at his

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. IU
While the records supply materials for accounts of thril
ling incidents that transpired within the limits of Austin's
and DeWitt 's Colonies, little reliable data is obtainable that
lelates to Indian troubles in the early settlement of Red
River coumty, 'and the 'niortheastem part of the State.
"Although dim vistas appear," says John Henry
Browm, "of inroads by Indians — robbers and occasional
murders by Oooshatties, Tehuacanas, Wacos, amd other tribes
— ^it is lamentable that not one of those early settlers eve*
wrote, or caused to write, an account of such events unt3L
age impaired the memory. Hemice the masnrative We gather,
lacks that certainty amd definitemess, so. desiirable m sath
matters." These cbserA'aticns are emphasized by the confused
and conflicting stories that have been preserved concena-
ing tbe killing of Judge Gabriel N. Martin and the capture
of his little son in May or June, 1834.

laURDER OF JUDGE GABRIEL N. MARTIN— CAPTIVI
TY AND RECOVERY OP HIS LITTLE SON-
SOME CORRECTED HISTORY.
The accounts published by Thrall, Wilbarger and Sow-
ell, mention only one expedition for the recovery of the
boy, and place it in the year 1834. They differ as to what
officer commanded the United States military force, some
saying LeaA'enAvorth, and later Dean, and others. Col. (in
after years Gen.) Dodge. Radical discrepancies exist with
regard to the circumstances attending the killing of Judge
Martin, and whether a negro was captured with the boy.
Ome version is that the hunting party had mounted the rise
of a hill and Avhile watching a herd of buffalo, was charged
upon by the Indians; and that Judge Martin and son fell
behind and the Judge was killed, and the boy and negro
man were made prisoners.

disposal for distribution to militiamen as remuneration for their services on such terms *s
he roififht establish, and appropriates t20,00O.0O to further aid in the accomplishment of the
mds proposed.

112 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Others give a wholly different recital — one saying the
Indians ymre Pawpees amdl that Judge Martin and a
negro man were killed in camp. Careful sifting of the evi
dence, renders it certain that there were two expeditions
for the recovery of the boy — one in 1834 and the other in
1836, and that the United States dragoons in the first year
Avere commanded by Dean, and in the latter year by Dodge,
Sowell possibly confuses and blends together as happening
in 1834, events that occurred in both years.
That Martin was killed in May or June, 1834, and that
the boy was recovered in 1836, ma^jnly thii-ctUigh the instru
mentality of Col. Dodge, are the main points, and about"
Avhich there is little or no doubt.
¦ Fortunately, through access to the official itinerary of
Col. Einry Dodge, in command of the United States
cavalry, or "mounted ramgers, " and then on an obserA'ation
and treaty -making tour among the "wild Indians of the far
west;" supplemented and corroborated by the "notes" of
Catlin, the artist, who accompanied this expedition, Ave are
enabled to give the reader an elaborate amd reliable narra
tive of this notable affair.
Judge Martin was one of the early and prominent citi
zens of Pecan Point, im Red River coumity, Texas, audi a som-^
in-law of that still earlier and staunch pioneer, Claiborne
Wright, who landed at Pecan Point after a most hazardous
keel-boat voyage of six months doAvn the Cumberland, ' the
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, to the mouth of Red
River, and thence up that stream, arriA-ing at his destina
tion on tbe 5th. day of September, 1816.
Martin was of a bold and fearless nature, fond of hunt
ing and outdoor life. In the latter days of May or first
part of June, with a small partv composed of himself, his
little som, Matthew W., a negro playmate of the lat
ter, Daniel Davis, James and Robert Gamble, Zack Bottom,
(a negro servant who had been partly raised among the In
dians), and a feAv other oompEmicfis, w.f|!it out lom a humt-
ing and pleasure trip, higher up Red River, pitching camp
on a small stream— Sowell says Glass Creek— presumably

SCALPING OF WILBA

RGER

TH

E CHEROKEES REVENGE FOR HIS SLAIN BOY-PAGE 69

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 113
m the upper portion of , what ia noiw Graysomjcoiuntty. <
They had been here several weeks ujodisturbed, whito;
they became careless and scattered, as each saw fit, from
day to day, to hunt. On such an occasion, when none but
the elder jNIartin, the little negro, amd Bottom, the servant,
were in camp, a party of Indians suddenly attacked them,
killed the Judge and negro boy — "because he fought so
desperately and screamed so loud" — ^plundered the camp and
retreated. Zack Bottom, the old servant, escaped, barefooted,
and eventually, after much suffering and almost famished,
reached the settlememts.
The other members of the party, including Martin's
son, it appyears, discovered' the Indians after the killing and,
as tbey were retreating, in this way: Avhile on the prairie-
divide betweem/ the Washita and Redl Ravers, they noticed a
hard of excited buffalo coming over the ridge and at once sus
pected they were disturbed by Indians. As they reached
the top of the ridge the Indians were in full view and not
far away. Cutting loose their buffalo meat and game, they
ran at full speed for Red River, and all effected their escape
and made their way to the settlements — all save young Mar
tin, who became separated and was soon overtaken and cap
tured. Writing from the mouth of False Washita, July, 1834,
Catlin, the artist, says:- "The cruel fate of Judge Martia
and family has been published in the papers, and it belongs
to the regiment of dragoons tio demand the surrender of the
murderers and get for the information of the world, some
authentic account of the mode in which this horrible out
rage was committed.
"Judge Martin was a very respectable and independent
man, living on the lower part of Red River, and in the
habit of taking has children, amd one or two servants Avith
him, and a tent to live in, every summer, into the wild re
gions, where he pitched his tent upon the prairie and spent
several months in ki ling buffalo and other wild game for his
own private amusement. The news came to Port Gibson,
but a few weeks before we started, that he had been set

114 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
upom by a party of Imdiams, and destroyed, A detachment of
troops was speedily sent to the spot, where tbey found his
body horribly mangled, and also one of his negroes; and it
ii- supposed that his son, a fine boy of nine years of age,
had been taken home to their villages by them, where tihey
etill retain him, and where it is our hope to recover him.
"Camp Washita, July 4, 1834, Gem. Leavemwortih de
clares his intentiom of semding Col. Dodge with 250 men
to the PaAvnee village.
"Under the protection of the United States dragoons, I
arrived at this place three days since on my way again in
search of the 'Far West.' How far I may this time fol
low the flying phantom, is uncertain. I am already again
in the land of the buffalos and the fleet bounding ante
lopes. We are at this place (>n the banks of Red River,
having Texas under our eye on the opposite bamk. We are
emcafflLped on' the ground on' which Judge Martin and servamt
were butchered, amid his som kidnapped by the Pawnees or
Comamches, but a few weeks since; amd tbe momemt they
discover us in a large body, they will presume that Ave are
relentlessly seekinig for revemge, amd they will probably be
very shy of our approach. We are over the Washita — the
'Rubicon is passed' — ^we are invaders of a sacred: soil. We
are carrying the war in our front,, amd 'we shaU soom see
what we shall see.'
"JuUy 22. — At the Toyash village. Col. Dodge amd sev
eral of his officers met, agreeably to previous notice , the
Toyash chiefs and wartriors in council. Council being in or
der, Col. Dodge proceeded to speak as follows: — 'We are
the first American officers who have ever come to see the
PaAvnees; we meet you as friends, not as enemies, to make
peace with you, to shake hands -with you. The great Amer
ican captain is at peace Avith all the white men in the world;
he 'wishes to be at peace with all the red men in the world ;
ye have been sent to view this country, and to invite you to
go to Washington, where the great American chief lives, to
jnake a treaty -with him, that you may learn how he wishes

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 115
to send among you traders, who will bring you guns and
blankets, and everything that you want.'
"As the coumoU proceeded Dodge referred to the foul
kUling of Judge Martin, and the capture of his little son —
also the capture of one Abbe, a ranger, the previous year.
Evading reply as to the killing of Martin, the chief, Wa-
teir-ra-shah-ro, a veiry dignified warrior of more than sev
enty yeao-s, replied! that fae had learned 'tbe Indiams who
lived near St. Antomio,* in Mexico (Texas), captured Abbe,
and that they kiUed him on Red River; the white boy is
here.' To whieh Col. Dodge replied: 'I wish the boy
brought to me,' at the sam'e time informing the chiefs that,
as an evidence of his friendly intentions toAvards them, he
bad om starting, purchased at a very great price, from their
enemies, the Osages, two Pawnee amd' ome Kiowa, girls,
which had been held by them some time as prisoners; and
which he had there ready to deliver to theiir friemids and
relatives, in exchange for white prisoners held by the Paw
nees. The little boy Avas now brought im from, .the middle of
a coim field wheire they had hid him. The little fellow was
entirely naked, except the scamt dress Avom by the ch'ildrem
of the tribe. He was a veay bright and imtelligemt ladl of
eight or nine summeirs. His appearance caused' comsiderable
excitemiemt saA connmortiom m the council room, amd as the
little felloAV gazed around' m great surprise, he exclaimed,
'Whait; ane thei'e white mem here?' to which Col. Dodge re
plied by asking him his name — 'MatthcAV Wright Martin' —
w.as the prompt reply. He Avas them -received into the arms
iof Col. Dodge, and tbe captive Indiam: .girls brO'Uglit in amd
soon reooigized by their overjoyed' friends and relatives, who
embraced them Avith the most extravagamt expressions lOf joy.
From this moment the council, which before had been a very
grave and uncertain one, took a pleasimg amd friemdly ifurn.
The heart of the venerabflie old chiief was melted at the evi
dence of the white man's: friendship. He at once embraced
Col. Dodge and each of the officers in turn, with tears
streaming doAvm bis cheeks."
Parther quotimg CatUn : "August 13th.. * * * reached the

116 '"¦'¦ BORDER WARS OP TEXAS,
settlements at the north fork of the Canadian* * * imformed
by a citizen, that the mOthjer of little Martin has recently of
fered $2,000 forbis recovery; she will soon be made happy
by his iresboraticm, Avithout ransom or reward.
"The little boy of whom I have spoken, was brought im,
the whoile distance to Fort Gibson, in the arms of the dra
goons, who took turns in carrying him ; and after the com
mand reached there, he was transmitted to the Red River
se)ttiem.ents by -an officer, who had the emiviable 'satisfaction
of dediverim'g him into the arms of his disconsolate amd halfr
distracted mother,"*
Thus Ave hiave (the true versiom of Judge IMartimi^ deatto'
amd the rescue o(f his little som from captivity — hopioring
-those to wlioim homor is due. Other nuatters cofimcidemt Ariith
and f ortaiiEg a part of the sad) story, though without concert
of action or 'kmowledge of resultst, have mot been moitioed.
We refer to 'am., expediticm.. or parity of m.eighibors amd settlers
lead by Ciaptaimi Stiles, amd which lefit for tfhe sceme of the
tragedy, amd in search idf the captured som, soon after the
sad mcAvs reached th© settletment. Brief knOAviledge of the
moivemcints lof this fearless little party of sett" ers, boldly
pemetrailiinig far imto 'the country of miuanerous hojstile bamds'
¦amd tribes, is obtained from wa unipublished narrative pre
pared by John Henry Brown from data supplied by Geo. W.
Wright, eme of 'the party, afterAvard a prominent citizen and
repTe®enta.tive, amd a brO|ther .nf Mrs. IMartim, the accoumt,.
howeveri, aill tooi brief amd lacking dates and details:
"On leailn'mig of the murder of Judge IMiartin amd the'

3f Jud^e Martin left a widow, who afterwards married a Dr. Bason, and two sons,
Blatthew W. and William, and one daughter, Louisiana. Both the sons made gxjod citizens.
and the dau&rhter a most estimable lady.
AmonsT the traditions of the Wrlsht family, is a story that while residinsr at Pecan
Point, to avoid night attacks from the Indiana, the family would move across the river each
night and secrete themselves until morning, when they would all return to the cabin. The
ferry consisted of drift logs lashed together aa a raft. The mother and daughter (after
wards wife of Judge Martin) and a negro girl were placed upon the raft, which was then
towed across the river by the older brother and father swimming by the sidoof it and pull
ing it along with tham, while the two smaller boys. Tra-ris 6.. and George W.. (afterward*
prominent citizens of Pmris. Texa«> swam-along behind. th»ra(t. holdingon to- it.. ' To pre
vent the children talking and attracting the attention of \ii» Indians, tliey were always kept
separated in tho cane.— "Encyclopedia of tbe Now West." p. 372.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 117
capture of little Matthew Wrigbt Mantun, thtinty >brave meoa;
asseimbled, chose- Captaim Richard Stiles as their leader, and
guided by Hardy, 'the coQoired' ttnam, repaired to the caanp,'
buried Jhidge Mamb'm amd the little coloired boy, andi tbem;
followed 0(ni .thei itrail Of the Imdiiamai — how far amdi .under
what careumstaoQices, does not clear y appear. It is certain,.
however, that north of Red River and west of the Washita,
they emcountered a lange party of Indians and Avere com
pel ed to fight heavy odds, .ims whicih t'h&y def-emded'
themselves Avith the loss of one man and one horse killed,
and one man had a thigh broken. Though more or less an
noyed by the enemy they retreated to, and crossed the
Washita, near AA-hich they fell in Avith Capt. Dean in com
mand of a company of United States dragoons, Avith whom
they camped for several days, and then returned home.
"The woumd«di(mani was it'oken in charge by the U. S.
surgeon, conveyed to Port Gibson and recovered; but Mr.
Wright failed to give cither his name, that of the man
killed, or of any other of the thirty one men, excepting
Capt. Stiles and himself. In my view of pioneer life each of
those men Avas a hero and entitled ito be so remeonbered.'
Doubtless seme of their ohildremi and gramdchildrem axeamf
the .coiunitry moAV amd igmorant of these tlhiiings. Such is fate.
Aggregate achievements amd' deeds of the many, as too much
professed history goes, are awarded to a lucky few. Not,.'
truly, by design, but by a carelessness almost criminal, in
mot giving, after so great a lapse of time, the names of the
men composing such daring parties in those early days. Mr.
Wright wrote in '74 of this daring expedition in '34, in
wbich he participated ; yet he failed to name a single com
rade, fix a single date, the number of days occupied in
any portion or all of the expedition, or to definitely fix a
Bingle locality that could be idemitified. Had hei wrfttem ear
lier, bE® narrative would have supplied these omissions, for
he was a clear headed, just man, personally f amUiar with
the settlement of that country frodn its aaiieieip.taomi oioward.'
Pitom Mr. Robert "E. Prlazi'Sr, I have learned that 'Hardy,'
the brave old Indian-trained negro, was the guide, and that

118 ,, BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Zack Bottom, who escaped when Martin was kiUed, was in
it, as I am quite sure the ever faithful Henry Stout was."
FRONTIER TROUBLES. :
We cannot better close the marraticm of events of 'border
warfare in 1834, than .by theintroducticuaj of a highly interest
ing lettei^ (penned' by ome of ithe efarly piom.eiers — Johmj T;
ToAA-msend, and addressed to the old ranger chief, Capt.
John S. Ford. The letter is quite reminiscent, and sheds
much light on the frontier history of Texas at that early
day— .am:ticdpat!mg briefly, 'BS it doesi, some dif the thniUing
events that AviLll be mariiated in' detaU, in the order of theiT
occurxiemce. But to itlh'© letter-
- Eagle Pass, Teixas, Jam. 20, 1893.
Col. John S. Ford: Dear Sir:—
Remembering your request for something in regard to
events of olden times in Texas ; and being somewhat in a rem-
iuiisctemjt mootdl after m'Setimig ,anjdi oomversimg wdth somieof the
deaeanidcmts here cif Ithe oJdiest settlers of Texas, I wtrilte yoni
a s'bort statemctnt c!£ scome inQtable incidepts that I 'havig
ttiever itn'OAvmi publil^ed .ini ajny Texas history.
-Im 1834 of 1835, I lamii 'almost sure the latfcter, the Com-
anches came down. They passed our settlement on Cum
mings' Creek on their way down. In 'Austin county, on
Mill Creek, they stole scimie horsas. The Americams collect
ed to foUoAV them. My father, Stephen Townsend, and his
brothers accompanied them in the pursuit. They left my
mother, a skter of mine, who is noAV the wife of Hon. James
C.Gaither of Falls county, myself, a megro wqmatn amd her
little scm, two or* thnee years old. The Americans had left
my grandfather's, John G. Robinson's, three or four miles
distant from us, a fcAV days previously, amdl we were at the
Robinson place. My mother and grandmother, feeling as
sured that tbe Texans were between us and all danger from
the Indians, sent the negro woman to our place for some
clothes. She carried her little boy with ber. On her return
tbe Indians met her on the road, killed her, amd carried lOff
the negro boy as a prisoner. Thev opened the bundle she

BORDER. WARS OF TEXAS. .¦ . 119
was carrying but took nothing from it. This occurred ex
actly on the spot where the towmi of Routdd Tc(p, Fayette
county, mow stands. The booes oif 'the negi'o w(xmami Ue im
der an oak tree near the center of the town. This occurred
previous to 1836.
The Rev. Mr. Thrall in his history of Texas, gives a
very short account of my grandfather and his brother, Wal
ter Robinson, being killed in the spring of 1837. Judge
Sam Lucky, who died in your city, San Antonio, was once
chief justice of that county, and also represented it in the
ocinigiiess of the Texas Repufbdic. He came from Georgia
-with Walter Robinson, and was at my grand father's house
Avhen the kiUing took place.
"He waa a gentleonami of abiUty amd umidouibted coturage.
He was one of Colonel Jack Hays' company of rangers.
When Col. Hays Avas sent forward to bring on an engage
ment with the Mexicans under General Woll, Judge Lucky
yias shot through the body. He lived a number of years
afterwards, but never recovered frcpm tthe eff.eets al the
wound. The Authoress of "Beulah" and other works,
Mrs. Augusta J. Evams, was his niece. She was one time a res
ident of San Antonio.
Joei W. Robinson was one of the party which Captured
General Santa Anna the day after the battle of San Jacin
to and deUvered him to General Sam Houston. He lived to
a .good, ripie old age. He was respected by all classes of
Texas citizens.
Another matter happened mat far frc|m thie time tmetn-
tioned above. There lived about sixty miles below La
Gramige, -a mam naoned Ross. He traded with the Tonka-
way Indians for horses they stole from the Comanche In
diams. This was the cause of trouble between the white set
tlers and the Comanches, and was considered the cause of
those Indians becoming hostile, Ross paid very little for
a horse. He carried tbem to the United States and sold
them. He came back, with goods and sold them at immense
profits to tbe Tonka ways. In their war with the Com
anches they had not been successful, and bad been so weak-

120 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ened by losses that they came inside tbe Texas eettlements
for protection from their enemies. They had a permanent
camp near Ross' place. A crowd Of from thirty to eighty
men was raised. They intended to drive away the Tonka-
ways, and to notify them to stop the theft of Comanche
horses for the reasons already set forth. Ross was drink
ing when they approached his house. He was a reckless,
desperate man. He began firing on the Americans as they
came within rifle distance. He continued to do so until shot
down. My father and grandfather were with the company
of Americans, but took no hand in killing Ross. This af
fair occurred in 1834. Desperate as tbe remiiedy Avas, it
failed to cure the disease. The Comanches had become bo
incensed that they proceeded at cince to stealiiag horses amd
killing men and Avomen wherever they found tbem unpro
tected. Up to this time they had beemi friemdly -with the
whites or at least inoffensive. This fetate of things continued
until long after the annexation of Texas to the United States.
In fact, until Texas become suffioicmtly setrtl»ed by Afenericam^
to enable them to protect themselves.
One of the movements d'eterimg the hndiamis from S'emd-
ing expeditions into Texas was the killing off of the numer
ous herds of buffalo grazing upon the staked plains. When
the outside world became eonsoi'Ous that tbiq 6l.amghtei-an.g of
buffalo was going- forward, amd was peipetrated oaily for
the skims, thi© bodie-s being left umitouched to become food 'for
the wolves or to rot, the conductors of newspapers denounc
ed the proceeding as cruel and inhuman. The writer look
ed at results from a different standpoint. The Comanches
had been enabled to use the buffalo in their robbing expedi
tions upon the people of Texas. If these animals were
some distance from a settlememit, tbeyi Avenei drivem dowta
the country a proper distance and left to graze. The red
gentlemen could tell pretty wiedl where the drove icould be
found in a given number of days. They would -visit the set
tlements, murder and rob. Whieia they netumed, they travel-
iid at great speed untU the herd 61 buffalo w« reached. At
that point they would eat, sleep and recruit. After tbe ani-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 121
mais had been slaughtered, the Comanches bad no commi»-
sariat. The journey to a settlement was long and tedious
¦with but little to eat on tbe way. After itbe advegot of tiiie
cattlemen it was a hazardous undertaking. Brave men with
repeating rifles and pistols stood in the way. The destruc
tion of the vast herds of buffalo effected as much for the
eeeurity of Texas as a large standing army across the
country from tbe Red River to the Rdo Gramde, could havte
done. For many years we confidently expected the Comanche*
to come among us every full motm, m ccmsequemce o-f which,
•every man who had any patriotisim, prepared hnmsielf awd
was ready at a moments warning to go after them.
There Avas a smaU remanmt of a tribe led and controlled
by a very sensible Indian, named Canoma, who always held
himself ready to serve the whites as guide and spy. He
was not to be found on one occasion, when tbe Americans
were going out on a campaign against the Comanches. Af
ter they had gone some distance they found Canoma with
some horses that had been stolen. He declared that he had
taken tbem from the Comanches and intended to return
them to their OAvners. He insisted that if the Americans
?would give him a chance he would take them to the Com
anches and thus demonstrate bis dannooeowse. As is ofteinthe
case, some of the Americans were so incensed that they
kUled Camoma. Some of the men on the spot— my father
and John Rabb — were among those who opposed the kilUng.
When they found it impossible to prevent it they left the
company rather than witness what they deemed murdier. I
Jia-ve often beard them speak of it when I >vas a boy with
the deepest regret. John T, Tofwmsettid-.

OHAPTER Vni.

lEWED from the historian's standpoint,
1835 marks a most important epoch' — the
great tuming point in the history of Tex
as. The revolution that achieved Texas in-
depend€(pce begami in this year — mot, how
ever, with that end in view, but as a tmove-
mient to overthrow the despotism estab
lished, by Santa Amma and to restore consti
tutional government. So distinguished a
writer as Ex-President Roose A'clt bas fallem into the error
of charging that the separation of Texas from Mexico, was
deliberately planned by the restless and resistless Americam
settlers. The people of Texas did not make the issue. It
Avas forced upcm them. They had' to choose betAveen resist
ance, or submission to a tyramy — to free-bom, liberty-lov
ing Americans — worse than death. Referring ito the,coai-
quest of Texas, Mr. Roosevelt isitrikes thie key miote of taith,
boAvever, when .he says: "The Govexmmiiemifc .of the IMted
States bad mothing to do Avitih winning Texas for the Eng-
lish-ispeakimg people of North America. The Ameiricam' frioiat-
iersraiein worn Texas for themselves, umaided either by states-
memi who oomtrcQled' tbe politics of the Republic, or by the
soldiers who tooik thedr orders from) Washingitcm. "•

»Theodore Roosevelt's "The Winning of the West." Page 186.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 123 "
"A self-reliant people," saya Thrall, "whose ioteresta
and' liberties are imperUed, Avill mot louig lack the meams nec
essary for concert of action. Texas was threat entd "vriith
invasion by a govemiment lio which it had a right to look
for protection. Again, the Indians were nUore or less tr'oub-
lesome. Ostemsiibly to provide for protection against
these savages, committees of safety were organized in dif
ferent municipaUties. It Avas the business of these comtmit-
tees to collect and disseminate inf ormatilon, to secure arms
and ammumitiom, and in case of necessity, to call out amd
driU the mUitia."*
In presenting the facts leadimg up to the revolutiom,
historian Briown, says: "The situation was remderedi miore
gloomy by ev-idences of increased hostilities on the part of
the savages alomg the whole -lime <o;f frontier frolm the Red
River to the extreme south*west."

MASSACRE OP THE TRADERS.— FIGHT
ON THE SAN MARCOS.
EoUoiwing the secomid and successful, settlement of Gom-
zales, after its tragic breaking up in 1826, the town and com
munity prospered — escaped furtlher serious incursions; theln-
diamis, over-am"ed doubtless by -Bhe exhibition and occasional
firing of a four poundi brass cannon,** presented by the
Mexican authorities in 1831, to the citizens' of that exposed
hamlet for protection. As DeWitt's Colony now gave evi-
3f Prior to the meeting of the Consultation, the committee of vigilance, safety and
correspondence at Nacogdoches, with the central council, took a'ction to conciliate the civ
ilized Indians, assuring them that the Consultation would recognize and safe-guard
their rights. "They also sent mounted rangers to the border of the terrritory occupied by
tne wild tribes.
'"Great uneasinees was felt at this time," says Morrell, "relative to Indian depreda
tions. There were fears of a general outbreak, predicated upon the amount of horse
stealing going on through the country since the war between the Americans and Mexicans.
The Mexicans were evidently encouraging all the wild tribes to exterminate the colonists.
"General Houston now had use for all his ingenuity among the Indians to evade tho
fata] catastrophe. The war between thelndiana and colonists was also being hurried on by
the land speculators, as their lands were valueless without an increase 'of population in
this part of the State,"— Morrell'a "Fruits and Flowers, or 46 Years in Texas." page 42,
^ i^lliis was the coveted gun demanded by Captain Castenado in ISSS-^causing the first
coUisioQ or opening flurry of the Texas War of Independence.

124 BOEDER WARS OP TEXAS.
dence 0f permanency, settlers continued to arrive, a* few of
^he imore ventureeocme locating some distance out, westward
 greatly exposed to numerous hostile bands of Indians con
stantly visiting that section. As these incursions were gen
erally from the iwest, these intrepid' pioneers bore the same
relations ae the advance-guard of am army, receiving, the
first blow or warming; and, on swift horses, alarming the
people farther east 'of the threatened raid, or appnoaehing
danger. "In the autumn Of 1833," says John Henry BroAra,
"John Castleman, a bold and sagacious baekwaodsmar, from
the borders of Missouri, ,Arith bis iwif'e aoid' four children, amd
his wife's miotber, settled fifteen 'mike ¦west of Gonzales, ou
Sandy Creek, om the Sam Antcnio road. , He was a bold
hunter, much in the forest, and had four feroieious dogs,
which served .as sentinels at night, and on one occasion
bad a terrible figOit with' a number of Indians Avh'o were im
the yard endeavoring to steal horses tied around the house.
The dogs evidently inflicted severe punishment om the sav
ages, who left abundant blood marks on the ground, amid)
were glad to escape without the horses. In doing so, in
sheer se^f defense, the Indians kUled the dogs. Castleman, in
bis wanderings, was -ever watchful for indications of Indians, .
and thus served' as a vidette to the people of Gonzales amd
persoms traveling cm that exposed road. Many were the
persons who slumbered' under his roof rather thian camp
(out at that noted watering place."
One afternoon in the spring of 1835, Geser, a French
trader, his two' partners, and ten Mexican) cart drivers and
muleteers arrived at Castleman 's*. Inquiring for a suitable
camping place, they were pointed to a large pool of water

If The two principal authorities on this affair are at variance on some minor details.
Brows says the caravan was from Natchitoches, Louisiana, enroute to Mexico, and arrived
In the forenoon. Sowell, on the authority of his father, Asa J. Sowell. and four uncles, An
drew, William. Lewis and John, all early and prominent pioneer settler*, in. and around
Gonzales, previous to, and at the time of the tragic occurrence, affirms tho party reached
Castleman'* "just before sundown; with a large lot of costly goods brought from Mexico,
and w«r« going east among thc Aineriean settlers to dispose of them."

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. , . ' " 126
not far from the house, but at the same time, Castleman in
formed theimi he had' that morning discovered) signs of Indiana
aearby, and advised the traders they had best camp by his
house — "I have plenty of wood and water, amd you can
have all jtou meed ; you will be safe, as my house is enclosed
by strong palisades, andi in case of trouble, you can, come
inside and I Avill help you to defend yourselves and your
property." Thanking the settler for his generous hospital
ity, and assuring him they Aveie well armed and coiUd de
fend themselvea in case of an attack, tbey mioved' to the
water-hole, unpacked, making the usual preparations for
tiie night, and retired — ^little thTuking they were sleeping
to their awful doom at the morrow's daiAvn.
Castleman, too, making cA-^erytbing secure for the night,
retired, but mot Avithout apprehensive forebodings of dan
ger. Just at daylight he Avas aroused by the firing of guns
and the yelUng of Indians in tbje direction of the pool.
Hastily springing out of bed amd clothing himsielf, he un
barred' a small port-hole like window and looked out. The
traders had improvised breastAWorks of their carts, packsad-
dles, and bales of goods, and were fighting with great des-
peratiom, — ^the loud and regular reports of their escopetas
(smooth-bore cavalry gums) ringing out and commingling
with the exultant yells of the savages, on the crisp morning
air. The sun arose and stUl the fight raged, lasting some
four bourse — the Indiams charging im a circle, firing and faU-
img back. Again amd agaiin was this repeated, narrovrimg
the circle each time; the traders as often repeUing the at
tack with considerable loss to the enemy. But the besieged
hadi also sustained l(«s and were despairing. Taking advan
tage of this fact, and rendered the more desperate by their
own losses, the infuriated Comanches now made a combined
and! determined onslaught from, three sides — ^maneuvering
so as to draw the fire of aU the party simultaneously, and
leaving them unloaded, when they nished in and with ex-
ultamt yeHa, fell upom amid) soon despatched their victims.
Witnessing thia last charge from: hia window, Caatle-

126 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
man,* it is said, drcAV a long breath, excitedly exclaiming =
"They are gone! 'wife, that charge wiU A\dnd them up, those
whoops are for victory." It was so— a short bamd! to hand
struggle amd aU was over.
After scalping and mutUating their victims, disposing
of their own dead, and packing aU the booty they cared
for on their horses and the captured mules, the victorioua
Comanches leisurely moved off up the country. Castlemam,
Baid he counted eighty warriors as they slowly passed in
edngle file, each shaking his lance or shield at his house,.
but making no further demomstrations.
"As soon as he thought it was safe after the Indians
left," says Sowell, "Castleomani visited the battle ground.
It was a terrible sight ; the Mexieaine had piled up their
goods, saddles and other caonu equipage aroumd thenn,, amd
the whole surrounded by their carts. Inside this little
square or circle, they lay horribly mutilated and drenched
in blood. Geiser had many wounds on him and had CAd-
dently fought bravely, and exposed his person more than.
amy of the otheirs.
"The groumdi was almost covered with arrows, soine bro
ken, others transfixed in boxes, saddles and carts. The In
dians threw their dead in the pool of Avater — how many could

1^ "Castleman could." says Brown, ''many times, have killed an Indian with his trusty-
rifie from his cabin window, but was restrained by his wife, who regarded the destruction
of the strangers as certain, and contended that if her husband took part, vengeance would
be wreaked upon the family— a hundred savages against one man. He desisted, but as his:
wife said, 'frothed at the mouth,* to be restrained from action on such an occasion. Had'
be possessed a modem Winchester, he could have repelled the whole array and saved both
the traders and their goods." To which Sowell adds: "At the foot of the hill, 100 yards or
more from the house, stood a large tree, npon which Castleman had tacked a piece of white
paper to serve as a target when he felt disposed to rifle practice. This paper caught the
eye of an Indian as he was scouting around, separated from his companions, and he came to
the tree to see what It was. The settler saw him, and at once raised his riSe to take aim, as
this was too good a chance to lose of killing an Indian. He had often hit the paper target.
at that distance. Before }ie could ff re, however, hia prudent wife laid her hand on the gun-
and implored him to desist; that if he killed one of them, the Indians would be almost sure
to attack the house, otherwise they might leave without molesting them. The Indian In
question did not long remain as a mark for the pioneer, for, as soon a* he discovered the-
bullet h*les in and around the paper on the tree, he turned and looked toward the cabin,
and taking in the situation, ran behind the tree, and using it for cover, beat a hasty re
treat."

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 127
mot be ascertained. -There wure many bloody spots on tho
ground outside of where the Mexicans lay. Castleman now
returned to the house, and taking bis family, hurriedly de
parted for Gonzales to carrA- the news. The Indians Avent
back toAvards the Avest, and no doubt had been on Geser 's
trail soime time, knowing the nature of the rich booty which
he carried. There were no white settlements from Castle-
man's on to the Rio Grande, audi over this vast territory
the Comanches then roamed at wiU, and often captured
trains of Mexican carts and trade caravans".

THE FIGHT ON THE BLANCO.
The sequel to tbe aboA^e tragic affair will mow be given
as condensed and reconciled, from the two principal ac
counts — ^Brown's and Sowell 's both Texas pioneers, and each
an acknowledged authority on matters pertaining to our bor
der history.* When Castleman reached iGonzales witb the news, it
spread rapidly, and by daylight on tjhe following morning,
a party of about thirty* men were in the saddle and en
route to Castleman 's. Among these volunteers the follow
ing names — seA'eral of whom afterward won fame on other
fields, or figured prominently in tbe fiery history of Tex
as—are .preserved: Matthew ("Old Paint") CaldweU,
Dan McCoy, Jesse McCoy, James C. Darst, Ezekiel WU
liams, John DaA-^is, "Wash" Cottle, Almaron Dicibimsom,
(imiartyir^ of the Alamo), Andrew J. Sowell, Sr., Dr. James
C. MiUer, Wm. S. Fisfeer, (of Meir Expeditiom, famieimil842),

It- As in the preceding affair. Brown and Sowell are at variance^ We give preference
to the latter, since he obtained his information from surviving participants in the engage
ment, supplying details. Sowell says twenty-seven men composed this expedition, and
places them under command of Bartlett D. McClure. Brown says; "In a few hours a band
ef 29 or 30 volunteers, under DrJ Miller, were on the trail and followed it across the Guada-
hipe and up the San Marcos, and finally into a cedar brake In a valley surrounded- by high
hills, presumably on the Rio Blanco": and adds, "This was on the second day after the mas
sacre." "It is painful to add," continues Brown, "that this Dr. Miller, later in the same
year, became a tory, and left the country, settling in Michigan, never to return." His name
has sometimes been confounded with that of the patriotic Dr. James B. Miller, of Fort
Bend, kmg distinguished in public life under the province and Republic of Texas.

128 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
David Hanna, Landon .Webster, Jonathan Scott, John 0»(t-
tleman, Toiri Malone, —' White, and Bartlett D. McClure—
the latter b'ei'Dig chosen captain.
The trail of the Indians (from Castlemam. 's ramch) led
np the south valley of the Guadalupe, crossing that river at
a place now called " Erskine 's Ford," within the present lim
its of Gaudalupe county, and some twelve miles from Se
guin. After crossing Darst Creek, about twenty-six miles
from Gonzales, and just beloAV tbe "French Smith Ranch,"
the Indians, it seems, amused themiiselveis by seeurdmg spoobi
o* thread to their horses' tails and letting it unwind across
the flats and prairies as they traveled. The dropi>ed
strands thus served the settlers to follow the trail at a more
rapid gait, but the Indiansi evidenitly apprehended no dan
ger of pursuit. They mow bore to the northwest and' to the
headwaters of Mill Creek, passin|g out across the York
Creek divide. Though traveling slowly on account of their
heavy booty, the Indiams moved steadily by day and night,
while the pursuers could only keep the trail im daylight —
"two ravens," says SoAvell, "fo-lowed in the wake of the In
diams picking up the offal from their camps, and would
fly up and follow on at the approach of tbe Avhite men,"
After breakinig camp on the third day out, and some
two miles ahead, the whites came upon the first regular
camp of the enemy, on a high ridge, south of, and over
looking, the present town of San Marcos, in Hays counly,
and where in a circle round! a pole, the Indians had tramp
ed down the grass — ^performing their customary scalp dance,
the night previous.
From here, the Indians having entered the mountains,
the trailing was more difficult and the pursuit slackened,
the men making their* last outwaird camp in tbe brakes of
the Rio Blanco. The signs now indicated that they were
close upon the enemy, causing the wliites to move with more
caution. Just as they were entering a valley the heavy
mormamg fog lifted, 'amd suddenly tl'e yell of an Indian
was heard on a mountain across the river. Captain Mc
Clure now ordered a rapid advance, but soon entered) such

2
> 0)>0n0Tl-i>0n3)
01 I
¦0
>0ni K
0)

AD LAWRENCES FAMOUS LEAP

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 129
dense brakes, they were compelled to dismount (leaving
their horses), aoid pfoceed on foot. Scouts were now sent
forward ito reconnoiter,* while tbe others slowly follow
ed in single file, sitooping and crawling as they wem.t. "K-
DiaiUy they came out into 'am Ofpenlng near the river where
three or four could walk abreast, 'amd at this imsitamt bamgi!
bang! camte the sharp report of two rifles and the yelling
of Indians near at hand. 'Chargfe, boys!' sfhouted Mc Clure,
as he sprang in front. 'Here they are!' PeU-mell, in a foot
race that had it been tiam'ed, might have prov eld famous, came
the scouts closely pursued by a party of yeUing savages,
who were pulling- arrows and adjusting them to their bow
strings. Springing to one side as their spies flew past.
Captain- McClure raised bis rifle and fired at the foremost
red skin to come in range; Castleman shot the next one
5vho feU across the lifeless body of the first. Several other
shots were fired, and a third Indian had his boAV stick shot
in two while in the act of discharging an arrow. Thus sur-
prised, tbe other pursuers beat a hasty retrea;t towardls tbe
river, yelling loudly as a warning signal to their comrades,
of the danger encountered. By this time most of the men
had gotten clear of the brush aoad chai^ged with their cap
tain across the open ground."
"Near the river" says Sowell, "they m^ about fifty

*Sowell says two scouts, Almaron Dickinson and James Darst, were sent ahead to lo
cate the Indians; Brown says three-Matthew Caldwell, Dan McCoy and Ezekid William*
—went forward to recmnoiter, and adds a thrilling and amusing, but conflicting incident:
'Following the newly made path of the Indians through the brake, in about three hundred
yards, they suddenly came upon them dismounted and eating: they speedily retired, but
were discovered and, being only three in number, the whole crowd of ludians furiously pur
sued them with such yells as, resounding from bluff to bluff, caused some of the men in am
bush to flee from the apparent wrath to come; but of the whole number of 29 or 30, sixteen
maintained their position and their senses. Dan McCoy, the hindmost of the three scouts in
single file, wore a long-tailed coat. This was seized and held by an Indian, but Old Dan,
as he was called, threw his arm* backward and slipped from the garment without stopping,
exclaiming, 'Take it, d  n youi' Caldwell sprang first into the glade, wheeled, fired and
killed the first Indian to enterj Others unable to see through the brush till exposed to view,
rushed into the trap till nine (?) warriors lay in a heap. Realizing this fact, and such un
expected fatality, the pursuers raised that dismal howl, which means death and defeat, and
fell back to their camp. Tha panic among soma of our men prevented pursuit. It is a fact
that among those seized with the 'buck ague,' were men. then wholly inexperienced, who
sabseijuently became distinguished for coolness and bravery."

130 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Indians, and the fight became general. The yellimg of the
Comanches almosit dr'owned tbe report of the firearms, and
echoed far up the Blanco valley. But tbe Indians soon
gave way, evidently fighting more in an attempt to cross
their packs ovei* the riA^er. Another sharp fight took place
at the river, some of the Imdiams halting in the water to
shoot, but the unerring rifles of the Avhites again caused
them to flee in disordei^— across tbe river and into the brakes
beyond, leaving most of their spoils."
Thus the whites were victorious, without amy serious
or fatal casualities and Avere gl'ad enough to abamdon the
pursuit -without crossing the river. Sowell says, "The In
dians made a very poor fight and seeamed rattled at the
very coanmiencemeint, shooting wild amd running at every
volley from the whites. They had evidently shot most "of
their arrows in the fight Avith the Mexicans. Those killed
had but very few in their quivers — some evem none."
Regaining their horses amd carrying part of tttie more
valuable goods, the militant colonists returned home with
out further incideint. The remaining spoils with many
bows, shields, blankets amd buffalo robes were cached on the
bamk of the river, and a party aftemvaiid went back fox
them, but they had been badly damaged by sun amd rain.

MURDER OF CANOMA.
Catching the thread of narrative, dropped! for the sake
of chronological oi^der in 1833, tihe reader will now leamn the
sad story of Chief Canoma 's fate.
The Wacosi, Tehuaieanas, lonies, Anadarkos, Ttowaah,
and other kindred tribes of the Caddoan comfederation, in
habiting the Upper Brazos and Itrinity Rivers, and knoAvn
as the "Wild tri'bes," were now openly htostile — esi>€icially
toward the settlers of the Colorado, regarding tihem as' a
separate "tribe" from the people of the Brazos.*
M-'ln the first settlement of Asstln's colony," say* Keoney, "eom* nnserupulons
white men *tol« horses from the Caddos and brought them into thc •ettlemcDt at the 'Fsll*'
ef the Bratoa. But thc eettlen there, not reHshingiuch freebooter proceedings, took the

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. , 131
During tke spring of this year, the fai-thful and inteltti-
gent oJd chief, with his band of some thirty friemldly Caddos,
was still about the settlements, and- vUlage of Tenoxtitilan.
Assured of his faithfulness/ .to the whites emd appreciating
¦his influence Avith the wild tribes, the Americans about the
"Falls" employed Camoma to go amcmg the hostiles amd in
vite them to come in for a friendily talk and treaty; and
particularly to recover two white captives then held)— child
ren of a Mr. Ross.
Camoma, leaving two of his chUdren as hostages, left on
horses from the thieves and returned them to the Indians with explanations, which made a
''^'^^y^^^ '™*"'*'''°" ™ *''* s^-'ases- The settlers on the Colorado were already in
volved in a war with the wild tribes, and the return of the stolen horses persuaded the In*
d.ans that they were different tribes, one disposed to be friendly, and the other hostile." A
Comprehensive History of Texas, Vol. 1, page 746.
Isaac Duke Parker, an early emigrant to the eastern part of Texas, vmting of affair*
previous to and about this period, says: "At that time all the Indians east of the Brazoo
river were peaceable (?), and were located as follows: The Oooshatties and Alabamas lived
on the Trinity, in what is now Polk county; the Beedie on Beedi creek, south of the 'La-
borde' road, in what is now Madison county; the V/acos lived where the city of Waco now
is; the Tehuacanas at the site of the present Tehuacana High School, Limestone county:
the lonies on loni creek, where the line between Houston and Anderson connties now runs;
the Kickapoos on the Neches and north of the San Antonio road. They were all peaceable
with the people east of the Brazos river, but most of them regarded the people west of thc
Brazos ae a different race of people, and would commit depredations, killing and robbing
west of that river, while maintaining friendly attitude towards the peaple east of the Bra
zos-"— Reminiscences of Pioneer Life in Texas, MSS. page 1.
Writing of the Texas tribes. Captain Geor^ge B. Erath says: "There in one thing that
we particularly noted about their superstitions, they always believed the people of Texas to
be of entirely different origin from the people of the United States; and they had the same
ideas about a difference of tribes in Texas before Texas was separated fsom Mexico. Even
after they made their treaties in 1845 they believed that the white people ot the Brazo*
were altogether different 'tribes' from those on the Colorado and west of that stream. They
claimed to be at pe ice on the Brazos, while depredating on the Colorado. And this was the
idea of all the w Id Indians in Texas, excepting, perhaps, the Tonks, who, from their total
difference, and from the hatred against them by the other Indians, were compelled to oc
cupy ground within the border* of white settlements. A small band or sub-division of Cad
dos also maintained friendly intercourse with the settlers about the Brazos and did not par
ticipate in this wild idea, but, knowing that the people on the Colorado made no distinction
between Indians, they kept aloof and refrained from going westward of the waters of the
Brazos, confining their hunting and camps within that scope. Friendly and fearless, they
were regarded as protector* to the settlers of the Brazos.
"This produced, about the years 1834-5, an antipathy between the people on the Colo
rado and Guadalupe, and the people of thc Brazos, some going so far as to charge the set
tlers on the Brazos side with conniving at the outrages committed oufwest, and buying tbe
stolen horses. The wild Indians in doing mischief, would if possible, pass out through the
camp of these more civilized bands, and, when followed, ft would thus Implicate those who
were disposed or actuaUy friendly and innocent— finally producing the general Indiscrimi-
Bate war." "My Knowledge of thc Aborigines of Texas", U8S. Page fi-C ;:

132 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
thU peace emiibae^. and in. due time returned, reportinig tiiat
the tribes visited would treat with the Brazos people, but
that a majority were imecomcilable amd very bitter agauist
the seititlars on the Coloradio— even thiem a party of the
hostiles were leaving cm a foray in the direction of that
settlement. A messenger rode rapidly from the "Falls" to give
-iTarnimg of this Amngex, but unfortunately, arrived too late
tbe wily foe having saipped. in, murdered a settler, stole a
number of horses and' left— eluding the quick pursuit of a
small party of citizens under Edwaild Burleson.
Meantime some travelers, halting at the "FaUs, "lost some
horses— strayed away — aiid employed Canoma to recover
them, fumishinig him with written authority for that purpose.
The aged chief Avith his wife and son, followiing the track
of the strayimig animals westAvard, found themi near the
Three Porks of Httle River. "If he had returned! at once
to the settlements" says Kenney, " it APould have saved the
life of himself amd som, audi spared the historian a painfiul
duty; but, (being in mo hurry,' he stopped to hunt, and whUe
am camp was fciund iby the pa^rty from Bastrop, whto were
pursuing the marauders."
Canoma produced his credentials, wihich must have beem
convincing, since it was plainly impossible fclr hiia to have
forged them. But, findftnig they were deliberating about
taking his life, he begged them to go with him to the "Falls,"
thirty miles away, where the OAvners of the horses were,
to A'erify his statement — a request which could' not with amy
reason be refusied; but it was left to a vote, amd a fatal ma
jority condemned the plaSnly innocent man to 'death.* Ca
noma and son were tiedi to trees and shot — the sqjuaw beimg
spared to find her way in alone to her people. Tboughuot

If Brown, somewhat apologetically, says Burleson and party were not avrare of the
old chieTs faithfulne**, but tnat Burleson was disposed to honor his credentiaK His men,
however, "already Incensed, and finding Canoma In possession of tha horses under sueh sus
picious cirenmstancea, gavs-reln to unreasoning exasperation— ever lamented, by tbe chit-
alrouB and kind hearted Burleson." Bat the tainted i>ag« cannot be expunged' from oar
history.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 133
cemBurirg the Btazos people, the report o^ this cold-blooded
act greatly incensed thie remaindtir of the btcd, who mow
left the settlememt undier thieir second., or war-chief, Choc
taw Tom, for the Indian cotumtry — itihemselves declaring war
^aismt the Coloradoans,
Thus the smoldering sparks were being farmed, andJ as
tbte settlers comtinued' to pmsh out further, and bolder, disre
garding tbe fancied rights and privileges of thie differemt
tribes, tbe iflames of savage warfare were being kindled
along the entire frontier.

BOUTIKa THE KEECHIS.
In May of tbds yeair, kn oonsequemce of come depreda
tions; and fituspeeting the smaU. tribe of Keechis, a compamy
of about thirty Ciuimmings settdememt men armed, mounted,
and left Washington-iGin-tbe-Brazoe, against tbese Indiams.
Arriving at their village oni Boggy Creiek, a tributary of
the Trinity, .in whet is mow Leon county, itihey were met by,
the bead men of the tribe, who professed surprise, stoutly de
claring their inmoctmce amd friendship; and in proof exi
bibited a treaty wilth them signed by the emapresario Ster
ling C. Robertson.
"We were about to depart without molesting them,*!
says Joel W. Robinson, who was ini the expedition, ""wbeni
some of our men, in looking about the village, saw and re^^
eognjized several horses which bad beem stolen from th/e set
tlements on the Colorado. Find'img they were detected, the
Keechis seized their arms. We fired on them, killing two of
their mumber, -wlheni they ,took refuge in' a thicket contiguous
to tbe TiMaige, whicih was afterwards burned. • None of our
laeni were injured. Paipers were found iu the viUage
wbich were kn'owm- to biave been on -the person of a young,
man najned Edwards who was kUled by the Indiams twemitj^
mUes belo-w Basitrop, a fcAv; months preArioiusly.
"We immediately coUected about thiaity head of horses^
and started homeward'. Ae wc expected the Indiana would

134 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
pursue us and make an effort to recover thedr Worses, a
strong guard was plaoed around our camp the ensuing
night. At a late hour one of. the sentinels fired of f bis iri"i ^^
ran imto camp crying 'Indians!' The night was unusually
dark, amdl the men, £(uddemly aroused from sleep, taistotok
one anotbter for tbe enemy. Some club^bed their rifles and
knocked down their messmates. Several shots is-ere alsp
fired, and one mam (Benjamin Castleman.) was killed and
another wounded, before tha mistake was discovered, I
think it probable that the sentinel really saw Indians, biut
they did not anolest us. We retuirmed home without further
mishap. Both Major Oldhaim and Capt. John York claimed
the command of this company, and were constantly quarrel
ing about it, ibut neither of tjiem was ever fuUy recognized
as such by the mem. " ' , . j*

COLEMAN'S FIGHT— MOORE'S EXPEDITION.
FoUowing this summary cliiastisement Oif ,the Keechis,
Captain Robert M. Coleman, of Bastrop, vrith a compamy of
twenty-five, three of whom were Brazos mem and w«U
kmown to many of the Indiaihs, crossied the Brazos at Wash
ington, on tbe fourth of July, enroute to the Tehuaioana vU
lage, at the famious springs of that name, cow in Litaestone
coumty. The purpose of this expedition, it is said, 'was to hold
council aind form a treaty Avdth the tribe, but spies gave
warning of an armed force approaching, and taking it for
granted that their imtemtioms were hostile, the Indians took
strong jyosdtion in their rifle pits, dug in the groumid, firing
upon the whites as they came within range. A desperate
fight now ensued in which a number of Indians fell, but they
were obstinate and held' their ground, repelling all effiorts
to dislodge them' frota. their strongholds; and in the end
compelling Coleman asadi bis smaU force to retreat, Avith the
loss of one man killed amd four wotunded'.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 135
Haltin'g at Fort Parker, two amd a half miles from tbe
present town of Groesbeck, Coletaan sent messengers toi the
settlements for re-inforcements, and was soon joined by three
volunteer companies, under Captains Robert M. WUliam-
son, (the gifted, dauntless, eloquent and eccentric three-
legiged WUlie) George W. Bennett and  Calheen. i
The whole was under the chief command of Col. Jobm
H. Moore, Avith Joseph C. NeiU (a soldier of tbe Horse-
ahoe) as adjutant; the combined' forces immediately march
ing to the village, but the Indians had timely waminig and
fled. Thus foUed in their plans to retaliate and punish the
W'Uy Tehuacamas, the forces mow scoured the country to tbe
forks of the Trinity, near tbe subsequent site of Dallas,
passing over to amd dowm the Brazos; crossing that river
where old Fort Graham later stocd, and returmed home
after a trip of several weeks. But few Indians Aviere em-
countered on the tript— one warrior who was killed, and a
few women and children wbw were captured, caTr,ied into
settlements, and sold' for slaves — the only instance in all
the Indiam wars of Texas.*
Although failing to engage the enemy and to strikle
them a decisiA'e blow, these expeditions and mUitary demon-
etrations were mot without their results^-says Yoakum:
"Thfls seasonable display of force on the frontier was of
great service, as it over-awed tbe Indians, and also tended
to discipline tbe volunteers, and prepare them for the toils
and triumphs that awaited them at (home. Aa expressed
in the somewhat pompous danguage of oce of Austin's
'original 300,' 'this campaign on ithe front&er was of
great serA'ice, as it gave the Indians an idea of what the
Texans could and would do if tbey continued' to bother
them.' "

^"The same experiment," says Kenney, "had been tried in all the States, but it had
always proved a failure, as it did in this Instance; Tlie Indians would not work even in
slavery, and, unfortunately, not In any other condition."

136 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
HEROIC DEFENSE OP THE TAYLOR FAMILY.
Besides serving as a eonnecticg link in the long and
bloody chain of our frontier history, tb.e following imcidemt
is of further consideration/ as illustratong the wonderful hero
ism of the pioneer women of Texas.
As early aa 1833-4 the brave amd hardy pioneers of Rob
ertson's Colony, or "MUam Land District," as at was af
terwards known, had pushed as far west as the presemt
county seat of Bell county. Among the first — truly ad-
vamce-guards, and for some time thereafter the outermost
uKhabitsmts in that dnreetiom — Avere the Taylor family, who
settled mear the Three Porks of Little River, in -wlhat is now
known as "Taylor's Valley," some three miles southeast of
the present city of Beltiom, and aknoBit the same distance
above the "Falls."
The bojne was a double leg cabim -with covered but un-
floored, passage between? — a door to each cabcn opening to
the passage; the shutters of rivea slats, failing to xeiaidhi to
tbe top and leaving an opemang of several inches.
The family comsdsted of Joseph Taylor and wife; two
grown daughters, and tAvio sons, Stephen, the oldiest, 13 or
14 years of age — all the ehdldrelu by a former, deceased hue-
band, Mr. Frazier.
In tbe night of November 12t'h., 1835,* on the light of
the mocn, a'nd after the family had retired! — ^the parents aind
girls in one room; the two boys in the other — a party of
elcA-em Kiekapoo Indnans attacked the house. The first
intimatton of danger was the fierce barking of a faoith-
fvl watch-dog Avhich, however, was soon silenced witb an
arrow. Approaching nearer, the Indians in broken English
accosted Mr. Taylor, demanding to know how many men
were in the house: "We hahre a plenty of men, weU armed

.^New*. however important the event, did not travel *o fast in that pioneer time, as
now. There were no telephone*; no teleoraph, to flaah the oeenrreDCC of this affair to the
enly newspaper then published in all Texas, that its reader* might «can the headlines or
read the details of this thrilling incident. Juat twenty day* elapsed before the matter
found its way into print.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 13^
and ready to fight," ansAvered Taylor. "You Me, one
man.!" shonited the red skim; as he peered through a
emaU crack. Whereupon Taylor thrust him wStfe a board.
causing his has-ty retreat.
Meantime Mrs. Taylor thrcAV open tbe door and caUedL
the boys to -her room, which they reached unharmedi amid a
eihower of balls and arrows. At this moment and
juiat as Mrs. Taylor succeeded in barring amd securing thfe
door wdth a heavy tajble, a powerful Avarrior viol€m,tly shook
the shutter, deonandimg a'dmdttance, saying, "Me poor laa-
dian. Want tobacco — no fight.". To which Mrs. Taylor-
boldly replied: "No aldmittaniee, and no preseijts for r^
devils," The attack now commenced dn earnest, the braver
Mrs. Taylor oomtoandomg the forces witbdn. Placing a ta
ble against the door, she armed and miounited- the young-
esit boy, only twelve years old, with' instructions to shoot
the first Indian that came in range, while the tAno girls
were set to moulding bullets, that the supply might not give
out. Por once tihe boy 0(n the table found the opening over
the door shutter, a conrvenaemee. Procuring an» axe from .the
wood-pile, 'cne of the fiendis started for the doox amdl had
reached the coA'ered passage-way, when the brave little boy
fired and the Indian dropped dead. Seeing the fate of his
coonirade, another demon rushed up and attempteid (to drag
tie dead one away, when Avitih the same accuracy aa the boy,
Taylor fired, felling the seeomd Indian, mortally wounded,
aeiross the first one. The redskins Avere now more cautious,,
resonti'ng to strategy rather tham hazard the dangers o£
direct attack. The farthest end of the vacated room was.
fired, and as the flames -made rapid headway, the- exultant
fiends danced and indulged in most demoniacal yells, -wihich
feU heJ^ily on the .ears of the besieged apd now seemkngly
doomed inmates. Andi now it wais that Mr. Taylor, consid
ering their fate sealed, 'became vciry much dispirited, and
BUggesteidl to his wife that they rush ouft and surrender.,
"They wiU doubtless kill me, but make you and the dhildrem
prisoners. In that event you must drop bits of dotbing oia

138 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
the Avay so that friends oata follow and recapture you.'-'
But the heroic wife and mother Avith great earmestnss amd
resolute determination responded: "No! I had ratther periih
in the flamies; had rather die a thousa'nd deaths, and see
my daughters killed, rather than they should suffer the
shame and agonizing tortures of oaptiAity in the hiands of
such merciless amd savage fiend's ! No! you must take cour
age and' fighit. We must defend ourselves to the last, and
if the woinst come, die bravely together!" This bratve
hearted matrcn infused her da-antless spirit into aU.
Meanwhile tbe flames were making, rapid headway in
the roof, and the fate of the family moAV indeed seemed
sealed, the fire would soon consume the'm, oir force them
to leaA'e the house to meet a worse fate at the handis of the
relen/tless foe, unless it was checked. But the heroic Mrs.
Taylor in her desperate determination to save her loved
cues, Avas equal to the emergency, declaring thiey wouM yet
Avin the conitest and all ibe salved. Fortunately there was a
small barrel of home-made vinegar in. the room, and the
usual supply of milk. With th^se she declared she could put
out the fire, and, suiting her action to the resolution, and
with a degree of courage evinced by few,* she mounted a
table and ascended the log waU to the roof. Removing the
"weight poles" and quickly clearing away the boards ,or
riven shingles, making an opening in advance of the fine,
amdi then baring her head and chest to the oomatant fire of
the enemy, she coolly and judici<;usly distributed 'the fluids
as they Avere passed up to her, quenching and arresting the
fuirther spread of the flatooies. And surely old Maffs etail'ed
on this Spartan-Ukie matron as she regaiu'ed the floor un-

)f Afterwards, in relatlngr this feait to Capt. Shapley Ross. Mrs. Taylor said she
thought not of personal danger from the arrows of the Indians, abusing them all the while.
in the covered passage-way already described, there was suspended by bear grass thongs,
ft quantity of "jerked" buffalo and bear meat. Aa the heat and flames reached this part of
the roof, the fat "bacon" was ignited and began to fry— the intensely hot grease streaming
down on the wounded Indian, virtually cooking him alive, and causinghim to utter the most
fcideous and agonizing yelb, greatly to the delight of Mrs. Taylor, who looked down upon
the squirming wretch and exclaimed: "Howl, you yellow brute! You are not fit to feed to
bogsl But we'll roast you for the-wolvesll"

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 139
harmed, but with several bullet holes in and through her clothT
ing. While these scenes were transpiring, Mr. Tayloar and
the 'eldlest sotn were not idle. A horse >s-aa tied near the
house in the yard ; an- Indiam attempted- to secuiNe the ani
mal; Mr. Taylor fired and the thief fled, wounded. About
the same time the boy, Stephen Frazier, secured 'aim amd
woumded another. The contest was now varying somewhat
im favor of the besieged. But the enemy were loath to give
up the comtest. The vigilant eye and ear of Mrs. Taylor
now dSsdovcced eme of the Indians in the cuter cthimney
corner,, endeavoring to start a fire amid at the same time
peering through a consddetrable hole burnt in the dirt and
wbcdi "jam," for a shot. Securing a large wooden sihovel-
ful Kfi live coals and etalbers, she threw them' fuU into his
ifiace and' bosom, causing the red devil to spring away with
an agonizing "waugh! ugh!" — to which Mrs. Taylor
somewhat faceti'ously ejaculated: "Take that ycu yellow
varmint, it wiU help ycu to kindle your fire!" This "hero
ic," OQular trea.tment, it Avas afterwards learned, parftiaUy
desltroyed the Indian's sight.
Thus diseiomfitted and foiled, the Indians withdrew,
and after a short oomsultatiom, gave np thie attack lamdi left.
An h'cur or so later, the heroic fataoUy decided to leave
their dismantled home — first secreting their bed'diitag and
some other valuables in the Leou bottom, one of the boys
serving as sentinel from the house top while this was being
done — and make their way to their nearest neighbor, Oapt.
Goul'disby ChUdress, who had built a cabin on Little River,
about sevem miles below, and rear the present town of Rog-
¦eTS, where they arrived scion after daylight.
In the foreEiclcn of the same day, George W. Chapman,
in command of a smiall company of rangers statiAimied at the
"Falls" of the Brazos, arriviedafc the Taylor cabin and were
greatly stirprised to find it dismanitled and) deserted, and
naturally supposed the family had been carried into capti
vity, or murdered. Tht? rangers out off th'e heads lof the two
dead and ehaxred Indians, stuck themi on long poles, and

140 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
raised /them lae a gruesome wai-ning to other hostdles that
might pass that way.
¦ ¦ -Reverting tHrns far into the mistty past— .this thrilling
episode occurred fuU tBilree quarters of a century ago— to
day a beaiutiful and' substanitSal My, m point of numibera
equal alm.06!t to Ithe then combined Avhite population' of Tex
as, burst upon the vis&oni of the writeir— enliviened by the
ehriia whisttle of locomotives and .the humming BpTindles of
busy factoriest— as he stand's upon the spot once covered by
the Taylor home. A marble ehaft shotdd be reared) to com-
memo!rate .the heroism of this noble family of pEoneers— the
promineiift figure of which should' be a womam— the heroic
Mrs. Tayloir, rifle in) hand, ba fighting aittitude.
All the participants in this affair have passed
a^vay— Mr. Taylor soon thereafter; ithe noble Mrs. Taylor,
"in 1851 or '52," says Capt. Shapley Ross, "re-oecupiedthe
old homeeftead, the scene of her desperate experience, in Tay
lor's Valley, in) Bell county, and is said to hav© died
there." Mrs. Chajiman), the eldest daughter, survived till a
few years ago.
A few years before his death, the gallant ranger dhEef,
Col. "Rip" Ford, in' response to the author's request for
data om. this affair, wrote:
"During 1888 the writer Avas at Pleasanton, Atascosa
county, where he met Mrs. Chapman, the AvidlOAv of Oapt.
Geo. W. Chaipiman, as brave an Indiiian fighter as CA'ttr eiet
foot on Texas Bcdl-^winning his first spui-s as Eeutenant in
Capt. Shapley Ross' ranger compamy; and Avho died in 1879.
Mrs. Chapman wa® the eldiest daughter of Mrs. Taylor
and particdpated in the thrilMng episode referred to. At
that time Chapman made his home AA-ith the Taylor's, but Avas
absent "vvbeni the fUght occurred. i ,
"Mrs. Chapman explained tbe cause of the dif faculty.
A party of Tonkawa Indiians were camped near Taylor's
house, A party of Kickapoos Avere kniown to be in the vi
cinity. The Tonkawas informed Mr. Taylor they wetre going
to steal the borsies' of the Kickapoos. Mr. Taylor inadsted

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 141
tbtv should mot, 1>ecause their pi-oximity to his home might
implicate hem. They agreed to move away, but .i'f.iled to do
so, till they had) stolen) the horses and maneuveared bo aa
to cause the Kickapoos to blame Taylor. Preparatilomis were
madie for defiense in case of trouble — Taylor had cmly two
guns; Chapmian had' gone to Nashville to procure .moiie. He
reached the Taylor heme about dayUght, and findiin'g it part
ly consiumed and vacated, amd naturally suppjcsing the in
mates had been murdered, perhajMi burned or carried off
captives, be hastened back to Nashville and told the sad
neAvs. A company of ranlgers and citizens was quickly en
route tlo the sceu'e — they met the Taylor family on the way.
The fugitives were ma a sad plight ; their clothing aJlimost
torni to pieces from conitact with the busbies and: briars; in
ireaMty they were almost naked frtom the Avaist down. — Said
Mrs. Chapman: *AU of us -wiere in a state o'f 'undress. My
two brothers were almost Avithout clothing. We w^re tooich
fatigued, and hungay; evieryithing to eat had (been builned'.
When we reached the house of Mr. OhiLdlress, we were iwell
treated. After we bad* been there ^teen days lOur dog
came to us, but he never recovered from' Ms wound.' As
the Kickapoos suriiounded the house, Mr. Taylior talkcKi
¦witihi th€m and asked them) to desist tall he could explaani;
that be wotild go Avith them to the Tonk,awa camp next day
and! prove his dnnlocenee; but they refused, saying he was a
party to tbe theft. The beleaguered family understood the
situation. There was no chance to escape. It was fight, and
•the dh'ances were to die. Mrs. Taylor advooaited fight
ing to the batter end. True heroine, ^e deserves '
a monumemt, not of marible alone, but a place in the
heart of every one who admires undaunted courage— mor
al and physical — amd which menacdng diamgers cannot shaike
nor time abate."
"P. S. 'Captain Chapman, my late husband,' .says
Mrs, Chapman, 'came to us at ifche home of Mr; Childrefis.
He bad been to our houste. The bodies olf the twto IfldttanU"
wiere being eaten by the h.ags. Both the rooms of the hou^
¦were buimed. He supposed the hoga were feasting on.' the

142 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
dead bodies of tbe Taylor family and knew no better tiU
•be tneachedl the house of Mr. Childress.' "
Briefly referdng to "The Taylor Fight" dn a note to
the Belton (Texas) Journal in 1886, the Hon. Geo. W. Tyler,
•himself the worthy son of a noble Texas pj.'omieer'—
Judge Orville T. Tyler — said: "Mrs. Chapman vis
ited her frienldB 5m Bell county som* nine 'Or tem
years ago, when I called) upon her and obtained a very
full account of the whole affair, which I reduced to •Avritotng
at the time in the form of notes, but they were destroyed
when my office burned' in 1879. She was a mere child
when the fight occurred, but her recollections of the
minutest details were vivid, accurate amd interesting. Mrs.
Chapman lives in AtascoSa county. Her husband, Geo. W.
Chapman, now deceased, was a brother 'Otf Mr. W. S. Chap
man of Temple. He lived formerly fin Bell county, .and was,
as I understand it, a justice of the peace at ,the first ¦or
ganization of the county, for one of the county precincts.
There as a story among the old settlers to the effect that
when he held his last tenm of court, a difficulty arose
amoEg the bystanders, and the constable attempted to re-
ftore order, v^hereupom the croAvd ran the constable away,
find there was therefore, no officer presemt to make pro
clamation of the adjournment of 'His Honor's' court, and
that said court has reimained opem ever since."
To the late Capt. W. T. Da/vidson — ome of the very
early residents of old Nashville — ^we are omddbtedi for
many valuable notes on the Taylor fight and .other early
incidents in that section. He says: "I write enti'reily .from
memory, and after the la^pse oJ many years, but in the
main, think I ami accurate. The Taylor family and my
¦mother with her family of five children (the Comianiches
having murdered my father in 1836), lived after the in
cident at the town of Nashville on the Brazos, amd some
tweu'ty five miles below the sfjcce of Taylor's fight; and
I have heard Mrs, Taylor relate the affair to my mother
on many ocoaBions, ' '

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 143
"There were many stirring events taking place all the
time; one in Avhich Joe Taylor, of Taylor's Valley fight fame,
part5icipated. He was carrying the mail between NashviUe
and Independence, and was returning after night Avhen with
in about two miles of town he discoA-ered five or sis In
dians just aboA-e the road' sitting om their horses. Taylor
bailed them, and at the same time put spurs to his horse
with the Indians right at his heels. On and on they came
like a whirlwind into town. One big, stalAvart fellow came
right alongside and tried, to grapple his bridle reins. Tay
lor, who was carrj-ing a rifle, but being so closely pursued,
was unable to use it up to this time, struck the Indian over
the head and landed him on tbe ground. The i>eople of the
town' soon collected around Taylor and Avanted to know
what he Avas making all that noise about — hollering 'run
bere boys, run bere boys!' He them related bis experience
and showed a wound hie had receivied at the hands of the
red devils." The "Three Forks of LUtle River," constituted by the
juncture of the Leon, the Lampasas and the Salado, and
d'Csignated by the Mexicans as well as the early American
settlers, as the "San Andres," was a not^able locality in
the colonial amd p(iom)eer period of Texas, many stirring epi
sodes occurring im and around the Aricinity. Speaking of
the Lampasas, (Water LUy) and the Salado, (Salliish) it
may be of intere&t to knoAv the names of these two streams
were, in some way, perhaps by blundering geographers,
transposed — the original nomenclature being characteristic,
of the two waiters, whale the unfortunate change is notice
ably incongruous. In like manner were the "Brazos" and
"Coloriado" misnomered.
In September of this year surveying parties were fit
ted out by Thomas A. Graves, for locating lands in the
then rapidly settling Robertson's Colony. WhUe Avorking on
the San Gabriel tbey were iflartprieed' by a band of dep
redating Indians — ^two of the party killed, and the othetrs
baxely escaping by flight.

144 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
TRIALS OP EARLY ESnGBANTS.
In Nonrember followiu'g, the same momth in which oc-
cui-red the Taylor attack, and in the same locality, W. C.
Sparks, his negro man. Jack, and Michael Reed,
'With an ox wagon loaded with com, left the noAV unknown,
hnt them important point caUed "Tenoxtitlan," to seek a
camping place and ultimate home on the "Rio Sam) Andres"
J(now Little Rive*) about ten or tAvelve miles southeast of
the present city of Belton. The sequel is best given by
John Henry BroAvn, an ackhoAvledged authority on matbtera
of Texas border history:- "Sparks, Reed and Jack ar
rived amd pitched camp at a point on Little River on what
lias since been known as the Sparks League, They om the
«ame day, constructed' a pein in whieh to place their dorn,
iAs the niight approached, Mr.Reed crossed the river and
passed his first night on Little River in the camp of a
newly arrived emigrant named John Welsh. Outside of the
ITaylor family that entire country was then a vast, but
Ijeautiful and lovely solitude. In most other outside locali
ties, as at Bastrop, Gonzales, Tenox.titlan amd elsewhteire,
families congregated for the time being in, a special settle-
sneat amdi had their temporary fields around them, Avhereby
«Ji the available force could be rallied in a moment for
«Jefense. But these men on Little River had no such nucle-
ais. They took life with .all its hazards and moved in the
y&cy heart of an Indian country.
"On this first night the Indians attacked the lonely camp
<>* Sparks and Jack. Many shots were fired and were heard
hy Michael Reed and John Welsh on the 'opposite side of
¦the river. Sparks audi Jack, in the dark, sought refuge in
a, thicket. The Indliiams seemed afraid to attack the camp
and retired. In the mioming Sparks and Jack struck out
for Tenoxtitlan, em tbe Brazos. Michael Reed and John
TW^elsh on visiting the camp and finding no eme, took up
*h^ effects- and returned to the Brazos. On their Wiay and
ssear where Brushy Creek enters the San Gabriel, Sparks
and Jaick met two men, brothers, named' RUey, with two wag"-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 145
oos, their effects, wiA«es and children, destined for the
lAtble River settlement. They aipprised them of the previ
ous night's hap^penimgts and advised them to return, but
they "would mot, and moved on. Inside of a mile the In
diana appeared, professed friendship and claimed only to
be following Sparks and Jack. Thereupon the ibnothers
RUey countermarched. But as they were entering the bot
tom at Brushy Creek the Indiams apjwared on each side of
the wagons. As they entered the creek one savage jumped
on the lead horse, cut loose his bames, and Avas about
to whirl round' for offensive measures, when one of the
Riley brothers shot him dead. Them began a vigorous fight.
A young mam of tbe party, with the W'omen and children,
fled to tio brush and kept on tleeing until, in about two
daya, they reached the settlements on the Brazos. Very
soomi one of tbe Bileys was mortally Avounded, but before
dying kiUed two — so that the deceased brother and five
Indians lay dead in the bed of the creek, within a few
feet of each other. The attacking party, in viiew of such
mortality, fled, and left the field to the surviving Riley.
Nothing daunted, he took from one of the wagons a mat-
trciss, om: which be laid his dead brother — covering him in
sheets and quilts, to keep the wolves from mutilafej|g hia
body — ^then motmted ¦one of the horses and) next day ar
rived at the settlement of Yellow Prairie, now in Burlesloa
county. He returned with a party and buried hia broth
er. Soon aftenraipd, the Rilcys left Texas and returned
to Mississippi." Both Reed and Sparks have relatives yet Uving in that
.vicindty ; all h'Ocnoraible amd worthy — ^William, a son of Mi
chael Reed, having served as first sheriff of Bell county.
Sam Sparks, a most estimable and worthy descendant of
W. C. Sparks, ia nJow holding tbe lOffioe of State Treas
urer.* Numerous other tragedies and incidents of border
»Be«icnied in 1912.

146 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
warfare occurred during this year — ^the exact dates, and in
most instances reliable details, of which, are lacking.

MURDER OP THE RANCHEROS.
In the coui-se of some excavations being made in the
courthouse yard at Corpus Christi iu 1902, eighteen human
skeletons were unearthed. The gruesome discovery ex
cited much curiosity and' speculation till the mystery was
cleared) away by Mr. Frandalig, one of the oldest inhaibit-
ants of the coast country, and residing in the vicinity as
far back as 1835. "In 1835," he said, "there resided a
short distance west of the site of Corpus Christi, a ranchman
Alejandro Garcia, who bad in his employ about twenty
peons. The Lipan Indians, about one hundred strong, mad'j
a raid on the ranch, and recognizing bis inabilty to hold
out against so formidable a band of Indians, Garcia and) his
peons fled for their lives in 1 his direction. They were pur
sued and overtaken near the present site of Corpus Chris
ti, and thoMigh they made desperate resistance, were final
ly overcome and most, if not all, miassacred. After
the In'dians had retreated, Mexican soldiers from Sam An
tonio and rancher/OS from inteivening points, came and bur
ied: the unfortunate victims at or near where they fell,
and, to the best of my recollection, that point is about
where the present court house stands." This is the ac
count in brief — the key that unlocks the past and reveals
(the fate of participants in one of the many bloody, but un
written scenes by which this "fairest spot of God's crea
tion,"* now peopled witb la generation who know the red
»DeCordova says: "Depredation after depredation continued, innumerable parties
of frontiersmen werefitted out, who, whenever an opportunity offered, did good service;
yet the Indians were seldom to be seen, although the settlers, to their sorrow, often felt
their presence. No sooner was a murder committed, or horses stolen, than, even before the
alarm could be grlven, the savages had traveled far upon the way to their homes; and, with
the characteristic cunning and skill which they ever displayed on their predatory incur
sions, it was difficult for the white men to follow their tralL Besides, their power of en
durance of fatigue and want of food were far beyond those of their pursuers. It is well
known that these hardy sons of the forest have repeatedly traveled more than one hun
dred miles over hill and dale, swimming creeks and riven, without food or rest."

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 147
man only as some legendary being, was wrenched from, as
cruel and relentless a race, when roused to resentment, as
ever inhabited any portion of the globe from the day it was
first fl-ung untamed, uncultivated, from the creative hand of
Ood.

FATE OF PETER MERCER.
The Mercers, (Peter and Jesse) were the first settlers
tn the San Gabriel. They built a rude cabin on the bank
of the river, and cleared a small farm in the bott)om near
what is now Sam Gabriel .post-office. Jesse Mercer's Avife
-was dead and he and his chUdren lived with Petejr Mercer,
who was married, but had no cbildjren. One day when
Jesse* was absent, a party of Indians approached the house,
but manifesting friendship, surpounded the settler im his
yard, when they seized his gun and discbajrged its contents
into his body. In the agonies of death he ran some distance
and sprang from a bluff, lodging in the underbrush beloAV,
a corpse. While the Indians Av-iere engaged in a futile
search for his body, Mrs. Mercer Avith the children and a
negro boy, fled do-wn the bottom, and reached the slightly
flushed river, Avhich was crossed with some difficulty — tying
a grapevine around tbe waist of tbe miegro boy, and holding
the other end while he carried the children across, one -at a
time. After other adventures and much suffering from
Jiungejr, the fugitives made their way down to the settle
ment on the San Gabriel, in what .is mow Milam coumty.

OTHER ENICOUNTERS,
Enroute from FV)rt Marlin to the Palls of the Brazos,
and when about midway their journey, David Ridgeway,
*In his series of "Frontier Sketches," published in the Fort Worth Gazette, 1884-6,:
pioneer Frank M. Collier wrote interestingly of this same Jesse Mercer— then married,.
though somewhat unhappily, a second time— as one of the first settlers on Mereer Creek
six miles south of the present town of Comanche, in 18S1, and adds: "Mercer was an oH-
Texan, having emigrated from Georgia in 1835, and had assisted in surveying most of the
Leon Valley fi'om Gatesville up, and was the owner of several tracU of land on South Leon
and Herecr creeks.

148 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
recently from Tennessee, and another 'man 'whose name
is not given, were ambushed by a party of Caddos. Ridge-
way feU mortally Avounded at the first volley of arrows,
but his companion fortunately escaped by the fleetness of
Lis horse. Citizens pursued, but failed to overtake these
marauders. "Quite a number of people about this time"
says Wilbarger, "were kUled around Fort Marlin a?idthe
settlement robbed of an immense amount of property — the
Indians dicing all they could to break it up." "For some
reason," continues Wilbarger, "the Indians fought harler to
retain the Brazos country than any portion of the State.
The soil of no State ini the Union has been crimsoned iwith
Ihe blciod of so many brave defenders as that of Texas — ^not
even excepting Kentucky, the 'dark and bloody giround.'"
Im tbe summier of this year, James Alexander, one of the
early and valuable citizenis of Bastrop, and bis son, a youth
t»'f sixteen, were mturdered by Indians at the head of Pin
Oak Creek, 'on the Wilbarger "trace," near its iutersee-
tion with the old La Bahia (Goliad) road. They were freight
ing goods im ox wagons from Columbia to Bastrop, and
halted' to "noon," when the Indians, under cover of a ra-
\'ine, crept up and fired' ait such close range as to powder-
X-uitt the clothing of the two unsuspecting men. After
scalping and horribly mutilating the bodies of their vic
tims, killing the oxen, and plundering and destroying the
wagons and comtemts^ the fiends left, going 'in the direc
tion of the "Falls."
The bodies .of the unfortunate men wefre diiscovered by
parties traveling tb© road a f cav hours later, when the
alarm spread, a paipt(y was soon organized, and in pursuit,
.following the trad! of the savages to- Little River where it
¦was lost. Howiever, the party continued to scour the coun
try, and when some fifty* miles above the "FaUs" of the
Braizos, they found a Caddo ludiaa who was captured' and
forced to guide them to has camp some five miles away,
¦where they found four other wanriors, and tAVO sqiuaiws. The
•whites kUled the five wartiors, but spared Uie -women--«ii

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 149
act that at least paUiates to the favor of tbe whites, since
the Indians make no distinction in such instances; sparing
neither men, women taar children.
No statement has been preserved aUeging that goods or
any -other eA^idences were discovered in the camp of these
Indians implicating them in the murder of the Alexan-
dens. Briefly, in closing this period, we miention a iew of the
mamy iu'cadents and tragedies occurring in 1835: A Mr. Al
bright was killed by Indians on his fatrm near Fort Houston;
James Boazman (or Boozeman), was kUlied at Boozemanli
Ferry on the Trinity — ^he had drivien his wagon into the river
to soak and swell the wheels, Avhen Indians kiUed him. and
carried aiway his horses; about the same time and perhaps
the same Indians, (a foot parry of ten or twelve) killed
Mr. Bradley Davos, Davis and a Mr. Leathers were out
bee tree hunting — ^Leathers escaped 'after a hard race; Tom
Green was waylaid and killed by Indians on Keechi Creek
in what is now Lean county; two families named Bity were
moving west, on the old San Amtonio road, and were near
the Navasota River, Avhen they were attacked by Indians.
They corralled their wagons and perpared for defense-
one of the men was kiU'ed at the first fire, but the other,
aided by the Avomen, made it hot for the red skins, causing
them to finally withdraw. These emigrants retraced their
steps back east; the Indians stole some horses on San Pedro
Bayou and were pursued by a small party of men. In the
charge James McLame and Isaac Sheridan were killed and
the remainder of the party forced to retreat; at another
time horses were stolen and a party of settlers went in pur
suit, oviertaking, and killang some of the Indians on the
Trinity. In the fight Wm. Foster was killed.
At this period scouts were kept in the woods most of the
time watching for trails and signs of Indians and to give
alanag.

CHAPTER IX.

HOUGH ushered Hx amid dark and ominous
Avar-clouds, followed by a series of the
bloodiest and most appalUng disasters that
ever stained the history of any land, the
year of 1836 — most memorable in the an
nals of Texas — soon evolved from its slough
of despair.
The campaign of 1835 was settled by
such brilliant and complete success for
Texan arms, as to render wholly unexpect
ed the disasters that befell them in 1836 up to the very
moment that, with the suddenness of a transformation
wrought by Prospero's wand, the clouds of defeat were dis
pelled, April 21, by the signal victory of San Jacinto, and
the star of Texas, no longer obscured by lurid vapors, blazed
forth steadily and serenely from a clear sky, as a new orb
in tke galaxy of nations.

BIRTH OP THE LONE STAR REPUBLIC.
The siege and fall of the Alamo; the destruction of
'Grant and his command beyond the Neuees; the defeat and
annihilation of Johnson's force at San Patricio; the kUling
of King and his foUoAvers, and the capture of Ward and
his men at Refugio ; the surrender of Fannin and his troops,
and their subsequent massacre, together with that of Ward
and his men and other prisoners of war, held at Goliad ; the
retreat of Gen. Houston from Gonzales to the Colorado, and

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 151
thence to th« Brazos, exposing to the devastating and san
guinary fury of Mexican soldiery, all the settlements in Tex
as, save those on Red River and about Nacogdoches and San
Augustine ; and the sweeping forward of a powerful Mexi
can army across Texas in three divisions, from the western
frontier toward the Sabine, like a drag net, constituted a
series of calamities of the most appalling nature. Apparent
ly they portended that the tragedy enacted on the plain of
Guadalupe, in Zacatecas, was to have a dreadful sequel in
Texas, that would leave the despotism of Santa Anna firmly
enthroned from the western confines of the United States to
the Pacific Ocean, and southAvard to the Caribbean Sea. It
seemed probable that the only visible reminders that would
remain of the effort made by Anglo-American civilization
and liberty, to plant themselves in the beautiful and pleas
ant land, and change it from a Avildemess into a weU or
dered and populous commonwealth, would be the graves of
patriot heroes, who had tried and failed.
When Gen. Houston fell back from tbe Colorado, the
greater number of the volunteers with him, left the army
to hurry to their homes and remove their families eastward,
before the Mexicans reached them.
Panic-fear among the defenseless women and chUdren,
spread like fire in flax, resulting in what is knoAvn to his
tory as the "Runaway Scrape,". Nothing could allay it.
Thousands of women and children, with and without escort,
thronged all the routes of travel, hurrying afoot, horse
back, and in vehicles in the direction of Louisiana. Women
gave birth to children by the roadside with no one to care
for them. Many of the sick and feeble died by the way.
Back of those Avho constituted the anguished, scattered,
scurrying throngs, were their homes, and all the proper
ty they bad accumulated by years of toil and hardship.
The Mexican troops reduced many of these habitations to
ashes, and they wantonly destroyed thousands of cattle and
horses. In addition to all this, the Indians took advantage of '

152 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
the confusion and weakened power of resistance, to wage
fiendish warfare, attended by murder and robbery.
Parties of refugees were several miles east of the battle
ground when they heard the booming of cannon at San Ja
cinto. They halted to await news of the issue of the con
test. Couriers dashed along the roads next day and gave
antelligence of the splendid and decisiA'e triumph. A few
more days, and it was knoAvn that Santa Anna had been
captured at San Jacinto, and that, under a treaty entered
into with him, all the Mexican troops in Texas, except
those captured at San Jacinto, were on the march back to
Mexico, foUowed by a Texan force that buried the remains
of the victims of the Goliad massacre, amd saw that the
terms of the agreement were observed.
An election AA-as held in September, at which the consti
tution framed by the Plenary Convention in March, was
adopted, and a president and vice president, members of con
gress amd other officers, were chosen. Congress met in
October, and General Sam Houston, as president, and Mira
beau B. Lamar, as vice president, Avere inaugurated; and the
Republic of Texas was launched upon its glorious career —
extending to the time that Texas became a state of the
American Union in February, 1846.
The charred bones of the martyrs of the Alamo were
collected by Seguin from the ashes of the pyres upon which
their bodies had been consumed, and were interred at the
Cathedral of San Fernando in San Antonio, The people
bent themselves to the accomplishment of the new destinies
that opened before them, and the constructive work of
building a noble commonwealth, consecrated to liberty,
order, peace, prosperity, enlightenment and progress,
was begun in earnest, and has been continued to this day —
•with results that prove that the blood that was shed, the
sacrifices that were made, and the sufferings that were en
dured, were not ia vain.
The Texas i>eople of 1836 mourned that Travis, Bowie,
Boxtbam, Crockett, Fannin and a host of otbere were gon«,

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 15S
and were not with tbem to enjoy the fruits of victory;:
this sorrow, too, was made more poignant by the untimely
lc«s of the great Stephen P. Austin, also the noble pa
triot, Lorenzo de Zavalla. But their sorrows were tempered
¦with the proud joy that they had Avon renown and deathless.
fame, establishing for Texas, memoriesi amd traditions that
conserve patriotism and civic virtue to remotest times. "A
land without memories and traditions of patriots is a land
without liberty."
The Texan war for independence in some respects is
without a parallel, and the final victory at San Jacinto wiH
ever rank as one of th'e astonishing feats of miUtary history.
The great leader in that campaign and victor at San Ja
cinto, Sam Houston, (he needs no title), was yet long
spared to the people. And) he it Avas that so well and faith
fully guided and guarded the destinies of the dearly bought
new land of liberty — .the Lone Star Republic.
The matter of the Cherokee claims came before the.
Plenary Convention, but was not finally aeted upon, owing
to the haste, confusion and alarm that prevailed.
The Cherokees considered their rights secure, in vieAV
of the action taken by the Consultation in 1835, and of the
treaty entered into with them in January, 1836. They,
therefore, remained quiet. But Sam Houston was the factor
that kept these Indiansi pacified and in check. Other and
hostUe Indians glutted, as far as they could, their lust for
revenge, blood and plunder, and the Texas people had to
fight them with one hand while they fought combined Mexi
co with the other.
Morfitt's report to Secretary Forsyth in 1836, gave the
foUowing estimate of the number of Indians in Texas at
that time: Wacos, 400; Tehuacanas, 200; Tonkawas, 800,
Oooshatties, 350; Alabamas, 250; Comanches, 2,000; Caddos,
600; Lipans, 900; smaller bands, 800; Cherokees and their as-
Bociate bande, 8,000, a total of 14,200.

134 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
FAILtTBE OF BEALE S COLONY.
Noting the futile efforts of the few English colonists 'uur
der Dr. John Charles Beale, to exist on the extreme bor-
deafe of Texas, or rather, at that time, within thie .limjits. of
the state of Tamaulipas, between the Nueces and Rio
Grande, we find its sequel in a most sad and bloody
tragedy. In 1832 Dr. Beale, a native of England, but then resi
dent in the city of Mexico — ^having married the widow of
Richard Exeter, an English merchant, and whose maiden
name was Dona Maria Dolores Soto — in partnership with one
VT two other gentlemen, secured a contract or permit from
the State of Coahuila and Texas for colonizing a tract of
three miUion acres between the rivers Rio Grande and
Nueces. Omitting many interesting details incident to itsi estab
lishment and bnief existence, Ave shall briefly trace the his
tory of this colony as gleaned principally from Kennedy's
"TexE's" — ^closing with the sad sequel.
The first and so far as we can find, only English colony-
fifty -nine men, women and children — sailed from New York on
^ovemher 10th., 1833, in the schooner Amos Wrigbt, Capt.
Blonroe, for Aransas Bay, and where after a tempestuous voy
age they arrived and disembarked on the 12th. of December,
going into camp, and remaining .thromgh most im-
olement weather, till the end of the month. On the 3rd. of
January, 1834, Dr. Beale having procured teams and means
of transportation from Goliad, the party left overland for
the interior. The Aveather continued very wet and cold,
and much suffering was experienced by the "new comers"
on the route. Crossing the San Antonio River and leaving
Goliad with fresh oxen on tbe 20th., they arrived at the
' ' Rancho ' ' of Don Erasmo Seguin at noon on the 31st. of
January. Borrowing of the Don five yokes of oxen, they
jpcunded on.
"February 4th., made an early start reaching a small

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 155
brook caUed the Salado, twelve miles distant, where we
formed our camp with great precaution, as this place ia
famous for the murders committed by the Tabuacanas,
being one of their usual resting places."
About noon on the following day the travel-worn emi
grants drove into San Antonio. "Bexar is one of the poor
est, most miserable places in Ibis country. The Indians
steal all their horses, rob their ramcheros and nearly ©very
week, murder some one or two of the inhabitants. From
want of union and energy, they tamely submit to this out
rage, which all admit is inflicted by a few Tahuacanaa."
Resting here tiU the 18th. of February, the now more
cheerful colonists left Bexar with fifteen carts and wagons
for their final destination near the Rio Grande. Ten days
travel from San Antonio brought them to the Nueces River
— ^which they crossed "with the English and Mexican flags
flying and the people cheering most enthusiastically" — and
for the first time entered the lands desdgnated as Bcale's
Colony; and in commemoration of which event one of the
party, Mr. Little, carved' upon a, large tree on the west bank :
"Los Primeros Colonos de la ViUa de Dolores pasaronel 28
de Febrero, 1834," the EngUsh rendition being: "The first
colonists of the village of Dolores passed here on the 28th.
of February, 1834, " — .many of them, alas, never to pass again.
After exploring the country in various directions and
arranging other preliminaries, the little band of colonists fi
nally halted, March 16, on the Los Moras Creek, below the
presemt tOAvn of Del Rio and some ten or twelve miles
from the northeast bank of the Rio Grande ; and where ithey
chose the site for the proposed village of Dolores — a name
bestowed 'by Dr. Beale in honor of his absent Avife. Munic
ipal officers were now elected, the corner stone of a church
laid with much ceremony, tents, huts, amd cabins erected,
streets and plazas platted, and the foundation for a perma
nent tOAvn laid — ^including the building of a brush wall
around it for protection against the wUd Indians, who then,
as for generations before and for fifty years afterwards,

156 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
were a terror to the Mexican population of that frontier.
''^But the settlememt at Dolores did not prosper,"
says Kennedy, owing to a variety of causes; of which
the principal, apparently, was the absence of proper quali
fications of the colonists themselves. A drouth prevailed' amd,
without irrigation, the colonists failed to raise crops ; the fre
quent murders of rancheros by Indians caused the colonists
much apprehension and uneasiness, lest they should be
attacked by the savages. As time passed conditions
grew worse, and much dissatisfaction arose, causing
parties of the settlers to leave for Manclova, and
other Mexican towns, Santa Pisa, San Fernando and other
places, and still others for the coasit to seek vessels and re
turn passage to their native land — till finally on the 17th.
of June, 1836, the settlement was entirely abandoned, the
last to leave being Mr. Palmer and seven others who wenjt
to San Fernando where Ave lose sight of them. And- thus
perished the bright hopes and persevering efforts of those
ardent, but unfortumate men and women, to sustain themr
selves and acquire a home and heritage in the Avilds of the
the new world. In the language of historian Kennedy,
himself an Englishman, and cbronicling the trials and fail
ures of his own countrymen: "And though Dolores ob
tained a place on the map, it had no pretentions to the
name o* a successful settlement — further supplying evi
dence of the superiority of the Anglo-American in forming
colonies. The North Americans are the only people who,
in defiance of all obstacles, have struck the roots of- civili
zation deep into the soil of Texas. Even as I trace these
lines, I reflect upon their progress with renewed wonder
and admiration. They are, indeed, the organized conquer
ers of the wild, uniting in themselves the three fold attri
butes of husbandmen, laAvgivers, and soldiers."

THE SAD SEQUEL.
And now, passing over the truly pathetic, rerolting and

BORDER WARS OF TEXAJS, 157
heart-rending parts, we must briefly narrate the sad, sad
dest of all, sequels — the murder of the last twelve colonists;
capture of Mrs. Horn, Mrs. Harris and thedr childrent; a story
replete with cruel torture and sufferings that must eUci*
deepest sympathy, anld oauae even the maudlin sentimentalist
to burn AvAth raige and indignation.
Among other discouiraged settlers Avene a party of eleven
mien, including John Horn, wife, amd two little sons, John
and Joseph ; a Mr. Harris, his wife and three months old
girl baby, probably the only child bom. at Dolores — ^in aU
sixteen souls — ^who left the fated settlement on tbe 10th., of
March, 1836, hopdiiig to reach the coast by way of San Patri
cio on the lower Neuees, and obtain passage by water to
other and more favored lands. They readhed the Neuees, and
camped for several days in a secluded spot near what they
supposed was the road leading to San Antonio. They pur
posely kept from view, as they had learned of Santa Anna's
invasion of Texas, They heard teams, and men on horse
back passing, and supposed them to belong to the Mexican
army. The party resumed their journey April 2. Two daya
later while cami>ed near a small lake, they were surround
ed and attacked by fifty or sixty Comaaiches, who kUled
aU of the memi outright, except Mr. Harris and a young Ger
man whom they left for dead, made prisoners of the wo
men and children, and secreted such effects of the colonist*
OS they desired tb appropriate, and destroyed the remainder.
They later returned to the scene and got the propearly they
had cached. At the same time they found Mr. Harris and
the German alive and dragged them to camp and murdered
and scalped them in the presence of the agonized prison-
eia. A savage also amused himself by tossing Mrs. Harris's
infant in the air and letting it faU upon the ground untU it
was dead. The Indians were part of a force of four hun
dred Comanches who were operating in the rear of the Mex
ican army, plundering and murdering -without regard to na
tionality. After kiUing several MiexicanB and Americans,
the enifcire body of Indians moved nonthAvard, out of Texaa,

158 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
after the battle of San Jacinto,. and to thedr base of opera
tions on the head waters of the Arkansas,
To ftiUow these two unfortunate daughters in their mul
tiplied sorrows and tribulations; to tell of the helli^ tor
tures endured and fiendish treatment experienced) — aU the
while weeping and agonizing over the fate of their innocent
little children — ^beggars belief, and would cause .bitter and
burning tears to well up thick and fast. Bettter, a thousand
times better, that they had shared the fatte of their husbands
and faithere on that fatal Apiril day, and that their bodies
h'ftd been left ibo devouring Arultures and coyotes, and their
boneO to bleach on the lonely pradries of Southwest Texas.
Eieadeo" ! We wUl draw .the veil of tsilence.
• ••• •••*'
On the outgoing trip, while camped near Red RiA'er, Col.
Holland Coffee, founder of Coffee's Trading House, near
where Denison now stands, on Red Rdver, visited the In
dian camp, and made every effort possible to rescue by pur
chase the two poor women — lOffering their captors any
amount of goods or money; but Avithout avail. The tender-
hsarted amd noble man, it is said, Avept bitterly over his dis-
apjMJintment. Col. Coffee was a brave and good man, and
a valuable pioneer of Northeast Texas, and it is sad to re-
fleot that he died at the hands of an assassin a few years
later. ,
Finally, in June, 1837, Mrs. Harris was ransomed by
American traders, acting under instructions from WiUiam
Donaho, a philanthropic Santa Fe merchant. At the same
time they tried to buy Mrs. Horn, but Avithout success. A
little later, however, Sept. 19, 1837, she was purchased at
San Miguel, N. M,, by a Mexican adting for Donaho. But
in a few days a igrasping and heartless merchant of ithe place,
disgracing the fair name of HUl, set up a claim that he
had fumi^ed goods for her release and that he should have
her as a Bervant. He obtained a judgment in his favor
from the alcalde, and kept her in brutal slavery for a short
•while — allowing her barely eufficient food to sustain Ufe.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 159
Hearing of her pitiable condition, a Mr. Smith, who lived
at the mines, some distance away, sent an armed party,
who brought her to his house, where his family tenderly
cared for her. She was now soon conveyed from Taos, N.
M., to Independenoe, Mo., by Messrs. Workman and Row
land, in 1838, and in October of that year became for soitte
time, a guest of Mr. David Workman and family at New
Franklin. In the autumn of 1837, Mr Donaho escorted Mrs. Plum
mer (one of the captives taken at Parker's Port in 1836),
and Mrs. Harris to Missouri. He left Mrs. Harris with his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Lucy Dodson, in Pulaski county. Mo.,
took Mrs. Plummer to her relaitives in Texas; and then in
1838, returned to Santa Pe. Mrs. Horn was ransomed dur
ing his absence, whieh accounted for bis not being present
(to take charge of her when she was released by the Indians.
He went to Taos to see her, but learned (that she had re
cently departed for Missouri with Workman and Rowland,
and several other persons bound for Independenoe. During
the year !Mr. Donaiho wound up his business at Santa Fe
and went to Missouri, where he resided until 1839, when he
located at ClarksviUe, Texas, A\'hich was thereafter his home
untU the time of his death. Some of bis descendants are
still residing there and in Red River county. When he
came back to Missouri, Mrs, Horn went to see him, learned
Avho it was that had restored her to freedom, and thanked
him with Avords such as. only a poor captive could utter —
simple words bujt SAveeter to have than all the incense that
has ever floated upward from golden censers. Neither
ehe nor Mrs, Harris liA'ed long after their restoraition to
civilization. Mrs. Horn published a small pamphlet giving an account
of her life up to the time she was recovered from the In
diams. But one copy of this rare pamphlet is knowm to be
in existence. Some of tbe experiences that she details are such as (to

160 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
cliy whatever tears one might be disposed to shed over the
fate of the Indian.
A single .incident wUl suffice to indicate the rest.
On one occasion, while crossing a ford, her little son
Joseph, slipped from' the back of the mule into the
water, Aa Indian, enraged at the accident, struck him with
& lance, inflicting a severe wound, and knocking him into
the water, none of the other Indians interfering. The child
«wam to the bank, "bleeding like a slaughtered animal."
Mrs. Horn upbraided the Indian for his conduct. He made
the boy travel on foot and drive a mule for the rest of Ithe
day, and at night called Mrs. Horn to him and gave her an
unmerciful beating with the whip.
She says: "When the savage monster was done whip
ping me, he took his knife and literally sawed the hair
from my head. It was quite long, amd when he had com
pleted the .operation, he tied it to his own as an ornament.
• * * At this time we had tasted no food for two daya,
and in hearing of the moans of my starving children, bound
£Ls on every night, mothers' may judge, if they can, of my
i^epose. The next day a wild horse Avas kiUed and we were
allOAved to partake of the flesh.
"During the same day the Indians amused themselves by
throwing the two boys into a stream, time and ^ain as
fast aa they swam out, until the children Avere partially
unconscious and iinable to stand. Their bodies were bad
ly bruised and water came from their stomachs iu gurgles.
Little Joseph's wounded face was swollen almost beyond
recognition. ' '
What became of the children was never known. They
^disappeared in the devouring darkness, like characters of
Victor Hugo in Les Miserables., and baffled fancy seeks to
follow them in vain.

HUBDEB OF DOUGLAS AND DAUGHERTY FAMUJES.
Among other belated settlers who Avere hastily impro-
frising means of conveyance with which to join in the wild

1. BEN MC CUL.UOCH 2. HENRY MC CUI_UOCH
3. C01_. JOHN C. HAYS. "JACK" -». "jACK" HAYS A3 A REGUUAR IM 1S40

1. ISAAC PARKER.
3. CYNTHtA ANN PARKER.

2. I. D. PARKER
-*. QUANAH PARKER

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. • 161
fUght — "the runaway scrape" — across Texas in advance of
the Mexican army of invasion, in March, 1836, were two
Irish families, John Douglas, wife and children, and 
Daugherty, a widower with three children — the parents, na
tives of Ireland, but more recently of Cambria county,
Pennsylvania, where their children were bom, and from
whence they had removed to Texas, in 1832, settling to
gether in a somewhat isolated section, on Douglas or Clark
Creek, some twelve miles from the present site of HaUetts-
viUe, in Lavaca county.
Ere they had completed sleds on which to transport
their household effects, most of the families in that section
had already left for the east. Beady to start on the morn
ing of March 4th, Augustine and Thaddeus Douglas, aged
respectively fifteen and thirteen, were seat out ih the range
for the oxen designed to draw the sleds. Returning in
the afternoon, and wben near home, they were horrified to
behold the cabins in flames and surrounded by a band of
painted warriors, whose yells, mingled with agonizing death
screams, told only too plainly of the massacre that was in
progress. Unarmed and helpless, the two boys could only
seek their OAvn safety, which they did by hiding in a dense
thicket, where they remained till night. Under cover of
darkness, they cautiously approached the spot — once a home
of life and happiness, now a scene of death and multiplied
grief, A brief examination revealed to them the awful,
shocking tragedy — the home and effects in smouldering
ruins; ithedr father, mother, sister and little brother; Mr.
Daugherty, his son and two daughters, all dead, scalped, mu-
tUated and lying naked in the yard — eight souls thus brutal
ly snatched from earth. "Imagination," says John Henry
Brown, "especially wben assured that .those two boys were
noted for gentle and affectionate natures, as personlally
known to the writer for a number of years, may depict
the forlorn angusiih pierccmg their young hearts. It was a
scene over Avhich amgeils weep."
The two boys, having some idea as to course, now set
out with bleeding hearts for tie little settlement in the vi-

162 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
cinity of what is now HaUettsville, but finding all had re
treated, comtinued down the Lavaca some thirty-five miles
further, to where their older sister, the Avife of Capt. John
McHenry, and a few others lived, but found that they too,
bad left. Thus nonplussed, fatigued and almost famished,
the heart-broken youths plodded their way along the old
Atascosa road, and when near the crossing on tbe Colo
rado River, they were picked up by some Mexican scouts
£nd carried in to General Adrian WoU 's camp, where they
related their sad story. The boys Avere treated kindly and
were soon placed in the care of one Auguste, a French
man, and a traitor to Texas, and who had, Avith a band of
confederates, mostly negroes, "rounded up" the cattle of re
treating citizens, and rendezvousing on Cummings Creek, was
supplying WoU's army Avith beef at exorbditant prices.
Here they renuained, virtually as captives, till after the battle
of San Jacinto, and the retreat of the Mexican, army.
Again' quoting BroAvn's narrative: "Auguste, mount
ing Augustine Douglas on a fine horse, sent him
down to learn Avhen Woll could start. In the mean
time a party of Texans, headed .by AUison York, who
had heard of Auguste's thieving den, hurried forward to
chastise him before he could leave the country with his
booty. He punished them severely, all who could, fleeing
imto the bottom, and themce to WoU's camp. When York's
party opened fire, little Thaddeus Dou)glas, not understand
ing the cause, fled down the road, and in abouit a mile met
his brother returning from WoU's camp on Auguste's fine
horse. With equal prudence and financial skill, they deter
mined ito saA'e both themselves and the horse. Thaddeus
mounting behind, they started at double quick for the Braz
os. They had not traveled many miles, however, when
they met the gallant Capt. Henry W. Karnes, at the head
of some cavalry, from whom they learned for the first time,
of the vidtory of San Jacinto, and that they yet would see
their only surviving sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. and
Capt, McHenry. In writing of this incident in De Bow'e

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. IBS
Review of December, 1853, efghteen years after its occur-
irence, I used this language;
'These 'boys, thus rendered objects of sympathy, formed
a Unk; in the legends of the old Texans, and still reside on
the Lavaca, much respected' for their courage and moral de
portment, '
"This was said thirty -four years ago. It is a still
greater pleasure to say now that they ever after bore hon
orable characters and were both living a short time since,
as I think their sister is; butt the noble old patriot in three
revolutions — Mexico in 1820, South America in 1822, and
Texas in 1835 — ^preceded by gaUant conduot at New Orleans
in 1815, when only sixteen years old — the honest, brave and
ever true son of Erin's Isle, Capt, John McHenry, died a
few years ago, leaving a memory sAveetly embalmed in mamy
thousand hearts."

PIONEER TIMES IN ROBERTSON'S COLONY — TRIALS
OF THE FIRST SETTLERS ABOUT THE "THREE
FORKS" OF LITTLE RIVER.
During the latter half of 1835, and throughout 1836, the
Indians— Tehuacanas, Wacos and Comanches — if not combin
ing, vied Avith each other, as it Avere, in the frequency of
their depredations and deviltry, being exceedingly hostile to
wards .the settlers of Robertson's Colony, especially to
those more exposed about the Falls of .the Brazos, Na^-
viUe, about the Three Forks of Little River, and on the
San Gabriel.
"In the month of February, 1836," says De Cordo
va, "a company of rangers were stationed as high up the
country as the Waco viUage, * * * but, from the scarcity
of provisions and the difficulty of conveying the small quan
tity of the necessaries of life, (and few indeed were they
that these efficient frontier soldiers required), they were
forced to fall back to the "Falls"; and, notwithstanding aU
these exertions, during the iraonths of April, May and June,
innumeraible were the acts of crueltj, and immefosie were the

164 , BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
depredations, committed by the savages. And, in conse
quence of the poverty of the government, these rangers
were disbanded, and for a time the magnificent region of
country between the Colorado and the Brazos was deserted
by the white man. But, as the settlers had for a time
deserted this region of country, and as there was no fur
ther inducement for the savages to steal, they, too, retired
to their villages on the Brazos, as they deemed themselves
more secure highelr up the country, where they could enjoy
and revel in the fruits of their predatory excursd'ons, unmo
lested." For two or three years after the introduction of its first
settlers in the early 30 's, Robertson's Colony received
but few accessions. However, the beauty and fertility of
that section soon attracted the attenion of home-seekers,
and from about 1834- '5 they commenced to arrive and to
locate on the more desirable, but also more exposed, sec
tions, especially in and around Nashville, the capitaJl of the
colony, near (the mouth of Little Rdver and along that
stream as high up as the '"Uhree Forks." Among other fam
ilies were the McLennans, Davidsons, Crouch, the Childers
brothers, Rileys and Taylors; special mention of which has
already been or will be made.
FoUowing the return from the army and the "runaway
scrape," after the victory at San Jacinto, April 21, most
of these settlers repaired to their abandoned homes and
claims. "During the previous Avinter," says Brown, "each head
of a family and one or tAvo single men had cleared about
forty acres of ground on his own land, and had planted
corn before the retreat. To ,cuiltivaite this com and .thus
have bread, was the incentive to an early return."
Temporarily, the famUies of most of those who returned
to cultivate their crops, remained, for saf^y, in the
town of NashvUle, then the highest up settlement and refuge
on that frontier.

BORODER WARS OF TEXAS. 165
KTT.T.TNG OF CROUCH AND DAVIDSON. !
Thus matters stood till about the first Aveek in June,
when two messengers, John Beal and Jack Hopson, arrived
at the "Three Forks" from Nashville, bringiag the sadnews
of Parker's Fort massacre, on the 19th of the previous
month; advising these toiling men of their great peril and
urging them to leave at once, as numerous parties of hos
tile Indians were traversing the country and were in that
vicinity. Heeding this advice, immedfiate preparations were
made to retreat in a body to Nashville.
The entire party consisted of Capt. Gouldsby Childress,
"wife, four song, Robert, Frank and two small boys, tAvo
groAvn, and one eight year old daughter; Rhoads (an old
gentleman living Avith the family), Ezekiel Robertson, Or-
•viUe T. Tyler, Rev. Jasper Crouch, Dr. Robert Davidson,
.... Shackelford, tbe two messengers, Beal and Hopson —
in all seventeen souls, of whom but ten were really able
to bear arms. Their only vehicle was a wagon to be drawn
by a single pair of oxen — ^they had some horses but not
enough to mount the entire party.
Starting on the third day of June, their first day's jour
ney brought them to the cabins of Henry Walker, James
(Camel Back) Smith and Monroe, on Walkers Creek, about
eight miles east of the present toAvn of Cameron, in Milam
county; and where they camped for tbe night. The three
last named families not being ready, the original party left
on their journey early the following morning, hoping to
reach NashvUle by the close, or in the night, of that day.
But they were doomed to disappointment — some alas! never
to reach their destination and loved ones.
On that fatal June morning, and when about three
miles from Walker's, enroute via the Smith crossing of
Little River — "Davidson and Grouch about three hundred,
Captain ChUdress about one hundred, yards ahead, and two
or three men perhaps two hundred yards behind, driving
some cattle" — a party of perhaps two hundred mounted
and painted Comanche warrioxe daehcd upon them. Chil-

166 , BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
dress, calling to Davidson and Crouch, regained his wagon,
and hasty preparations were made for defense. Keeping
^weU out of rifle range, the Indians commenced encircling
the apparently doomed party, at the sa'me moment discov
ering Davidson, and Crouch, who had failed to join their
comrades, a large party attacked^ them. Being poorly moumt-
ved, the two unfortunate men made a bold stand and a
brave fight, kiUimg one or two of the enemy, but were soon
overpowered and both slain, scalped and mutUated. "Then
-foUowed," says Brown, "great exicitement among the In
dians, apparently quarreling over the disposiion of the
scalps and effects of the tAvo murdered men. This enabled
the main party to reach a grove of timber about four hun
dred yards distant, where they turned the oxen loose and
only sought to save their lives,"
At this critfieal moment, and just as the savageis were re
turning en masse to renew the attack, the two young men,
Beal and Hopson, seized with panicj succeeded in making
their escape.
Again the Indians circled around, yelling, firing amd
maneuvering to "draw a fire from the little band," but they
presented a bold front and reserved, their charges, Shack-
¦elford, who could speak the Comanche tongue, chaUenged
them to charge at closer quarters, but believing the brave
little party weU armed and determined, the wily Coman
ches kept aloof and eventually gave up the attack, mov-
inig off to the west. In dose order the beseiged now re
treated, changing their coursie 'Uy "the raft," four or five
miles distant on Little River, on which they crossed, swim-
sning their horses, secured a favorable camp for the night,
.and arrived at Nashville early next day,*
*"D\irinsr tha next day," says John Hehiy Brown, "Smith, Monroe and Walker, with
their families, arrived. Inunedlately on leaving the other party, the Indiana had attacked
the three families in Walker's house and kept up a firs all day without wounding either ot
-the defenders, who fired deliberately through port-holes whenever opportunity offered.
While not assured of kllllnst a single Indian, they were perfectly eertain of having wound-
ted a considerable number. As night came on the Indians retired, and aa soon aa satisfied
.of their departure, the three families left for Nashville, and arrived without further mo-
Heatatlon,"— "Indian Wars and Pioneers ot Texas." p, H.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAa ¦ 16.7
Robertson's Colony played a most prominent part in
the settlement and development of Texas — its outer set
tlements truly constituting the advance guards of civUiza-
tioD, but the groArth of the colony during its first years
was slow and of uncertain permanency. In 1833, there
were only five persons settled within its limits above
the Yegua, west of the Brazos. In 1834, the tOAvn
of Viesca at the Falls of the Brazos, was laid off by Ster
ling C. Robertson, its name being afterwards changed to
Fort Milam. Nearby was Port Sullivan, afterwards called,
"Bucksnort." Early in 1835 considerable additions were
made to the colony — smaU settlements commencing on Pond
Creek and on Little River. Tenoxtitlan, first as a noted
crossing of the old San Antonio and Nacogdoch.es road,
then as am important Mexican mUitary garrison, and in the
'30 's, as a colonial hamlet, was some twenty miles below
Nashville on the Brazos. The place is now defunct and al
most forgotten.
Nashville, as the capital of the colony, and about central
with reference to the colony limits, was situated on a most
lovely and eligible site, a beautiful prairie plains on the
south bank, overlooking the Brazos, about two miles below
the mouth of Little River, and five miles northwest from
the present tOAvn of Heame, in Milam county — ^The Interna
tional and Great Northern raUroad bridge spanning the river
a few hundred yards below the site of this now dead tovra..
A number of bold springs gushed forth from the bluff, "the
landscape o'er" was most picturesque, and it is no
wonder that settlers were attracted, and would Avant to
locate in and around this beautiful, once colonial capital.
Ite exact incipiency is not khoAvn, but eertain it is that the
impresario Robertson viewed the site in the middle '20 's, he
and his partner, Alex: S. Thompson, were there in 1831— the
latter locating vrith his family, and doubtless erected the
first --cabin. . But.vvery ;f ew resiSients were .there .ini the, early
30 's. A few settlers came as learly as 1834, andi early in
1835, and more in the summer and faU of this latter year.
'*"lTie town wa'S regularly laid out in the fall" of 1835 by

168 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Gen. Thos, J. Chambers, who had previously located an
eleven league grant, covering the site. This grant was
long in litigation, during the days of the RepubUc, but it
is not remembered how the suit was finally settled.
At 'no period of its existence, according to the memory of
Prank Brown, Avas the place very populous — ^perhaps not
over 15 or 20 permanent resident families — ^" There were
many comers and goers from time to time."
Here the records were kept and the business of the colio-
ny transacted, and later, as the capital of Milam Land Dis
trict, from 1837 to 1846, it became quite an important place
— till Cameron finally rivaled, .and became the permanent
county seat of Milam county. It continued as a post-of
fice, at least till about the beginning of the Civil War.

CAPT. HILL'S FORTUNATE SCRAP.
Late in August Captain HUl, scouting witb a small com
pany of rangers on the San Gabriel, discovered the traU
of foot Indians, near the mouth of Brushy Creek, leading to
ward the lower country. After a .rapid pursuit without halt
or rest, of about twenty-four hours, the enemy — ^twenty Cad-
des — were overtaken and a desperate fight ensued — ^tbe
odds for a time in favor of the Indians, who had taken favor
able position in a dense thicket. In the end, however, sever
al of the red men were killed and wounded and .the others
routed in confusion, leaving their camp equipage— among
other trophies a large number of scalps taken from white
people of both sexes and all ages. By this timely action the
sparse and unprotected settlers at a point in the post oaks
between the Yegua and Little Rivers and in what is now
Burleson county, was no dou"bt saved from a eerious visita
tion.

KUKDZR AKD CAPTURE OF THB McUNKJlNS.
Prominent among the early frontier settlerB of Texas,
weire the McLennans, and one of tbe m«0t tvsgie episodes

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 169"
to be recorded, is the fate which befell cne of these fami
lies. NeU McLennan, Sr.,* was a native of the Highlands of Scot
land, born in tbe year 1777, and emigrated Avith a large
family and relatives to America in 1802, settling in the state.
of North Carolina, where they remained tUl about 1820^
"When, impelled by a brave,and adventurous spirit, in com
pany with one companion, he determined to explore the
wUderness of Florida. Without a path or 'guide, they pene
trated and explored the dense forests of west Florida, trav
eling on foot, burdened with their guns, axes, provisions aud
blankets." To this, then terra incog., the McLennans soon
removed, halting there until the year 1834, "Avhen, having
'heard of the great and peculiar advantages of Texas, he, to
gether with his brothers, a few friends and their famUies,
removed to that country." "They purchased a schooner at
Pensacola," continues a biographer, "loaded her with their
worldly goods and navigated her themselves," arriving safe
ly at the mouth of the Brazos on January 14, 1835. Pro
ceeding up that river to a point iu what is now Fort Bend
county, they struck a snag, sinking the frail craft, but suc
ceeded in saving most of their household effects and pro-
¦visions. Procuring oxen and improvising carts they slowly
continued up country reaching Robertscn's colony early in
April — settling near the mouth of Pond Creek in what is
now Falls county."
Misfortunes, it seems, beset these colonists almost from?
the very day they reached their destination — this "land of
promise."' Not satisfied with Ihe Pond Creek country,
one of the McLennan 's, more venturesome than prudent, in the-
latter part of 1835 or early in 1S36, loaded his effects, and

If "Neil HcLennan," says Capt. Davidson, who as a boy, knew bim at the village of
Nashville, "was the soul of honor, and a most useful citizen— When a couple wanted to get
married they would always send for "Squire" HcLennan. Have seen him nnlte sevai tft:
ooople*.— the occasion always being one of much frolic and feasting and one looked forward
to witb much anticipations of pleasure by those pioneer people of few and simple pastimes.
I knew the HcLennans well, and can truly say that among the early pioneers of Texas therei
was not te be found a grander or nobler gentleman than Neil McLennan."- DavMsen's Let—
U»-8-2M9OT.

170 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
with his wife, two smaU boys, and an infant, removed to a
more desirable location on •the San Gabriel, at a point in
•what is mow Williamson count/. Arriving at this new home-
place, it was found they were out of meat. Mr. McLennan,
taking his gun and the oldest boy, went in search of game,
leaving h:s wife and two other children, to "keep camp."
Becoming lost, he did not return until dark, when he found
the camp plundered and his loved cnes gone. Indians had
discovered the "new comers" and visited them, capturing
(the mother and her two children. In fiendish glee they
stripped their captives of every vestage of apparel and tied
them fast, while they plundered' .the camp. Breaking open
a large trunk tbey found a "looking glass" — apparently a
great curiosi'ty to the Indians, who became very much ab
sorbed, performing many amtics over and around' the mir
ror. Taking advantage of this, and at a time when tbe In
dians were some little distance away, Mrs. McLennan un
tied herself and child, and taking her infant, quietly moved
off, moticning her Uttle boy to follow. Reaching the San
Gabriel bottom she found a sheltering rocl{ under Avhich
she concealed' herself and children. So absorbed were the
Indians in plundering the camp and playing Avith the mys
terious glass, they did not miss their captives until late; a
hurried search was made, but the hiding refugees fortunate
ly, escaped the vigilant observations, the Indians leaving as
night came on.
Naturally supposing hb wife and babies had been caip-
tured, and perhaps murdered, McLennan, with his little
Btm, set out for the settlements many miles below. The re
fugees remained in hiding all night, suffering much from
cold, and in the morniiig a few remnants of clothing were
found, also a little com scattered in the dust, and which
Avas their only sustenance. In this terrible condition, al
most famished and naked, these helpless beings remained, for
several days, until the husband and father returned from
the settlement, with a smair company raised for the purpose
of pursuit and the hope of rescue.
Approaching the camp, Mrs. McLennan was discovered

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 171
scratching in the dust in search of grains of com, but .think
ing the men were Indians she fled, in wild fright, and hsid
to be run down and caught. Poor woman, though overjoy
ed Avhen realizing deliverance, she was almost crazed from
exi>osure and hunger, and so emaciated that her husband
could scarcely realize the change. Thus providentially spared
worse misfortune, the family "were glad to find a home in
a less exposed section.

MURDER OF THE LAUGHT..IN McLENNAN FAMILY—
"INDIAN JOHN," McLENNAN.
In the winter of 1835- '6, when most of the settlers had
retired from this exposed frontier, in consequence of the
hostiUty of Indians, these brave families remained on their
little farms. In ithe spring of '36 their first and saddest
misfortune overtook them. While splitting rails, a party of
ludians, probably Wacos, surprised and kUled Laugblin and
bis Tvife and captured their three small children — Laugh-
lin's aged and feebled mother, unable to walk being burned
alive in the house. Two of the captive children soon died.
The other, John, a fine little fellow of seven years , was
adopted and remained with th« Indians some years tUl re
covered through treaty stipulations in 1846 — Neil McLen
nan attending the council high up on the Brazos, and
bringing his nephew back to 'the viUage of Nashville. Now
a groAvn young man, unable to speak a word of EngUsh,
dressed in the Indian garb awl Avith all the propensities of
that race, he was indeed "the very picture of a wUd war
rior," and it was no ordinary task .to -win "this young sav
age" to civiUzation. It was very hard to get him reconciled
to his relatives and their modes and manners, "but Avith the
return of his mother tongue he became more civilized and
contented." "My mother" says Capt. W. T. DaAridson,
"made the first garment he would wear, out of red ciloth, and
I besidies provided him with a straw hat with a red ribbon
, ba)a^ streaming doAvn about a yard, of which he was very
•^foudi-"- During the lifetime of his adopted Indian
' mother, we are told he often visited her, "being al-

172 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
waj's loaded with such presents as he knew would
gratify her— thus sh.owing his gratitude for her care amd
attention to him during his boyhood, EventuaUy he became
entirely reconcUed, married happily and settled doAvn on
Hog Creek, in Bosque county, Avhere he resided till his
death in 1866.
Thus admonished by this terrible tragedy, of the dangers
to which tbey were exposed on that then extreme frontier,
the McLennans removed Idown to the frontier vUlage of
Nashville, where they remained till the spring of 1837, when
Neil Sr,, ventured back to his farm and commenced a crop,
and when the Indians, again made an attack, the father amd
his son, John, (afterwards sheriff, first of Milam and then
of McLennan county) barely escaped, and a negro man was
captured — but soon to effect his escape and return to his
master.*

PALL OF PARKER'S FORT-THE HORRIBLE MASSACRE.
FATE OP THB CAPTIVES, A THRILLING STORY,
Settlers at Parker's fort participated in the "runaway
scrap" in the spring of 1836, and Avent as far east as the
Trinity whieh they were unable to cross, as the river was so
swollen by heavy rains. While encamped on its western
bank, they Avere informed of the victory of San Jacinto, and
at once started back to the fort, Avhich they reached without
unusal incident.

If "McLennan's faithful old negro Bervant, Alf for that was his name, in telling of
the attack and his capture by Indians," says Capt. W. T. Davidson, "told me the first inti
mation he bad that the Indians were anywhere about, he saw them jumping over the field
fence where he was at work. He broke for tbe timber, but a big stalwart fellow pursued
him, running up behind and slapped his hand on his shoulder, with the exclamation:
'Whoopr 'They carried him off a prisoaer and kept him for some time. Alf was a great
character and was the only negro fiddler In the town of Nashville, and always played for
the young people to dance about once a week. They would pay him in dressed deer skins.
old clothes, shoes, and as much com whisky as he conld drink. Tbey danced nothing but
the reel or 'break-down' in those days, and Alf would play: 'Give the fiddler a dram, give
the fiddler a dram, and let him drink it and be d ' ed,' or 'We will dance all night till
broad daylight and go home with tbe gals ia the morning.' and always accompanied the
music with song. Tlioeewere great days— good old times— and were enjoyed by those
brave and happy 'folks.'- a great deal more than tbelpresent times and (oO nodem
^nccs."-L<tter 9. J6, 07.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 173
Parker's Fort was located near the headwaters of the
Navasota, one half mUes north»west of the site of the town
of Groesbeck, in Limstone county, in the heart of what was
then a wilderness, but noAv a fruited and thickly populated
region divided into farmsteads and dotted with vlilages and
towns. Fort Houston, situated a mUe or two west of .the site of
Palestine, on land now included in -the John H. Reagan
farm two miles west of Palestine, in Andeirson county, was
the nearest white settlement. Others -were distant sixty
miles or more.
Parker's fort consisted of cabins surrounded by a stock
ade. A large double gate afforded access to the enclosure.
The outer Avails of the log cabins formed part of the
walls of the stockade. Their roofs sloped inward. At one
or more corners of the stockade were block houses. The
waUs around the entire quadrangle were perforated -with
loop holes. The fortlKcation 'was buUet proof, and, Uke
others of the kind, could not be taken by Indians if defend
ed by a few well-armed and determined men. It was built.
for the purpose of being occupied by the families living in
the Adcinity, when there was danger of attack by Indians.
Most of the farms^ — some of them near-by and others a mUe
or so away — were provided Avith cabins where the tired colo
nists occasionally spent the night.
The patriarch of the settlement was Elder John Parker,
seventy nine years of age. His aged wife," Granny "Parker,
was, perhaps, a few years younger. He Avas a Virginian
iby birth; resided for a time in Elbert county, Ga.; chiefly
ireared his famUy in Bedford cotmty, Tenn. ; afterwards Uved
for several years in Cole county, IU.; and then moved, in
1833, to Texas where Parker's fort was erected) in the follow
ing year. Some of the f amUy came to Texas prior, and .others
subsequent, to that time.
The little group consisted lo^* the following persons : El
der John Parker and wife (Granny Parker); James W.
Parker (son of Elder John), fwife, four single children,
married daughter, Mrs. Rachel Plummer, and her husband.

174 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
L. T. M. Plummer, and fifteen months old son, James Pratt
Plumm'er, and one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Nixon, arid her hus
band, L.D. Nixon; SUas M.Parker (son of Elder John) amd
his wife, amd four children; Benjamin F. Parker (an un
married son of Elder John) ; Mrs. Nixon, Sr., (mother of
Mrs. James. W. Parker); Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg (daughter
of Mrs. Nixon, Sr.) ; Mrs. Duty; Samuel M, Frost and his
yfiie and children; Robert Frost; G. E. Dwight and bis Avife
and children; David Faulkenberry and his son, Evan; Seth
Bates and his son, SUas H. ; EUsha AngUn and his nineteen
year old son, Abram, and old man Lunn — in all thirty-eight
persons. On returning to Parker's fort from the Trinity, tbe Ut
tle band busied itself with gathering together its scattered
stock and in preparing the fields for putting in crops, .all
iinsconscious of the fearful massacre that .Avas to extinguish,
so soon, the bright hopes they entertained of the fu
ture, and the lives of ma.ny of their number; and
an unspeakable mental anguish amd physical sufferin'gs upon
others of the survivors.
Early on the morning of May 19, 1836, James W. Parker,
Nixon amd Plummer left the fort, .and repaired to a farmi a
mile from there, and David Faulkenberry and his son Evan,
Silas H. Bates and Abram Anglin went from the fort to
their fields a mile farther away,
Seth Bates, Elisha Anglin, and old man Lunn either slept
at their cabins the night before, or left the fort prior to 9
o'clock the morning of the 19th.
At that hour from five hundred to seven hundred In
dians (Comanches and Kiowas) appeared on the prairie two
or three hundred yards from the fort, displayed a white
flag, amd sent forAvard one of their numiber, Avlhlo said that
they had no hostile intentions, and merely wanted some
one to come out from the fort and direct them to a spring
Avhich they tmderstood was near-by, and to be furnished a
beef.^ . Subsequent events justify tbe belief that thia Indian

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 175
acted as a spy, noticed that nearly all the men were absent,
end reiwrted the practically defenseless condition of tbe oc
cupants of the fort. Benjamin P. Parker went out to the In
dians and, after returning, stated that it was his belief
they were hostile and intended to attack the fort. He saicl
that he would go to them again and try to dissuade them.
His brother, Silas M. Parker, urged him net to go, but he
went, nevertheless, and was immediately surrounded and
kUled. While this tragedy Avas in progress, Elder John Park
er, "Granny" Parker and Mrs. KeU'ogg, fled from the
fort in one party, and ilrs. James W. Parker and children
by themselves; Silas M. Parker and Mrs. Plummer ran out
side the stockade. Everyone tried to escape.
As soon as the Indians appeared, Mrs. Sarah Nixon left
for the farm where her father, husband and Plummer were
at work, to teU the'm of the imminent peril the occupants
of the fort were in.
The savages kept up terrific ishcuting and yelling while
th'cy were murdering Benjamin F, Parker — ^the peculiar
blood-curdling Comanche scream (once heard, never forgot
ten) rising above the less distinctive cries of the Kiowas.
'Most of them rushed upon the fort, tie gate of which was
open; the remainder went in pursuit of the parties of ref
ugees that were still in sight.
The main body of Indians first encountered and killed
Silas M. Parker just outside the fort, Avbere he fought to
the last, trying to protect Mrs. Plummer. This opposition
necessitated the attention of some of the Indians, Avho kiE.-
ed and seali>ed Silas M. Parker, knocked unconscious with a
'hoe and captured Mrs. Plummer, a:fber fierce resistauice on
her part, and them poured into the fort, where they joined
their companion fiends, and helpedto murder Samuel M. and
Robert Frost, who fought amd fell as true men should,
Mrs. Nixon, Sr., Mrs. Duty and all the other women and
cSiiildrem, managed to get out of the fort before and during
the melee. Shrieks of victims rent the air. Hundreds of brazen

r76 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
throated savages shouted and screamed war-whoops, curses,
and taunts. The thud of blows delivered with war-clubs
and tomahawks, and the sharp reports of firearms resound
ed. Blood and death Avere everywhere. Murder, with bat
like Avings, brooded over the scene infernal, and drank in
the babel of piteous and fierce sounds that rose from it.
Elder John Parker, "Granny" Parker, and Mrs. KeUogg
¦were captured wben they had gone three-fourths of a mile.
They were brought back to a spot near the fort, where El
der John Parker was stripped, speared and kiUed, and "Gran
ny" Parker was stripped of everything except her under
clothing, speared, outraged, and left for dead. The In
dians kept Mrs. Kellogg as a prisoner.
When Mrs. Sarah Nixon reached the field to teU of the
coming of the Indians, she found her father, James W. Par
ker, and Plummer. Her husband had gone down to the
other farm. Plummer at once hastened to the latter place
4o convey information of the danger. James W. Parker
started immediately for the fort. Enroute he met his Arife
and children, and others.
Plummer reached Nixon first and told him that the fort
Tvas surrounded by Indians. Without waiting for the oth
er men to come up, Nixon, though unarmed, ran toAvard the
.fort. In a few moments he met Mrs. Lucy Parker (wife
*of Silas M. Parker) and ber four children, just as they
were overtaken by Indians, They compelled her to lift be
hind two mounted warriors, her nine-year-old daughter
frCynthia Ann, and Uttle boy, John. The foot Indians then
took her and her two younger children back to tbe fort, Nix-
¦on foUowing, She passed around, and Nixon through the
.iort. At the moment the Indians were about to kill Nixon,
sDavid Faulkenberry appeared Avith his rifle and leveling it,
caused them to fall back. Thereupon Nixon left in search
of his Avife and overtook Dwight and family, and Frost's
family, and with them, met James W. Parker and famUy

1. JOHN NEEUY BRYAN, FATHER OF DAL.I-AS.
3. CAPT. RANDAU JONES.

2. CAPT GEO B. ERATH
-». CAPT, ROOT. M. COL.EMAN

CAPT. SHAPLEY P. ROSS
3 CAFT. HENRV STOUT

2. CAPT. HENRY S. BROWN
A. CAPT. SAM HIGHSMITH

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 177
and his own Avife, Mr». Sarah Nison. This group hastened
to the Navasota bottom and hid in a thicket.
Faulkenberry ordered Mrs. Lucy Parker to follow him,
wbich she did, carrying her infant in her arms and holding
her other child by the hand. The Indians made several
dashes toward them, but Avere brought up standing each
time by Faulkenberry turning upon them and presenting his
rifle. One warrior, bolder than the rest, rode up so close
that Mrs, Parker's faithful dog seized his horse by the
nose, whereupcn horse and rider somersaulted into a guUy.
At this time Silas H. Bates, Abram AngUn and Evan Faul
kenberry, armed Math rifles, and Plummer, imarmed, came
up, and tbe pursuing Indians, after making further hostUe
demonstrations, retired. WhUe this party of refugees were
passing through Silas M. Parker's field, Plummer, as if
awakened from a dream, asked where his wife and child
were, and taking the butcher knife of Abram Anglin, went in
search "of them. Seth Bates and old man Lunn were met a
Uttle farther on, and the party proceeded to a hiding place
in. the creek bottom.
At twilight Abram Anglin and Evan Faulkenberry
started back to the fort. On reaching Seth Anglin 's cabin,
three-fourths of a mile from their destination, they found
"Granny" Parker. She had feigned death until the Indiana left
and then crawled there, more dead than alive. When An
glin beheld her, be thought hfe Avas looking at a ghost. In
his account of the incident he says, "It was dressed in
white, with long white hair streamang dOAvn its hack. I ad
mit that I was worse scared at this moment than when the
Indians were yeUing, and charging us. Seeing me hesitate,
my ghost now beckoned me to come on. Approaching the
object, it proved to be old 'Granny* Parker.
"I took some bed clothing and carrying her some dis
tance frcm the bouse, made ber a bed, covered her up, and
left her untU we should return from tbe fort. On arriv
ing at the fort we could not see a single indiAliduad' alive, or
hear a human sound. But the dogs were barking, the cat-

178 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
tie lowing, the horses nedghing, and the hogis squealing.
"Mrs. Parker had told me where she had left some sil
ver, $106.50. This I found under a hickory bush, by moon
light. Finding no one at the fort, we returned to Avhere I
had hidden 'Granny' Parker. On taking her up behind me,
Tve made our way back to our hiding place in the bottom,
where we found Nixon."
Next morning Silas H. Bates, Abram Anglin and Evan
Faulkenberry went back to the fort, where they secured
five or six horses, a few saddles and bridles and some meal,
bacon and honey; but, fearing that the Indians might
return, did not tarry to bring the dead.
With the aid of the horses and provisions, the party
¦with David Faulkenberry made its way to Fort Houston.
They did not then know what had become of James W. Par^
ker and those with him.
The people Avitb James W. Parker, consisting of G.
E. Dwight and nineteen women and chUdren, reached, after
traveling six days, Tinnin's, at the old San Antonio and
Nacogdoches crossing of the Navasota, emaciated by star
vation, with nearly all their clothing torn off of them by
thorns, and that which remained reduced to shreds, their
bodies and limbs lacerated and their feet swollen and bleed
ing. Messrs. Carter and Courting^ 'learu'ed of tiheir approach,
went out to meet them with five horses, end brought them
in. The settlers at Tinnin's, themselves but recently returned
from the "runaway scrape" and poorly supplied with necessa
ries, divided their little all of food and clothing with the suf
ferers, and cheered and comforted them as best they could.
There were hearts of gold in Texas in those days — -
of the kind of gold that is in the heavenly city, and not in
the fated fane of Mammon.
A party of twelve men went up from Fort Houston and
buried the dead "Granny" Parker did not live long after
Teaching Fort Houston, Most of the Parker's Fort set
tlers later returned to that location.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 179
Upon leaving Parker's fort after the massacre, the
Comanches and Kiowas traveled together until midnight,
¦when they halted, went into camp, tied their prisoners bo
tightly hand and foot that blocd welled up from beneath
the cruel cords, threw the prisoners on their faces, buUt
fires, erected a pole, and engaged in a scalp dance
around it that lasted untU morning. The savages seemed
drunk with the horrors they had i>erpetrated, and aband
oned themselves without restraint to the frenzy of the
dance. They chanted and shouted themselves hoarse, leaped
into the air, contorted their bodies, and re-enacted the mur
ders they had committed until even the limit of their phys
ical endurance Avas exceeded.
The maddened demons tramped upon the prisoners and
beat them •with bows, untU they were covered with blood
and bruises.
The orgie ended at last, leaving Mrs. KeUogg, Mrs.
Plummer and tbe chUdren more dead than alive,
_^ When the Indians parted they di\ided tbe prisoners
among them. Mrs. Plummer was separated from her little
son, James Pratt Plummer, he being taken by one band and
she by another,
Mrs. KeUogg was sold to the Keechics and by them to
the Delawares, who, about six months after her capture, car
ried her into Nacogdoches and surrendered her to Gen, Sam
Houston, who paid them $150.00, the amount they had paid
tbe Keechies, and all they demanded.
While she was being conveyed from Nacogdoches to
Fort Houston by James W. Parker and others, a Mr. Smith
wounded and disabled an Indian, whom she recognized as
the savage who scalped Elder John Parker. As soon as she
made known the fact, Parker, Smith and others of the party
kiUed the man — ^riddling bis carcass with buUets, and leav
ing it -where it feU Sor wolves and buzzards to dispose of.
Six mcntba after she was captured Mrs. Pl^nmmer gave
birth to a boy baby. She begged an Indian woman to tell

180 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
ber how to save the child, but the squaw turned a deaf ear
to her pleadings. One day, while she was nursing the in
fant, several Indians came to her ard pne of them tore tlfe
cbUd from her, strangled it with his hards, tossed it in
the air and let it fall on the ground untU life seemed ex-
.tinct, and then threw it at her feet, while the others held
her, despite franltdc struggling. Ihe bucks then left
her. In her printed narrative she says, "I had been weep
ing incessantly whilst they yrere murdering my child, but
now my grief was so great that the foumtain of my tears
•was dried up. As I gazed on the bruised cheeks of my dar
ling infant, I discovered some symptoms of returning life. I
hoped that if it could be resuscitated, they would aUow me
to keep it. I washed the blood from its face, and after a
lime it began to breathe again. But a more heart-rending
scene ensued. As soon as the Indians ascertained that the
child was stiU alive, they tore it from my arms and knocked
me down. They then tied a plaited rope around its neck
iind threw it into a bxmch of prickly pears, and then pulled
it backward and forward until its tender flesh was liter
aUy torn from its body. One of the Indians, who was
mounted on a horse, then tied the end of tbe rope to his
saddle and gaUoped around in a circle until my Uttle inno
cent was not only dead, but torn to pieces. One of them
then untied the rope and threw the remains of the child
into my lap, and I dug a hole in the earth and buried
¦them." The Indians killed the child because they thought that
caring for it interferred with the mother's work. After
wards she was given to a squaw as servaiut. The
squaw, after much cruel treatment, attempted to beat her
with a club. Mrs. Plummer ¦wrenched the club from the
Indian woman's hands and knocked her down with it. The
Indian men, who were at some distance, ran, yelling, to the
scene. Mrs. Plummer expected nothing less than to be kiUed
by them. Instead, they patted her on the back, exclaiming
"bueno! bueno J"— good! good!

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 181
After that she was caUed the "fighting squaw," and
¦wag much better treated. After a captivity of one and a
half years, she was ransomed by Mr. Williann Donoho, a
Santa Fe merchant-trader — the same generous, tendeir-
hearted and ndble gentleman through Avhose efforts the un*
fortunate Mrs. Horn amd Mrs. Haaris vrere rescued- from
savagle leaptivity, aa previously related,
Tbe Indian camp in which she was found was so far
north of Santa Fe that it took seventeen days travel to
reach that place. Mr. and Mrs. Dcnoho took her with them
to Independence, Missouri. There she met her brother-in-
law, L. D. Nixon, who brought her to Texas, where she
crossed the door siU of her father's home Februairy 19, 1838.
She wrote, or had written, an account of her Indian captiv
ity. Her death occurred February 19, 1839. The 19th day
of months seems to have had an occult significance for her.
She was bcrn on the 19th, was married on the 19th, was
captured on the 19th, was ransomed en the 19th, reached
Independence on the 19th, arrived at home on the 19th and
died on the 19th.
She died without knowing what had become of her
son, James Pratt Plummer. He was ransomed late in 1842
and taktn to Fort Gibson, and reached home in February,
1843, in charge of his grandfather, ard became a highly es
teemed citizen of Anderson County.

CYNTHIA ANN PARKEB-^OHN PARKER — CHIEP
QUANAH PARKER,
Many efforts were made by their relatives to trace and
recover Qynthia Ann and John Parker, and Texan and
United States government expeditions kept a sharp look
out for them ; but ¦without avail, until Cynthia Ann was un
expectedly captured at the battle of Pease River, in 1860,
There is a fairly authenticated story to the foUoAving
effect: In 1840 (four years after her capture at Parker's
fort) CoL Len WiUiams, — — Stoal (a trader) and a Dela-
¦ware Indian guide, named "Jacb Henry'' found her with

182 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Pa-ha-u-ka's band of Comanche Indians on the Canadian
River. Col. WiUiams offered to ransom her, but the Indian
into whose family she had been adopted said that all the
goods the Colonel had were not sufficient to get her, that
she would not be surrendered for any consideration. Col.
WUliama requested the privilege of talking with her, and
she was permitted to come into his presence. She walked
quietly to him and seated herself at the foot of a tree, but
<^ild not be induced to utter a word, cr make a gesture
that shojved whether she did or did not understand what
ihe said- to her. She was then thirteen years old. Some
years later she became the squaw of the noted Comanche
chief, Peta Nocona, and bore him several chUdren.
Victor M. Rose says: "Fifteen years after her ca'pture
a party of white hunters, including some friends of her fam
ily, visited the Comanche encampment on the upper Cana
dian, and recognizing Cynthia Ann, probably through the
medium of her name alone, sounded her in a secret manner
as to the desirableness of a return to her people and the
haunts of civilization. She shock her head in a sorroAvful
negative, and pointed to her little ufiked barbarians sport
ing at her feet, and to tbe great, lazy buck sleepinig in the
shade near at hand, the locks .of a score of scalps dangling
tat his belt, and whose first utterance u-pcn arousing would
i>e a stern command to his meek, pale faced Avife. Though,
in truth, exposure to sun and lair had browned tbe com
plexion of Cynthia Ann almost as intensely as that of the
native daughters of the plain and forest. She said, 'I am
happily wedded. I love my husband, who is good and kind,
and my little ones, too, are his, and I cannot forsake them. ' ' '
If, indeed the entire account given by Rose is not apoch
ryphal, it ia certain that Qynthia Ann did not .employ ,in her
reply, the set of words attributed to her, and that she did
pot speak in her mother tongue.
When recaptured, the vene«r of savagery that covered
her ¦was so thick that it took tim« and unremitting, loving
care to remove it.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 183
Young Lawrence SuUivan Ross, then a dashing ranger
Captain ; in after years to ¦win much renown as a Confederate
Brigadier-General; Governor of Texas, and later. President of
the A. and M. college of Texas tUl his untimely death, in com
mand of a company of Texas rangers, a sergeant and twenty
United States dragoons, and seventy citizena from Palo Piato
county under Capt. Jack Curingtcn, came upon an Indian
viUage at the head waters of Pease River, Most of his men
w«re some distance in his rear, their horses being much jad-
.ed by travel and want of food. With him were the dra
goons and twenty of his oavu men. With these, he charged
hrimediately. The Indians, although surprised, fought Avitb
more than usual braveiy, their women and ehUdren and aU
o^ their possessions being with them. They could not hold
their ground against such an attacking force, however, and,
After many had been kiUed, the survivors tried to escajw
to the mountains, about six miles distant. Lieut. Thomas
KeUihuir pursued one, and Capt. Ross and Lieut. SomerviUe
another. Somerville was a heavy man, and his horse feU be
hind. Ross dashed on and overtook the Indian he was af
ter. A fierce combat followed, resulting in the death of
the Indian, who proved to be Peta Nocona, chief of the band,
KeUihuir captured the supposed Indian he was after, and
who proved to be Cynthia Ann Parker. She had in her
arms a girl child about two and a half years of age, Topa-
sannah — "Prairie Flower." It was not knoAvn at the time
who the captured woman was. She spoke no word that tend
ed to clear the mystery. Lieut. Sublett picked up a Coman
che boy. Capt, Boss took charge of him, named him Pease,
and reared him at Waco.
On returning to the settlements, Capt. Ross sent for
Isaac Parker,' thinking it possible that the woman might be
Cynthia Atiti Parker. Thrall says: "The venerable Isaac
Parker, stiU in hopes of hearing of his long lost niece, went
to the camp. Her age and general appearance suited the
object of his search, but she had lost every word of her
native tongue. Col. Parker was about to give up in de-

184 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
epair, when he turned to the interpreters and said very dis
tinctly that the woman he was seeking was named 'Cynthia
Ann.' The sound of the name by whieh her mother had
caUed her, awakened in the bosom of the poor captive emo
tions that had long lain dormant. In a letter to us Col.
Parker says: 'The moment I mentioned the name, she
straightened hereelf in her seat and, patting herself on the
breast, said, 'Cynthia Ann, Cynthia Ann.' A ray of recol
lection sprang up in her mind, that had been obliterated for
twenty-five years. Her very countenance changed, and a
pleasant smUe took the place of a suUen gloom.'
"Returning Avithi her uncle, she soon regained her na
tive tongue. It was during the war, and she learned to
spin and weave and make herself useful about the house."
Her uncle took her to his home in Tarrant county. Soon
thereafter she was carried to Austin and was there conducted
by a party of ladies and gentlemen into the haU where
the State Secession Convention was beiflg held in Aus
tin, in 1861. She appeared to be greatly distressed. In
quiry revealed the fact that she thought the assemblage
was a meeting of war chiefs, convened for the purpose of de
ciding her fate, and was apprehensive that they would con
demn her to death.
An act of the Texas Legislature, approA-^ed AprU 8, 1861,
granted Cynthia Ann Parker a pension of $1C0 a year for
five years, dating from January 1, 1861, and required the
county court of Tarrant county to appoint a guardian for
her, the guardian to give a bond, "conditioned for the
faithful application of the pension, and for the support and ¦
education of her chUd." Another aet of the Legislature, in
the same year, donated to her a league of land.
An act of the Legislature, approved January 8, 1862,
contained the foUo'wing: "SUas M. Parker, of Van Zandt
county, is hereby constituted as agent of Cynthia Ann
Parker, formerly of Tarrant and now of Van Zandt coun
ty, and, on his giving bond in the sum of $400 to the Chief
J'uetice of Van Zandt county, for the faithful application of

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 185
said pension to the suppert of said Cynthia Ann Parker,
and for the support ard education of her child, Topasan-
nab, the State Treasurer shaU pay said pension to the said
agent, or his order."
The last appropriations to pay the pension were for the
years 1864 and 1865, and are contained in the general ap
propriation act passed by the Tenth Legislature, approved
December 16, 1863.
Topasannah (Uttle Prairie Flower) died in 1864, and dur
ing the same year the soul <A the mother winged its way to
the spirit land. Cynthia Ann was buried in the Poster grave
yard, Henderson county, Texas where her'remains reposed for
forty-six years — till late in December, 1910 through the ef
forts of the! adoring son, Chief Quanah Parker, they were ex
humed, conveyed to Lawton, Okla.; and, after much cer
emony, re-interred in the Indian f anjUy cemetery at Post Oak,
in the Wichita mountains. And thus briefly traced, closes
the history of this unfortunate Avoman, far famed in tbe
border annals of Texas
Cynthia Ann Parker had two other children, besides
"Prairie Flower" — ^both sons, and both with the Coman
ches, One of the boys died not long after her own demise;
the other, Quanah by name, who long survived and acquired
renoAvn as the head chief of all the Comanches. Aged, and
beloved by both the red and white man, the famous chief
died at his tribal home, on Thursday, February 23, 1911, and
was buried as he had so desired to be, by tbe side of his
mother, "Preloch," — Cynthia Ann Parker.
The death of Quanah Parker marked the passing of the
last of the great Indian chiefs— Sitting Bull, Red Cloud,
Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph and Geronimo having preceded
him some years to the "happy hunting grounds."
John Parker, brother of Cynthia Ann, grew to man
hood among the Comanches, and participated in their fo
rays BS a Comanche brave. During a raid into Mexico, a
Mexican girl was captured. Shortly thereafter he was
stricken -with small-pox. The tribe fled fiom him in con-

186 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
jfiternaticn, aud left him to die without attention. The Mex-
iican girl remained with and nursed him back to health.
Disgusted "with his former comrades, he followed the girl's
..advice, and went with her' to her pecple beyond the Rio
Grande. He served in a Mexican company in the Confed
erate Army during the war between the states, but would
i-aiot leave the soU of Texas, refusing even to cross the line
into Louisiana. The last heard cf him, be was Uving oa a
lanch ia Mexico. He, too, has long since 'gone to his reward.

^EATH OF McSHERBY AND STINNETT— KILLING OF
HIBBINS AND CREATH AND THE CAPTURE OF
MRS. HIBBINS AND CHILDREN — HEROISM
OF THS LITTLE SON.
Of the many, very many, pathetic episodes already
^olrcnicled, ard yet to be recounted, the dual — ^triple; yea,
. four-fold tragic misfortunes of Mrs. McSherry — ^Hibbins —
.-Stinnett — ^Howard, must certainly claim precedence, and in
.fact, are without a paraUel in border annals. Recording
the mxUtiplied incidents of the story (extending over a pe
riod of "13", to her, unfortunate years) at this juncture,
.ard to connect the thread of narrative, we must revert a
few years — closing with sad sequels.
"In 1828," says John Henry Brown, "there arrived on
r-jthe Guadalupe River, a young couple from the vicinity, of
Brownsville, Jackson county, Illinois — John McSherry and
iis wife, Sarah, Avhose maiden name was Creath. They set-
lied on the Avest side of the Guadalupe, in DeWitt's colony
at a place in what is now the lower edge of DeWitt county,
jaear a little creek, Tffhich, with a spring, was some
¦two hundred yards in front of the cabin they erected —
•TvUd and isolated, hut one of tbe loveUest spots of the
; Southwest. Their nearest neighbor was Andrew Lockhart,
-ten miles up the river, and one of a large family of sterling
•pioneers on the Guadalupe, bearing that name.
"Mrs. McSherry was a beautiful blonde, an exceUent
stype of the country girla of the West in that day, very

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 187
handsome in person, graceful in manner and pure bf heart.
Mr. McSherry was an honest, industrious man of nerve and
wiU. They were happUy devoted to each other.
"Early in 1829 their first chUd, a son, was bom, com
plementing the full measure of their connubial bliss— but
alas! soon to be blighted with a most direful calamity."
"Later in the same year," continues Brown, "about
noo& on a pleasant day, Mr. McSherry yrent to the spring
for a bucket of water. As he arose from the bank, bucket
in hand, a party of Indians, ¦with a wild yeU, sprang from
tbe lushes, and in a moment he was a lifeless corpse. His
¦wife, hearing the yeU, sprang to tbe door, saw him plainly
and realized the peril of herself and infant. In the twink- .
ling of an eye, she barred the deer, seized the gun, and
resolved to defend herself and baby xmto death. The sav
ages surveyed the situation and maneuvered to and fro,
hut faUed to attack the cabin, and soon disappeared. Thus
she was left alone, ten miles from the nearest habitation,
and without a road to that, or any other place. But truly,
in the belief of every honest person of long frontier expe
rience, the ways of Providence are inscrutable. About dark,
John McCrabb, a fearless and excellent man, weU armed
and mounted, but whoUy unaware of the sad condition of
matters, rode up to the cabin to pass the night. Hearing
the recital, his strong nerves became stronger, and his heart
pulsated as became a whole-souled Irishman. Very soon he
placed the young mother and babe on his horse, and by the
light of the stars, started on foot, through tbe Arilderness,
for the house of settler Lockhart, reaching it before daylight,
where yrarm hearts bestowed all possible care and kindness
on those so ruthlessly stricken in the wilderness, and so
remote from aU kindred ties." , . ; ; i :• t ! = = > . t
Here in this hospitable home the bereaved lady re
mained, tUl she met, was wooed, and mafried John
Hibbins, a worthy man, who settled on .the east side
of the Guadalupe, in .Hhe iricinity of where the toAvn of
Concrete, in DeWitt county, ao'w stands. . \ ^j ! J j 'j

188 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Again happy and prosperous, in the summer of 1835,
with her little boy, John McSherry, and an infant by Mr.
Hibbins, she visited her kindred in lUinois— returning in
company with a single brother, George Creath, in boat, via
New Orleans, and thence to Columbia, on the Brazos,
"where, early in February, 1836, Mr. Hibbins met them
¦with an ox-cart, on which they hegtn the journey home."
From Beason's Crossing on the Colorado, they proceeded
to the Navidad, and thence along the old La Bahia road,
reaching their last camp on Rock Creek, six miles above the
subsequent village of Sweet Home, in Lavaca county, and
¦within about fifteen mUes of their home, where they were
suddenly attacked by thirteen Comanche Indian warriors,
who immediately kiUed Hibbins and Creath, made captives
of Mrs.' Hibbins and her two children, took possession of the
effects, and leisurely moved off, passing up through the
Peach Creek timbered region, between the Guada^'upe and
the Colorado. At their second camp, Mrs. Hibbins' suf
fering little babe, crying from pain, was seized by one of
the fiends and its brains dashed cut against a tree, before
the eyes of its shrieking, frantic, but helpless mother.
For an account of this lady's further sufferings, prov
idential escape, and rescue of her little son, en this occa
sion, we quote from the Reminiscences of the octogenarian
pioneer, Noah Smithwick, who wrote from personal knowl
edge — prefacing with the providential, or at least fortunate
fact that, on account of the numerous and alarming depre
dations of the Indians aU along that frontier, Capt. John J.
Tomlinson had been commissioned with a smaU company
of rangers— the first ever raised under the revolutionary
government of Texas — ^for protection, and was at that time
in close proximity to this band of marauders. Says Smith-
"wick, one of the company: "We >vere assigned to duty on
the headwaters of Brushy Creek, some thirty miles north-
¦west of the site of the present capital, that city not hav-
i^ been even projected then.. The appointed rendeevous
tvas Hornsby's station, ten miles below Austin, on the Col-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 189
orade, from which place we were to proceed at onoe to
our post, taking such materials as were necessary to aid
us in the construction of a block house. * • • Just as we
were preparing for our supper, a young white woman, an, en
tire stranger, her clothing hanging in shreds about her
toin ard bleeding body, dragged herself into camp and
sank exhausted on the ground. The feeling cf rest and re
lief on finding herself among friends able and willing to
help her, so overcame her overtaxed strength that ^t was
some Uttle time before she could give a coherent explana
tion of her situation, name, and sad misfortunes. • • *
"The scene of the attack being a lonely spot on a lone
ly road, the cunniag redskins knew there was little risk of
the outrage being discovered tiU they were beyond the reach
of pursuit; so when a cold norther met them at the cross
ing of the Colorado, about where the city of Austin now stands,
they sought the shelter of a cedar brake on Walnut Creek,
and encamped. Confident that Mrs. Hibbins could not es
cape with her child, and trusting to her mother's love to
prevent her leaving it, the Indians aUowed her to lie un
bound, not even putting out guards. It was bitterly cold,
and wrapping themselves in their buffalo robes, they were
soon soiind asleep. But there was no sleep for Mrs, Hib
bins — ^heroic woman, she resolved to escape and to rescue
her ehUd. There was no time to lose, as another day's
travel would take her far beyond the settlements and the
possibility of successful escape and procuring help before
the savages reached their stronghold. Assured by their
breathing that her captors were asleep, and summoning aU
her courage, she careful'yj 'tucked the robe about her sleep
ing boy — her first-born, and now her only chUd — and stole
away, leaving him to the mercy of the brutal barbarians.
"She felt sure the river they had crossed was the Col
orado, ard knew there were settlements below; how far
down she bad no idea, but that seeming to offer the only
means of escape, she made straight fer the river, hiding
her tracks in the icy waters, and hurried away as fast &a

190 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
the darkness ¦would permit. Once she thought she heard
her child caU, 'Mamma! Mamma!' and her heart stood; stiU
with fear that the Indiana would be awakened and miss
her. She momentarily expected to hear a yell of alarm,
and not daring to leave the shelter of the bottom timber,
she meandered the winding stream, sometimes wading in
¦the shaUow water along the edge, and again working her
¦way through the brush and briars, tearing her clothing and
lacerating her flesh, never pausing in her painful journey
till late in the afternoon, when she came upon the first sign
of ciArilization — some gentle milk eows'feeding along the river
bottom, and felt that she must be near a white settlement,
hut dared not caU for assistance, lest the Indians be in
pursuit. Surmising the cows would soon be going home, she
secreted herself nearby and ¦waited tiU they had finished
¦their browsing, and foUowed them in to the station— ^hav
ing spent nearly twenty-four hours in traveling a distance
of only -ten miles.
"Fortunate beyond hope, in finding the rangers there,
she implored us to save her child, describing the mule he
trode, the band of Indians and the direction they were trav
eling. Hastily dispatching our supper, we were soon in the
saddle, and, ¦with a trusty guide, Reuben Hornsby, trav
eled on tiU we judged we must be near the traU, and fear
ful of crossing it in the darkness, we halted and waited
for dayUgbt. As soon as it was light enough, our scouts
¦were out, and soon found the trail, fresh and weU defined-
Cautiously following, we came upon the Indians about 10
o'cloiik in, the momstng, just as they were preparing to
break camp. Taken completely by surprise, they broke f or
the shelter o^ a cedar brake, leaving everything except
such weapons aa .they hastily snatched as tC;ey started."
In the quick charge and pursuit, four warriors were
kiUed before they could reach the almost impenetrable ce
dar brakes. Two of the rangers, EUjah Ingram and Hugh
M. Childress, were wounded, whUe a number of thriUing,
and some narrow, escapes occurred — Captain Tomlinson

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 191-
having his horse shot and killed, himself narrowly escap
ing death. "But," continues SmiSthAvick, "we got all their horses
ard other plunder, and, to crown our success, we achieved
the main object of the expedition, which was tho rescue of
the little boy, though the hef-dlessness of one of our mea
came near robbing us of our prize in a shocking manner..
The Indians, careful of the preservation 'of their Uttle cap
tive — thiCy intended to make a good Comanche of him — ^had
wrapped him up warmly in a buffalo robe and tied him om
his mule, preparatory to resuming their journey. When we-
rushed upon them, they had no tame to remove him, and
-the.mul.e, being startled by our charge, started to, run,
"when cne of cur men, not seeing that the rider was a child,
gave chase, and, putting his gun against the back of the
bco'^, pulled the trigger. Fortunately the g-un missed fire.
He tried again with like result. The third time has fiifr
ger was on the trigger, when one ot the other boys, jpereeiv-
ing with horror the 'tragedy about to be enacted, knocked
the gun up. It fired clear, sending a ball whistling over
the head cf the rescued child. Providence seemed to have
interposed to save him."
Gathering up the spoils, and with their precious charge^
the rangers now returned in triumph to their camp. Of
,the affecting scene, the joyous meeting here, we let Captain
Tomlinson tell: "lieut. Rogersi* presented tbe child to it*
mother, and the scene which here en-sued beggars descrij)*
.ijon. A mother meeting with her chUd released fromr In
dian captivity, rescued, as it were, from the very jaws o£'
death! Not an eye was dry. She called us brothers, audi
eAnery other endearing name, and would have fallen on her-
knees to worship us. She hugged the child. — ber only re
maining treasure— to her bosom as if fearful that she-
would again lose him. And — but 'tis useless to say more."
Near the same time — ^perhaps by the same tribe, if not
»Ueiit. JoKph Bogan wm • brothsr of Un. Gen. Edward Burleson, mnd ww kUledl
in • mupriM attack br Indians new Homibjr'a on the Colorado the foUowlne rear.

192 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS..
same party, of Indiana— and only about ten mUea distant
from the spot where Hibbins and Creath were kiUed, and
Mrs. Hibbins and children were captured, occurred the mur
der of the Douglas and Daugherty famUies, already related.
But other tribulations were yet in store for this seeming
ly fated woman; who, however, survived forty or more
years afterward— passing through other horrors — ^finaUy to
meet a peaceful death, mourned by her fourth husband,
Phillip Howard, in Bosque county. Gleaning the further
facts of her extraordinary career we quote from Brown's de
tailed narrative, who, as neighbor to Mr. Howard in 1846,
received the main facts from her OAvn lips: — ^"Thus the
mother and child, bereft of husband and father, and left
without a relative nearer than Southern Illinois, found them
selves in the famUies of Messrj. HarreU and Hornsby, the
outside settlers on the then feeble frontier of the Colorado —
large hearted and sympathizing avant-eouriers in the ad
vancing civiUzation of Texas. The coincident fall of the
Alamo came to them as a summons to pack up their effects
and hasten eastward, as their fellow citizens below were al
ready doing.
"The mother and chUd accompanied these two famiUes in
flight from the advancing Mexicans, till they halted east of
the Trinity, where, in a few weeks, couriers bore the glorious
news of victory and redemption from the field of San Jacin
to. Soon they resumed their weary march, but this time" for
their homes. In Washington county Mrs, Hibbins halted,
under the friendly roof of a sympathizing pioneer. There
she also met a former neighbor, in the person of Mr. Clai
borne Stinnett, an inteUigent and estimable man, who, with
Captain Henry S. BroAvn (father of the writer of. this), rep
resented DeWitt's Colony in the first deliberative body ever
assembled at San Felipe, October 1, 1832.
After a widowhood of twelve months, Mrs. Hibbins mar
ried Mr. Stinnett and they at once (in the spring of 1837) re
turned to their former home on the Guadalupe. In the organ
ization of "Gonzales county, a little later, Mr. Stinnett was

BORWBR WARS OP TEXA3. 193
elected sheriff. Late in the faU with a pack-horse, he went
to LinnviUe one day, to buy needed auppUes. Loading |tlua
extra horse with sugar, coffee, etc., and with $700.00
in cash, he started home. But instead of following
the road by Victoria, he traveled a more direct route through
the prairie. When about night, near the Arenosa creek, some
twentv miles northeast of Victoria, he discovered a smoke iu
a grove of timber, and supposing it to be a camp of
hunters, went to it. Instead, it was the camp of two
"runaway" negro men, seeking their way to Mexico.
They murdered Mr. Stinnett, took his horses, provis«
ions and money, and, undiscovered, reached Mexico. The
fate of the murdered man remained a mystery. No
trace of him was found for five years until, iu the
f aU of 1842, one of the n^roes revealed aU the facts to
an American prisoner in Mexico (the late Col. Andrew NeiU)
and so described the locaUty that the remains of Mr, Stinnett
were found and interred-
Thus this estimable lady lost her third husband— two jby
red savages and one by black fiends — and was again alone
without ties of kinship, except her child, in all the land. Yet
she was still young, attractive in person and pure of heart, so
that, two years later,, she was wooed and won by PhUlip
Howard. Unwisely, in June, 1840, soon after their marriage,
they abandoned their home on the Gaudalupe and removed
to the ancient Mission of San Juan, eight miles below San
Antonio. Itwas a trip of 100 miles through a Avildemess often
traversed by hostile savages. Hence they were escorted by
seven young men of the vicinity, consisting of Byrd Lock-
part, Jr., (of that well knovvn pioneer family) young Mc-
Gary, two brothers named Powers (one of whom was a boy of
thirteen, and both the sons of a widow) and three others whose
names are forgotten. On arriving at the mission in the fore
noon, their horses were "hobbled" out near by and little John
McSherry, (the child of Mrs. Howard, recovered from the In
dians in 1836, and at this time in his eleventh year) was left
on a pony to watch them; but Avithin half an hour a body of

194 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Indians suddenly charged upon them, captured some of the
horses and little John barely escaped by dashing into the
camp, a vivid reminder to the mother that her cup of afflic
tion was not yet fuU. In a day or two the seven young men
started on their return home. About noon next day, a heavy
shower feU, wetting their fire-arms, but was soon foUowed by_
sunshine, when they aU fired off their guns to clean and
dry them. Most imprudently they aU did so at the same
time, leaving no loaded piece. This volley attracted the
keen ear of seventy hostUe Comanches who otherwise might
not have discovered them. In a moment or two they ap
peared and cried out that they were friendly Tonkawas, The
ruse succeeded and they were allowed to approach and encir
cle the now helpless young men. Six of them were instantly
slain, scalped and their horses and effects, Avith the boy Pow
ers, carried off. During the second night afterwards, in
passing through a cedar brake at the foot of the Cibolo
mountains, he sUd quietly off his horse and escaped. In
three or four days he reached the upper settlements on the
Guadalupe, and gave the first information of these harrow
ing facts. Thus again admonished, Mr. and Mrs. Howard removed
doAvn on the San Antonio River, below the old Mexican ranch
of Don Carlos de la Garza, in the lower edge of Goliad coun
ty, confident that no hostile Indians would ever visit that
secluded and far doAvn locaUty. But they were mistaken.
Early in the spring of 1842 marauding savages made a raid
in that vicinity, stole a number of horses, kiUed stock, mur
dered settler GUleland and wife in a most brutal manner and
carried off their little son and daughter, but a party of vol
unteers, among whom were the late Maj. Alfred S. Thur
mond of Aransas, and the late Col. Andrew Neill of Austin,
over-hauled and defeated the Indians and recaptured the chil
dren, the boy Wm. M, GiUeland long a prominent citizen, of
Austin and the little girl, Mrs. Rebecca Fisher, stiU surviAong,
and a prominent member and leader of the Daughters of the

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 195
RepubUc — a story full of patho,s and tragedy, to be recount
ed hereinafter.
FoUowing this sixth admonition, Mr, and Mrs, Howard at
once removed to the present vicinity of HaUettsville, in La
vaca county, and thenceforward her life encountered no
repetition of the horrors which had so terribly foUowed her
footsteps through the previous thirteen years. Peace and a
fair share cf prosperity succeeded. In 1848 Mr. Howard was
made County Judge, and some years later they located in
Bosque county, where she died and where he is beUeved to bo
now UAdng, probably a little past four-score years.
Other incidents •without exact dates, but «ll occurring
during this year, in different sections of the country — ^most
ly Avithin the limits of Austin's colonies will be briefly no
ticed. Mainly, these are small affairs, in view of greater
©nes, but deserving of notice — iUustrating at least, in an
emdnenit degree, too, the tremendous hazards taken, and'
trials suffered, by the early pioneers of Texas in their
struggles to secure and retain homes for themselves and
their chUdren, in this fair, but blood-bought land.

THE HARVEY MASSACRE.
Among other brave and worthy pioneers, were the Har
vey family, emigrating from Alabama, and settUng near
Wheelock, in what is now Robertson county, Texas, in
1835. In November of the following year, while the happy
famUy were enjoying the frugal evening meal — ^Uttle think
ing of near danger — a party of Indians, cautiously ap
proaching, attacked the bouse. Mr. Harvey attempted to se
cure his gun, in a rack over the door, but wasLstruek in the
neck by a bullet and instantly kiUed. His wife concealed
herself under one of the beds in the room, but was discov
ered, dragged out and after a desperate resistance, killed
andi horribly mutilated — ^the savage fiends cutting her
heart out and' placing it on her breast. The son, a lad of'
about (ten years, was also kiUed— "witb many wounds"

196 : BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
— his -coat containing more than twenty holes. Securing
the scalps of their victims the savages now departed, car
rying away as captives the little nine year old daughter,
whose arm was broken during the massacre, and a negro
servant girl.
FinaUy, after more than a year's search, and the ex
penditure of considerable money, tbe daughter was found
and ransomed by an uncle, James Tolbert, who carried her
to his home in Alabama — removing thence to Texas.
"They settled," says the Rev. Morrell, "near where her
parents and brother were kiUed. She has since married, and
when recently (1873) heard from, was Uving. I have often
teen at her hou&e, and used the family Bible at worship,
o-RTied by her father; and which yet has upon its pages
the blood of her parents, spUled by the hands lof the In
dians on that fearful night."— "Flowers and Fruits, or Thir
ty-Sis Years in Texas," pp. 68, 69.

CAPTURE OF lORS. YXARGIN AND CHILDREN.
In the night, a few weeks before the battle of San Ja
cinto, a party of Comanches attacked the Yeargin home,
on Cummings Creek, in Fayette county. This family was one
of the few that had not joined their neighbors in the
"runaway scrape." Mrs. Yeargin and her two little sons
were captured — tbe aged husband and father escaped after
pursuit, running afoot, it is said, ten miles, from the effects
of which he soon died.
After a captivity of some three months, the mother was
reclaimed by relatives, at Coffee's trading house on Red
River — the ransom paid being $300. But the IndiaiK stead
fastly refused to sell the two little boys, and they were nev
er after heard of. Eventually recovering from the effects
of exposure and iU treatment at the hands of her cruel
captors, but ever mourning the loss of her loved ones, this
estimable lady survived many years, dying at her old home
stead a few years since.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. . 197
FATS or THE SBXD8.
Joseph and Braman Reed, brothers, were natives of Vir-
gioia, emigrating to Texas in 1629, and first locating in
the Bastrop community, removing after a short time to
•what is now Burleson county, settling on Davidson's Greek,
where they foUowed the business of stock raising. On©
day in the spring of this year, Joseph Reed, rode out on
the range, looking after his cattle, and when about half a
mUe from home, was suddenly attacked by a party of forty
or fifty Indians. Amid a perfect shower of arrowe, Reed
put sp'urs to his horse and fled for his home, pursued by
¦the yelling savages. Mortally wounded, the poor man fell
from! his horse just as he reached his yard gate. His hero
ic -wife, determining be should not be scalped and mutilat
ed, now rushed out and, under .the excitement of the oc
casion, aetuaUy lifted her dead husband to ber arms and
dragged hdm- into the cabin, which she succeeded in reach
ing unharmed, although the target of many arrows.
"Fortunately, the Indians did not attack the house, but
left, camping, however in tbe Adeinity. The brother of the
dead man, arriving on the scene, spread tbe alarm, and
soon collected a smaU party of settlers, who attacked the
Inddans in their camp. In the hard fight, Braman Reed,
too, was kiUed, and several others wounded; and for a time
the situation of the whites was desperate, but finally the
chief fell, when the Indians fled, leaving their dead on the
field. Though seldom following the harroAving practice of
the savages, so exasperated were the whites on this occa
sion, we are told, they scalped the dead chief.
In Tra-vis county, in May of this year, depredating In
dians plundered the house of Nathaniel Moore, who, with his
family was absent, and on the foUowing morning at Thom
as Moore's, kiUed Conrad Robrer, from ambush, as he was
saddling his horse to ride out after his team. Showing*
themselves now, to the number of ten, they tbreatenedi to
attack Moore's houfie, but desisted on the appearance of sev-

198 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
eral men, Aviho happened to be stcppicg over night at
Moore's. .: . _

KHUKO OF EDWARDS,
About the same tim/e, and in the same section, John Ed-
•wards, one of the early pioneers of Texas, was kiUed by In
dians. In company with Mr. Bartholomew Manlove, he was
traveling from the town .of Bastrop to Washington. Ap
proaching under the guise of friendship, the Indians shook
hands with Edwards, and then fell upon him, spearing hicu
to death. Manlove had fled at the first sight of the enemy
and after a hard race of several miles, effected his escape.*
On one occasion, three men— John Marlin, Jarrett and
Lanham Menifee, repaired to the vicinity of a beetree they
had .'discovered. Walking single file along a narrow, wood
ed trail, they suddenly discovered an- Indian aiming at
them, but his gun missed tf ire, when Marlin and Lanham
Menifee, both fired, "each killing the same Indian." Re
loading their guns, the settlers proceeded but a few paces
further, Tmhen they were fired upon hy other Indians in «m-
hush. The fire was quickly returned with fatal effect —
killing two more Indians, and causing the others to retreat
to a dense thicket. Joined at this moment by another set
tler, who chanced' to be riding in that direction, the two re
maining Indians were attacked, one being kiUed and the
Other escaping.

TROUBLES IN THE HORNSBY SETTLEMENT.
Hornsby's on the Colorado, some ten mUes below the
present city of Austin, was one of the earUest, and outside,
settlements in Austin's upper colony, and at thb date con
sisted of the Homsbys, HarreUa and a few other brave
families. In the spring of 1836, these families, escorted by WU-

)^WIlb«i««r. p. 23L

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 199
liams, Hoggett and Cain, three yoiing men detaUed by Cap
tain Tomlinson, then in command of a smaU ranger force
in that vicinity, fled like others, before the Mexican army
of invasion, toward the Sabine. On arriving at the old
tOAvn of NashArille, they beard the gloriotis ncAvs of Santa
Anna's defeat at San Jaicinto, and at once returned to their
homes, and to tbe tiUing of their fields. "They had only
been home a few days (a&ys WUbarger) when about ten
o'clock one bright morning iu tbe early part of May,
whUe WUliams and Hoggett were in one part of the field,
hoeing and thinning com, and the Hornsby boys and Cain
were working in another portion, about one hundred In
dians rode up to tbe fence near where WilUams and Hogf-
gett were at work, threw dovm tbe fence and marched in,
heating a •white flag hoisted on a lance — ^thewily redskins
thus throwing the young men off their guard. As tbey
rode up, forming a circle, they shook bands -with the two
young men, and almost at the same moment commenced
their bloody work, spearing one of them to death, and
shooting the other dead as he attempted to flee,"
At this juncture the Hornsby boys, BiUy, aged 19 ; Mal
colm, 17; Reuben, Jr., about twelve lyears of age, and the
young man Cain, witnessing the attack upon, and fate of
their two companions in the adjoining field, fled for the
river bottom, crossed and went up the stream some dis
tance, recrossing about the present Burdett ford, and then
traveled) down through the thicket brush of the bottom to
¦within about a mUe of their home, where they concealed
themselves until after dark, when* they cautiously ventured
in — especting perhaps, to find their parents and oth
ers slaughtered, and the house plundered or burned.
But the murderous fiends, "after riding around and firing
off a few guns, had departed, carrying with them aU the
stock they could gather in the neighborhood," amount
ing to some seventy-five or one hundred head of cattle,
some of which got loose from the Indians and came back
home about three weeks afterward. "The joyful meeting,"

200 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
continues Wilbarger, in telling of the return of the five
boys, "ean better be imagined than described, for up to
this time neither party knew what had been the fate of
the other." In this same vicinity, in the fall, two other men were
killed by the Indians. Blakely, Harris and one other, name
now forgotten, came up from Webber's Prairie, some six or
seven miles below, and stopped oA-^er night at Hornsby's,
leaving next morning to hunt for wild stray cattle— "mav
ericks" — of which there were a great number ranging on
the riA'er at that time — common property and "free to who
ever migtt be lucky enough to kiU them," Having crossed
the river and entered the range, and just as Harris and the
unknown man were ascending tbe bark of a small ravine',
they were fired upon and kUled. Blakely, who fortunately
was some distance in the rear, wheeled, put spurs to his
horse and succeeded in- escaping by fast riding. The mur
dered men were scalped and disemboweled, their entrails
strewn upon bushes, their arms chopped off and hearts
cut out. "Such," says Wilbarger, was the unsettled state of
affairs in tbe Hornsby settlement in 1836; nor did the
Indians cease their murders in this section for many years
afterward, as late as 1845 — as wiU be shoAvn further on.

Note — ^The following letter from Hon. W. T. Davidson,
(lately deceased) gives further details of tbe murder of
his father and of Crouch, his companion, by the Indians.
The statements can be relied on as true. The letter foUoAvs:
Belton, Texas, March 25, 1907.
Mr. J. T. DeShields,
ParmersviUe, Texas.
Dear Sir: — At your request I send you a short accoxmt
of the kiUing of Robert Davidson, my father, by the Coman
che Indians in 1836. Mr. Davidson was born in Kentue^
on July 1, 1799. Married Rebecca Landis in Ohio in 1825;
settled in Illinois and from there moved to Texas in 1838.
First stopped in Burleson county on Davidson's Creek, near

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 201!
the present toAvn of Caldwell, and set up the bo^ of a log;
house, but never did finish it, and moved from there up tw>
NashvUle on the Brazos, and from there in the fall of 183*-
moved with his family up to the Three Porks of Little-
River, settled on his headright league of land, and built at
log cabin in the bottom on the river bank, for protection
against the Indians. In 1835 he cleared about four acres of
land and put it in com and pumpkins. The Indians having^
become so bold and troublesome, my father moved his fam
Uy back to NashArille in the f aU of 1835^ but in the spring of
1836, he went back to his home on Little River to plant ».
crop, but before he got through, Santa Anna had invadedS
Texas, butchered the defenders of the Alamo, and then the,
settlers having been notified by couriers, sent from Nash
viUe up on Little River, to fall back to Nashville, as th<i.'
country was being over-run by Mexicans and Indians. My
father, Jasper Crouch, Gouldsby Childers, O. T. Tyler, — —
Shackelford, Jno. Beal, Jack Hopson, Ezekiel Robertson:
and probably two or three others, on receipt of this informa
tion, uiade immediate preparations to retreat in a body to-
NashviUe, Their only vehicle was a wagon to be draAvn by
a single pair of oxen. They had some horses but not
enough to mount the entire party; On the morning of the-
first day they arrived at Henry Walker's on Walker's
Creek, about 7 or 8 miles north of the present tOAvn of Camer
on, There they found Henry Walker, Campbell Smith and
 Monroe. On tbe next morning the party started on
their journey to NashArille, and father and Crouch concluded.
the party was out of danger from the Indians, and their-
famUies being doAvn at NashviUe, told the balance of tha»
party they would go on ahead, and reach Nashville that;-
evening, but they had got about 300 yards ahead of the maia«
party, when about 200 Indians, coming up in their rear,
passed by the main party without making any halt, anff?
pushed ahead and attacked my father and Crouch, whoi
made a bold stand, but were both slain by the merdlessa
savages, after losing one or two of their number.

202 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
This occurrence took place in the month of March ac
cording to my recollection of the event ; others say as late
as June, 1836.
My father had studied medicine before moving to Texas,
and brought some valuable meiical works with him, but not
being sufficiently settled, he never practiced in this country.
Jasper Crouch, who was killed with my father, was a Mis
sionary Baptist preacher, he and my father were close
friends, and were both buried iu the same grave on the
prairie where they were slain about 7 or 8 miles north of the
present town of Cameron. Tbey were buried the next day
by friends who came up from NashvUle. Judge O. T. Tyler
and a few others performed the last sad rites. Years after I
went on the ground where m/ father and Crouch wene mur
dered, for the purpose of finding their grave, if possible,
that I might give them a more decent burial. The land hav
ing been put in cultivation, and all plowed over, I soon
found that I would never be able to find it. So gave up the
idea Avith a sad heart. I am the only member of the origi
nal Davidson family that moved to Texas in 1833, now Uv
ing. And Mrs, 0. T. Tyler, Hon. Geo. W. Tyler's mother,
is the only member of the original ChUders family, left,
and she is living in Belton, loved and respected by alL Rob
ert ChUders after living a louj and useful life, died near
Temple on his farm.
Robert Childers related the foUoAving incident to me as
having occurred on the first day's march of the party
doAA-n to where they camped the first night: Aa the party in
the wagon stayed close together, my father traveled near
them trying to kUl a deer for supper. Finally he succeeded,
and AA'ben he overtook the party, he told them he had seen
an Indian, when one of the party remarked, "Davidson is
scared!" Another one repliel, saying, "when Davidson
gets scared, tbe rest of us had better look out."
A few years after my father's death, my mother married
L. M. H. Washington. There were three chUdren by this

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.

203

marriage, namely, Elizabeth, Jennie and Annie, and aU of
them are stiU UAriog and have interesting famiUes.
In 1846, my mother's family moved from NashviUe to
Austin, but after several changes, went back to her old
home in lUinois to ¦visit her brother, Fred Landis, who has
two sons in Congress, and one a United States District Judge,
in Chicago. My mother died very suddenly while on that
visit. May, 1874, atMt. Pulaski, IU., at the home of one of her
nephews. Hoping you may be able to use this hastUy prepared
sketch of my father and his death, I remain, -=
Yours troly, W. T. Davidson.

OHAPTER X.

HE flow of events in Texas history has now
reached into a" distinctive era — ^that of the
Lone Star Republic — and henceforward the
affairs and destinies of Texas are under the
guidance and control of its patriot fathers,
who had heroically battled for and won thia
independence But many breakers were yet
to be encountsred. A predatory and menac
ing Indian warfare had now been carried
on for fifteen years— a strife but yet in the
incipient stage and which was to increase in fierceness and
bloody atrocity as the Republic's emboldened and increasing
population expanded her borders, and pushed further into
the Indian country.

AFFAIRS OF STATE—INTERNAL MATTERS.
At the first general election in the Republic, on Mon
day, th^ first day of September 1836, Gen. Sam Houston was
chosen President and Mirabeau B. Lamar, Vice President.
The First Congress convened at Columhia, Oct. 3, and on
the 22nd the President and Vice President-elect were inaug
urated. The Cabinet was composed of the foUowing fa
mous and talented men: Stephen P. Austin, Secretary of
State; Henry Smith, Secretary of the Treasury; Thos. J.
Rusk, Secretary of War; S. Rhodes Fisher, Secretary •of the
Navy; James Piu'ckiiey HendeiBoin, Attorney General; and
Robert Barr, PoGrtmaster General.
Though the Texas Congress at its first session in 1836
refused to pass a resoluti'CiQ authorizing the Uberatiom of

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 205
Saait^ Anna, Presidient Ho-ustoti assumed the responsibUity
of discharging him from custody and sending him and CoL
Abaonte, to Washington, D. C, in charge of George W.
Hockley, (Inspector General of the Texas army) and an
escort consiatiing of Gen. BarnairdI E. Bee and Maj, W. H.
Patton. Santa Anna left Texas in Decemiber, 1836 ; arrived in Wash
ington Janiuary 17, 1837, wher e he had an intervnew witbl
President Jackson; later sadled foom Norfolk, Va., for Vera
Ctuz, where he disemharked Febraary 23, 1837 ; Avaa der
f eated in the Mexican, presidential election March 1, 1837,
and retired to his magnificent hacienda— Mango de Clavo.
Sianta Anna regained popularity by his loss of a leg ia
an actdoQ at Veiiia.Cpuz during the blockade of that port by
a French fleet in 1838. He was later elected Piresideait of
Mexico. After the capture of the city of Mexico by Geo.
Winfield Scott in the waar of 1846-8, between the United
States and Mexico, Safnta Ansa fled the country, audi was
sutbsequenitly formally banished. He returmed in' after years ;
experienced a slight rise to favor; was again ccanpelled
to leave; amd was finally permitted to return and end liis
days am Mexico.
Although Mexico had! repudiated San,ta Anna's treaty
and declared she would never recognize Texas indtepend-
eH'ce, but little serious fears were entertained of a second
in-vasion — ^for awhile at least. The invincible Texans had
taught thte Mexicans a lesson not to be soon forgotten. But
a more stubborn, cunning and determined foe was yet to 'be
subdued and banished.
Comanche chiefs are said tO have visite^d the seat of
govemmefut in tbe latter part of January and had a friemd
ly talk with President Houston.* If they did, they scarce-
»It will be Interestins to note in thia eonneetion the cheerful-* bat It proved enroseoai
—view, which the fiint Britiah Miniater to the Republic o( TeKU— Jas. T. Crawford~WTit-
intc hia irovenuneat under date. May 29, 1337, entertained regmrdinsr Indian affairs lo Teicas
^ * 1^ "Texas has aevetal companies of Ranerera on the Tarioas frontiers to cheek the In
dian tribes. Tfaeee hovcrer. hare but litUe occupation, aa the policy of Gen. Houston has
been coneillatoir and he has very lately entered Into treaties with the most influential
ehiefs. who were st the seat of Goremment on a 'Bic Talk' and returned well satisfied."

206 . BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
ly got back to their ©amps before thi^ and their foUowiers
murdered in February, Hon. John G, Robinson,
representative of Fayette county in the house of the First
Texas Congress, has brjotber, aaid) others — incidents that Arill
he detaUed in their proper sequeoace.
March 1, 1837, W. H. Secrest,* living on the Colora-
do, -wrote to President Houstooa, teUing of the murder of
the Robinson's, Fortran aWd two children. In the course of
the letter he says: "They are kiUing and stealing all of our
stock, and Ave caJn't help ourselves. We are so few in num
ber that we can't leave our homes to rout them. I am here
the same as both hands tied*— four women to guiardi— so that
I cani't get out to see abou* tblem. If you eaai't do some-
tbitag for us, we are in a had situatiiooi and wiU be, no doubt
some of our women and children massacred the next time
you hear fnom us."
The Independemice of Texas was recognized by the
United States March 2, 1837 — the alnniversaj:^ of its declara
tion 1^ the Plenary eonveatiom..
"During the spring of 1837," says Yoakum, "a party of
Mexicans visited all the Indian nations om Hh^e fromltier,
jnakitng to them the most seductive offers to induce them
to make war on tHe Teooams. They promised tbem arms, am
munition, and the plunder aind prisoners^— women amd chUd
ren included!— taken, dmrimg the Aviar; also peaoeahle posses-
Rom of the countiy them held biy them. At the same time,
these emissaries succeeded in persuading them' that, if the
Texans were successful in, the war them i>elnding between
the latter amd Mexico, th.ey would seize the co-unitry then oc
cupied by the 'different tribes, amd drive them from the land
of their fathers. Thus many of the prairie tribes were in
duced! to join the Mexicans."
Maj. Le Grande, who was semlb to have a talk ifrith the
Comanche Chief, Chiconie, reported him as eaying that so
lomg as he comtinued! to see the gradual approach of the

»Tczaa ArchlTcs-Sute Librwy.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 207
whites and their habitations to the huniting grounds of the
Comanches, so long would he believe to be true what the
Mexicans had told him, and so lomg would he coBoitinue to be
the enemy of the white race.
At the beginning of 1837 there was a smaU ranger force
in the field. It was divided into detachments, which were
estahlished at the FaUs of the Brazjos, the Three Forks of
Little River, Walnut Crcpk, r md the Trimity River.
Durimg the early part of the year, whUe there was no
defactio Texas army, parties of cavalry under WeUs, Seguin,
Cook, Karnes, and Deaf Smith, rendered valuable service
agaainst the Indians' — ^Deaf Smith, on. one oeoasion, scouting
as far west as the Rio Grande anld defeating a superior
force of Mexicans and ludians.
The appointmect of Albert Sidney Johnston^ to the
command of the Texas army, with the rank of senior Brig
adier-General, reduced Gen. Felix Huston from first to
eeconid place, and was foUo'wed by Huston chaUenging
Johnston. In the duel that f cllowed, Johiiston was dan^ger-
ously, and for a time, it was thought, mortally, wounded.
His wound incapacitating him for the discharge ni the
duties of the position. Gen, Johnston devolved the command
¦of the army on Col, Rogersi May 7, and wemit to the United
States to recuperate his health. Om May 18, foUowing, Presi
dent Houston furloughed all the army (a total of 1,800 or
2,000 soldiers of all arms) except six hundred men, who, un
paid and Ul-suppUed, personneled the mere semblance of a mU-
tary force, which soon dwindled almost to the vanishing
point, owing to the men quitting the service as fast as they
could. The First Congress reconvened May 1, 1837. It passed
an act, approved June 12, 1837, proA?5diDg for a corps of
rangers, to consist of an a,ggregate of six hundred white
men, and a spy company of Sha"wnee, Delaware or other
friendly Indians. The act appropriated no money to carry
its provisions into effect, hence it was inoperative, and re
mained so untU the Second Congress passed an act, approv
ed December 28, 1837, appropriating $25,000 for the creation

:208 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
¦and maintenance of the corps. No protection resulted from
>the measure during 1837. - -
The First Congress doubtless relied on the President be-
ang able to negotiate at least some part lof the $5,000,000
ioan (or rather, "borrow") he had been given authority
4o consummate in the United States. It leaned on a brpken
areed, with the usual result. The financial panic that con
vulsed the U'uited States at that time rendered it impossible
for anybody to secure ready money on even much better se
curity than Texas had to offer.
One vessel of the Texas naAry was captured after an en
gagement with a Mexican brig, and two other vessels
.foundered, leaving only one schooner in the service — 'and it
¦'was fit for, and only used as, a receiving ship.
It was with tbe greatest difficulty that a ranging force
"was kept in the field. It could not have been maintained
¦for a month, if the officres and men had been actuated by
oaercenary motives.
The Mexican navy swept along the coast, and the In
idians met with but slight and inadequate resistance.
Yoakum says, "Everyday or two during the. year 1837,
&yme murd^ed citizen or stolen property attested the hoa-
itUe feeUng of the Indians."
On the first Monday in September an election was held,
;at which members of the house of Representatives and one-
iShird of the Senators of the Second Congress were chosen.
That body was convened in extra session by President
"Houston September 26, 1837, and enacted much important
tl^islation — ^passing a land law (providing for opening the
:land office in 1838) and some other measures over the Pres-
-ident 's veto. The grOAring opposition to President Hous-
tton's "stand-pat" policy -with regard to hostUities with Mex-
seo, and his policy of conciliation with regard to the In-
«iiians, became crystalized and was given expression to in the
-Second Congress.
During the year, rumors of an invasion of Texas by
3Iexico, came near producing another "runaway scrape,"

f. HEROIC OSFeNSK OF THE TAYl_OR FAMIUY-PAaE 137

ERATH'S FIGHT WITH AN INDIAN— PAGE 221

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 209
such as that of 1836. The only reason they did not, was be
cause the invasion did not occur. Texas was totally unpre
pared for not only offensive, but defensive measures.
Gen. Houston believed that if treaties of peace were en
tered into with the Indians and they were dealt with kind
ly and justly, hostUities would cease, and the two races
could and would live peaceably slide by side. The de
fect in his reasoning was that the points of views, the
habits, aims, desires, and real interests of the Indians and
the white people, were radical and necessarily antagonistic,
and it was beyond diplomacy or any other human power
to harmonize them. War — continual war — ending in the sur
vival of the fittest — ^was inevitable and irrepressible, was
perhaps, the only solution possible, StUl, the motives that
actuated him were philanthropic and noble. As means to the
ends he had in view, he exerted himself to obtain treaties
with various tribes. Congress co-operated with him' to the
extent of passing aa act providing that commissioners to the
Indians should be paid five dollars a day for their services.
September 14, 1837, Secretary of War Thomas J. Rusk
and Gen. K. H. Douglass issued written instructions* to
Jesse Watkins to proceed, with Lewis Sanchez as interpre
ter, to the prairies and have a talk with the chiefs and head
men of the Keechies, Caddos, Tonkawas and lonies, Aritb a
view to^making a treaty of amity and commerce with them.
The letter of instructions directed him to tell them that "we
are disposed to be at peace with all our red brethren;
that we are disposed to break our long knives and bury our
tomahawks with them, and to open a Avide road between the
house of the red and white man; that all that we shall re
quire of them will be to give up the prisoners they have of
ours, to bring back all of the property tbey have stolen,
and not to murder and steal any more, and to prevent other
Indians from doing so where they may know of it — ^to all
of which, if they will agree, you may promise them that we
»Texaa Archires— State Library.

210 . BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
will make a treaty of peace with them which shaU last for
ever. "These presents which are furnished you, you may distrib
ute as you may think proper, and you may make such ar
rangements about the chiefs coming in as is most satisfactory
to the Indians. We Avould like it well if they could be
brought dtown to the seat of government; but, for fear that
cannot be done, we will ask the President to nominate two
Commissioners here who ean treat with them and who wiU
be furnished with the proper instructions. In your talk
with them you vriU be careful not to promise them lands
at any particular place ; and be cautious that you make no
promise, however slight, that cannot be strictly compUed
vnth." Henry W. Karnes concluded a treaty of peace and com
merce with the Tonkawas at San Antonio, November 22,
1837, under the terms of which Nathaniel Le-wis was to be
trading agent among them and tbey were to buy articles
from, and make sales to no other person.
During the latter part of the year Nioah Smithwick in-
ducied five Comanche ehiesfo to go Avith hSm to Hpustom,
where some sort of agreement was entered into with them,
but it was Uved up tk> by neither party.
Texas Indiians considered themselves as the real lords
of the soil under tbe old regime, and Spaniards and Mexi
cans as tenants at will. They regarded the Anglo-Am
ericans as intruders, who were robbing them of that which
was rightfuUy theirs. Indians from the United States who had
effected lodgment in Texas believed they had rights which
were being criminally trampled under foot by the white peo
ple. The white men on their part, did not recognize the right
of savagery to pre-empt so beautiful and fertile a diomain as
Texas, and unflinchingly demanded and conquered it, with the
design that it should afford a theatre for the development of
a high and splendid civilization that would bless all who
participated in it, amdi contribute to the happiness of miam-
kind.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 211
¦ Furthermore, there were "badl Indians" amd' "bad
Avhite mem" -who poured! oil On the flames of warfare, every
time they burned low, till the last tei>ee crumbled to ashes
amid the last brave (nearly fifty years after the time cover
ed hy this chapter) retreated from the confines of Texas,
never more to retom.
The picture of 1837 as further revealed by history,
is seen U'Ot to be made up solely of sombre colors.
The seascns were remarkably propitious, and abundant
cotton and food crops were raised. The cotton crop
amomntied to more than 50,000 bales audi was sold for giOfod
prices. The Mexican ranch owners, -who formerly dwelt be
tweem the Nueces and' Rio Grande, and who abandoned that
rejg^om in 1836, left behind them immense herds of cattle.
People Uving farther least "rounded up" and appropriated
this stock, which gave them a gtood supply for breeding and
other purpioses — ^im- some instancies, from two hundred to six
hundred head to the cowboy.*
The sale of lots on Galveston Island, (under authority
of an act of Congress) resulted in the establishment and rap
id growth of the toira of Galveston. A fine Une of saUing
packets was estaiblished between New York, New Orleans,
and) Texas.
Ctngress, by the act of November 4, 1837, appropriated
$280,000.00 for the establishment of a new Texas navy, to con
sist of six armed vessels — one ship, or brig, eighteen gumiS;
two barques, twelve 'guns each; and three schooners,
seven guns each.
New countie amid towniB \ftJre created. A stream of de«
fiirable immigratian flowed steadily into Texas during the
year, Ts^ith augmemting volume; indiistrial enterprises Avere
introdtaoed in a small way and eome of them sueoessfuUiy
operated; the mechanism of government was adjusted and
set in motion ; and the commonwealth girded itself for, and

•.The texm "cow-boy" is said to hare beeo first used in Texas te designate these eat*
Sehsnteri.

212 BORDER WARS OP TEXA3.
started sturdily forward upon the high career it has s&nce
pursued. The shadows that lay upon tbe land, servied but to
heighten tbe beauty and slM to the cheering effects of the
sunshine that was mingled Avath them, and that rested upon
it like a benedictiom.
Brave hearts and true, met the dangera and difficulties
of the present unflinchingly, and preissed on to the future
with conifidenoe andi enthusaasm. It was mot a "phantioiis of
hope" or "delusioni of fancy" thait led tbem on, buit the
Spirit of Progress, which had' seleobed them' for martdom
builders, and nerved them for and kept them at their task.

MURDER OF THE 60TCHES FAMILY — CAPTURE OF
MRS. CRAWFORD AND THREE CHILDREN.
Among the valuable amd prominent accessions to Austin's
Colony, was Jam.^ Goteher,* a native of Alabama, who emi
grated! in 1835, settling with his femily and son-dn-law,
CipaAvford, at a pdiai on Rabb 's Creek, near the present town
of Giddings, in Lee county.
Erecting comfortable cabins, opening farms, and ac
cumulating ample ¦and increafing stocks of cattle, horses
»nd' hoigs, these settlers were prosperous and happy. Other
famdUes soon located' in the A-icimity, anid for a time aU went
weU. But alas I they, too, were destined to meet a fiatc^the
common fate befalling so many of the hra\'© piomeera in the
settling and reclaiming of Texas.
Om' tbe same day, and by the aame party of Indaans who
had murdered Congressmaoi Rohinsicn and his brother, the
Gottcher home was attacked. At the time, Mr. G,otcher, with
one son, and CraAvford, were aAvay, cutting and hauling wood
from the bottom. -The Indians approached the house in two
parties, one of whic'h came upon a little son and dauigh'ter of

»Gotler, pronounced Goteher by Texans o( that day, and so spelled in some accounts,
I^TOUte from the lower colony, they first narVed. sad afterwards cat out, tho trail or road
aince knows as the "Goteher Trace"— onoa much trareled.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 213
Mr. Goteher near the dfweUing, killing and scalping the boy,
and making a prisoner of the Uttle girl. In the house were
Mrs. Nancy Goteher, her married daughter, Mrs, Jame
Crawford, and several children. Seeong thait they had) only to
comtend with women and children, the In'dians disregarded
their usual mode of attack and rushed directly upon the
cabin, expecting to meet .with little or no resistanee. They
were mistaken in their calculations. Both the womem in-
sdde, seizeid the feiw guns that were there, and discharged
them, one after another, imto tbe midfet of the yelling mass
of aissiailanits. There was no iime to reload. The slav.ages
burst initio the room, and one of them, armed with a gun, shot
and kdUed Mrs. Goteher, whose body, 'was alreadjy dotted
Arith' arroAvs that had beem fired into it. Mrs. Crawf ord: was
overpowered and' she and her two child'ren (one of them two
months old) were made captives, A Uttle son of Mr, Goteh
er attempted to make has escape but -Avas seized, as he tu'rned
the cornier of ithe house, by an Indian. He caught one of the
Indian's thumbs in his mouth and bit it until the warrior
forced him to let go by beating him with a ramrod.
Mr. Goteher, and bos son, and Criawford, ran to the
house Avhem they heard the firing ; but im the exicitement of
this moment forgot to brin'g their guns Avith themi from, the
woods. They arrived upon tbe scene while the tragedy Avas
being enacted. There was neither time mor opportunity for
them to returui for thedr weapons, their dear ones were be
ing murdered, or takemi prisoners, and were appealing to
them for succor.
They made a bold and desperate dash for the bouse, in
tending to secure the guns there, and make battle. Tbe
chance was not only a forlorn, but a hoi>eles8 one, and fight
ing gaUantly as best they could, they soon fell beneath) the
fire and spear thrusts of the Inda'ams, before going many
steps. Th'e som fiought desperateljy, almiost amputating the
thlr,oat of a warrior witb has teeith. Another son, after be-
itog mortalty woumded, crawled' to a clump of trees, unob-
served, piUowed his head om a rock, and expired. Thus thc

214 ; BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
bloody tragedy was soon over. The Goteher home, bekig
somewhat isolated, the occurrence Avas not kn.0(A¥m for soma
daya later when loasually visited' by Gen. Ed. Burleson, too
late for successful pursuit of the Indiains.
But the neswa soon spread far and! near, filling every
heart With indignation and horror. "This," says WUbar
ger, who furnishes the only details of the horrible affair,
"was indeed one of the iblloodiest tragedies that bad ever oc
curred up to that time in the settlemient. A father, -wife, son
and sonin-laAV amd two children, lajy cold in dleath, and
mingled together their kinidreJ blood, where but a few hours
previously, they had assembled in fancied security, within
the Avails of th'eir lonee bapipy home."
But, gentle reader, the £<ad story stops not here. After
plund'ering the house asnd mutUating their victims, the fiend
ish murderers departed, carrying as captives, Mrs, CraAvf ord,
ber tAvio children anid the little dJaughter of Mrs, Goteher.
They suffered, as the prisoners of Indians usually dodj aU the
biardfihips and indigndties 'liheir hanbarous captors could ia-
fUot. '
The Indiians, anmoyed by the crying of Mrs, Crawford's
two months old babe, threw it into a deep pool, tio .droAvn,
The desperate mother plunged into the water, seized ¦the
child, iamd swam with it toj the hank. Agadn and again they
eedzed amd tossed it back, and as often the determined moth
er rescued her child. For a time this was sport for the cruel
fienidls, but tiring of their devUtry, a bravie lifted! the child
in his handa amid bending back dts head, told a compamioni to
cult its throat. As the knife was raised, amd the diaboUcal
deed about to be consummated, the frantic mother felled the
fiend with a biUet of wood. Aa the Indiam lay motion
less at her feet, as a result of the blow she had dealt him,
ehe expected only death as ber fate. But instead, the In
diana merely laughed at their faUen comrade, amid expressed
muich admiration for her bravery, and! now returned' the
ebald, sa(ying, "Squiajw too much brave. Damn you, take
your papoose and carry it yourself— -we wWl molt do it,"

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. , 215
After a captiAdty of tAvo or thre© years, during Afphdch
time Mrs. CraAvfcaad was subjected to the most shameful
treatment, she and the childrea were bronight into Holland
Coffee's trading house 'om Red River. Here ilir. Spauldiog,
a trader, formed au attachment for the umf ortunate lady land
purchased' the captives — the ransdm- he^ng 400 yards of cali
co, a large number of blankets, a quantity of beads, and
some other articles. Mr. Spaulding married the Avidow and
brought them aU back to Bastrop eount|y. ChUdren bom of
thfls union yet survive in Texas.

i LIEUT. WREN'S FIGHT.
Early in the spring oif this year, Lieut, Wrem Avdth ade-
taichlment of fifteen rangers from Colemian's.Fort, attacked
and defeated a party of Comanche warriors near the site
olf the present city of Auisltin. They were surprised in their
caonp just ait daylighit, and one of their nuanber killed by Joe
Weeks, at the firsit fire. The Indians took shelter in a ra
vine and fought bravely, biuit the rangers rapidly moved
dofwm upon them, i>ouring in a heavy fire which caused the
enemy to scatter and seek safety in the adjoining ©edar-
braikies — ^leaAring their camp equipage and a. cabaUado of
stolen horses to tbe whites. Bu* the joy of the victory was
saiddened by the loss otf one of 'the rangers, PhilUp Martim,
who was sbkyt in the mouth and inis^ntly kiUed.

MURDER OF CONGRESSMAN ROBINSON AND HIS
BROTHER.
In Pebnuary of this year a party of thirty or forty Oom-
anche ludians came dOATn into Fayette <county on a horse
steaUng expedition, and om their way 'Out, miet and' murdered
the Hon. Jlohn G. Robinsion and his youthful brother, Wal
ter.*

»NeaIBobiBaon.of Fayette county, son of Joel W. Botnnson (or Robison) says the
fsmly have always spelled the name Robison. It appears as Robinson In the reeoUectlsnx
of hia father la VoL 8. of tbe Texas Bistorlal Asseoiatioa'Qttarterly, and as it la mors fS'

216 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Judge Robinson was one of Austin's colonists, coming
in 1831, and settling om 'his headright league, on Cummings
Creek within the present limits of Fayette county. He was
an educated 'gentleman, filling valuable jvositions, and his
rleath was greatly deplored. At the time of his death, he
was a member of the First Congress of the Republic, whieh
convened at Columbia, in the fall of 1836,
During the session he bought a supply of groceries and
sent them to a house of a Mr. Stevens, a neighbor Uving
tome five miles south of his home.
In February, 1837, socto after his return from Columbia,
Judge Robinson and his brother went Avith a team to bring
home the supplies. They were to stay over might vrith Stev
ens, and no uneasiness was felt by tbe family till the next
morning, when it beoaanie known that Indians had visited
the settlement. We quote details as givien by the son, Joi>l
W. Robinson: — * * "At tliat time I was at my father's on
a visit — -my residence being at Washington on tbe Brazos,
Very early in the momitag after father left home, I started
down to Mr, Breeding's about eight miles below on Cum
mings Creek, purposing to go thence to Washington. Wheu
I arrived at Breeding's, I learned that the night before, the
Indians had stolen all his horses. Knowing that my father
and uncle intended starting home early that monning, and
that they were unarmted, I was instantly siezed with a pre
sentiment that the Indians would fall in with and murdier
them. I rertiurnied as speedily as possible to my mother and
told the news. She was very mu'easy. It "was about noon.
I arm'ed myself and proceeded on the road toward' Stevens'.
I h*ad scarcely gome a mile, when, in the open post oak woode
I found my father's cart and oxen standing in the road.
The groceries Avere also in the cart. But neither father nor
miliar to Texas readers in that fonn. it is not altered to the correct spellins in this article,
Joel W. Robinson was one of the men who captured Santa Anna after the battle ot San
Jacinto, and prior to aad subsequent to that time, took i>art in many expeditions affaicst
the Indians. Both he and his father participated In the attaclts span and capture of tbe
Mexican fort at Valasco In 18S2. He also teak part in the stormlnc and capture of San
Antonio in December. 1835. nnder Milam and Johnson, The f amity came to Texas fran
Geervia io 1881.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 21T
umele were there. I had now no doubt of their fate. Th-^
conArietiom that they were murdered shot into my heart like'
8 thunder bolt. Riding on a few yards further I diseovere<l
buzzards collecting near the road. My approach scared
tbem away and revealed to my sight the body of my faitbier,
mude, scalped and mutilated. I dismounted and sat donvn by.
the body. After recovering a little from the sbocb I looked
aroiud for uncle. I found bis body, also stripped, scalpe^
and nuamgled, aiblout fifity yards from my father's «.euiains>
His body was smaU and light and I carried it and laid it by
the side of my father. The vultures, in black groups, wer»
perched on the trees around, and I knew they would quick
ly devour the bodies if I left them exposed, I cov<ered theio
with a coat and saddle bl'anket and piled brush upon them,
1 Ithen hurried back with the woeful news to my aged mother. ''
• • * And as this narrative closes, we leave the reader to
picture the pathetic, heart-rending, scene between that sud
denly widowed mother and orphaned son.

LITTLE RIVER FORT.-ERATH'S FAMOUS FIGHT.
Late in 1836, in accordance Avith a previously agreed plan
looking to the special protection of Robertson 's Colony, Capt.
CaUman, in command of ranger forces, proceeded to locate-
a block house station or log fort about tbe " Three Forks" of
Little River. Lieut. George B.Erath was detailed with as
smaU force to erect the buildiajcs and to protect that point-
Of the thrilling events that soon occurred, Erath himself,.
tells in a graphic narrative prepared expressly for thfis work:
"On returning from the army after the battle of San Jacinto,,
I became attached immediately to Robertson's oompany oper-
iitiug against the Indians, amd in July was transfered tos
Capt. Hill's company operating between tbe Brazos and Coir
orado — ^participating in an engagement on the Yegua in Au»
gust. On the first of October I enlisted m a corps of rangers*
then commanded by Col. Coleman, serving as lieutenant um^-
der Captain Barren. I may bere mentnon that the nwn im

:218 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ithis service Avere promised 1280 acres of land, which they re-
<:eiA-*d, and $25.00 a month, which Aras paid after a time, in
-depreciated currency — Texas 'red backs.' The men were
^o be furnished with rations of 'every kind. This was gener-
r,ally a failure, though the government furnished us ammuni-
rtion to kill game -with, which was our principal support. The
JFirst Congress passed a law authorizing the raising of five
companies, who were to provide their OAvn horses and arms,
"1)0 1 be furnished everything else. About half the men had
iorses, and some h^ very jwor guns, borrowed or pressed
^rom citizens. Those of us who had horses performed by far,
the greater part of the service, but there was no distinction
5n pay, or in rations.
"In the early part of NoA'ember, 1836, I was placed in
^command of a few OA^er twenty men detached- from Barren's
company, and stationed at a point on the Leon abiout one
lanile from What is known as the 'Three Porks' of Little
iiSiver — having cut out, marked and measured, a road from
-itbe FaUs of the Braaoe to that place. Col. Coleman, who had
aecompanied us- with a few men, after planning for impuove-
I'anents, left, measuring and working a road to his fort ou
" W^ainut Creek, about six miles east of where Austin now
-stands amd about eight mUes above Hornsby's, the highest
s:settlement on the Colorado.
"Settlements had been attempted in the surrounding
•^country the winter before, and here and there paitches of
wcorn Avere planted in the spring, mostly without fence, and
Iby a prolific season, some corn, not eaten by the buffalo or
-ivild stock, matured. Thus I was enabled to procure a few
adiags of com, which I issued to my mem — ^a 'nubbin' a day;
«and which had to he ground on a steel hand miU to be made
.into bread, Por meat, we depended on wiM gam^—theu
;.j)lentiful— while honey was obtained from numerous 'bee
u-trees,' and kept in rawhidte or deerskin sacks, miade with the
.-Iiair outside. Coffee was scarce amd used' sparingly.
"Thie details of operaitions up to Christmas, are unimpor-
Stant. By that time I had up seven or eight houses, weltoov-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 219
ered, with, wooden chimneys to them; buffalo robes for car
pets or floors. One of the soldiers — Collins — hsAring a fami
ly, had one of the oaibins to himself, and Gouldsby Childers,
a settler, with his family, occupied another. Thua we wers
not idle, besides my men had to dress deerskins to make
themselves clothes, especiaUy moccasins.
"And now to the operations. As already aUuded to. Con
gress reorganized the ranger corps. Most of the old officers
were retained, new ones added, and some of the inferiors pro-
>noted. The commander, Ool. Coleman, was deposed by Gen,
Houston and Major Smith appointed — the effect of which
took place about Chrisitmas. Lieut. Curtis was sent to Little
River Fort about that time to take command, Arith orders for
me to hold myself in readiness at any moment to proceed
(under additiomal special orders to be sent) to Colorado
Fort (Coleman's Fort) to inaugurate the new system and
notify Ool, Colemaoi to depart. This new and special order
did not arrive till the 4th of January, 1837, when it was de
Uvered by Lieut. McLoohlin. But the information of great
est oonsequemce he brought, AA-as that he had seen the tracks
of some dozen Indians on foot, going down the country about
tAvelve miles from the fort, on the waters of Elm Creek. AU
was now excitement and bustle in quarters, as we determined
to intercept aaid prevent these Indians reachioig the settle
ment below and doing mischief. Lieut. Curtis, now proper
ly in command and ranking officer, refused to make pursuit
and at first objected: to the horses being tised— suggesting
that I proceed with eight or ten men on foot. During the
night, a cold rain set in and continued Avith heaivy down
pour through the next day. Finally, arrangementa having
been made, about 10 o'clock on tbe morning of the 6th, we
left on the scout. My force consisted of fourteen meu, rank
and fUe: Sergeant McLochUn, and ramgers, Lee R, Davis,
Daniei Clark, (an elderly man) Empson Thomipson, Jack
Gross, Robert ChUders, and his boy brother, Frank, Jack
Houston (volunteers) John Folks, Lewis and Maurice Moore,
Green McCoy—the three latter also, were m&t& boys— an'd

220 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Leishly, a prospector. Four of our number bad never been
in battle before. Besides, four young men from the settle
ments below, whose parents had lived' in the vicinity before
the "runaway scrape' in 1836, and who had been sent back
to look after stock and other property that had been left be
hind, decided to accompany us so far as we traveled in the
directions of their homes at Nashville, some sixty miles below
— ^but my course soon deflecting they parted company and
continued alone.
The traU was soon struck — "but behold!" continues
Erath, "instead of a dozen Indians, signs showed nearer one
hundred, aU on foot and leading toward the settlements be
low. FoUowing for two or three miles, we came to their
camp of the previous day and night, and! where tihey bad
constructed temporary brush and grass shelters from the
rain. The signs were fresh) — the camp fires still burc'ing.
The moccasin tracks were nuiuerous — enough to deter the
bravest, but we pushed on. Indians, and Indian hunters
can tdU by the cast of the moccasin soles to what tribe the
wearer belongs, but not possessing that experience we were
compelled to advance without knowing whether we were to
encounter prairie tribes warriors with bows and lances or
Caddos and other semi-civilized Indians armed with rifles —
all brave and expert marksmen."
At nightfall the little force halted in close proxfimity to
the enemy, whose position they reconnoitered. The Indians
were encamped in a small horse-shoe like bend, some
twenty three miles east of the fort and within about
eight mUes of a small settlement near the pnesent toAvn of
Cameron, in Milam county. Resting till four in the morning,
the horses were saddled, and tied to trees^^nready to mount
in case of retneat — amd the men advanced afoot under cover
of the creek bank.
As the Indians arose emd conunenced to build fire.^,
Erath shifted his forces to a position within twenty five
yards of the foe, amd aa soon as it wa9 light enough to see
Bights on guns, delivereld a Avell aimed volley, which tumbled

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. " , 221
^ght or ten redskins %a the ground — some of them faUimg
into the fires. The Indians wore tak.»i completely by sur
prise and were thrown into confuaon. Had the whites beieu
supplied with repeating arms, (then unknoArn) they could
h.ive charged and kept thie enemy on the run. As it was, how
ever, they had to stop and re-load their pieces by the slow,
old time process. This dtelay enabled the savages to recover
in a measure, from their cousterhation. Some of them leap
ed behind trees and returned the fine, while otheirs monned to
tbe right and left flank to positions where they could look in
to th'e creek bottom, see the numerical strength of the
whites, and enfilaide them.
The engagement mow became desperate, the enemy be
ing Caddos, aU well armed, mostly -with rifles. David Clark
and Frank Childers were mortally woumdeid, and aU b^mg
greatly exposed, now shifted to the opposite bank' and the
protection of some smaU trees— Erath remaining behind to
watch m'ovememts. He says: "As the men got posted, the
Indians came charging with a terriHe yell. I retreated to.
the other side of the creek channel, but found myself under
a steep bank six or eight feet high. The Indians jumped
down the bank of the creek. One had his gun. within a few
feet of me, and fired, but missed me. I could not miss him,*
and he fell right before me. This caused/ the others to
dodge back a few feet behind trees."
As the Indians continued to advance, and fire in com
bined force, Erath ordered a retreat. This was successfuUy
accomplished by alternation: — one half the men covering the
retreat of the other half for thirty or forty yards at &
time, so that half of the guns were alternately loaded amd
fired. In this way, and favored somewhat by a number of
elm trees and sapUngs, the men reached their horses at the
edge of the prairie. In the retreat, a number of narrow es
capes and thrilling adventures occurred. Continues Earath:
»It la Touched for by hli own men that at the report of his sun. Erath fell, but ini.<
mediately arose to his feet. A ranser cried "Georve. are you horf 'T "Mo Tish not hnrt^
my gun knocks down before and behind" I

222 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
"At this juncture my left had reached: the hamk of the gul
ly we had just descended imto. There was a big thicket on
the other side. The Inidians charged us with great fuitr amd
terrific yells. We could mot be blamed for seeking shelter,
but it extended my line, and seeing Indians on my right
dashing up to us, McLochlin and myself took to a big tree
standing on the extreme right. McLochlin presented his
gun, but it was broken and would not fire. I haidi my gum
loaded andi took aim at a bunch of Indians close by, who
were maneuvering obliquely, but advancing. I had no time
to see the effect of my shot, but ran to another thicket
¦with McLoehlin, the InidianB getting between us and the other
men and keeping up their yeUing. Fifteen or twenty steps
more, we reached the ravine that went square up the creek.
Here we found Clark going up the bed of it, just about ex
hausted and sinking. He said somthirg about fighting to
the last or we would all be killed.
"I halted a few moments with poor Clark, who was now
doTvn and- his life fast ebhing, but as half a dozen Indians
were rushing towards ub, I continued on up the gully, re
loading my gun as I went, and soon rejoined' my mem."
On reaching Clark, the Indians yelled and danced
around in great glee, butchering up their unfortunate "vic
tim in a horrible mantaer. But they never found poor Frank
Childers, who, unable to join in the retreat, had sank doAvn
at the foot of a tree in a secluded spot, and expired -within
twenty steps of where the hottest of the fight had.been going
on. Fortunately, the Indians made no further attack aud
soon coUected at their camp, where they set up a terrible
h.owl over their dead. "I knew they would soon leave,"
continues Erath, "and proposed that we remain and look af
ter our dead, but I could not blame my men for refusing —
eeveral of them then told me that but for impeachment for
cowardice and insubordination, they taever would have gone
into the affair."
Erath's reason for making the attack against such

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. . 223:.
fearful odds, was that he and Lis meto were employed to
protect the citizens. "But for this engagememt. Hub large-r
body of Indians Avould very soon have been in the settle--
ments below, kilUug, burning and stealing; for they never-
came doAvn in such large mumbers in those days, withjou*:
desperate ends in view."
The rangers now returned to the fort and reported^
Erath, oo the foUowing morning, Sunday, leaving under
previoua orders, for Colemam's Fort — ^never again visiting:
tbe scene of has hard fough* battle. A burial party of fif
teen, sent out under Sergeant McLoehlin on the Sth, failed
to find Childers, and his remaine were not discovered' tilT.
eight days later.
Summed- up, the casualities of this engagemient, were
tbe loss of two gallant rangers, while according to their oavb-
admassion, kiter, the Indians lost ten warriors whom they
earri^: about a mUe from' the field and threw into »
big hole -of water. There were several narrew escapes-
durimig the action' — some of tihe men reoeaving slight
wounds, and balls cutting the elothes of nearly every one-
Sergeant McLochlin seems to have been a special mark— -
eme haJl breaking Lis ramflod, another the iock of his gun, m
third buisting his powder horn, a fourth passing through
his 'ooat, amd a fifth through! the handkeixibaef worn as m
tuijbam on his Lead.
The meiws of this engagement with such a large body
of marauding Indians, so near the settlements, caused gener
al oonstemation and alarm, and preparations were rapi^y
miaide for pursuit by a combined force from' tho forts, under*
Smith'. But a very heavy amd severe snow storm and sleet
set in on January 9th, delaying and preventing further op*-
craitions.

KILLING OF THE FAULKENBURTS AKD ANDERSON—
NARROW ESCAPE OF ANGLIN.
Members of the dispersed Parker Port Colony were eioou
to suffer further trials and to meet sad fates at the hands «&

224 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Indians. On Januaiy; 28, 1837, Abraham Anglin, David and
Evan Paulkenbury, James Hunter, Anderson and Douthit
leflt Port Houston for the Trinity bottom in search of stray
ed hoga . Finding some on the east side, they s'emt them
hack by Hum/ter and Douthit, who promised' to return the
mext day -and bring a canoe in which to cross the river. Be
coming impatient, the remiaiuing party improvised a log
raft, crossied over, and after spending the foremcon in un
successful search, returu'edl to the river to laiwait their com-
panfions with the canoe.
We give the sequel in Mr. Anglin 's own language:*
¦"To our surprise we found plenty of fresh moccasin tracks
along the margin of th'e river, but supposing them/ to have
¦been made by friemdljy Indians known to frequent that Aric-
inity, soon dismissed amy apprehensions of danger. Being
-mueh fatigued and chilled, we sought shellter from tbe wind
beneath the river bamk and lay doAvn to rest, falling asleep.
But they were socni apoused by the war whoops and firing
of a party of about thinty dastardly red skins, who had crept
up within fifteen feet of them, and opened* fire Avith rifles
ftUd bows and' arrows. David Paulkenbury and Anderson
were mortally wounded, but both leaped^ to their feet, and
plunged into the river — ^Paulkenbury exclaiming, 'Come
on boys, its time to go,' — and swam across," As Anglin
arose to his feet, 'he received a gun shot im the thigh, the
.4>all passing throug'h his powder horn and burying part of
4he horn in his flesh. He said Evan Paulkenbury soi^ht pro-
'tection behind treis, and the Indians behind a bluff. Seeing
ithe enemy were more advantageously posted, and with no
hope of dislodging them, AngUu. throAving his gun in, took
•4o the river. "As I was swimming," continues AngUn 's nar
rative, "the Indians were discharging their ariiows, and
while climbing out on the opposite bank, I received several
».other sUght wounds. Weak and exhausted^ 'however, as I
was, I reached the bank, Avhere I found David Paulkenbury
¦>4oo badly wounded to travel. He told me to escajw if I
^Abraham Antrlin, in Groesbeck Argus.

WALTER P. LANE RESCUES EUCLID M. COX-PAGE 251

ROBINETT KILLINO CHIEF BUFFALO HUMP-PAOE IS"?

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 225
could, and hasten back relief. Poor fellow, I knew 'he would
soon be gone, but I did not know that I would survive him
long. Fortunately, on going about four hundred yards, I
met Hunter returning with the canloe, and mounting behind
him, we rode as rapidly as possible for the fort."
A relief party was soon made up amd started out that
might. They found' David Faulkenbury>-4)iJt dead. He had
cut the long grass mear a pool of water, and made a bed on
whieh to die. Some two miles from the scene of attack, they
found' the Uf eless body of Anderson, with tAvo arrows stick
ing througib his neck. He had rum that disbamce after
swimming the river, and feU dead. Evan Paulkenbury 's
! footprints were traced from the tree behind which he had
* last fought, to the river and down the bank a short din-
1.17106 to where they disappeared. The stream was sounded
for his body, but it was not fonid and nothing more was ev
er heard of him, except an Indian tale — ^that he fought like
I a demom, kiUing two of bis ai^sailants, wounded' a third, and
. when scalped and almost cloven asunder, jerked away from
I them, threw himself into the riAcr and swam as far as mid-
strt-am, -wfcere he sank from view.
ATiarlin reco-verod from his wounds amd lived to partici
pate in other conflicts vrath ths redskins, jodming a ranger
force in March of this year. He .was a native of Kentucky,
bom Dec. 28, 1817, and emigrated with his parents to lUi-
nois in 1818 ; themce, in 183.S. with the Parker family, to Tex
as. Be long resided iu the vdcinity of Fort Houston and
Parker's Port, leading an honorable and use£ul life tiU his
death in 1875 or 1876.

' TRAGIC DEATH OF JAMES CORYELL.
Numerous fancy sketches — aU more or less unreliable-—
of this noted fromHersmam and his tragic death, haVe been
given the pnbUc from time to time. We give the facts as
narrated by one from personal knowledge -r- says pioneer
Newton C. Duncam-:

V

226 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
"James CoryeU, for whom Coryell county was named,
came to Texas in 1828 or 1829 from Ohio, coming do
the Ohio and Mississippi River to New Orleans, fro:
there to the mouth of the Brazos and on to San Antonioj
He remained at San Aatonio some time, and the next I knew(
of him Le had joined a company under BoAvde, going tO|
hunt the silver mines at San Saba. This I think was i
3 831, Coming back from this trip he stayed in San Antoni
awh'?e, then he came to that part of Robertson's Colony.
near where the toAvn of MarUn now stands. While stayin
in that part of Texas he made his home with the family o;
JVIr. Andrew Cavitt (fatLer of Mr. Volney Cavitt). In 1831
Mr, CoryeU went with Mr. Cavitt and they located the lam
stiU owned by the CaAritts in Coryell coimty, also locating
land for Mr. Coryell on what is now Coryell Creek. I
"After this, in the fail of 1836, Mr, CoiyeU joined a eom|
pany Of soldiers under Capt, Thomas H. Barron. I knew him,-
personaUy at that time, haAong come Avith my mother from
Tcnnesisee im the eariy part of 1836.
"The Indians had troubled us so much that we had adl
gone into Robertson's headquarters at Viesca, While here,
CoryeU, with some companions, had gone about haif a male
on the road to Perry Springs, on what is now Perry 's Creek,
where there Uved a lawyer named Judge Albert G. Perry.
Here they had found and cut a bee tree and were sitting
around eating the honey and talking, Mr. Coryell had toM
the other men that he coul'd not run, if the Indians came,
as he had been sick and wafe not able to rum, Ihi a short
time they heard' a noise as of sticks breaking, when they
looked and saw twelve Oad/dk) Indiams right mear them, too
near for them to try to get away. IVIr. Coryell rose to his
feet. One of the guns in the party Avas empty, lone failed
to fire, and, as there were only three guns in the party, Cory
eU 's was the only one left. The men who had no guns ran.
Three of the Indians took aim at CoryeU and he fired
at the same time. CoryeU fell grasping some hushes amd j
pulling the tops off as he fell. He Was scalped' bly tbe lur f

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. •' 227
dians, hut it is ¦thought he wounded one of them, as tho
feathers from Lis cap were found, also some blood. Mr. Ber
ry, an old friend of CoryeU 's, stood and snapped Lis gum,
trying to fire, until he iSaw the Indians puU CoryeU down
and begin to scalp him, then Berry ran and escaped, CoryeU
beimg the only one lof the party kiUed. This party consist*
ed of James CoiyeU, Sam Burton, Mr. Berry, Michael Oas-
tleman, Ezra Webb and one other, whose mame I do not ret-
member. "Ezra Webb was the first one of the party to reach the
settlement. Coming to tbe house of OapjL Barron he found
a crowd (Of ladies gathered' awaiting -the orders of Capt. Bar-
rom, as they were expecting to be ordered to the block-house
for pnotection. When Webb ran in with gtreat haste end
fright, and breathless from Lis run, Le fell on the bed, past
speaking. The ladies gathered aroxmd, anxious to know what
had happened'. After a little time he was able to whisper
' Indians ! Poor Coryell ! '
"CoryeU was truly a frontiersman — an excellent woods
man, an agreeable companion, a brave soldier, and an admir
able gentleman— beloved by all who knew him. At the time
of his death he was forty years old. A short time before
Lis death, while out on a scout, Le explored a region of
country now knoAvn as CoryeU county, and being a man of
acute judgment, was struck with the beauty and eligibility
of the country near the mouth of Coryell Creek, He there
selected his head-right of one quarter of a league which
was located after his death by his executor and thus gave
his name to that stream. So far as I know Mr. Volney
Cavitt and I are the only two men now living who kncAV
CoryeU ih 1837".*
At this time Erath, with his Uttle company, Lad been
witbdraiwm from tLte Little River fort, and stationed, with
other forces, at the Pals of tiie Brazos, where it was deem
ed advisable to concentrate aU the rangers in that section, as
»Fai>er read at Beunion of Old Settlers, Belton. Texaa, Sept. 4, 1903.

228 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
they could be miore advantagjeooaly utilized against the num-
ercus hamds of Jhidiama then constantty raiding tLat section
of country. At that time, however, Capt, Erath and moat
of his men were absent on a scout AVest of Little River — aU '
'he rangers being out on scouts — and thus the Indiaais who
fell upon CoiyeU effected thieir retreat without pursuit.

CAPTURE OF WARREN LIONS,— SKIRMISH BETWEEN
SETTLERS AND INDIANS, — RECLAIOaiNO THE
CAPTIVE,— TRUE ACCOUNT OF THIS
I NOTED EPEISODE.
Late m 1837, LaGrange, on the Colorado, was am out
post, Bastflop being the only settlement above. Northeast
and west to the Guadalupe the country was still an umbrok-
c wilderness. Sfouthwest from LaGrangie, some sLstaen
miles, and near th© present line of the Sunset raUway, UAied j
the Lions family —early emigramts to Austin's Colony from
New York State — comsistin.g of the father, mother, a married
daughter (Mrs. Wm. B. Bridges) and four sons Seymour,
George, DeWitt and Warren, a boy thirteem "years old. Some
twemty miles furt-her to the southwest, on the same road, from
LaGrange to Texana anid Victoria, and im the vicinity of
the presemt to(vm of HallettsvUle, there were a ntunber of Set
tlers mear the Lavaca, amoaig them the names of HaUett Fo
ley, Zumjwalt, Heath, Kent amd Jesse Robimaon— comrades in
arms and iad/viemture of Gapt, Henry S. Br'own in 1828- '9.
Im the summer of this year a raiding party of about
thirty Comanches, were disioo vered in the vicinity, d^cend-
ing from the mountains on their usual route toward Victo
ria, their trail being some fifteem miles west of the Lavaca
settlement. The alarm spread, and a party of 12 or 15 was
hastily made up, without any leader, whlo struck and follow
ed the Indians' trail. In a very few miles, on the waters of
Little Brushy, perhaps twenty miles south'west of Halletta-
vflle, amd in am open forest, tliey suddemly came upon the
savages, who had camped, "staking out" some of their
houses and "hobbUmg^" others.' It wias rainSmg at the time,

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 229
and heooe their approach was undiscovered tiU thiey chiarg-
ed Arith a view of stampeding tLe Indians' horses, WithiLeir
bo.wie-kndves some of the party eut tLe ropes by which some
0* the horses were staked, wLUe others sought to secure the
hobbled animals. But the Indians outnumbering their assaU-
anits two to one, soon raUied and charged furiously to re
cover th'cdr horses. Against odds, and in tLe absence of a
leader, confusion ensued. Two or three Indians were wound
ed, and Stiffier kiUed. The whites effected a retreat with a
few of the Lors-es, but the Indians followed tLem in, and at
Zumwalt's recaptured a portion of the animals during the
night. WhUe admittedly suffering defead, the settlers at least
prevented an intended raid on Victoria. But tLe Indians,
somewLat emboldened, sought another field for their opera
tions. Defle'Citcng to the northeast anld rapidly covering the
intervening distance of about forty miles, they suddenly ap
peared just after daylight at the Lions place, Mr. Lions
amd his son Warren havang arose and entered the cow-pen
to milk, while other members of the family were yet in bed.
In a moment they kaUad and scalped the father, made cap
tive the som, and gathering up a numiber of horses belonging
to Mr. Lions, left for their mounta<in fastnes'ses.
Ten- long years roUed by and beyond vague, unreliable,
rumors, no tcdimgs were received of the lost boy. Relaitives
and friends gave him up and mourned Lam as one forever
lost to civilization, perhaps dead — all but the hoping amd
pravong mother. She "dreamed dreams" amdl had visions of
Ler darling baby child, amd ever believed) he would come
back to her — believing thiat Providence, dm some way would
restore her treasure.
In 1847, pending ithte Mexican war, a party of Coman
ches appeared at San Aniiomio on a trading expeditdom. It
leaked out that among tkem was a youmg warrior, believed
to be an American. Two near neighbors of Mrs, Lions Lap-
pened to be in San Antonio, and hearing of this rumor, deter
mined to dnvestigate the nuatter. In the young waridor of

230 1 BORDER WARS OP TEXASl
twenty-three thefy found such a resemblance to the Lions
brr thers as to convince themi he was Warren Lions. An in
terview through an interpreter soon removed all douibt.
They resolved, if possible, to take him home, but this.requir-
ed several days and much diplomacy. Warren well remem
bered his mother, but believed she was dead. He had two
young Arives and did mot wish to leave them. Numerous
presents were made to him, but stiU he remained obdurate
tiU abouit 'the third day when his consent was won by a
present of two very fine red blankets — one for each Avife,
Arith which he adorned them Avith the pride of a 'true knight.
He, however, onily promised to visit hia mother, and them re
turn to his wives and Lis tribe. With that understanding he
Eccompanieid th'e gentlem'cm honej in tbe fluiU garb 'Of a Adld
Indian. TLe Lions home stood just as he had left it, a double
log house, on a prairie ridge, and visible from the west two
or three mUes. Warren recognized it. When about two
hundred yards from the house, the unsuspeoting old m'Other ¦
stepped out in the yard in plain view of the approaching
party. Her lon.g hair, originally of flaxem color, had only as
sumed) a whiter hue. Warren instantly recognized her amd
dashed forward, uttering the AvUd naan's "Avail of joy."*
Abruptly halting and Amounting, he sprang into the yard,
weeping, waUing and gyrating in a manner so weird as to un
nerve tLe dear old motLer, tiU the two neighbors shrieked
to her: "It is Warren, yotur lost boy!" Them she shouted
praise to God, and' sought to 'encdrde Warren, in her arms,
while he expressed his deUght in Indian style, imvolvdng dan-
«img, gesticulations and those guttural indications of joy, i>e-
culiar to the Avdld tribes.
Warren was resolved to f uKiU his promise amd return to
]^"Wlien he came near the lot where hia father was killed," saya Wilbararer, "he point
ed it out and said: *Dar me f adder kill— dar me take oft,' and as soon aa he saw his mother
lie cried oat: 'Dar ma madderl DaritaemudderU' Thus showing that thronsrh the long
.7ears of his wild, nomadic life — in the chase and on the warpath— the trasric scenes of that
.mominsc ten yean agone were rividly remembered, and that tha mother's features had
Ibeen indelibly Impressed on the mind ef the youthful captive."

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 231
Lis wives, but the whole country round joined dn schemes
to detain LJm, but aU to no avaU tiU his brother, DeWitt, in
duced ham to accompany him land join a company of ran
gers in Southwest Texaa, to fight tbe Mexicans. To this he
assented, asnd thiai service graduaUy weaned him from his
Indian haibits, and' reconcUed Lam to civiUzation, ending in
Lis marriage and domestic life ; not, however, tUl he had par
ticipated in several engagements Ariith the Indians, in whicL,
Uke Lis brothers, he developed the characteristics of a coura
geous soldier.

INDIANS AMBUSH THREE SETTLERS.
Some negroes belonging to Mr. Beesan, of Columbus, on
tbe Colorado, Laving run away from Lim, Lis two sons, Col
lins and Leander Beesan, accompanied by a Scotchman
named Steele, went in pursuit, in the summer of
1837, hoping to intercept them before they made their Avajjr
to Mexico. The three young mea traveled ailong the San
Antonio road, without mishap,umtU tLey crossed the Guada
lupe River at Gomzales. As they ascended the bank of
that stream on the vrestern side, they rode into an Indian
ambuscade, and were received with a rifle volley that kiUed
CoUins Beesan, crippled and disabled Steele and shot Lean
der Beesan's horse from' mnder him.
Leander Beesan ran to the river, threw his gun as far
out into it as he could, and swam back to the other side,
with buUets whistling about his ears and ricochetting un
comfortably near him. As he buffeted the current he beard
some one svnmming 'behind him, biut did not turn to see who
it was, eitLer whUe crossing or after he reached dry groumd.
As he ran from the border of the river into the timber, he
heard a groan, whiich led him ito surmise that the i>erson ,
who had followed in his wake across the river was Steele.
Piu'ding that Lis Leavy, waiter-soaked boots impeded his pro- -
gress, Beesan divested himself lOf them, amd made his Avay
home — arriving there some days later in a pitiable condition.
A compamy of ten mem, includimg W. B. Dewees,. Avas

2321 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
immediately assemibled and leaving their families almost en
tirely unprotected, started for the Guadalupe. A gentleman
who had just left the army and who was at Mr. Dewee's
house sick, loaned tLem a spy glass.
When the party Avas Avdthin fifteen miles of Gonzales
they sa.w, vri'th the naked eye, a large number of horses at
a distance through the timber. Dismounting and bring
ing the spy glass into requisitiiom, they discovered .thait
Indians were astride the horses, and' were i^parently await
ing the approach of the whites.
After a brief consultation, it was decided' to attack the
redskins. Slightly deflecting their course and concealed
by timber and a hiU, Dewees and his companions
emerged into the open from an tmexpected quarter
and charged the Indians, taking them completely by
surprise, routing them, and sending them scurrying as
fast as their mustangs could be made to travel. The
Indian loss is not stated by Dewees.* The pursuit
was kept up for a short while. On arriAring at the
river the rescue party found and buried the body of Collins
Beesan, but saw nothing of Steele. It was afterAwards
learned that the head of Steele was seen in the camp of the
Indians, abiout three quarters of a mile above Gonzales.

THE "STONE HOUSE" FIGHT,
October 7, 1837, Capt, Eastland, then in command of
Coleman's Port, departed from that station with aU, or the
greater portion, of his force, and made a reconnaissance up
thc Colorado river to the mouth of Pecan bayou, and up
that stream- to its source. He desired the entire command
to return to the fort; but a party under Lieuts. Benthuysen
and MUe® (in all eighteen men) either dis-oheyed his orders/
or secured permission fromi him, and kept on farther west to
the -vicdnity of the rock mound, caUed the "stone house,"
near Caddo Peak, in what is now Callahan cotmty, and
» Author at Dewees' Lctten,

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 233
had a desperate and disastrous battle witb a force of one
hundred or more Indaiama (Waccs, Caddos, and Eeechnes)
near the latter land m)ark, while a body of Delawares look
ed on, fromi a distance, asi passive specta-tors.
Noah SmithArick says that a large Indian encampmenl,
occupoed by the members of seveirail tribe®, includSmg some
Delawares, was found at the "stone house," While at that
point one of the ramgers, FfeUx McClusky, gave chase to and
kJUed a lione lu'ddan, scalped Lim, and rifled hia pockets,
tLougib tLfe Delawares tried to prevent Lim, His feUow rang
ers upbraadfing Lim' for the deed, he exLibited la chunk of
tobacco that Lie Lad takem from his vnctim's pocket, and de*
clared that Le. "would kill any Injun for tLat mucL tobac
co." TLe Delawares warned the whites that Indiians of tLie
murdered man's tribe and others in alliance with tLem,
would avenge tLe atrocious crime.
When the rangiera came in sight of Cadldio Peak, tLey
were suddenly ¦confronted by the aA'cngers, who demanded
the sumender of M'cOluakey,* which Avas refused. He pos
sessed no atom of that spirit of self-sacrifice, that has somie-
timies led men to accept death in ordier to save tbe lives of
others. There was nothin)g to do but fight. The whites
took position in a ravine and the Indians in a grove, and the
battle opened, sans ceremonie, and raged with great fury
and deadly effect for an hour and' a half. Thte men of both
sides were armed vrith rifles, were expert marksmen, and
tried to waste as little time and ammunition, as possible. Pour
of the rangers were killed, and it is believed', a large num
ber of the Indians, before the scales of Adotory Avere digress
ed in favor of the savage Avarriors hy a stratagem thiey
adopted. They set fire to the tall, dry grass that covered
the prairie and that extended into the ravine. TLe wind
was bloAving im tLe direotioni of tLe wLdte men, amd tLe
flames raced toward them, preceded by a dense amdl bldnd-
*Sarrtna tbe covavemcnt. bat was af tarwaids killed la a drunkea bniwL

¦:23i ' BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
=.ing volume of smoke. The rangers glanced in one direction
Tlor a route by Avhich to escape, but saw the DelaAvares sit
ting there, apparently for the purpose of cutting off thieir
retreat. Lieuts. Benthuysen amd Miles then ordered their
>..mem to follow them in the oppoisite direction doAvm the rav
ine, and, emerging from the depression, shot and out their
way throuigh the emcoanpassing Indian line, and fouight to
cthe timber, a distance of about eighty yards, WhUe this move
ment was being executed, eight white men were killed,
Lieut. Miles among the mumrber.* The six isurvivors, some of
i-them severely wounded, were not pursued through the
woods, and made thedr way to the site of the present city of
DaUas, Avhere they found a large enoampmient of 'Sieka.jHM
-'.^Indians, who treated them kindly and allowed' them to re-
. turn to the settlements.

" MURDER OF THE KELLOUGH FAMILIES IN EAST
) TEXAS,
In 1837 the In'dians became so hostUe im the territory
rnoAv constituting Cherokee county, that the settlers moved
^to Nacogdoches. In the faU of that year a numiber of white
.families Avent back to their former homes. Qn the way they
were met by an old and friendly Indian Avho told them that
fethe region to which they were journeying was filled Arith
^hostile Indians, and urged them to retrace their steps to
.-Nacogdoches, They disregarded his advice. They found
»Much controversy, and a diversity of opinions, has existed as to who was the real
icaptor of Santa Anna. Without attempt to disparage the names and fame of others, we
•.r subjoin the following "Obituary Notice of Lieut. A. H. Miles"— printed in the Telegraph
.-.of issue Saturday, Uec. 16, 1837; and which has passed without reply or direct attempt to
^. ^dispute ever since;
"Killed in an engagement with the Indians, Lieut. A. H. Miles, formerly of the city
V -of Richmond. Va. This young man. at the first call for volunteers, gallantly came forward
-to assist the sinking and apparently desperate cause of Texas. He was at the battle of San
Jacinto, and was the real capturer of Santa Anna. His modesty while living Induced him
-^ ' {together with the fact -that he believed he had only done his duty) silently to see others
- reap the honor of the Rapture, He had, however, in his possession certificates of the late
Secretary cf War, and Adjutant General of the Army, of the above facts. He left to mourn
'!^;.his loss an affectionate mother and sister, together with a numerous circle of friends and
^-acquaintances. They, however, will find consolation by knowing that he died struggling
^or the weal of his adopted country.— S."

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 235
their fences burned, mOst of thedr stock driven off," and'
their crops greatly diamaged-. Tlhey also saw many Indians
roving about, but took tbem to be Cherokees and members
of the bands associated Avith that tribe, all of whom profess
ed to be friendly. The whd.te people determined to stay
long enough to gather what iremiained of their croiw. Ome
day while busily engaged' in thia work, they were attacked
by a large force of Indiams, -with whom .there were a few
Mexicans. The male members' of the Wood, KeUough and
other families were murdered, and- womien and children
made prisoners. Nothing was ever after heard of the
captives, save vague rumors regarddng a little ison of Mrs,
Wood. It was said that the child' heeame am Indian war
rior and cLief of tLe tribe into wLicL Le was adopted,
but this is only vague tradition.
There were two Kellouigh families. The first family, con
sisting of Allen KeUough, -wife and five children, were aU
kiUed, Old man KeUough, wife, and two sons, comprised
the other. The old man and his sons were slaughtered. Hia
aged Avife ran into the yard, and toftd the Indians to MU
her. They refused. Mexiea'ps, who were Arith them, cursed
her and told her to go back into the house, which she fin
aUy did. There were tAvo other ladies in the house. Nei
ther she nor tLey were molested. NeitLer were two other fam
iUes. The miserable survivors of the miassaere, left every
thing behind them and fled from the aoaursed spot to Nac
ogdoches. En route they were joined by a band of Chero
kees who accompanied them into the town, ositensibty as
an escort. The Cherokees vehemently demied that they or
Indians associated' with them Lad amytLing to do with the
massacre; but evidence was adduced' that satisfied many
minds that they and their confederates perpetrated the mur
ders. John Henry, BroAvn eays that tiie butchery "led to
the battle of Kiekapoo, and was ¦one of the impelling caus
es ithat led to the expulsion of the Cherokees and associate
hands froim the country." . ; .

236 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
SILLING OF SETTLER MeCULLOM AND CAPT. ROGERS
.-ADVENTURE OF THE H0RNSB7S.
In Novemtber, 1837, Capt. McCuUom, who Lad recently
come to Texas from. Alaibama, amd wim was stopping at the
home of Oapt, James Rogers, in Bastrop ootmty,* went wdth
a som of Capt, Rogers to a creek for the purpose of build
ing 9 wolf pen, <xc trap. While they were cutting the nec
essary timber, McCuUom was fired on by Indians, who were
attracted to the spot by the sound of the axes. He catUed
to Rogers, telKng Lim ¦to make for tLe Louse, and then ran
in tLat direction himself, forgetting to take Lis gum, wLich
he left stamddng by la tree. Tlie tAvo men speeded dOAvn a
mew cut roadi leading to Wilbarger Creek, and crossed
ahead of their pursuers; but as McCuUom mounted the
farther bank, he was shot in the back and) instantly
killed. Youmg Rogers kepE on, passed below the ridge,
plunged into the undergrowtL, and escaped.
Subseqment to tLe foregoing incid'ent, Oaixt. Rogers,
Craft amd a man wLose name is not remembered, went to
Coleman's Fort to .procure ammunition for settlers on the
Colorado River. WMle they Avere crossing the opem prairie
in Hornsby's bend, on their way hotoe, they were cL'aeed
by two parties of Indians — one riding toAvard tLemi from
tLe rear and tLe otLer from the right. Craft and the
stranger, Avho were well mounted, escaped; but Rogers, who
had am inferior horse wais overtaken, killed and scalped.
The Indians proceeded to the residence of Reuben Hornsby.
He was at worh om the farm. They attempted to cut bom
off from the house ; but fortunately his son saw them, amd
reached Lim on a fleet Lorse in time fttr both of them to
escape to the house, where they barred the doors, preStfit-
ed their rifles, and bluffed the Indians. The redskins were
mot in a mood to come to close quarters and rode off, after
yelling, circling about the place, and making daring dem
onstrations.
« Father af Ed. and J. B. Hovers of Travis esgiitr.

BORDER- WARS OP TEXAS. 237
When young Hornsby left the dweilimg to take the Loise
to his father, Mrs, Hornsby and cLildren wLo were Arith
her, ran to tLe river bottom and conceafled themselves.
TLey remained there until after the departure of the In
diana and then returned to the habitation, endeared to her
by so many sorrowful and happy associations.

POST OAX SPRINGS MASSACRE.
From several sources — all reliaible, but conflicting as to
date etc. — we gatheij meagre details of a horribie affaSr,
which oocured, persumaibly in May of this year, at a place
than known as Po^ Oak Springs, now called Ad HaU, in
Milam county.
Preparatory to Avithdrartving the smaU ramge^r force
from Little River Port, Lieutenant Erath it lappears had sent
five of Lds men, Dave Farmer, Aaron Collins, Clabe Nedl,
Sterrett Smith and Jesse Badlcy, to NashviUe for wagons
and teams Arith Avhicb to move LouseLold effects etc., of the
two or tLree families residing at the fort.
Oo their return trip Avfith the wagons and) teams; amd
just as tLey approached an island or grove of post-oaks in
tLe prairie, they were ambusLed by a party of Comanche
Indians* amd all kiUed.
Over due to return, a scout was dispatched! and soon
came upon the horrible scene. AU. the evdidemioee of a desper
ate fight were apparent. The bodies of ColUns and Smith,
says Sowell,** .were found in one of ILe wagons, and tLe oth
er three were ¦scattered loni tLe prairie between the wagons
and 'mott of timber. The particulars of tLis struggle cannot
be given 'as none were left of the Aivhite mem to teU tLe tale.
"But it is likely," continues Sowell, "tLe Indians discover^
ed them some distance off and Lid tLeir forces in or 'behind
the mott, amd when they charged out and cut the rangers off
»Newton a Duncan's paper read at Old S«tt(ers Beunion. Belton. Texas. 190S.
»»A. J. Sowell-on authority of Jame* A. Boales-in "Texaa Indian Fighters".
P. 229.

238 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
from this position, they had made » desperate effort to fight
their way through the Imdiams to it. It is likely also that
tiiere was some confusion amd there was mo concert of ac
tion, as the scattered position of their bodies womld show.
The Indians secured aU the teams, guns, pistols etc., amd re
treated,"

GEN. JNO. B. HOOD'S BRILLIANT VICTORY.
One of the most severe engagements of tLis year
was Lieutentamt, afterward' the famous Confederate Gemeral,
John B. Hood''s fight with a party of Comamches and Lipans
mear the head of Devil's River, Texas. Om the 5th of July,
tbe gaUant young Liemtemtant im command of twenty-five
mem of compamy G, 2nd Cavalry, left Fort Masom on a scout
against depredating Indians. Provided withtLirty days ra
tions, an Indiam guidte 'and a compass, and actuated by youth
ful aspiration, tbe Uttle party scoured tLe country to the
head' of the Concho.
Near the mouth) of Kiowa Creek a trail was discovered
and rapidly followed to a water hole near the head of
DevU's River. From Lere Le hurried on, though his horses
were very much worried, and traveled over tLe bluiEfsi and
moumtains down the river, but keeping some tliree miles from
it. Late in the afternoon, of tLe 20th 'of July he left the
traU, and went in towards the river to get water, as his mem
were veiy thirsty. About a mile from the trail, and some two
and a half mUes fromi his party, on a ridge he discovered
some horses and a large flag waving. The orders in Tesas
at that time were to attack any Indians found away from
the government reservatrom, but of course to respect a white
flag. Without going to ivater, and leaving eight of his com
pany Airith the pack mules and supplies, Lieutenitant Hood,
with seventeen of his men rode towards the flag. Halting
near the Indians, Hood signeled them that Le was ready to
fight or talk. As Hood's men advanced five of the Indians
came forward -with the flag, but when within about ' thirty

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 239>'
paces the treacherous foe suddenly threw down the flag and
setting fire to a Ikrt oif rubbish they Lad collected commenced
a desperate attack, ait tLe same moment about tbirty war
riors arose from' among the tall grass and "SpanisL leaga-
nets," Avithin ten paces of the soldiers. Twelve had rifles,
the rest bows and arrows; besides which 8 or 10, mounted
on horse back, attacked with lances. Hood's men went at
them with a yell — ^thus the struggle commenced and con
tinued in a most desperate and determined hand to ban^
struggle, with the odds in favor of the Indians. Hood's little
force wavered and) feU back, but were soon raUied by their-
brave young leader, and making a most desperate and dash
ing charge Arith their revolvers, the Indians gave way — thus;
the fight continued till dark when the Inddame gave up the
contest and gathering up their dead and wounded moved off
toward' the Rio Grande — mueh to the relief of the solddeis
who had exhausted about thedr last round of ammunition. This
was a most serious affair in which two of the scouting party
Aivere kUled amd several woumded, amomg tbem Lieutenant
Hood, who had Lis hand) pinned to Lis bridle Avitb an arrow,-
It was afterwards learned tLat tLe Indians lost nineteen war
riors killed on the field and fataUy wounded. Hood) made bis
way to Camp Hudson, where Le obtained) suppUee and med
ical ¦aid for Lis wounded' — ^tLen returmed to' Port Masom.
General TAviggs, commanding the department, complimented
tLis brave little company on their exploit, saying in his official
repoirt: "Lieutenant Hood's affair was a gaUant one, and
much credit is due to both officer and men."
TLis gave Hood' much) eclat as a brave soldier and es
tablished his reputation for gallantry.
Soon after his return from (this fight he was promoted
to the rank of First Lieutemant and stationed at Camp Color
ado. In' 1858 he established Oamp Wood, om the Nueces
river, at which post he remained tUl 1860 when he Avias call
ed to WashSngtom amd) commissiomed as ichief ¦of CaAralry at
West Point— a positiom' he filled till the breakSmg out of *h«.r
Civil War.

240 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Daring this year there was a severe encounter witb In
dians on Maine's Prairie, Anderson county, the particulars
of which are not at hand. Also, Nunley, Stifflen and
Smothers were killed , in Lavaca county, and a Mr. DaAris was
killed sixteen miles east of Gonzales, by Indians.
The blood of brave men shed upon the soil of Texas
during this year was alone enough to render it holy ground,.
and tLe sufferings that the women and chUdren experienced
were sufficient to consecrate the land to high ideals. But
the year stands not alone in these particulars. Grouped with
rt are otLers. United they call to the Texans of today and
of the future. "Guard well the noble heritage that you en
joy and that cost such a price." '

CHAPTER XI.

HE year of 1S38 opened well for Texas, A
heaA-y and desirable emigration that be-
iU gan in the latter part of 1837, continued,
Avhile land values and taxable wealth in
creased steadily. New towns, farms and
ranches Avere established, and settlements
pushed westward — along Red River to Fan
nin and Grayson counties.
Galveston had taken on ncAv life through
the efforts of Colonel Menard, and oth
ers, and grew rapidly to a toAA-n of importance, be
ing adorned by handsome buildings, and having in its
harbor frequently as ihany as fifteen or twenty ships and
vessels at a time. Houston, the seat of government, also in
creased dra population and wealth and became a comimercial
depot — communication being maantained between the tAvo
tOAvnIs hy a line of four steamboats. Let the reader remem
ber those were days of small thiu'gs and sparse population.

PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY— TREATIES WITH THE
INDIAN TRIBES.
Tbe French blockiade of the coast of Mexico and polit
ical canvulsions in that country, prevented invasion of Tex
as in force, land left the seas open for development of Texas
commeree, which expanded until it included trade with Eng
land, Flrance, and other foreign countries.
President Houston by his rigid rules of economy, i£ not
replenishing the empty exchequer, was at least restoring

242 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
confidence in tbe credit of tLe rising ytung Republic, The
icounltiry hadi heeni blessed witb piiolific crop yields tLe pre
vious year, ThioH tLe people wene prosperous, amd might
Lave been entirely happy, bjutfor the redoubled comtinualtion
of Indian hostilities, which "lit up the wWole frontier with
the flames of a eiaivage Airar."
TLe General Land Office of the Bepubliic of Texas, ae-
oordimg to previous enaictment, was opened January 4th of
thia year, amd Avals immediately f<^awed hy lamd cl.aamanits,
¦with surveying parties, inviading Indian territory, amd bat
tles with, anjd fierce amd) sanguiniairy reprisals on the part
of, the Indians. Yoakum attributes .the immediate cause of
increased' hostiHties to the opening of the lamdi office.
"Surv^ons and locators, desiring to select the best lands,
had gone out beyomld the seJttlements, and begun their oper
ations. TLe Indians, seeing them at 'work, were not slow
to believe wLat the Mexioans had told them— that tLe Avhite
people would take all their Lumting grounds, and) drive them
off. TLeir attacks uptom the frontiers were in resdstamee of
this movement."*
-Freeddent Homstton'e Inddan ]>«Iicy was oomtimued, end
tested to. the utmost.
January 18, 1838, a treaty of peace was signed' at liv*
Oak Point, by James Power, acting for the government of
Texias, and Cidegasde Castro, cLdef of the tribe, represenit-
ing tLe Lipans. It was stipulated that the Indians were Ao
be given $250.00 woirth of presents; tLat trading Louses were
to Ibe eistablisbed among tLem ; aud that neither Indians nor
white people were to take redress of grievances into their
own hands.
Emanating from tLe War Depart;ment, a little later, we
find tLe following conciliatory order:
Houston, Feb. 4, 1838.
To Gen. A. Sidney JoLnston, ¦Col. Lysander Wells.
Gentlemen: By order of His Excellemicy, tLe President,
»Hlaterr of Teaaa. VoL 1 P. 248.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 243
you are hereby empoAvered ais commissioners to mee)fc and hold
conference AritL tLe ComancLe Indians.
You are to meet tLem to soon as practicable, assure
them of our friendly feuliqga toward them, aidd of onr ear
nest desire .to cukivaite with them a trade for our mutual ad-
vanitiage, and to this end^ trading houses shaU be estabUshed
for itheir C'CUA'-enience, by which means they Arill find a mar
ket for thedr mules, buffalo robes, etc. Invite seven or
eight of their cbdefs to visit the Executive amd both houses
of Clomgress at the mext session, say abbut the 21st of April
next. Also have an understandioig AritL them that they arc
at aU times to co-operate with uia against our enemies.
We rely upon your good judgment and 'discretiom. im
saying to them aU which ehaU be mecessary to convince
them of our friendisLip to tLem. Assure them ailso that the
President has mow gene .to Nacogdoches to enter into an ar
rangement with the CheroketeS. • Barnard E. Bee.
Col. Henry W. Karnesi was appointed as a coUeague of
Johnston ahd WeUs, to assist im (ihe mission. His letter of
instructions, under date of April 12, 1838, suggests that he
must use great . cauticn in discussing tLe question of terri
tory limits AvitL this tribe — "That you must manage in tLis
way. You must say to tLem tLat tLey AviU continue to
Lunt wLere tLey Lave game, and if tLey find our people in
tLeir Lumting grounds with the passwords, to treat tLepa.
kindly, as our people idll do sLould tLe Comanches come in
to our settlements."
"After a delay of some two months, a band of about 150
Comanches, led by t!V!k> chie;fs, Essowakkenny and Essomam-
ny," says Gen. Johnston's biographer, "came in. to Lold tLe
'talk.' TLe cLiefs were about twenty-sevem or twemty-eigLt
years old, amd about five feet eight in Leight; Essomamny
was ratLer a bull-Leaded fellov/, Avith a firm and sensible ex
pression; Essowakkemmy had a more imteUigent countenance.'*
Jt Ihiad been tbe immiemorial custom' of tLe ComancLes,
after plundering the country, to ride at their leisure into San
Antonio to trade, or for ransom. On sucL occasions, to relieve

244 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
themselves from the care of their horses, these fierce war
riors condesicemdingly committed their caball'ado to the cus
tody of the commandant, from whom they required a scrupu
lous return of their chattels when they should be ready to
leave. On this occasion, Essowakkemmy, on meeting General
Johnston, waved his hand Arith a lordly gesture towards his
horses, saying: "There is our cabaUado. Take care of it."
"Yes," replied General Johnston, looking at bim steadily,
"I see your cabaUado. You ride good ponies. I advise you
to watch them well. All white men are mot honest. I take
good care of my horses. Take care of yomrs." By which
the General meant to teach the Comanches that he was mot
"a Mexican hostler in uniform." The chief understood the
irony, and that he had to deal "Arith a warrior ; he smUed
grimly, 'and detaUed some of his OAvn men to watch the graz
ing herd. A "big talk" was held, in which the advantages of a
peace truce Were freely discussed, and "with reciprocal as
surances of la desire for such. In the ooursie of his "talk"
General Joihnsiton suiggested, that if so desired, trading posts
would 'be estaiblished among them, Essofwakkenny rose, and
said "that the Oomancbes had noitieed that trading posts al
ways seemed to frighten the bu^ialo away, so that they did
mot want any in their country; huit they did not object to a
Une of posts along the border of their country" — drawiUg an
imaginary line with' his band, so as to indicate a distance of
about three miles from San Antonio, Not .oardng to discuss
the delicate subject of the boundary further. General John
ston, vrithout aUuding to the trading posts again, dUated
upon the benefits of peace, Essowakkenny rejoined that his
people had made peace Arith the Mexicans, "I am glad of
it," replied Johnston; "although the Mexioans are not our
friends, it is good for the Comanehes to .be ait peace Arith
everybody." Essowakkenny added, with a humorous look,
that "he did mot make peace with the Mexioans until Le
had stollen aU thedr horseei.'^ To the in-ritation and request
that he visit the President at Houston, Essowakkenmy re-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 245
plied that he could mot go, b)ut that his brother, Essomanmy,
who was a braver man than himself, would go. He then de
clared sentiments of the strongest friendship for the whites ;
presents of considerable value were distributed — eliciting
many "gmints" and) expressions of satisfaction — ^when the
coumcU was dismissed with the best of feeUngs prevailing, i
On tbe strength olf this talk. Colonel Kairnes, supplying
himself with a quantity of suitable goods, leift with tbe band
on a trading venture among the Comanches, Amd
it is of record that "he was treated well and m'ade much
money." Encouraged by these results, a party of thirteem
men afterwardis left Sam Antonio with goods to trade with
them ; biut as they were never beard of lagadn, it Avias sup
posed they were treacherously murdered by ithie Camanches.*
A treaty of peace Avas concluded with the Tonkawas, at
Houston, April 11,1838, and signed by Secretary of War
Barnard E, Bee and Col. Georgie W. Hockley for Texas, and
chiefs, Placido, Benavido, Campos and Oquin, for the Indians.
It contained the following, among other provisions: "Art.
1. The Tonkawa Indians • • • .being desirous of enjoying
thedr hunting grounds andi homes in peace and also, that
their white brothers may be fully assured that they sincerely
Arish to loA'e them as brothiers,do agree and promise to bring
to just punishment such individuals of their .tribe las may
commit any depredation upon the property or injure the per
son of any of the citizens belonging to the Republic of Tex
as, "Art, 2, Hon, B. E. Bee amd Col, G, W. Hockley, com-
misioners on the part of the Republic of Texas, being desir
ous that their red brothers,, the Tonkawas, may not be
cheated by bad men, Arill forthwith appoint an agent who
shall superintend their blusiness and protect their riights and
see that this agreement is compUed with by all.
"It was stipulated that five Tonkawa cLiefs should
visit the seat of Government twioe a year and talk with
»Win, Preston Johnston's "The Ufe of Albert Sidoer Johnston." P. 89.

246 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
the President and amicably adjust aU differences."
An aet of the Texas Congress, approved May 15, 1838,
authoriaed the Presidemt to raise a corps of cavalry, to con
sist of two hundred men, eniUsted for not less than one nor
more than three years, for the protection of th© southwest-
iftrn frontiervFollowing the "big talk" at San Antonio, it appears that
the President succeeded in comcludiug a treaty of peaice with
the Comanches, at the Capital, signed on May 29, 1838,* by
Secretary of State, R. A. Irion, and Dr. Ashabel Smith, for
Texais, and chiefs MuguarroL^ Mueetyad and MuLy for the
Indians. TLe ComancLiesi vrere to quit stealing from, and
murdering wLite people. TLe cLiefs were to visit tLe seat
of Government ait stated timDea to discuss matters of mutual
interest and to peaiceably settle grievances. TLe folowing
•were some of tLe articles of the compacit: "Art. ft. The
ComancLes bind themselves to make war upom all tribes of
Indians that may make, or attempt to make, war on the trad
ers. "Art. 10. The ComancLes promise tLat tLey wHl stand
by the white man and be Lis friend against aU of Lis ene
mies • • • and vriU not kUl Lim or steal Lis property.
"Art 11. Peace is never to die between the parties
tLat make tLis agreememt, tLey have shaken hanida upon it,
and tLe Great Spirit Las looked down and seen their ac
tions. He Arill curse aU tLe cLiefs tLat tell & lie before Lis
eyes, TLeir women and cLildren cannot be heppy^"
But tLe ink was scarcely dry on the instrument before
it was violated by 'thiese faithless and fiendish savage, whom
we soon find not only "raiding, robbing ahd scalping as of
yore, but -with the reckieels ahandon of back-sliders."
A treaty of peacie wasi entered into -with the Waoos,
Techuacanas, KeeeLies and Towash ^a-wnee) Indians Sept,
2, 1838. It was negotiatied by Holland Coffee mear tLe
mouth of the Washita in Fannin county.
)f Archtrea— Indiaa Affaira— State Ltbratr,

BORDER WARS OP .TEXAS. 247
HoweiT^r impracitiical Houston's poUey may have bielen
we see that no efforts were lacking to conciUate the Tpdian^.
How far these mieasures served in prteventing hos)t9itie«
one canmot judge — since the catalogue of crimes and trage-
die» ia seemingly most cctoiplete, as may be seen from ai re
view of the history of this period.

SXTRVEYORS FIGHT ON BATTLE CREEK
, One of the blooddeislt and hardest fought battles- thait
ever took place on Texas soU between white men and In
dians was what is knoAm in Listoijy as the Surveyors
Fight, which occurred near the present vUlage of Dawson,
Navarro county, in October, IBSS.
Omitting many details of thrilling incidents and acts of
imdiridual heroism in this celebrated encounter and fierce
border drama, we shalll give the principal facts of tLe affair
as contained in a letter to tLe autLor from tLe late Gen. Wal
ter P. Lane, one of tLe participants, and wLo escaped the
fearful conflict vrith life and lived to participate in many oth
er bloody battles — ^but none so hotly contested nor so fatal,
considering numbers engaged and arms employed.
- MarsLall, Texas, May 18, 1885.
• James T. DeSLieldis, Esq.,
Belton, Texas.
Dear Sir: — Your letter asking me to give you an account
of the fight AritL tLe Kiekapoo Indians, September 8, 1838,
is just to hand. In answer I wUl say that I was in a fight
¦with the Indiams on Richland Creek, (afterwards caUed Bat
tle Creek) but it has beem so long ago I have forgotten
miosit of the iu'ddents.
We started — a, surveying party of twenty-two men and a
boy from Old Frauiklin, in Robertson county, Captain NeU
commanddng, and William Henderson, surveyor. We camped
on the second day at Parker's Fort. Tvro years before
that the Fort had been taken hy the Comamches, tLe men
kUled, and the Avopiem aad children taken' into captiArity.

248 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
When we reacLed Battle Creek it was day, so we em
camped on tLe OtLer side, some two miles beyond, where
we found some 300 Kiekapoo Indians killing buffalo for win
ter supplies. We got on very well Avith them till we com
menced surveying. Tbey tried to frighten us off by stat
ing that the lomies were coming down to kUl us, and it
would be laid on them. We would mot go. The .third day
we came to camp in the morning to cock breakfast, when
they begged us again to go. After breakfast we went back
to resume onr surveying where we left off. A mUe from
camp they lambuscaded us in a ravine ; some fifty fired on us
at forty yards. We chaiiged them, when 100 more sLowed
tLemiselves in tLe timber bebind them. At the same time
300 charged -down upom us om horseback from tbe prairies.
TLey rode around us, firing. We retreated to tLe Lead of a
ravine in tLe prairie; its banks were some four or five feet
Ligh, witL a few cottonwood trees growing on them. The In
dians got scA-^eauty-five yards below us and: ccmmenced firing.
This was about nine o 'clock. Whenever cne of our men
wouldi put up his head to shoot, twenty-fiA'e Indians would
pull down en him. The Indians had climbed up in these Cot
tonwood tnees in order to shoot over into the creek, A gal
lant gentleman, Mr, Euclid M. Cox, got .behind a lone tree
on the bank, and fired for scA^eral hours, shooting at the In
dians in the trees below, but exposing his body, he was shot
thrOngh the spine. He fell from the tree, the Indians stiU
firinig at him, I ran up the bank took bim by the shoulder,
and, under heavy fire dragged him to the raArine. Mr. Cox
was still aUve when Lis companions made their escape but
realizing that Ms woumd was fatal Le urged thiem to save
themselves amd leave him to Lis fate. Button, one of Lis
companions, proposed to stay and die Ari.tL Lim ; Le told But
ton tLere was mo chamoe for him, giring him one of Lis
pistols amd told Lim tLat if Le made Lis escape to give tLe
pi@tol to Lis wife ; tLe otLer, he took in his Land and re
marked tLat he would keep tLis one to defend) hdniself AritL,
Button; mode Lis escape and deUvered the pistol as requested

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 249
and it is now in tbe possession of Sheriff Cox of HiUs4)oro.
Davis of Sam Augustine, who was well mounted, tried to
break through- but the Indians caught and killed him in sight.
We fought till twelve o'clock at night. We wene waiting
for the moon to cloud over before Ave charged through them
to the bottom- one fourth mile distant. At that time we
broke through. The Indians kept thirty stfeps in our rear,
firing. We would face around fmd fire. We Lad three
horses left when we retreated, with two wcunded men on
each. Captain Neill was shot in the back lamd fell. He caU
ed to me to help him on a Lorse, wLose rider was just killed.
Two of us got Lim on, but the horse and rider were both
kUled before they got tAventy steps. I bad got AritLin one
Limdred yards of the timibeir whem I was shot in the leg,
splintering tbe bone, I made out to reach a tbiidket in com
pany Arith Henderson and Button, the only tAvo Avho were
mot wounded. We got into a deep ravine that led to the
creek. I called to Henderson to stop and tie up my leg as
I was bleeding to death. He did so promptly. We went
doAvn some distance and heard the Indians following us. We
climbed on the bank and lay down Avith our guns cocked.
Twelve of them passed so close I could have touched tLem.
We got on the creek an hour before day, amd followed doAvn
till we found some muddy water. We left the creek and
went on the back till Ave found a log reaching to a b-rushy
island. We crossed over it and lay hidden all day. We
could hear the Inidians on the bank looking for us. At dark
we started. When I got to my feet the pain from splinters of
the bone was so great that I fainted. When I came to, I heard
Button tell Henderson to come on and leave me, for I could
not get to the settlements. I arose to my feet, cursed But
ton, and told Lim I would beat him to the settlements —
wLicL I did. We traveled two days v/itLout water before we
reacLed TeLuaeania HUl, A party of Kickjapoos fouaad us at
the sprimg (tLey did not kmow of our figLt Arith their tribe).
They poimted to my bloody leg and' asked "Who shot you "I
I told him we had a fight with the lomies, and we had gotlo«t

250 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
.from our party going Lome. TLey took us to tLeir camp,
gave us plenty to eat, amd tLeir jsqua-ws treated^ us very
kindly. In two days after we got to Franklin tLe people
raised/ a oompany amd went to Battle Creek and buried tb-^
bones of our men. Summed up, sixteen kiUed, seven escaped
five 'of whom were badly wounded.
Mr. Violet had his thigh wounded in the edge of the
timber. He ate green haAvs for two days and them struck out
lor Tehuacana HiU, distance twenty-five miles, om his hau'ds
and knees. The party we sent up found lam nearly fam
ished, brought Lim to the settlement, and cared for him.
Yours truly,
Walter P. Lame.
Further incidents occur..'ing in the course of this fear
ful engagement and especiaUy detailing the tragic fate of
the brave Euclid M, Cox, are gleaned from a graphic narra
tive of this affair by Mr, T. H, Dixon who Avrote from au
thentic data supplied by John P. Cox, a surviving son of the
noble martyr-pioneer.
As Gen. Lane has stated, the little band of hardy pio
neers Avere suiToumded on all sides and quickly realized that
to charge in any direetiom would be certain death. The en
filade of the Indians was alrtady fierce. In this dilemma
they discovered mear them the head of a ravime, the bed
of which was some five or six feet im depth, amd to Avhich
-Jhey made way with their wounded in all possible haste.
On gaining this refuge they managed to check the on
slaught of the Indians and succeeded by cautious firing,
bravery and alertness, in holding their position. But along
the banks of the ravine no foliage appeared behind which
they could conceal their position, other tban a large and lone
tree standing near the bank, and in order to shoot it be
came necessary for them to show their heads, and every
time this was done a perfect fusiUade of buUets whistled about
tixem from the guns of the savages. Though partially

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 251
protected by the friendly banks of the ravine the Uttle band
of brave and dauntless men were completely Lemmed in on
aU sides by Lordes of painted and yelling warriors.
"About noon (says Dis.on) the daring and intrep
id Euclid M. Cox conceived tbe idea of gaining the shelter
of the oak above mentioned, and by the us» of extreme
caution he managed to secrete himself im itjs foUage amd
from! this jxlace of concealment he managedi for nearly tATO
hours to pour a continuous and deadly fire into the savage
ranks. Unfortunately, Lowever, in an unguarded moment
this hero exposed a portion of his body to the savages and
tLey greeted its appearance with a perfect wLirlArand of
sLot, one of wLicL penetrated Lis spine causing Mm to fall to
tbe ground, and the Indians moticing this, and beUeAong that
Le was tLe leader of tLe party, redoubled thedr firing at
that point. At the time of the fall of the brave man from
the tree, Gen. Walter P. Lane, then in the prime and vigor
of Lis early manhood, cLanced to be im tbe ravine near by,
and noting the imminent peril of Lis heroic amd wounded
companion, dashed from hiss place of refuge and with lead
en missUes hailing all about him, seized Coot by the shoul
ders and pulled him to the bed of the ravine. This Leroie
conduct of Walter P. Lane was but in keeping Arith bis sub
sequent deeds of valor upon full many a hard fought field,*
"The rescue of Cox's wounded body, and the escape of
Lane in safety back to the ravine appeiared to arouse the
fuiy of the savages to the utmost, and from that time for
ward until mightfaU the hard pressed heroes found it a
matter of extreme difficulty to hold tLe savages at bay.
They realized that somethimg must be dome and tLat speedi
ly, for tLey Lad been fightimg hand aU day Arithout food or
water, and their thirst was becoming umibearable, A comsiU-
tation was Leld and it was decided tLat upon the going
doAVtt of *he moon at midnight, tLey would make a desperate
«Gea. Walter p. Lana -waatbe teat ¦nrrl-ror of thia masaoraUa flsht. Tbasrandeld
haro ot aareral wars and maiir sfaailar bord«r affisya. finally dlad In peae* at an adraaeed
ace on Janoary 28,1892. and hia ramalas reat to "Old Marshall CemeterT" at Marshall.
HanrisoB eosatr. Texaa. Pace* to bis ashea.

352 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
attempt to charge tLrougL tLe savages and' gain tLe shelter
of tLe timber, about half a mile distant.
"Among the survivors in the ravine, was a man by tbe
name of Davis, wLo Lailedi from San Augustine wLo being
well mounted, determined to make an effort to reach the tim
ber by charging through the savages sangie handed and
alonie in order to be im a piositJon at midnight to aid his com
panions in thedr desperate resolA-^e by opening fire upon the
Bavages from the rear, hoping thereby to withdraw at
tention from the ravine until his companions could succeed
in making considerable headway. He bade Lis companions
good-by and started upon' Lis desperate ride, but both horse
and rider perished before they Lad gottem tLirty yards. At
last tLe moom sank to rest behind the horizon, and the little
hand began active preparations for their desperate charge.
They had three horses left tliem and upon eacL tLey put
tATO of tLeir woimded wLo could ride.
"TLa brave and daring Cox reaUzing Lis position full weU,
amd knowing that Le Lad but a few Lours to live, woiUd not
hear to Lis companions remaining behind with him, but in
sisted upon their taking their leave. One of the survivors,
a youmg man who was in the employ of Cox, went to him
and begged to be permitted to remain with him, but the
dying hero AA'ould) not hear to it, ahd taking one of the
pistols from his belt, he handed it to his friend and request
ed that in the event of his escape he give the weapon to
his beloved wife, then at their home in Washington county,
and whose loved form he was destined never more to see
upom this earth. This party was one of the few survivors
of this massacre, and he carried out to the letter the in
structions of his dead employer. Mr. John P. Cox of Hills
boro, who has beem for nearly a fifth of a eemtury tbe sher
iff of HUl county, has that very pistol of Lis dead fatLer
im hia possessd'on to-day, and as Le exLibited it to the writer
has eyes beamed with pride and affection upon it. But let
US proceed with the narrative.
"During that fearful midnight cLarge, aU but three of

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 253
the survivors of the day's fighting were kUled or wounded,
and among the latter was the heroic WaUer P. Lane, who
had his leg broken by a bullet, but managed to gain the
timber in safety in spite of his Avound. Smith-, Button, and
the gallant Col. W, F, Henderson Avere the three Avho es
caped unhurt, but amidst great suffering. In the charge,
the party became separated, and one of their numiber wan
dered through the country alone for days andi weeks, but
finally succeeded) in reaching the settlements, Violet, who
had his leg broken, also became separated from his com
panions in that fearful charge and crawled twenty-five
miles in that condition to Tehuacana Springs, where he was
rescued 'a week later in a famished and almost dying con
dition, Henderson and Button with the Avounded Lane
slowly proceeded toward the settlements.
"The Indians knowing, well the route they had to take
or would take en the journey and being desirous of killing
the tmtire party proceeded ahead, and Avaylaid the route they
expected them to take. But fojrtumately for those gallant
heroes, LoA-e and Jackson, chanced to discover the Indians
while returnang from the settlement with the compass, and
after a shoa?t skirmish succeeded) dn routing them. They
were surprised upon proceeding some distance further, to
meet Henderson and Button Avith the wounded Lane slowly
Avalking into the trap set for them by the Av-ily savages,
and it Avas here that they first learned of the sad fate that
had befallen their party. After carrying Lane to the settle
ment a burial party was organized and they set out for the
purpose of interring their dead.
"Upon reaching the scene of the fight they recovered and
buried beneath the spreading boughs of the C'ak on the
bank of the ravine, the dead bodies of seventeen heroes.
They found the dead body of the heroic Cox near Avhere
they had left him at his own request to die alome im the
darkness of the night, for the reason tLat he knew he had
ri'ceived his death wound, and that any attempt to save
him would be useless, WLen they left tLis hero on that

254 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
fateful night, life was not entirely gone from his body and
a loaded pistol was left with him, but om their return it
was gone, and mear him were pools of blood, imdicating that
he had dealt the death wound to at least another savage
prior to the fUght of hia soul to that other worid."
• ? •.> #»••••
Should the tourist, seeking objects of historical interest,
and shrines of hero worship chance to visit the vicinity of
this desperate contest between white and red men in the long
ago, he would behold beneath t£e boughs of a majestic, but
a battle-iscarred, oak, a beautiful shaft towering far above
the surrounding undergrowth, and upon closer inspection he
would find it chiseled Arith the names of the heroic dead who
rest beneath it; the date and manner of their death, etc.—
a fitting memorial erected a few years since, in commemora
tion of the gaUant figLt tLey made for the supremacy of
tLe.wLite man and civilization, by two loving sons of the gal
lant EucUd M. Cox; John P. Cox wLo Las spent tLe best
years of Lis life as a sheriff and in enforcing tLe laws of
Lis country, and Rev. J. Fred Cox, a presiding elder of tLe
M. E. cLurcL SoutL, long laboring for the mplifting of mait
in Texas — a tribute of noble sons to tbe valor of tLeir wortLy
sire and Lis equally gallant comrades wLo lost tLeir lives
in defense of tLis land against savagery- And reader, were
you a stranger and knew mot tLe Icgemds of our border
land, any Texan, with swel!Ung pride ahd patriotic emotions,
would tell you in substance the story here recounted — ^the
traditions of our border history and the valorous deeds of
our matchless pioneers that have been handed down, trans-
mitfted as it were, from bleeding sire to son.*

*- Hillsboro, Texas, Febraary 14, 189S.
Mr. lames T. neShields, FarmersTiUe, Tczaa,
Dear Sin I send yon herewith the photoerapb of the monnment to the heroes of ths Bat
tle Creek, or Snrrayors Ssht, also of my fathers pistoL My father, Euclid M. Cox, waa
bom in Kentocky, near Bowling Green. Ha came to Texas In Febraaiy. 18S2. I haT* hi*
oassport from Ncir Orleans to Texaa. glyn by tbe Mexican Council. Be was in'tha battle
of CoBcapelon and the Grass flsht in 1835, and scrrcd under Gen. Sam Houston In tha eam-
saljtnoflSSeL I append a list of thm who were killed in the Battle Creek tgkt, and whoaa nanaa

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 255
FATE OP OTHER SURVEYING EXPEDITIONS.
Earlier in this year, perhaps two or tbree months be
fore tLe occurrence of tLe Surveyors FigLt, above narrated,
the veteran surveyor. Col. Wm. F. Henderson, had lead a sur
veying party from Old Franklin to the same vicinity and
succeeded in doing some work on Pin Oak, a small tributary
of Richland creek, in Navarro county. But the party exper
ienced considerable trouble from Indians; one of the men —
Holland — ^LaAring been killed and the balance of tbe corps
forced to desist frpm work and retreat to tLe settlements.
At tLe same time another surveying party conducted by
CoL RicLard Sparks from Fort Houston (now Palestine) pen
etrated tLe same section and attempted to survey lands —
eomewLat in conjunction AritL Henderson's party. But
Spark's party also met witL disaster — ffirst, Berry, one of
tLeir men wLo became separated from Lis companions, was
brutally murdered, and tLen the Indians atltacked the party,
kiUing Colonel Sparks and dispersing the "balance,
who escaped afoot and witLout food or arms Arith which to
kill game, finally reaching the settlements in sad pligLt,
TLe sad and unsuccessful results of tLese and other exp*
ditions, going out of Old Pranldin, Fort Houston and tLat
section of tLe country, completely broke up tbe Springfield
and otLer more advanced settlements, and f urtLer efforts im
tLat direction were not again attempted untU about 1844-45
wLen tLe Indians were pusLed back, effectual surveys ac-
complisLed and tLe country regularly located and permanent
ly settled.

THK PIONEER MOTHERS OF TEXAS.
During tLe winter of 1837-8, Indians vrere exceedingly

appear on the monnment: Euclid M. Cox, Tom Bartca, Sam Allen, — Ingraham. — Dairla.
J. Hard. Asa T. Mitchell, J. Neal. Wm. Tremier, - Spikes, J. Bulloch, N. Baker. A. Hous
ton. P. M. Jones. Jamea Jones. Dave Clark, J. W. Williams. Thc few to escape were Wat
ter P. Lane, W. F. Henderson. — Violet. - Button, and — Smith.
I hep* to read your history soon. Jor I am satisfied it will be One.
Yours truly JobttP Cos

256 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
hostile toward the people of the Brazos, depredating to such
an extent- that the few advanced settlers were compelled to re
move down to tbe more populous settlements. Among tLose
to abandon their newly acquired homestead was Wm. Smith
and family, Avho had located in the Brazos bottom. While
loading their housiehold effects into a wagon for moving,
they were attacked by a party of Indians. Barring the
doors of their log cabin, they prepared for defense, but un
fortunately found that most of their ammunition was in
the wagon. The situation Avas critical, requiring quick and
desperate action. The brave wife and mother was equal to
the emergency. — ^unmindful of her great peril — thinking only
of protecting her loved ones — she opened the door, rushed to
the wagon near by in the yard, and secured a supply of
poAvder and lead, returned, AA-ith but slight wounds, amid a
perfect shower of balls and arrows, and calmly set to work
moulding bullets. Firing through the cracks with good aim
as. opportunity offered, Mr. Smith Arithstood the fierce and
prolonged attack, cuasing the savages to retire Arith their
wounded. As soon as expedient, the family retreated Arith
their effects into the settlements. The following year, Mr.
Smith participated, as we have seen, in tihe famous Battle
Creek fight, and escaped to lender much serA'ice on the'
southwestern frontier. He was a brave. Christian gentleman.
His heroic and noble wife, noted for her many virtues, liA[ed
to rear an interesting and worthy family of sons and daugh
ters— one son, the late Prof . Smith of Old Salado CoUege, be
ing personally knoAvn to the Avriter.
Forever honored and exalted be the memory of the no
ble and matchless pioneer mothers of Texas. Brave, hardy,
and suffering severest trials Avithout shirking or complaint,
the highest tribute should be conferred on them, because
'a spirit so resolute, yet so adventurous, so unambitious
yet so exalted — a spirit so highly calculated *o awaken a
lovo of the pure and noble, yet so uncommon, never before
actuated tbe ancestral matrons of any land or clime."

1. REV. ANDREW DAVtS
a. COLLIN MCKINNEY

JNO. W. W/IUBARGER
4. ABRAM ANGI-tN

MONUMEMT TO HEROES OF BATTLE CREEK FIC3HT

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 257
The mothers of our frontier land!
St'ou-*-hearted dames were they.
With nerves to wield the battle-brand
And join the border fray.
Our rough land had no braver ones
In the days of blood and strife —
Aye, ready for the severest toil,
Aye, free to peril life.
The mothers of our frontier land
Their bosoms piltowed men!
And proud indeed, were they to stand
In hummock, fort! or glen;
To load the sure old rifle.
To run the leaden ball, ' I
To stand beside a husband's place
And fiU it should he fall.
The moi^hers of our forest land.
Such was their daily deeds,
Their monument where does it stand?
Their epitaph! Who reads?
No braver dames had Sparta,
No nobler matrons Rome,
And yet who lauds or honors them.
In this their OAvn green home?

EARLY DAYS OF BASTROP.
Like Gonzales on the Guadalupe, and NashvoUe on the
Brazos, Bastrop on the Colorado, was for some years an ex
treme outpost, and in consequence suffered .greatly from In
dian depredations. The toAvn was first laid out by Stephen
F, Austin in 1830, and naimed in honor of tiiat early friend
to the Austins and colonial Texas — ^the Baron de Bastrop,
Some of the most prominent early defenders of Texas; as
the Burlesons, the Wilbargers, the WUeys, the Hardemans,
the Andersonsi, the Bartons, Robt, M. WilUamson, High-
smiths, Robt. M. Coleman, John CaldweU, Dalrymple, GU-

258 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
leland, Barkley, John W. Pace, Bartlett Sims, Jesse ("Buck
skin") Billingsley, Cicero Rufus Perry, Geren Brown, John
Egglestlon, and many others of Avhom space f orbidfe mention
Lere, Avere residents of this town.
The munacipality of Bastrop took an early and promi
nent part in the revolutionaiy movement for independence
in 1835, being the first to organize a comonittee of safety.
Some of the stirring and bloody episodes occurring in
and around this truly frontier tOAvn have already been mar-
rated and other incidents will be briefly noted in this con
nection. John Eggleston, an early settler and a worthy soldier
in tbe Texas war of independence, was kiUed by Indiains in
the toAvn of Bastrop. Wilbarger furnishes the foUoAring inci
dents of his tragic f aite;
"Near Eggleston 's residence, one of his neighbors. Car
ter Anderson, had picketed in a large lot for the safe keep
ing of tis stock, the gate of wLicL was fa.stened every night
witL a chain and padlock. One dark night in January,
1838, Eggleston happened to be walking on the street near
Anderson's lot. Hearing a rattling of the chain' at the gate
and thinking probably some one was trying to enter it, he
concluded to inv^tigate the matter. As he approached
he heard, as he thought, the grunting of hogs, and see
ing seyeral dark oh'jects moving in the vicinity, he
naturally supposed they were hogs and turned to retrace
his step. Just as he did so an arrow struck him in tbe
breast. Eggleston fled, crying out 'Indians' as he went.
There were a few men on guard at the time, Avho heard Lis
cries and hurried to his assistance, but they were unable
to pursue the Indians, for the night Avias a very dark one,
and they made itheir escape. Eggleston survived for three
days in great agony."
Soon after tLis the Indians again entered tLe town at
night, kiUing Messrs. Hart and Weaver, and escaped.
A little later, some tLree miles east of town, Messrs.
Bobinson and Dollar were riving boards, wben tLey were

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 25^
surprised by fifteen Indians. Says Brown: "Each sprang
upon Lis Lorse, near by, but Robinson was kUled at the
same moment, whUe DoUar was pursued and hemmed on a
LigL bank of the river; but leaving Lis horse, Le leaped
down the bank about twenty feet, swam the Colorado and
then hastened to town. Soon afterwards he started to
leave the country and Avas never again heard of. No doubt
was entertained, however, of his having been kiUed by In
dians."* -......-
In the winter of this year a citizen was kUled by In
dians in tbe streets of Bastrop. In fact scarcely a montL
passed tLat tLe tovm was not visited by some murdering
band of Indians, but tbe details in most instances, are ,too
meager for record.

CAPTAIN HARVEY'S ADVENTURE,
Among tLe early and useful pioneers, personally known
to tLe Avriter, was Capt. JoLn Harvey, who long resided at
the beautiful Uttle vUlage of Salado in BeU county j
and Avhere he di'ed about 1886. He was another Tenne-
seean to Texas, bom in 1810, and emigrating in 1834. He
participated in the battle of San Jacinto, and afterwards
joined several expeditions against Indi^si and Mexioans. Be
ing a surveyor by profession and doing much work on the
frontier, he had a number of adventures and escapades.
TLe foUoAving incident, though not resulting in tragedy,
wUl be of thriUing interest :
Harvey, accompanied by a party of twenty men,.
camped in the territory tjraversed by the San Saba, but
several miles from the stream, for the purpose of surveying
lands granted to German eolonists.
Bis companions were inexperienced and he found it im
possible to induce them to take ordinary precautions against.
surprise and attack 'by hostile Indians. The weather being
sultry, the men dispersed in various directions for water,
leaving Harvey in camp.
»BmrB-i Iniimm Ware and Pleoeen af Teoae.

260 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Becoming thirsty himself, some time after their depart
ure, he struck out down a ravine. Loping to find a pool of
water. After Le Lad proceeded for a mile or more, Le was
suddenly surrounded and captured by Waco Indians, who
rose from behindl busies Avhere tliey had beeo crouching and
awaiting his approach.
With their prisoner they started for camp. On
the way they stole '» pony from a Comanche camp and be
ing very hunigry, kiUed it and cooked and late part of it.
They then tied a hind-quarter of the animal — over one hun
dred pounds of meat — on Harvey's back and hastened oa
to their rendezvous. No Lalt Avas made tLere, but the entire
band at once started on the retreat to their distant home.
They traveled without pause until sunset, and then stopped
for the purpose of camping for the night. Harvey had been
compeUed to carry 'his bxirden and keep up with them over
mountains and across gulches and canyons, and was com
pletely exhausted.
A m.oment 'later the pursuing Comanches daehed upon
the scene and' surrounded the camp. The Wacos offered no
resistance. In obedience to the command of the Comanche chief,
they produced the Waco who bad stolen the pony, aud he
was inunediately tied and staked to the ground, and given
three hundred lashes on the bare back Avith a rawhide whip.
Ee then asked who Avas responsible for taking the white
man prisoner. The Wacos indicated their chief, and the
Comanches immediately seized and bound him, and gave him
the same kind of flogging.
They gave Harvey a butcher knife and 'told him to kiU
the Waco chief. He refused to do so. They then urged
him to out off the chief's ears. This he also declined to do.
The Comanche chief ordered the Wacos not to further
molest Harvey or his men and departed, taking him with
them and started Lim back to Lis own camp. Por some rea
son, it seems, they considered Lim and his men, as being un
der their special protection.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. , | 261
KARNES' FAMOUS FIGHT,
On August 10, 1838, Capt. Henry Karnes, with twenty
volunteers, was halting on the Arroya Seco, a small stream
west of the Medina, when they were suddenly and unexpect
ed! attacked by about; 200 armed and mounted Comanches,
Quick as possible the rangers secured their horses, and im
mediately prepared— Hsomewbat protected by a ravine and
the chaparal — for defense. Ten to one, the Indians were con
fident of success, and charged Avith exultant yells. The Tex
ans were cool and determined, firing with deadly aim and in
alternate platoons, by which one third of their guns were
always loaded to mieet the oft repeated attacks at close
quarters. Again and again tLe Indi'ans charged and were re
pulsed, tiU more than twenty of tLeir warriors were slain,
and as many more wounded, wLen tLey gave up the con
test, retreating with tLeir dead. Captain Karnes, greatly ex
posed, received a severe wound, (which two years later caus
ed his death) besides nearly every horse belonging to his men
was either killed or wounded.
This was a most gallant and successful defense against
immense odds, the skill and bravery displayed, stamping ev
ery member of the little company a real hero.

CAPTURE OF IVIATILDA LOCKHART AND THE PUT-
MAN CHILDREN,
In October, 1838, occurred the capture of Matilda Lock
hart and the Putman children, one of the notable incidents
of Texas border history. The following account is from the
pen of A, J, Sowell, and is believed to be substantially cor
rect: "In the fall of 1838 there lived two families on the west
bank of the Gaudalupe river, two miles below the town of
Gonzales, named Putmain and Lockhart. They were industri
ous, good citizens and had just begun to get things into shape
again around their homes after the tenrible "runaway
scrape," as it warn eaUed, and the battle of San' Ja«into. life
ahead of them looked bright and ebeerfnl, but alas fw humui

262 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
hopes and aspirations, how soon was their cup of sorr.ow to
be filled to overflovring and they compelled' to drink to
the bitter dregs! In the fall of the above named- year Matil
da Lockhart and three of the Putman children, two girls and
a, boy, James, the youngest of the party, went to the river
bottom for the punpose of gathering pecans. For some time
they gathered the nuits which were in abundance and their
merry laugh ever and anon rang out through the gloomy
forest. At last it was time to go home, their vessels were f lUl
and their exertions had given them a keen appetite for their
dinner the Lour for which had now passed. The girls got
their bonnets and buckets and the merry group emerged) from
the bottom' to the edge of tLe prairie, but what a sight now
met the 'cyes of those merry ones, tbe laughing voices were
hushed and the cheeks whieh a moment ago glowed Arith
health and gay spirits now blanched and paled with terror.
There, in a few yards of them, rode a band of wUd painted
Comanche Indians ; the scourge of the Texas frontier. Es
cape was impossible. With a wild shout the Indians circled
around them and all were soon captured and carried scream
ing away on the horses of the .painted demons who dashed
up 'the valley tOAvard their hunting grounds in the great
west. When the childrem did not come home at the proper
time the parents became uneasy and repaired to the pecan
groves to search for them. No pen can describe the agony
of those parents when they came to the spot where the
capture had taken place. A bonnet here, an overturned buck
et there, and peoans scattered everywhere. Out in the prairie
lay little Jimmie's hat. The ground was torn up by horse
tracks and too well these pioneers knew Avhat had become of
their loved ones. No time was to be lost. Neighbonsi were
notified, and soon a party was on the trail of the daring red
men. Lockhart was furious and vowed' vengenoe of the most
direful nature aa he spurred' madly on the traU. Putman was
more cautious but not lacking in courage. He had fought at San
Jacinto. He advised the men to move cautiously and not rush
into an ambuscade. The trail led up the river to the foot of

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 263
the mountains and Lere it was lost. TLe laiat sign of the In-
diana waa seen on a sand bar at the mouth of the Comal
river where the towm of New Braunf els now is. Andrew
Sowell who was one of the trailing party says they turned
back bene but against the wishes of Lockhart who wanted to
go on into the mountains. After the return a larger force
was raised and onoe more went in pursuit. This time they
came upon the Indians in their village in the mountains and a
battle waa fought which was disastrous to the settlers, as
they were greatly outnumbered. Lockhart was woimded
and it was Arith diff ictdty that the men could iget him away
as he stiU Avanted to fight. In 1840 a treaty was made with
the Comanches in which Matilda Lockhart was recovered,
aud later on James Putman who at that time was about 16
years of age and as Arild as- any Indian. He would not sleep
on a bed or in a house, nor eat with a knife and fork. The
oldest Putmaai girl became the wife of a chief and Uved' and
died a wild life among the Indians.
"About 30 years after the capture of the chUdren a
man named Chenault who had been an Indian agent, moved
to Gonzales from Missouri, bringing a lady Arith him whom
he had bought from the Indians several years before. He had
carried her to Lis Lome in Missouri and when he came to
Texas brought her Arith him as a member of tLe family. This
was the youngest Putman girl, SLe could not remember Ler
name but said the Guadalupe valley was strangely famiUar to
her. Her fatLer, wLo was stiU alive, Learing of tLe circum-
stauice came to see Ler and by marks on' her body identified
Ler as Lis long lost cLild, How strange that she should be
brought back almost 'to the very spot wLere she was captured
thirty years before. James Putman lived for many years in
Guadalupe county and died in Hays county in the early
seventies. He married a iridow Nash and had one daugh
ter named Sarah. He said the Indians carried him aU over
Tejas, New Mexico and Arizona and also parts of Califor
nia, He saw them fight several battles with emigrants on
the plaioa." " ,

264 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
IN THE SHADOW OP THE ALAMO — TRAGIC SCENES
OF INDIAN WARFARE AROUND SAN ANTONIO,
Although the most populous and important tOA^m in the
province and the Republic of lexas, San Antonio, being the
extreme, and isolated, outpost of civilization in that direc
tion, Avas, from early times, and until a much later period
than that of which we are noAV writing, greatly exposed to
Indian forays.
After the fall of the place and expulsion of the Mexican
soldiery, in December 1885, many of its Mexican residents,
some of much worth and respectability, left, crossing over
the Rio Grande. Thus depleted in population, but Uttle life
appeared in San Antonio from the campaigns of 1835-36 till
on the eve of opening the landJ office and preparations for
the survey of lands early in this year. These openings drew
to the place various surveyors, holders of bounty warrants
and head-right certificates, as well as many others, seek
ing either employment or adventure,*
At that date bands of Comanches, all professing friend
ship, frequented the vicinity — and 'visited the town re
newing treaties, but at the same time protesting
against surveyors exploring their country, marking the trees,
and running off the game. One of the first surveying par
ties to go out, while on the Rio Frio, had some of their
horses stolen by the Indians camped in the vicinity. Upon
discovering and demanding tbe animals a fight ensued in
which Jlr. Campbell, the surveyor, was killed^ and
Captain Cage severely wounded by a copper arroAV in his
cheek,** but narrowly escaped with his companions to tOAvn.
This .affair sufficiently demonstrated the necessity of larger
and well armed parties in successfully prosecuting further
work. i^Amonc other* appearinr at San Antonio about thia tim* and aaekins employnxnt a*
¦ tarr^or, was a youns man d«Bt>ned to parf orm a moat important and Diaritariotw «er-
vicein tha dafennot thc Texaa frontier and te rain much renown a* a fearleu border
chiet and partisan leader— Jack Bays, the famous Texas Ramrar.
W ^.The copper arrow-bead waa alcillf nlly aztraetcd by tbe aarly and cnlncnt Dr.
Smither* ef San Aatonio— a soldier tt Valasce la '82, wlMt with two eoaipaaioB*, was Bor
dered at the Cibela Sulphur Bprisffs, In ob* of tbe raids af I&<Z,

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 265
Accordingly, on the 21st of September, 1838, John C,
(Jack) Hays, in the double capacity of surveyor and com
mander, left Arit|i a force for the Leon, where they remained
about a month, running three compasses and doing consider-
tble work without serious hindrances.
About the middle of October anotber, but smaller, force .
was organized' for work closer in. On the 18th of this month
while camped at the Presidio crossing on tbe Leon, some
seven miles from town, they were surprised by Indians and
two of their number, Moses Lapham a soldier at San Jacin
to, and a Mr. Jones, of Bastr.jp. were killed. Mr. Earnest
and OtLers escaped on foot to Ioavti. "A Mexican named
Padre Goaner (says Thrall) was scalped, but succeeded in
yeadhing the cifty, wLere Le still (1878) lives."*
At tLe time. District Court (Judge James W. Robinson
presiding) was in session, from which cause there were more
persons than usual in town.
Hen'drick Arnold, a disciple of Deaf Smith, took com
mand of a few men, went out to reconnoitre, and had a
sligLt skirmish. Others were anxious to go, but some
lacked horses. Major Valentine Bennett, as quartermaster,
partly supplied this want, in so far that Oapt, Cage Avas
soon enabled to leave in charge of nine others, A few more
foUowed Cage on the Presidio road towards the scene of con
flict on the Leon. Time passed, and the house tops in town
were occupied by anxious persons scanning the Avest (for at
that dlay the vicAv was uninterrupted by bushes) for indica
tions of the anticipated engagement; and while so engaged
a party of Indians, in plain vi<;AV, passed' on the west side of
town, kiUing a Mexican cartmau and his oxen. Frightened
Mexicans occasionaUy rushed in with wild reports and the
interest! became intense among those powerless to render buc-
»'*0n the same day, Fntncisee A. Ruiz and Nicolas Florcs Ruiz were taken
prisoners. Francisco Ruiz was well known to the Indians aad that night one ef tb« chief a
antied bim aad told hbn to escape. Be now lives on the Medina RiTcr. Flares was ptab-
ably killed, as be was Derar heard of irfterwardB."-TbiaU's "Fietorlal History af Texas.'*

266 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
cor. Among those who Lad gone out witL Cage, or followed
after, were Judge Hood,* Gen. Dunlap, (late of Tennessee)
James Campbell, an Irishman, appropriately knoAvn from his
volubiUty as "Talking" Campbell, — BaUey, — Lee, a
young merchant from Houston, — 0 'Boyle, Robert Patton
and others whose names cannot now be given. On the way
out, before reaching the Leon, the Indians appeared, the vol
unteers not yet being united, but in vicAv of each other. Di
vided counsels prevailed. Some proposed occupying a grove
not far off — otjhers opposed. The enemy encircled them, but
in doing so, Campbell, mounted on a fleet gray horse, broke
for town, pursued by several Indians. Though closely pressed,
he i outran his pursuers, and was the first messenger to
report. Cage and 0 'Boyle dismounted at a tree and caUed
on the others to do lik'CArise; but they prefered fighting on
horseback. Hood and BaUey charged through the Indians
and then back to their comrades, in which the former was
woundtd by an arrow. Bailey's gun then failed to fire and
Hoed had but one charge left. Cage and 0 'Boyle, on the
ground, and Lee on horseback, were killed about this time,
as were several others, Robef t Patton was lanced in the arm
and his horse Av^ounded, Finally the Indians opened the
way toAvards toAvn, and the survivors, as their only hope,
seized the opportunity of a race for life. Speed Avas their
sole, reliance. As they dashed forAvard the enemy closed in
on their flanks and rear, and the chase only ceased as the
survivors entered the toAvn. Gen, Dunlap was lanced and
his' noble bay steed severely wounded. Some Avere killed as
the Tetreat began, A Mexican, naked and te'rribly wound
ed, crawled in some time later.
On the 20th Capt- Carras (or Carracas), Avith a company
of Mexicans and Americans (Wm. H. Hargis being of the
par|y) went out, gathered) up the remains of the ten un-
ffortunate settlers who had fallen and conveyed t|hem in.
Coffins were improvised by Major Bennett, it being a time
W Judge Hood waa killed by the Comanches In the Council Bouae hand-to-hand light
ln.San Antonio, in the eprins of 1840.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 267
wben lumber was very scarce, and on Monday, Octi. 21, 1838,
after an eloquent address by Judge James W. Robinson,
the deceased Leroes were committed to earth in the Ameri
can cemetery adjjoining the Campo Santo of the tOAvn.

INDLAN TROUBLES IN EAST TEXAS — FIRST STAGES
OF THE "CORDOVAN REBELLION."
July 1, 1838, Capt. Seguin A^rrote President Houston that
a messenger had just arrived in San Antonio, who reported
Laving seen two men, a German and a Mexican, wLo had
been kiUed by Comanches, and Avere lying by the road side
four mUes from town. Seguin said that he was about to
start vrith a company in pursuit of tLe Indians. In conclu
sion, Le urged upon the President the necessity for better
armed protection for the frontier. The poArorful pushing of
the frontier line westward, with surveyors moving in ald-
vance of it as avant couriers, was not the only cause that
stirred the Indians to deadly action in 1838 ; another equal
ly potent one was the miUtary policy adopted by the Mexi
can Government to keep alive its claim to Texas. It had in
view the invasion and re-conquest of Texias hy a Mexican
army with the aid of the entire body of Texas Indians as
aUies. *To secure their co-operation, agents were sent among
them to represent that they would be given fee simple titles
to all tbe lands they claimed if they would 'begin at once
and actively wage ceaseless, and murderous war upon the
whites. They Avere told that it was folly to expect any
thing from the whites except expulsion, or extermination;
and that if tLey stood by Mexico, it would stand hy them.
The white people suspected in a general Avay wLat was go
ing forward, but the leonoeption they entertaaned was so far
short .of the truth that they w re amazed at the extent and
diaboUsm of the actual plo(t when it was disclosed' by papers
captured in the foUovring year, under circumstances that
wUl be detailedf in the next chapter. (
The following is a statement of part of tbe con-

268 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Intents of one of the papels: A letter written by
Vicente Cordova to .Manuel Plores — and inserted here,
for the reason tLat it renders more intelligcible events
that foUow. The date of Cordova's letter is July 19, 1838.
He saye that Le had been commissioned by Gen. Filisola to
visit tb© Indians and induce tLem to become auxiliaries of
the Mexican naitional army of invasion ; andi Lad entered on
Lis duties by inviting a meeting of ueigLborioig tribes. Con
tinuing, he says: "Being informed that you Lave been ap
pointed for tbe same purpose, I would Uke to know what
preliminary action you LaA-^e taken, and for you to advance,
with such force as you may be able to commanid, las far as
you may judge; proper * • • to hold witb me verbal coanmun-
ioation in order that we may Lave, in our respective stations
an understanding, • • • and tLat you will bring the pipe,
of which I understand you are in possession, in order that
the Indian chiefs may smoke it, of tLe Cherokee and' otLer
tribes who Lave promised me to unite as soon as possible for
acti'on, and who Lave, also, agreed that, in case our plan
sLould be discovered in the meantime, tbey AriU commence
operations vritL tLe force we Lave in Land, it is LigLly de
sirable that you should approach to give us, in such case, a
helping hand."
August 4, 1838, citizens of Nacogdoches who were in
search of horses that had been stolen from them, found the
animals in a Mexican settlement. On the way home, with
their property, the Avhite men were fired upon and one of
their number killed. Tihey pursued the murderers a short
disfiance ; but coming into a large traU, returned to town,
August 7th, Oapt. JoLn Durst reported to Maj.-Gen.
Rusk, 'commaniiing tLe Texas miUtia, tLat one Lundred or
more Mexicans were under arms and encamped on the An
gelina river. Capt. Antonio MancLaca wLo went to tLe camp,
reported tLat tLere were 120 Mexicans and 25 Biloxi and
lonie Indians.
Gen. Rusk issued requisitiosi for -men of the eastern

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 26^
militia brigade and, whUe waiting for tabeco. to assemble, sta
tioned a company of sixty volunteers lat the lower crossing
of the Angelina. On the Sth, President Houston who waa in
Nacogdoches, issued a proclamation ordering the Mexicans
amd Indians to disperse and to return to their ¦h'Omes under
penalty of being declared' enemies of the Republic. On the
10th, it was learned that 300 Indians had joined t)!ie
Mexicans. On that day President Houston, received a
oommunication from Vicente Cordova, Nat Morris, J'Oshua
Robertson, Juan Jose Rodriguez, C. Morales, J, Santos Coy,
J. Vicente Miche'li, J. Arriola and A. Corda, leaders of the
insurgents, in which they refused to obey the execntive or
der and made vague declaration, as to their tdtimate pur
pose. During the day Cordova broke camp and marched in
the direction of the Cherokee settlement. Maj. Henry W,
Augustin at the head of a strong detachment, foUowed him,
while 'Gen. Rusk with bis main force advanced directly to
ward the Cherokee viUage. On reaching the. Neches Saline,
Gen. Rusk learned that Cordova's force had dissolved and
the leader, with a few of the more desperate Coosbaties and
Cherokees and some of his Mexican companions, had retreat
ed in the direction of the Kiekapoo viUage in the north
eastern comer of Anderson county. Rusk followed him
there ahd, forty miles further on to the Eallough settlements,
where he abandoned' the chase, there being no hope of over
taking the fugitives.
Joined by a few of the Kickapoos at their village, Cor
dova now made his Avay to the headwaters of the Trinity,
where he continued his fiendish machinations.
Thus the accidental circumstance of the search for stolen
horses, precipitated a series of events that spoiled his plans
for 1838. No army of invasion was moving from Mexico.
Not even Plores was at hand with a fore© to co-operate-
Yet the fierce anger of his Mexican felloAv conspirators at
the Americans, forced him to act, and he did so boldly and
caU-ed upon the Che-rokees to take the warjuith. Those In-

270 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
dians bad a great deal at stake. They were, also, more than
r.rdinarily "inteUigent. TLey saw tLat tLe emute was prema-
lure, and would be a faUure— they stUl Loped for justice
from tLe Americans, President Houston was in NaeogdocLeS,
and tbey Lad unbounded faith in the recititude of his inten
tions, and trusted that he had power to give effect to them,
hence they refused Cordova's overtures. ,

'. DEFEAT OF THE EICEAFOOS.
In the meantime, taking advantage of the disturbed con
ditions in tLat section, the Kickapoos were depredating to such
an extent as to call for prompt action. Accordingly, witL a
Lastily collected company of 200 volunteers. General
Rusk moved against tLem. LeaAring Fort Houston on Oct.
14tL, Le arrived in the vicinity of the Kiekai>oo toAvn (in wLat
is now Anderson. county) and at sunset on tLe foUoAring day
made a furious attack. After an engagement of some fif
teen minutes tLe enemy fled and were Lotly pursued for
some distance. No official report of tLis fight exists, but
itjis knoAvnIthat eleven warriors were left dead on the field
and presumably a much larger number were wounded. Rusk
had eleven men wounded but none kiUed.*

ROUTING THE COMANCHES,
A few days later, on the 25th of this month. Col, JoLn
C, Neil with his f-orce attacked a considerable party of Co
manches at the Jose Maria Village (afterwards tLe site of Fort
GraLam) in Young county. After a fierce and bloody battle,
tbe Indians were defeated and fled, "leaving many of tLeir
warriors slain," TLe casualties to tLe Texans are not
knoAvn, SucL miUtary demonstrations and summary dealings Arith
the savages and Mexicans, at least served to overawe and
prevent tLem fromi comibining in their raids.

»Indian Wars and Pioneer* af Texas, p, 107.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 271
TLe citizens of East Texas, with arms in their hands and
emboldened, under Rusk and other brave leaders, had noth
ing to fear; welcomed a challenge by the Indians to mortal
combat, and were more than a match for their Lated foes.
But murders, such as the Hutchison massacre; the trag
edies in the Eden's settlement, and other atrocious affairs,
occurring in the eastern part of t|he Republic about this pe
riod, chilled their hearts, not Arith a coward's terror, but an
appaUing one nevertheless, for thev realized that courage
and superior numbers, arms and discipline, furnished no pro
tection against their occurrence. The frontiermen did not
know but that,, at an unexpected moment, death in its most
appaUing form, would obliterate aSl that they held dear.

RUSE CHASES INDIANS ACROSS THE BORDER.
In a dispatch from headquarters at Fort Caddo, Dec.
1, 1838, Gen. Rusk gave account of crossing into Louisiana
and oompelling a large party of Caddo Indians to surrender
their arms to the United States Indian agent at Shreveport
and agree to remain quiet until the existing danger of Los-
tiUties subsided.
Tbese Indaans were to be fed by the Texas government
untU their arms were returned to them. He said that until
after his arrival Avith militia and this aetoau had been taken
by him, the people of Texas Avest of the border-line, beUeved
that the Caddos intended to marcL through the settlements to
a junction with tke prairie Indians, and there, in connection
with them, turn back and murder and pillage. The white
people aibandioned their homes and assemibled in the forts
for protection. It is difficult at this day to fully realize the excited and
Lostile state of tLe pubUc mind in Texas in tbe latter part
of 1838, witL regard to Indians, fnrtLer tLan tLat it was
such as to wholly neutralize every fact and argument that
was adduced in favor of any of them.

272 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
LAMAB-'S BEIGN.
The general election for President, Vice-President, mem
bers of Congress and other officers of the Republic occurred
September 3, 1838.
Mirabeau B, Lamar, James CoUi-nsworth, Peter W. Gray
son, and Robert Wilson were rival candidates for the pres
idency. There were two well defined poUtical parties — the
Houston and Anti-Houston— that crystalized during the year.
The campaign was a very bitter one — ^so bitter that Gray
son shot and killed himself, at Bean's Station, Tennessee, and
CoUinsworth leaped' from a steamer and drowned' himself in
Galveston Bay before the day of election.
They were too sensitive and 'proud to withstand the mud-
slinging and vilification that 'was indulged in aa a miatter of
course in that day in Texas, and in the United States. La
mar received 6,995 votes and Wilson 252, — 300 were scat
tering. President Houston was not a candidate. The constitu
tion provided that the first President should hold office for
two years and each of his successors for three years, and
that no President should be eligible for election for the
term next succeeding that for which he was chosen.
MiraSeau B. Lamar, as President, and David G. Bur
net, as Vice-President, were inaugurated December 9, 1838.
In his inaugural message, Lamar declared that the only
means by Avhich Indian hostilities could be brought to an
'end were the extinction or total "expulsion of United States
Indians who were domiciled in Texas. He asked that im
mediate legislative action be taken for the establishment of
a. line of military posts along the frontier and the organi
zation and maintenance of a strong military force in order
that the policy he declared might be given vigorous and im
mediate effect.
He declared' that the boundaries of the Republic would
be defined and made good by the sword ; . took' ground
against the annexation of Texas to the United States; fav-

'J
CD

Zh(0
D<<J<
<uuII-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 273
ored tbe establishment of a national bank; and spoke noble
words in favor of popular education.*
'Qen. Albert Sidney Johnston was appointed Secretary
of war December 13, 1838, and qualified December 16.
Conigress responded promptly to the recomendations of
the President, as a majority of tLe members Lad been elected
as advocates of the principles and policies he declared.
It passed an act, approved December 21, that provided
for a mounted regiment of 840 men rank and file to protect
the frontier, and for the establishment 'of the line of posts
proposed. The men were to be enlisted for three years, to be
paid $16.00 per month and be given a bounty of $30.00 in
money and a certificate for land.
Au act approved December 29, provided' for a corps of
mounted rangers, to consist of eight companies of fifty-nine
men (rank and file) each.**
All spoils tLat were captured (except recovered property
of citizens of Texas) were to be divided among tLe captors.
Troops wLo were already enlisted, under act of May 15, 1838,
were to proceed fortLAA-itL to the Nueces.
A few days later an act was passed and approved, tLat
provided for a mounted regiment of 472 men to serve for six
moutLs. Despite all measures and every effort to keep the In
dians in subjection and to prevent or intercept their Los
tile raid*, depredations! and murders increased to an alarm
ing extent. The clouds of despair were gathering and soon
hung Leavy all along the frontier. As Gen, K. H. Doug
las wrote Secretary of War Johnston, on Dec. 30, 1838, "the
^During his term Rfty leagnss of land were set apart for the establishment, of •
nnlrersity and three leaerues to each county for school purposes.
» »The following number of men were to be stationed at tha localities mentioned: At,
or near. Red Rirer, 56; At, or near, tha Three Forks of 4he Trinity, 168; at, or near, the
Brazos, 112; at. or near, thc Colorado, 112; at. or near, the San Marcos, S6: at. or near, the
Cibolo, 56; at, or near, ths Frio, 56; and at, or near, tha Nueces. 124. A strongly garri
soned post was to be esUbKshsd at the upper settlements on Red River. The regimenU-
were to be divided into two bsttalions, one of which was to operate east of and ths other
west of the Colorado. A military road was to be constructed from thmiottth of the Kia-
nitia to ths point whers the regular highway froraSan Antohiatoth•Presidi•dcRi«'
Grande crossed ths Nueces.

274

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.

affairs of the Texas frontier were never in so critical a con
dition." Thus the catalogue grows in volume and intensity, with
tragic episodes that would extend many pages, did the lim
its of this volume permit. Thstt Avhich follows, and especial
ly matters transpiring Avithin the next two years — during
President Lamar's turbulent reign — ^presents a still darker
and sadder picture of pioneer life and border trials in Tex
as. And yet, to him who can see beneath the surface of
history the mighty forces that are the soul of it, the records
of 1838 are full of interest and food for pleasant reflection;
of interest because it exhibits the growth of a healthy and
complex social organization, and food for pleasant reflection
for the reason that it justifies tLe beGgt that such growth
ds normal under free institutions such as the pioneers and
partiot fathers of Texas established and partially developed
under such confusing, adverse and painful conditions.*
»An important event affecting the affairs of the Texas Republic during this year ,
was the death of Gen. John A. Wharton— an irreparable loss from the ranks of the ere&t
men of early Texas— a man whom Judge Burnett in a memorial oration pronounced "*he
keenest blade on the field of San Jacinto.**
Another important matter was the creating of a navy for the Republic. Septem
ber 17, 1838, Samuel M. Williams entered into a contract for Frederick Dawson to furnish
Texas with the new navy, provided for by act of November 4, 1E37, Dawson to receive aa
payment two bonds of the Republic for $280,000 each.

This is a photograph of the pistol that Euclid M. Cox, mortally wounded in the Bat
tle Creek Fight, sent home to his wife.

CHAPTER xn.

^^

.OND^ITIpNS on tLe Indian frontier at the
beginning of 1839 were particularly threat
ening. Since 1831 the United States gov
ernment had steadily pursued a poUcy of re
moving Indians from their ancestral homes
in the "states" to the district beween the
Arkansas, Red River and the False Wash
ita along the bonndary line of Texas and
Mexico. It was estimated thiat in a short
time there would be concentrated on the
frontiers of Texas 240,000 of these Indians, including
about 45,000 warriors, some of Avhom Avould be certain to make
thieving and murderous incursions unless prevented.
The Texas Indians were restless and m'Ost of them hostile.
It was beUeved that the agricultural tribes located in the
eastern part of the RepubUc were co-operating Avith the prai
rie Indians, and it was known that some sort of conspiracy
was being hatched betAveen the Mexicans and Indians to make
a more united and determined effort to prevent extension of
the frontiers into tLe Indian country and to retard settle
ment and, if possible, to make Texas untenable and undesir
able to its Anglo-American inhabitants. The Comanches Avere
at war Arith the Lipans and Tonkawas, The latter circum- .
stance was a favorable one for the whites, as the Lipans and
Tonkawas joined with them against the Comanches — the Li
pans for the most part pitching their camps within the set-- ,
Uements.

276 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
THE MOBOAK MAS8ACSS.
And now we will chronicle some of the events occurring
in the course of border warfare history. The narrative of
pathetic scenes immediately foUoAring are true as to details
and not overdraAvn as to exitent of fiendish atrocity. The
account of these atrocious crimes Avas prepared by John
Henry BroAvn from data furnished' by surviving participants
and first published in an issue of the old Texas Almanac
more than half a century ago. We follow Brown iu sub
stance: On the east side of the Brazos, near t|he "FaUs," the Mor
gans and Marlins, someAvhat intermarried, constitjuted sever
al famiUes residing a few miles apart, some albove and' some
a little below the site of the present town of Marlin. There
was a considerable settlement along the river for some
twenty miles, but the country beyond or above them was
open to the Indians. The period to which referenoe is made
was the winter of 1838-39.
On Sunday night, the 1st day of January, 1839, a part
of the famiUes of James MarUn and Mrs. Jones, and the
family of Jackson Morgan:, were together, passing the night
Arith the f amUy of George Morgan, at Avhat is now called Mor
gan 's Point, six miles above the town of Marlin. The remain
der of the diArided families were at the house of John Marlin,
seven miles lower down the river. John and James Marlin
were brothers; the others of that name were their children,
A little after dark the house of Creorge Morgan was sud
denly surrounded and) attacked by Indians, who instantly
rushed in upon the inm'ates, giving them' no time for defense.
Old Mr. George Morgan and wife, their grandlson, Jackson
Jones, Jackson Morgan's Afrife, and Miss Adeline Marlin, a
young lady of sixteen, were all tomahawked and scalped in
the house Arithin the space of a few minutels after the first
alarm. Miss Stacy Ann Marlin (afterwards the Arife of Wil
liam Morgan) was severely wounded and left for dead. Three
cLildren were in the yard playing when the attack waa made.
One of these, Isaac Marlin, tea years of age, secreted him-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 27T
self under tLe fence, and tLere remained until tLe tragedy was
over. AnotLer cLild, Wesley Jones, at once ran into the
house, but seeing the Indians entering and tomahawking tbe
inmates, ran out unobserved by the murderous demons, and
was followed by Mary Marlin, another child. They both es
caped together. The Avounded lady retaining consciousness,
feigned death, but was not scalped as all the others were.
The Indians roblbed- tbe house of its contents and left. When
they had gone, and sUence again reigned, tLe Leroie cLild
first mentioned, Isaac Marlin — Lis name sLould be immortal
ized — crept from his hiding-place, and entering the house
carefully and silently, examined the bodies to find! which
were 'dead. His wounded sister, supposing him' to be an In-
dian^ remained perfectly motionless until he had gone, Avhen
she crawled out of tbe house. Little Isaac tLen took tbe path
leading to John Marlin's, and ran the entire distance, seven
miles, very quickly, — a swift messenger of deatL l|o Lis kin
dred tLere assembled, Wesley Jones and Mary Marlin did
not get in tiU dayUght, and the wounded' Miss Marlin not
till noon the next day.
As soon as little Isaiae arrived at John Marlin's house
and narrated his pathetic stpryj that gentleman, his brother,
James, Williami N, P., and Wilson Marlin, Jackson and Geo,
W, Morgan!, andi Albert G, Gholson, immediately hastened
to the scene, and found the facts identical with the child's
narration. Other relief arrived next day, and the dead were
consigned to their graves amid the Availings of their grief-
stricken relatives and friends.

ATTACK ON MARLIN'S HOUSE, j
Ten days later, the Indians, about seventy in num
ber attacked the house of John Marlin and his son
Benjamin (whose descendants still reside in Milam coun^
ty> and of Jarett Menefee and Lis son TLomas. TLis
time the whites were better prepared for defense. Tbe In
diams charged upon the four men, wLo made a stout and gal
lant fight, kilUng seven Indians and ¦wonaiding others with-

278 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
out receiving any injury themselves. Tired of that kind of
reception, tbe savages soon withdrew, carrying off their dead
and wounded. When the attack was made, Menefee's negro
man, "Hinchey," was at a short distance from the house,
but failing to reach it in time, he left in douible-quick tim.e
for the settlements below, and made twenty-five miles in
pretty fair saddle-horse time, "Hinchey" at once reported
the attack, and a company was quickly gathered together,
who liost no time in repairing to the scene of action, in order
to relieve their besieged friends, hut found the red-skins
had retreated, as before stated.

I BRYANT'S FIOHT AND DEFEAT,
It was determined, however, after a discussion of the
matter by those present, that they mnst pursue and fight
the Indians, or abandon their homes and faU bajck into the
more settled parts of the country. They chose the former
altematiA'e, and made their dispositions aocordingly. The ef
fective force available for pursuilj was forty-eight men,
Benjamin Bryant (of Bryant's Station, whose surviving fam
ily stiU reside in Milam county) was chosen to command.
On the next morning Bryant's party took the trail of
the enemy, and pursued, crossing the Brazos near Morgan's
Point. On the west side they found a deserted camp with
fresh signs, and about a mile ;out came upon a fresh trail.
At the river they counted sixty-four fresh horse-tracks and
a traU of foot Indians, wLich crossed the river. Seeing tbe
prairie on fire below, tbey supposed it to be Marlin's Louse,
and Lastenied back, witLout finding tLe enemy, and tLen
halted' for the nigLt, On tLe next morning, January 16,
they started out again, and found that the Indians had been
afi the deserted houses twoj mUes above and plundered
them. Thence they traveled up six mUes to Morgan's Point,
and suddenly discovered the enemy in the open timber
near a dry branch, TLe noted cLief, Jose Maria, wLo was
riding in front in perfect nonchalance, Lalted,sUpped off Lis
gloves, and, taking deliberate aim, fired at Joseph Boren,

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS, 279
who was a few feet in advance, cutting his coait-sleeve. Jose
Maria then gave the signal for his men to fire, and the action
commenced. Bryant ordered a charge, Avhich wasi gallantly
made, though the captain received a wound at the same in
stant, AA-hich accident called Ethan Stroud to the command.
The Indda-nis: fired and fell back into the ravine. Simul
taneous with the charge, David W. CampbeU fired at Jose
Maria, tbe baU strikimg him on the breaist-hone, but faiUng
to dismount him. Albert G. Gholson then shot the chief's
horse, which died in the ravine. The Texans then charged
up to the bend of the ravine and fired, when the Indians
commenced retreating doAvn the bed of the ravine towards a
densely timbered bottom. Seeing this, a part of the whites
rushed doAvn. below to cut "flhem off. This caused the
eneany to return to the first positjion and renew the defense,
by which time, supposing the day to be won, our men had
somewhat scattered ahd were acting each for himself. The
result was that when the enemy reopened the fire several
were wounded, and confusion and disorder at once ensued.
To remedy this, the men were ordered to retreat to another
point some two hundred yards distant, in order to .draw the
Indians from their concealment. This unfortunate order,
from the prevailing confusion, was understood by some of
the men to be an unquaUfied retreat. Panic seised some of
tbem, which being discovered by the wily Jose Maria, he
gave the command and charged in full force, making the
welkin ring with hideous and exultant yells. Several of the
whites fell, and the rout now became general. Without or
der, in utter confusion, and each man acting for himself,
they were hotly pursued for four miles, their puisueora deal
ing death and carnage among them.
In the disaster some acts were performed which deserve
mention. David W. Campbell, not at first observing the re
treat, was about being surrounded by the savages when the
brave Captain Eli Chandler, already mounted, rushed to his
relief and took him up behind him. Young Jackson Powers,
missing his horse, mounted on a pony behind William Mc-

.280 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Grew, Lis arm being broken at tbe same moment, as Le was
letreating. His brother William came up at this moment,
mounted, on a large horse, and requested Lim to leave tLe
pony and ride behind him. Poor fellow! be dismounted, , but,
from his broken arm and the restlessness of the 'horse, he
was unafble to mount before tbe Indiians had rushed, up and
tomahawked him, his brother only learing him just in time
to save bis OAvn life. William N. P. Marlin, before the re
treat, was so severely wounded in the hip that he could not
mount, and was about -being left, when David Cobb ran up
*id threw him on his horse amid a shower of balls and
arrows. Wilson Reed, a daring felloAv, dn the retreat was
knocked from his horse by the projecting limb of a tree, the
enemy being close at hand, wh pn he sang out in a half -mirth
ful tone, "Oh, Lord, bioys, Mary Ann is a widow!" but
some brave fellow picked him up and carried him safely off.
The loss of the whites in this fight was ten killed and five
Avounded. The loss of the Indians was about the same
number; but they were greatly elated by their suc
cess,* and became more daiiag than ever until checked
by that stubborn anQj diestructive engagement, known as
"Bird's Victory," in Bell county.

FATE OF THE WEBSTER FAMILY.
In January the family of James Webster and twelve
men who Avere escorting them to their hcone in what is now
Williamson, county, were atitacked by Comanehes on the San
Gabrieil. The white men formed! their wagons in a hol
low square, and fought from sunrise until 10 o'clock a. m.,
when the last of them were slain. Mrs. Webster and little
daughter were made captives. She escaped Arith Ler cLUd
•.Jose Maria, so long the dread of the frontier, but afterwards the most pacific and
civilized Comanche chief on the government reserve, has always acknowledged that be
was whipped and retreating ontil he obserrcd tha panic and eonfasion among the Texans.
Jese Maria rlsited Bryant's Station years afterwards aad offered Bryant his pipe to smoka,
Bryant Insisted that Jose Maria shanld smoke first, as be had woa the fight, and the old
' chief proudly followed tke'taggeatioii.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. .281
Siearly tfwo years later, and! reached San Antonio a few
days after tLe Council House figLt.
•During . January, Ben and Henry McCulloch, Wilson
Randle, David Henson and JoLn Walfen, accompained by
tbirty-'fivie Tonkawas, defeaited a band af Comanches and
Wacos on PeacL Creek, in Gonzales countjy, killing five
and wounding a considerable number, Tho only loss sus^
tained by the attacking party was one Tonkawa kUled.
In the same month a company of land locaters re
treated from Uvalde Canyon to avoid being surrounded by
Comau'ches who threatened to attack tbem. In doing go they
were opposed by a small parity of Indians stationed at the
mouth of the gorge, but charged and routed them, kiUing
three or four, and ret*imed to San Antonio without loss.

FAMOUS BIRD CREEK BATTLE.
This bloody engagement ranks as one 'of the notable In
dian battles of Texias, amd) may be well termed a model
fight between Rangers and Comanches. The narrative
which foUoAra is helieved to be substantially correct, having
been carefully prepared from statements and notets furnish
ed by participants and others of authority.
On Sunday momdng. May 27, 1839, the intrepid Cap
tain John Bird, one of the early ranger chiefe of Texasi, with
a company of .31 rangers, well mounted and equipped, left
Fort Milami at the "FaUs" of tjhe Brazos, on a scouting ex
pedition against the depredating bands of Indians who were
constantly making forays upon the unprotected settlements
around Port Griffin on Little River, which was at that time
on the extreme frontier of Texas in that directiouF-the Bry
ants, Marlins, Morgans and a few others on the Brazos be-
ing their nearest neighbors. Capt. Bird arrived at Port Grif
fin at 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, -and at once
learned that Indians had been seen near the fort but a few
hours before Lis arrival.
Without dismounting, the rangers proceeded to the
point where the Indians bad been seen. ¦ After n hurried

282 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
march of some five miles upon the freshly made traU, they
suddenly camie upon 27 Com'anches, dismounted and busy
butchering buffalos. As the rangers charged' doAm upon the
unsuspecting redskins they quickly mounted and fled in
different directions, the rangers following hard after the
main body. After a flight of some three miles, the Indians
again came together and forming in battle array, confronted
their pursuei"s, ready for a fight. TLe rangers atgaia charged
upon them and after a sharp skirmish put the Indians to
flight, pursuing them for several miles hut -without again
overtaking or engaging thean.
The enemy 'having scattered in various directions and
tbe horses of the rangetns being considerably jaded, the /
chase was given up. But as the rangers were returning to\
the fort, and just as they were emerging from a skart of tim
ber on the isouth side of a small stream, sinee caUed
Birds Creek, and at a point some seven miles northeast oi
the presemt toAvn of Belton, they were surprised and' al
most surrounded by about forty Indians, who shot their
arrows at them from every direction. The rangers dashed
out of the ambush and made for a ravine some 600 yards iu
front, Avhere, fortunately, there was a sjxring, -which they
succeeded in reaching, despite the determined efforts made
by the savages to ©ut them off. The Indians now retired to
the crest of a hill aibout 300 yards distant;, and where a
** council" of war" was held and "signal srawvkes" — ^the In
dian mode of telegraphing— sent up and answered from sev
eral directions. The Uttle company of rangers now weU
knew the IndiaiM would soon be reinforced and that ithe red
devils Avould then swoop down ujwn them in large numbers.
Orders were given and preprations were Lurriedly made to
defend their position, and, if finaUy overpowered with num-
hera, to seU their lives as dearly as possible—those must have
been critical moments.
In about half an Lour the rangers saw a large body of
mounted warriors rapidly approacLing in the direction of their
aonf ederalies, and in a few minutes the hall top seemed to be

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 283
literally aUve with painted demons. Increased to about 300
iu nunDbers, and led iby the noted Comanche war chief, Buf
falo Hump, the Indians now arrayed themselves in imposing
battle order, and with some semblance of miUtary display,
while the chief, bedecked with his immense and grotesque
buffalo hide war bonnet surmounted Arith homs, rode up
and down the lines, giving orders and defiantly gesticulat
ing and pointing toward the enemy. The Indians were con
fident of -victory. The Uttle band of rangers were cool and
determined, but the odds were f earf«l.
Raising the Comanche war whioop all along their Unes,
the savagei red warriors charged doAvn upon the whites iu
the ravine, uttering the m'os* uneartLly and exultant yeUs
that ever greeted the ears of mortals, and at the same time
pouring iu' a regular deluge of arroAvs. The brave rangers
were cool and steady and gave them a moat deadly reception,
causing a number to reel 'and tumble from their mounts, and
the balance to retire to the hill top without carrying off
their dead and wounded. Again the enemy charged', in bold
order, this time advancing to Avithdn fifty yards lOf the rav-
vine, but under the galUng fire of the rangers, they were
again forced to beat a retreat, leaving a number of their
braves upon the field. Once more, but somewhat less exul
tant, they were led in a charge, to sustain loss and be forced
back. Thus ehargined and discomfited, the maddened red war
riors retired in a ibody from the hiU top land out otf sight —
to council and plan for another and more effective attack.
Meanwhile the little band of dauntless langers were busy,
comforting their wounded, improving their position and pre
paring as best they could for another onslaught, which they
well knew would be made.
Ere long the In'dians again appeared, this ,tim«. in two
circling companies, and immediately hore down and around
in a fiercer attack upon the rangers than ever, this time clos
ing in from' either side, determined to rout the Uttle 'company
of whites from thear position and to anniLdlaie them at aU

284 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
hazards. TLe strife now became fearful ¦and deadly. The
gaUant Uttle troop 'Of rangers in tLe ravine fought for Ufe,
and taxed thedr energies to the utmost. It waa indeed a ter
rible battle against fearful odds — ^victory trembled iu tbe
balance — the rangers despaired but were determined to fight
tiU the last breath. The red warriors were loudly exLorted,
and repeatedly cLarged almost to tLe brink of the ravine,
but were as often forced back by the deadly aim of the rang
er idfles. The field was an almost open prairie, with but Ut
tle to shield tLe 'contending fees against tLe sLower of ar
rows, and the leaden hail which were inceBsantly being sent.
The noble Captain Bird was killed' early in tbe figLt, and six
other rangers were killed or wounded. The remainder, now
reduced to only 25 in number, and exhausted by the fierce
and protracted contest, seemed doomed to almost certain des
truction, when brave James Robinett, a young German, and
upon whom the command now devolved, sAvore to has com
rades that he would kUl the cliief in the next charge, at the
risk of his own Ufe, Robinett Lad not long to wait before
the Indians again charged, led by their brave chief. In his
full war toggery, and mounted on a splendid American horse,
Le presented a conspicuous mark. Taking deUberate aim
Robinett fired, and, true to his vow, succeeded in kUUng the
chief. His Ufeless body was immediately surrounded by ten
or a dozen braves, who bore it out of sight, leaving
their now infuriated comrades to avenge his death, and
for a time the battle continued, to rage, the rangers holding
their position and successfully repulsdng each furious assault
Finally, night coming on, the savages sullenly retired
to their LdU top position — Laving sustained fearful I'oss in
botL men and horses — Nathaniel BrooksLire in an official re
port of tLis affair. May 31, 1839, says the supposed num
ber of Indiansi killed, on tLe field was only thirty. Later evi
dence Lowever proved, that to be incorrect. The number slain
was not less tban fifty wariiors. TLe rangers lost five of tLeir
number kiUed— tL^ir lamented captain, and Privates Gales,

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 285
Nash, Weaver, and one otjher whose name has not been giv
en — two or three woundfed.
ExLausted, and fearing the Indians lay in wait nearby,.
the rangers remained' under cover of the ravine till morning,
when they mounted their horses which had fortunately been
secured' and held in the ravine, and ventured forth, hastily
making their way hack to Fort Griffin. The story of the
sanguinary engagemtent and the fate of their brave com
rades was soon told. A runner was sent to Fort MUam for
reinforcements, and with a rough coffin which had been pre
pared, the fresh force repaired to the battle-ground. Captain
Bird and his unfortunate comrades were placed in the huge,
uncouth recaptacle and borne back by a detachment to the
fort, where they were buried, Avhdle the main force took up
the traU of the enemy and foUoAved in hot pursuit as far aa
"Stampede Creek" where, having halted for a short rest,
their horses were stampeded about midnight, leaving the
rangers afoot, Avhich cdrcumstance gave name to the stream.
Old settlers itell of often visiting the scene of the Birds
Creek battle; of gathering flint arrow points, and of view
ing numerous buUet holes in the scattering trees. But
the battle ground is now enclosed in a farm, and all evidence
of the desperate struggle has long since disappeared, save
the Uttle spring in the ravine which still bubbles forth its
sweet, sparklinig, waters, as on that memorable May day sev
enty odd years ago, when it slaked the thirst of the besieged
rangers and cooled the fevered broAvn and crisping Ups of
their dying comrades — ^murmuring an eternal requiem to the
memory of those who so nobly perished to protect others and
thus aid in redeeming a fair land from' savagery. The site
of old Fort Griffin is yet known, but tbe exact resting place
of the bra/ve Capt^n Bird and his comrades has been lost.
A more patriotic duty could not be preformed by the diizeoa
of grand old Bell county than to erect at some. point a, suit
able shaft to the memory of these Mien heroes. ,

286 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
McCXTLLOCH'S PEAOH GREEK FIGHT,
About the first lof MarcF, immediately following the not
able "cold snap"* prevalent throughout southwest Texas
during the latter half of February, 1839, Ben McCulloch and
Henry E, McCuUoeh, with Wilson Randel, David Han
son, John D. Walfin, and thirty-five Tonkawa warriors —
under the immediate command of their trusty old chief, "Capt.
Jim Kerr" (a name assumed through friendship for pioneer
James Kerr of DeWitt Colony, in 1826), left ' the Tonkawa
viUage at the junction of PeacL and Sandy Creeks, some fif
teen mUes nortLeast of Gonzales, on a campaign to tLe moun
tains — ^Loping to find rin a winter camp and possibly rescue,
tbe Putman cLildren and Matilda Lockhart.
In ^e morning of the second day out, and some twenty-
five mUes higher up on the head watere 'Of Peacbl Creek,
"they struck a fresh trail of foot Indians, bearing directly
for Gonzales. This, of ooursie, changed their plans. Duty
to their threatened neighbora demanded that tbey should fol
low and break up this invading party; for such inroads by
foot Indians almost invariably resulted in. the loss of numier-
ous horses, and one or more — ^^alas ! sometimes many — Olives to
the settlers." After a hasty pursuit of tLre'e or four Lours, the inva
ders, a party of thirteen Waco and Comanche Avarriors, were
sighted, but quickly disappeared into a dense thicket bor
dering a branch. As a laet resort to dislodge or engage
the enemy, the Tonkawa allies were stationedi around the
loAver end of the thicket, with orders to intercept all retreat,
whUe Ben and Henry McCulloch, with Randel and Hanson,
ventured into the ambuscade. "Slowly they moved, observ
ing ©very precaution tiU, one by one, each of the four had
killed an Indian, and two or three others were wounded."

»This destructive sleet was the heaviest and most prolonged ever known in that
part of the conntry-contiriuing for ten or twelve days, while the ice and snow shielded
from the sun. lay upon the ground for a much longer period. Great trees were bereft of
limbs aad tops by the immense weight of lee, and bottoms prevlonsly open were simplr
choked to impassability by tha fallen timbers.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 287
Finally the survivors emerged into the branch, and protect
ed somewhat by its banks, fled doAvn and inlto a larger and
almost impenetrable thicket. Thus foiled, and night coming
en, the attack was not resumed.
Though having lost <ene of their comrades in the fight,
the TonkaAvas were elated over the victoiy, and after
scalping the dead and dying Wacos and Comanches, cutting
off their hands, feet, arms and legs, and fleecing strips of
flesh from their thiglis and breast, they were ready and
anxious to return to their village and engage in their usual
cannibal-like and mystic war dance. This, of course, pre
vented further operations, and here the expedition ended.

COL. MOORE'S SA,N SABA FIGHT.
Capt. John H. Moore, writing from' LaGrange, March 10,
made the following official report* of a battle fought with
the Comanches' February 15, 1839:
"I herewith transmit the muster rolls of three volunteer
companies wbich, in conformity to the act of Congress au
thorizing the raising of volunteer companies for the protec
tion of the frontier, were organised on the 25th of Janua
ry last, at the upper settlements of the Colorado and placed
under my coinmand to proceed against the Comanches on
our northwestern frontier.
"From this place we proceeded on the morning of the
26th directly up the Colorado. On the 13th of February,
our spies, Avho from the mouth of the Llano had been kept
in advance, returned and reported that they had discovered
an encampment or village of Comanches on a smaU
stream called Spring Creek, in the vaUey of the San Saba.
"On the succeeding day we marched about an hour un
der cover of the timber of the Colorado bottom. We then
deposited our packs and, baggage in a place of security and
proceeded ouAvard, stiill seeking the cover of the timber axtd.
vaUey, to a place about ten miles firom the vUlage, where
we remained until after sunset.
^-Army Archives in State Library.

288 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
M After night, we proceeded to within a mile of the vil
lage, A^rhere we dismounted and tied our horses in a raJley,
and having put eight I^ans on horseback with ord^ to
stampede the enemy's cabaUado, proceeded on foot to Arithin
three hundred yards of the toAra, stUl keeping our spies in
advance. "The LaGrange company, under Capt. Wm. M. East
land, formed the right wing, the Bastrop oompany, Capt.
Smithwick, the 'centre; amd the Lipan 's, under Gastro, their
ehief, the left.
"The 'attack Avas made after daybreak by miarching
Capt. Eastland's company in advance, doAvn between the
¦timber and the viUage (whose skirts run paraUel to each
©their) for the purpose •of having the timber in our rear and
driving the enemy towards the prairie. Whem opposite
•the centre of the town we were discovered by the enemy, at
which moment I ordered a charge, which was promptly obey
ed and carriedi^ to near tbe centre of the village, the men
throwing open the doors of the Avigwams or pulling them
dOAvn and' slaughtering the enemy in their beds.
"It was now discovered that the opposite side, which had
"been supposed to have opened to the level prairie, was bor
dered by a meander of the bayou Avhich formed a deep rut
and secure place of retreat} into which the savages had fled
and in which they had already ralUed audi formed for de
fense. At this time the darkness, which preiviously had
Been such as barely to permit us to aim Avith tolerable ac
curacy, became greater in consequence of the smoke and, all
our firearms having been discharged, it ibecaime necessary to
retire for a moment to reload and wait for the darkness to
dispel, to enable us to renew the attack. The disorder
which bad resulted' from- the eagerness of the men was
another cause which rendered this moAiement necessary.
"We had barely time to fonn and leload Avhen the •ene
my charged us in front and on both flacLs to within a few
steps, which attacks were repeated at short interA^ls until 10
oJclock a. m,, after which the firing from the enemy contin-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 289
ued, but from a considerable distance. Ten men were now
dispatched! by wiay of the bayou to reconnoitre, who return
ed soon after and reported the enemy very numerous. We
continued: in our position un'til half after 11 .o'clock, when
the ensmy ceased firing, at which time, having abandoned
the Lope of being able with so few men to force them from.
the strong position they occupied-, I ordered Utters to be
prepared for our wounded', amd soon after retired: to the place
al which we bad left our horses. In fifteen or twenty
minutes after our arrival lat this place we were surounded
by a large body of the enemy, who I believe were betAveen
300 and 500 in number, who immediaiiely opened a
fire on us, but this was soon silenced, and a Avhite
flag (the same presented to them last summer at the seat of
government by the President, Sam. Houston) approached, car
ried by a woman, accompanied hy a man. A parley ensued
in which she stated that they bad five white prisoners; one
a woman about middle age, understoodi to have beem captur
ed' on the Brazos riA-er; a girl about fifteen years of age,
supposed to be the daughter* of one of our company, An
drew Lockhart, captured on the Guadalupe ; the other three
children, captured at the same place a short time since. This
infooTnaticn, I believe, was givien because they were under
the impression that we had some of their prisoners which
they Avishedi to exchange for, as some prisoners had been
taken by the Lipans which they killed or otherArise disposed
of Arithout advice from me. They also made some statements
relative to their great numibers Avhich were constantly increas
ing and the co-operation of the Shawnees Avho were near, to
which Avas repUed ' Our numbers are small ; come on. '
"The attack was not repeated. The number killed on
tbe part of the enemy it was imposisible to knoAv, but must
have been A-ery considerable.
"Our men were furnished with a'bout three shots each,
which, d*uring tLe first attack upion the village, were disf-
ciiarged. with great accuracy at only a- fe^v* feet distance

ifMatilda Lockhart.

290 - BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
and in many instances by placing the muzzle against the ob
ject. Add to this their exposed position in their repeated at
tacks' upon us and the unerring accuracy 'Of our riflemen,
justifies the belief that their loss must have been very great.
J 1 supposing their loss to have been thirty or forty killed
^nd fifty or sixty Avounded, 1 make am estimate mueh
below what I believe to be correct. Loss on our side,; killed,
none ; mortally wounded, one— since died ; slightly Avounded,
six. We also lost a considerable number of horses, in all —
including those Avhich had jwieviously died from various caus
es — ^forty-six. "One of our men, Mr. Wilson, from Lagrange, was acci
dentally wounded on our Avay up and dispatched homeward
with two men ; since died. Onr force in the engagement con-
sisted only of sixty-three white men and sixteen' Indians — to
tal, seventy-nine.
"Taken by the Lipan Indians; ninty-three horses and
mules!, only forty-six of Avhich have been received here.
Mueh credit is due to Captain W. M, Eastland and Lieut,
N. M. Bain, of the Bastrop company, and Adjutant Wm.
Bugg, for strict and prompt cbedience to orders and their
general officer-like conduct, and to the men and officers in
general for their bravery on the field of battle and their
subordination and good conduct."

MURDER OF CAPT. COLEMAN'S WIDOV/ AND CHILD
REN—COL. BURLESON ENGAGES THE INDIANS.
Col. Bua-leson in an official report to Gen. Albert Sidney
Johnston, Avriting from Bastrop county, says: "Immedi
ately after my retui-n home, I Avas informed of a body of
Indians having been seen in the Big Prairie on Saturday, Feb
ruary 22, fifteen or twenty miles from Bastrop, supposed to
be Northern Indiansi — i. e. Caddos, Wacos and Keechies. On
Monday foUoAving, about 10 o'clock a. m., they attacked tbe
house of the vridoAV Coleman, tAvelve miles above Bastrop.
They attempted to cut off a man and a boy from the house,
who Avere ploAving in tbe field and Avho, at sight of them.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. , 291 .
broke for am adjoining thicket and made good their escape.
In the meantime a partyi of the Indians fired at Mrs. Cole
man, Avho Avas at work in the garden fifty paces distant
from the house, and slightly woumded her in the meek Avith
an arroAv. She fled Avith all speed for the house andi suc
ceeded in reaching it. At the time of her entering the
Louse there was in the room, her oldest son, about twelve
years of age, and three other small children. With the as
sistance of the boy, she was enabled to bar the door. The
Indians foUoAved Ler to the house and forced the door open
wide enough to admit a man. They were fired upon by the
boy, Avho killed one dtead on tbe sjpot and is supposed to
have wounded another. In attempting to defend' the pas
sage, the boy and Mrs. Coleman Avere killed. The remain
ing 'three children, Avho were at the time in the
room, crawled under the bed.
"The Indians, having received' so warm a reception,
desisited. * * » (They succeeded in cutting off a boy child
frem the house and carried him off captive) .
"The Indians at the saime time attacked and plundlered
the house of Dr. Robertson, situated about tAA'O 'hundred
yards from the former. Fortunately, at the time the doc
tor's family Avas absent, or they Avould have shared.
the ^ate of Sirs. Coleman, as there was no white person on
the premises to give themi protection. The Indians took and
carried off from the latter place one negro Avoman and four
children, one old man, and a boy.
"A party of fifty men from above Bastrop Avent im
mediately in pursuit and overtook them tAA'enty-five miles
north of the Colorado, Avhere a skirmish took place. The
Indians haA'ing advantage of position caused the Avhites to
faU back about three miles, Avith the loss of one man, at
Avhich place I fell in Avith tbirty men. I immediately went
in pursuit and overtook, them ; in the meanitime, the Indians
having changedi their grourud for a more advantageous po
sition. On discovering me, they took a stand. I attacked
them at about 1 o'clock p. m. I continued to pick tbemi off
at every opportunity until dark. The oldl negro man wa'S-

292 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
found on tLe battle ground after night, Arith nine arrows
nbot into Lim ; soipposied to Lavie been- left for dead. He says
he saw several kUled'; say tbirty. From tLe quantity of
blood seen on the groumd, I am induced to believe that the
above number is not am over-estimate. Our loss in the last
attack Ava's two killed and one wounded, Avho has since
died. "I remained encamped on the ground' untU next morn
ing, amd found that the Indians bad left several guns,
boAra and arroAvs, all their camp equipments, one mule
and several horses.
"I ordered, without delay, Capt. Billingsley, with
tLirty mien, to follow on tLeir, trail , whicih he did three
miles H'ud found tLat th^ Lad dispersed to avoid further
pursuit. "Sinee the above took place there has been no more de-
predationsi committed on this frontier, except by some
thieving parties. It is confidently believed that tbe Indians
wiU renew hostilities om this part of the frontier learly this
spring. "I request that those officers who have accepted their
commissicns and who are destined to recruit for the First
Regiment of Infantry AVest of the Brazos, to be sent to such
points as in yofur judigtaent are most suitable for that pur
pose, until I shall come down to Houston, which will be in
about three weeks."

THE CORDOVA REBELLION.
Our historians have not attached dUe importance to the
motiA'cs of what they are wont to term this "strange" out
break and the incidents of its quelling. Previous to 1836
the town :and County of Nacogdoches contained a majority
of Mexican citizens. These people had imade smaU settle
ments in various parts of this then immense terri
tory. Hert, too, resided a large nuimber of Cherokee and
associate bands of Indians, who properly belonged in the
Indian Territory and under the jurisdiction of the United

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 293
States, They had been permitted, it seems, to occupy those
lands as tenants at wiU, but the IMexican Gofvernment Avhile
maintaining friendly and favorable relations Avith these In
dians, had stiidiously avoided granting them anything in
the shape of title.
Although Texias had declared her independence and
braA-^^ely Avon her liberty on the sanguinairy field of San
Jacinto in one of the most decisive battles of ancient or
modern times — driving the enemy beyond her borders and
comeluddng am honorable treaty of peace with the icaptive
General and President, Santa Anna — Mexico never willingly
reUnquished' claims .to her lost province, and' for nearly a
decade, during Avhich time tbe Lone Star Republic heroically
maantained her proud position as one of the primcipaUties of
the Avorld, a predatory and guerilla-like warfare was kept
up against the more exposed border settlements of Texas.
One of the principal and most feasible sobemes Avas to
send emissaries through the country with instructions to
arouse and i'ncite the Indiams to hostilities and opem rebel
lion. Yoakum says: "Previous to the French attack at Vera
Oruz, and the CiA'il AvaJr in Mexico., that Government had
commenced' a system, wbich, if it had been carried out as
was intended, Avould have been most disastrous to Texas. Its
object Avas to turn loos.© upon her all the Indian tribes up
on her bordea-s, frOm the Rio Grade to Red River." Of
these facts the Texas Government received undoubted evi
dence a I'iitjtle latter as will be seen.
At Nacogdoches early in August, 1838, it. wBsi found
thait a motley company of about 150 citizens, headed
by Vincente Cordova an early, intelligent and some
what influential Mexican resident of the settlement, had
secretly taken up arms and encamped on the Avest banik of
the Angelina. On learning these facts a proclamation was
issued to the malcontents requiring them to return to their
homes and lay doAvn their arms, under the penalty of being
declalred enemies of the Republic,
To this proclamation the rebel leaders madie the follow-

2&i BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ing bold and defiant reply: — "The citizens of Nacoigdoches,
being tired of the unjust treatment, amd of the unsurpation
of thedr rights, cam do mo less than state that they are em
bodied, with arms in their hands, to sustain those rights,
and those of the nation to Avhich they belong. They are
ready to shed 'the last drop of their blood ; and declare as
they have heretofore done, that they do not acknoAwledge
the existing laAva, through which they are offered guaranties
(by the proclamation) for their lives and properties. They
only asik that you AriU not molest "their famiUes, promising in
good fath to do the same in regard to y'Ours.
Vincente Cordova, A, Cordova,
Nat Morris, C Morales,
J. Arriola, Joshua Robertson,
J. Vincent Micheli, Juan Jose Rodrigues.
J, Santos Coy, and others.
August 10, 1838.
By this time other Mexican adherents with some 300
Indians and negroes had joined the enemy, augment
ing their force to about six hundred, whem they seit out on
thedr march, in the direction of the Cherokee nation. Mean
time General Rusk hadi made am urgent and immiediate
requisition for men and a considerable force of volunteers
was soon coUected. Directing Major Augustin with 150 men
to follow the trail, Gen. Rusk with the main force marched
rapidly, land more direct to the headquarters of Chief Bowles,
expecting to intercept and engage the enemy at that
point, ^t the enemy had warning, no doubt, of these
movements, and on arriving at the Saline it was found they
had disbanded and dispersed, the insurgent leader and a
fcAv of his followers having hastUy fled westAvard, to the
wild tribes of the upper Trinity and Brazos, Avhere they re
mained until the following spring, visiting and mingling
with these several tribes and endeavoring with presents and
promises to incite them to open hostUities, and encourage-
ing them to wage a relentless war of extermination against
the Texans; to burn their houses, kill their cattle, steal

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 295
th^ir horses and to lay waste the settlements; and for aU
of Avhich, besides the spoils, they Avere promised aid and
protection from the Mexican Government and fee simple
rightsi for all time to come to the respective territories
Uhey then occupied. At the same time a regular cor
respondence was carried on through secret agents and
discrete messengers with Commandant Canalize as well as
Manuel Plores — charged wdth diplomatic duties towards the
Indians of Texas — at Matamoras, and plans were being dis
cussed amd perfected for carrying out the devilish designs of
a concerted and general border warfare of rapine and
murder against the settlera of Texas. To this end and look
ing to a better and 'more definite understanding and ar
rangement of plans, Cordova urged agent Plores ito meet and
confer with him at his redezvous in the Indian country.

CORDOVA'S DEFEAT.
Early in 1839 Gen, Canalizo succeeded Gen. Filisola as
commander at Matamoras.
Wishing to confer Avith the ncAV miUtary chief, Vincente
Cordova left his lair on the upper Trinity in March and
started for the Rio Grande, accompanied by a force of
seventy-five men — Mexicans, Indians, and' negroes.
TTiis camp was discovered at the foot of the mountains
north of, and not far from Austin, and the neAvs was con
veyed to Col. Burleson at Bastrop.
At the head of 'eighty men, he went in pursuit and
overtook the enemy on the 29th in an open bddy Of post-
oaks about six miles southeast of Seguin and dismounted
a portion of his men, Avho opened fire from behind trees.
Cordova formed his followers, also using trees for protection
and sought to stimulate them to determined and successful
resistance. They stood their ground for awhile, although
the Texans moA'ed nearer and nearer to them, pouring in
a steady and telling rifle-fire, but broke into pieces and fled
when Burleson's Colorado volunteers leaped into the open
and charged among them. The pursuit that foUowed ex-

-296 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
tended to the dense jungles of Guadualupe bottom, where it
was discontinued as tArilight deepened into dlark.
Burleson suffered no loss in kiUed, but several of his
men were wounded. After tLe figLt, Le moved six miles up
to Seguin, to protect the few families living tLere,
Cordova retreatedi during the night. Starting east of
Seguin he moved nortLfward as far as the present towm of
New Braunfels, crossed the Guadalupe, and them bore to
the north and passed north of San Antonio to the Nueces
where pursuit of him wais abandoned by Capt, Matthew
CaldweU and his company of rangers and a few citizen vol
unteers who had picked up his trail. Prior to the chase,
Caldwell 's rangers were scattered in several camps, scouting.
Cordova came upon one of these detachments north of Se
guin, and wounded three men — a circumstance that was im
mediately reported to CaldAvell who concentrated his forces
and went in pursuit.
Ignorant of what had transpired and desirous to meet
and confer with Cordova, whercA'er be might be found — on
the upper Brazos, Trinity or ekcAvhere — Manuel Flores, with
an escort of about thirty Mexicans and Indians, suppUes, am-
mundtion, and official communications to, and instructions for
contemplated Imdiam allies, set forth from Matamoras in the
latter part of April and traveled into Texas along a route
different from that of Cordova's retreat and hence, missed
him and got into a trap.
He traveled slowly, crossed the road between San An
tonio and Seguin, May 14; crossed the Guadalupe at the old
Nacogdoches ford (at the site now occupied by New Braium-
f els) May 15, and proceeded to a point on the San Gabriel,
in the edge 'of Williamson county, north of where the tOAvn
of Austin was established later in the year, and was attacked
there and kUled and Lds force defeated and scattered. Tavo
of Lis men were killed and nearly all of tLose who escaped
were wounded.
He displayed great coolness and brawery in tLe skiran-
isL however, and fell sword in Land, wLile trying to en-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 297
coturage his men to) staind to their arms.
Prior to the engagememt Avith Cordova, IMaj, Walters
Wias directed to raise tAvo companies of six month 's mem and
occupy the Neches Saline so as to prevent communicatiom be
tween the Cherokees and prairie Indians and afford protec
tion to settlers. The Saline was claimed as part of thep.rop-
erty of the Cherokees. Chief BoAvles notified MJaj. Walters
that its occupancy would be resisted by force of arms. That
officer, acting on the advice of the Texasi Indian agent, Mar
tin Lacy, did not make the attempt and crossed to the west
bank of the Neches amd established a camp.
The facts were oommimicated to Gen. Albert Sidney
Johms'ton, Secretary of War; and to be prepared for any
emergency, be directed Col, Burleson, who Avas collecting a
force on the Colorado to operate against other Indi'ans, to
march loAver down and hold himsielf in readiness to enter the
Cherokee country on the shortest notice.

EXPULSION OF THE CHEROKEES
In May, President Lamar addresi^ed a letter to Chief
BoAvles in Avhich' he said that the IIouston-Forb.es treaty
had never been recogmized and never Avould be, and that
there should be mo diA'ision of soAereigD/ty dm Texas, He said
that whatever equitaible claims the Cherokees may have
ever posse.ssed had been effaced by murders and robberies,
by furnishing arms and' supplies to prairie Indiams, and by
the treacherous audi murderous coalition entered) into Arith
Cordova and other enemies of Texas, Alluding to Bowles' ac
tion with regard to Maj. Walters, he saW that officer had
been ordered again to take the post at Saline. Continue-
ing, he said: "I deem it to be my duty * * to tell you * *
that the Cherokees are permitted at present to remain
where they are only because this governmnt is looking for
ward to tbe time Avhen some peaceable arrangement can be
made for their removal without shedding blood; but that this
final removal ds contemplated is certain, andi that it will be
effected is equally so. Whether it Avill be done by friendly

298 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
negotations or by the violence of war, must depend upon the
Cherokees themselves. If they remain at homie quieitly and
inoffensively, Arithout murdering our people, stealing their
property or giving succor and protection to our enemies, tbey
Avill be permitted to remain in the umdiisturbed enjoyment of
their present pass.es.'^ions until Congress shall be able to .make
some final arrangements satisfactory to both parties for
their return to their OAvn tribe beyond Red River. But
if, listening to the sugges't.ions of bad men, equally the 'ene
mies of the red -man and the white, they shall pursue such
a course of conduct as to jeopardize the lives and property
of oui* citizens, or to destroy the sense of security essential
to the happiness amd prosperity of our frontier, the amevit-
able consequence A\ill be prompt amd sanguinary war which
can terminate only 'in thedr destruction or expulsioh."
He urged thean to shoAv that they were friends and Avait
until the next Congress met and he would ask it to act so
libtrally tOAvard them, las to leave the Cherokees and white
people lasting friends, Continueing he said:
"If Ave Avere to gdive you a" you as>ki — if this govern
ment were to ackneAvledge you as a free, soA-^ereign and in
dependent power to the fullest extemt— -your eondli'tion would
not be the least im^proAedJ by it. You could not live in peace
Av.lh our people. You Avould be subject to perpetual and un
avoidable annoyance and) Avould have finally to sell out and
leaA'e the country. Surrounded, as you soon would) be, by a
fetromg population and daily harassed by bad men ever ready
to take advantoge of your ignorance or weakness, w-hat se
curity AA'ould you haA^e for any of your rights? What redress
of wrong? There Avould be nore except the honor of this
government. You would be powerless and have to rely up
om the magnanimity of Congress. Then, why not rely upon
it now? This government has no desire to wrong the In
dian, or shed his blood; but, it Arill not hesitate to adopt
the most vigorous and decisive measures for the defense of
its rights and the proteotiom of its OAvm people."
After several papers captured from Mores Avere laid

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 299
before the President and his cabinet, steps were taken to
compel the departure of the Cherokees from Texas, with
the least possible delay.
The Houston Telegraph of June 19, contained an editorial
saying that the time hadi arrived for severe chastisement of
the Indians who had iurked "like spirits of darkness on the
borders" and who had "construed forbearance into weak
ness and indulgence into timidity." After .alluding to the
Houston-Forbes treaty of 1836 Avith the Cherokees, the ar
ticle continues :
"We have neither time nor patience to discuss that
treaty. It has never been ratified — has received no sanc
tion except from the inexplicable fatuity of the commis
sioners who made it. To confirm it now would infUct irre
parable injury upon Texas, and i>ositive, palpable injustice
on many of her citizens. The proposition is therefore idle,
"* * The Cherokees are, and always were, unwelcome
intruders among us. If they will not return peaceably to
their original tribe, it wiU become our duty — ^now that their
stealthy macLinatdons with Mexico have been.fuUy discovered,
to compel their retirement and perpetual alienation from.
the country » * « . ^
"The Cherokees have long been a source of inquietude
and distrust to our eastern brethren. During the invasion
of '36, the proximity of those wily sa'vages to his homestead
restrained many a strong hearted Red Landier from the field
of battle, and kept him an idle and umArilling spectator of
his country's struggle. Their insidious connection with Mex
ico, anld their secret imtrigues with the paltry tribes of the
prairies, have already cost us much blood and suffering
* * *. There should he an end put to these things,"
Col. Burleson was ordered to increase his force to 400
men and to march into the Cherokee country, which he did,
crossing to the east side of the Neches July 14, Avher© he was
joined by the regiment of Gol. Landrum, composed of volun
teers from Haridsou, Shelby, Sabine amd San Augustine
counties.. Gen Rusk was already on the ground with the

300 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Nacogdoches regiment and encamped near the Cherokee vil
lage, Douglass despatched Capt. Kimbro's company of San
Augustine volunteers to the village of the ShaAvmees to de
mand the surnenider of their gum-locks to enforce neutrality.
They Avere promptly deUA-^ered.
Vice-President, David G. Burnet, Thomas J. Rusk, J. W.
Burton, James S, Mayfield and Secretary otf War, Gem Al
bert Sidney Johnston (the latter of whom was appointed at
the instance of Bowles), as commissioners for Texas, were
for several days previous tO' July 15 engaged in oonf erences
with the Cherokee chiefs, trying to effect an amicaible agree
ment,* They had been instructed to allow a fair compensa
tion for improvements, payment to be made partly in money
and partly in goods; but were not authorized ito stipulate
for payment of the Cherokees for thedr lamdis.
At noon Jnily 15, the commissioners came imto camp and
announced their failure to megotiate a settiement.
The troops Avere immediately put im motion and pro
ceeded to the Cherokee village, under instructions not to fire
until the Indians had been summoned' to accept the terms of
the government. It was found that the Cherokees had retreated some
hours before to a strong positiom near a DelaAvare vdUage,
five or six miles' ddstanit.
The Texas army foUoAved them. The Indians opened fire.
The engagement began late in the afternoon. The Indians
were beiaten.
Another battle foUoAved thej uiext day near the Neches,
in Avhich the Indians were hopelessly defeated and Chief
Bowles* was killed. The CLerokees fled from tLe country

If Of f icial report of Secretary of War.
* If Bowles was the son of a Scotch father and Indian mother. Ee was a man of un-
iisaal satracity. It is said that he advised the Indians to accept the best terms they could
set from the whites, but they refused to be guided by his advice, whereupon he told them
that he would live or die for them as fortune might determine, and exhorted them to fight
bravely. During the last battle he could be repeatedly heard encouraging them, and more
than onc4 urging them to charge.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 301
after these affairs. Parties of Dhem returned from time to
time afterwards and committed murders and depredations
alone or in conjunction with other Indians. Thomas J.
Rusk and .James S. Mayfield, aa commissioners, entered into
an agreement under which the Shawnees accepted terms of
the government and left the country.
In the battle with the Cherokees at the Delaware A'illage,
Vice-President Burnet, Adjutant General McLeod, General
Johnston, and Major David S. Kaufman were among the
wounded. Brig. Gen. K. H, Douglass, commanding the Texas army
under date of "Headquarters, Camp Carter, 16th' of July,
1839," made >the following official report tot Gen. A, Sidney
Johnston, Secretary of War:
"On yesterday, the negotiations on the part of the com
missioners having failed, under your orders the Afhole force
was put im motiom towards the encampment •of Bowles on
the Neches, Col, Landrum' crossed on the west side of the
Neches and mp the river. The regiments undier Col, Burle
son and Rusk moA'ed directlj to the camp of Bowles, om
reaching which it Avas fomnd to be abandoned. Their trail
was ascertained, and a rapid pursuit made. About six miles
above their encampment, in the vicinity of the Delaware vil
lage, at tiie head of a prairie, they were discovieried by the
spy company under Capt. Carter and a detachment of about
twemty-five fronu Capt. Todd's company led by Gen. Rusk.
The enemy deployed from the poimt of a hiU. Gen. Rusk
motioned for them to come on. They advanced' and fired
four or five times and immediately 'Occupied a thicket and
ra-rine om the left. As we advanced, the lines were imme
diately formed and the action became general. The ravine
-was instantly oharged and flanked cm the left by Col. Burle
son with a part of his regiment. The rest of Col. Burleson's
riegimient was led by Lieut. Col. Woodlief; a portion of Gen.
Rusk's regiment charging at the same time, and another
portion took position on a point or hill to the right and
droye a party, who attempted to flank us, frcam that quarter

302 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
— ^thus instantly driving the enemy from.the ravine and thick
et, leaving eighteen dead on the field that have been found
and carrying off, as usual, their Avoundied- as Avais seem by
many of our men. Our loss in the engagement Avas two kiUed,
one Avounded mortally, and five slightly.
"Col. Landrum was not able, having so much further to
march, to participate in the engagement, but has beiem or
dered to join us this morning. All behaved so gallantly, it
would be invidious to particularize. The action commeu'ced
about half an hour 'before sundown, which preAiemted a pur
suit. Most of their baggage was captured; five kegs of
poAvdier, 250 lbs. of lead, many horses, cattle, coam and other
property." TLe action of Jnlly 16, began by Gapt. Carter's spy com
pany 'being fired upon. Col. Burleson, with the companies
of Capts. Jordan and Howard of his regiment, advanced
briskly to the support of Carter and drove the enemy's force
in front to a raA'ine and thicket where the main body of the
Cherokees Avere posted in a very sti-omg positi ouu Bu'rieson's
loss was on© man killedi and' seven horses Avounded.
Col. Rusk, leading the cohnpanies of Capts. Tipp and
Todd, amd folloAvied by the second battalion of his regiment
(companies of Cajpts. R. W. and Madison Smith) under Lt.
Col. James Smith, moved up to the support of Burleson
and took position as the center of the Texas line. Burleson
obliqued to tbe ileft and engaged the enemy's right. Capts,
LeAvis and OAvmsby of the other battalion of Burleson's reg
iment moA'ed to the right of Rusk and in front of tLe ene
my's left wing.
Spirited firing comtinued for am Lour and a LaM — the
Cherokees evidently making a serious effort for rietory.
Then Gen. Douglass ordered a simultaneousi charge, Avhich
was gallantly executed. The enemy Avere driven with
slaughter for half a mile and took refuge in a SAvamp in the
Nlecbes bottom. They Avere aga-in' charged, Lt. Col. Wood
lief leading the right, Rusk the center and Burleson the
left. This time they offered no oppositlion, but broke and

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 303
ran in every direction away from their assailants. Gen, Doug
lass then halted his men and ordered tthem to collect the
wound^ and form on high ground. According to bis esti
mate, (the Cherokee force consisted of 700 or 800 warriors.
Their OAvn report placed their loss in killed and Avounded at
100. The Texan loss was two killed and thirty wounded. —
three mortally: Maj. H. W. Augustin, Jno. S. Thompson, and
Jno, Ewing,
Gen, Douglass says that Capt. Jordan was wounded eariy
in the action and, while he was on the ground, continued to
command his men. The General favoraibly mentions Drs.
Booker, Brown and Towers and the other surgeons, Capt.
Smith, Lieut. Corbin, Adjutant General McLeod, Brigadier
General Snively, volunteer aides Davis and Morbett and Maj.
Sturgiss and Capts. Milroy amd Patton of his staff, and
others. He says, "Rusk andi Burleson behaved Avith that gal
lantry and coolness that has so often distinguished them on
the field of battle in Texas."
Also: "Important benefits are likewisie acknowledged
to have been derived from the active exiertion's of the Secre
tary of War and Viee-President, Avho Avere on the field in
both engagements, and behaved in such a manner as reflect
ed credit upon themse'lves."
On the morning of the 18th, the Avoumdied were con-
veyied to Port Lamar by Capt. Todd im commiand of a dettail
of eighty men.
The Texas army remained in camp for tAVO days— until
joined by the force under Col. Landrum Avhich had been ad
vancing up the ea.st side of the Neches.
On the 21.st 'the army went in pursuit of tbe enemy.
Gen. Douglass says: "The traU of the Indians bore
westward to the headwaters of the Sabine, whdch was fol
lowed and brought us abiout 4 o'clock dm tbe evening to
some Indian huts amd cornfields. Severai viUages and sev
eral hundred aeres of corn Avere discovered. We encamped
at one of tbem— desitroyed thc-Jr houses and. cut down their
com.

304 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
"This devasta>ting march was continued up to the 25th,
untU the lenitdre Cherokee country had been traversed and
Indian trails had disappeared. Housies were burnt amd crops
amd improvements destroyed every day until none remained.
ASI cattle and other stock were appropriated.
"On the 25th orders Avere issued for .the companies to be
marched home by different routes and mustered out of ser
vice, Avhich was done, ' '

BIGHTS OF THE CHEROKEES— THE INCRATITXTDE 07
A REPUBLIC.
Yoakum's view that the Cherokees had a strong equita
ble, -if mot legal, title to the lands they,claimed; that the Con-
sultatdc'm was a priA'ate organic body that had the right and
poAver tto issaie .the solemn decree it did ; and to authorize the
negotiation of the treaty entered into by Houston and
Forbes by direction of the Pro visional GoA'emment of Texas ;
and that the white people were the first to hreaik the temns
of the solemn compact entered into Avith the Indians, is sus
tained' by the facts of history.
But a breach had been created that it was impossible to
bridge, as mutual confidence had been destroyed. The
people at (large regarded th.e Cherokees as enemies, and
a greedy element hungered for their lands. Reflecting
public sentiment, the Texas Senate rejected the Houston-
Forbes treaty.
President Houston believed that the Cherokees Avere being
made the victims of la cruel combination of circumstances,
and made a noble but unavailing effort to saA*-© ithem.
It is not only possible, but probable, tihat, if the declara
tion of the Consultation and the treaty had been lived up to
in letter and spirit by the people and governmemt of Texas,
the Cherokees would have proven faithful aUiies.
The action of the Consultation aUd the treaty if adhered
to, would have cured its defects and given them defense and
inviolable territory. Both were repudiated.

CDll]<n I
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hq:0L0)q:u<Q.h<III z
Ul 0(0

FAMOUS COUNCIL. HOUSE FIGHT-PAGE 311

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 305
LOCATING THE CAPITAL AT AUSTIN.
By October Isit, the seat of government Avas transfered
to Austin. President Lamar and cabinet traveled overland
from Houston. They Avere met outside the tOAvm and es
corted in by a delegation of citizens, Avho gave a banquet
and ball in their honor. Public buildings, imcludiing a wooden
one-story capitol situated where the city hall now stands, had
been erected during ,the summer.
The site of Austin Avas selected by Albert C. Horton,
Louis P. Cook, Isaac W. Burton, WiUiam Menefee and J.
CampbeU, commissioners appointed under the act of January
14, 183&. Thedr action Avas bitterly criticised by those op
posed to Lamiar's administration, and emtbusdastically support
ed by his adheremts land aiU who favored the policy of driv
ing the Indians westAA^ard as rapidly as possible and shoving
the frontier line forAvard in thair Avake. A prime object Avas
to open lands for safe settlement by immigrants and other
Lomeseekers. At tLat time Austin- was on the extreme frontier. The
nearest settlememt on tbe west was Sam Amtonio, about eighty
miles aAvay. "To Laviaea Bay, one hmndred and fifty
miles distant, the only settlements were Gonzales and Vic
toria. To Houston, a distance of nearly two hundred miles,
the only settlements were about Washington." To the set
tlements on Red River, nearly four hundred miles distamt,
was a region unoccupied saive by roving and murderous
bands of Indians.

OAPT. HOWARD'S SKIRMISH.
Fort Burleson, Oct. 26, 1839.
To the Hon. A. Sidney Johntson, Sec. of War:
Sir — ^I have the honor to report that on the morning of
thie 26th inait,, hetweiem San Gabriel amd Ldttle River, aa I was
riding accompanied by one of my command, abouit one
quarter of a mile in advance of the Avagons and their guard,
I discovered a numiber of Indians at a distance, and leaAong

306 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
a mam to watch their movements and endeavor to ascertain
their numbers, I joined my company to put them in a posi
tion f'or attack or defense, as circumsitances might require.
TThe ecout camie in' and. reported about 140 Indians. I
then took a position in an island of timber, forming a breast
work with the wagOns, Avhich I had hardly completed when
the enemy came upom us. There were from 15 to 30 riding
around, and as I thought, endeavoring to draAV me from my
position. Finding that impossible, tbey drew off to a point of tim
ber about 250 yards distant. In order to ascertain thear
numbers Arith more certainty, I mounted and rode in their
direction, when 'they wibhdreAv in'o b'l-a- prairie. As I found
that thieir force dad not exceed 20, and some of them had
previously rode off in a different idirecition (probably to ob
tain reinforcements), I took up the line of march for the
Falls, after instructing Capt. Moore and Lt. LeAvis that I
would endeavor 'to provoke them to an attack, and to hold
themselves im readiness. I being the be.=:t mounted, pursued
the Indians alone. On reaching the summit of a hill in the
prairie, I discovered them in advance. Tbey immediately
turned, and gave chase, hoping to out me off before I could
reach my foi-ce. I led tli-em back toAvards the 'AA'agons, and
on their arriving Avithin 200 yards, Lt. LcAvis and tAvelve men
met me ; Ave then charged them, (leaving Capt. Moore andth*
balance of the mem to gaiard the Avagons) and a skirmish en
sued "which lasted aibonit fifteen minutes, when tbey retreated,
leaving three men lamd three horses dead upon the field, be
sides several who rode off evidently worundfd. Tbe state of
our horses .was such it'bat I could not pur.sue them, as they
were mostly mounted on fine American horses, and having
seen a very 'large trail near Brushy the diay before, I
thought it amsost prudieint to proceed' on my route. We sua^
(tained no injurj-, with the exception of one horse, which
was badly -wounded and left bebind. I arrived Lere on Mon
day the 28th -without further intorpuption, but from the vaiv
iou« trailit «nd signs, I am convinced tLere is a large force

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS, 307
hovering aibout the road from this place to Austin.
Lt. Alexander and several of .the men are d-own with
the fever, there is no surgeon within seventy miles of the
post, and no medicines on hand,
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient
nerA-ant, Geo, T. HoAviard, Comd'g Post.
—Austin City Gazette, Nov. 6, 1839.

INDIAN TROUBLES NEAR THE NEW CAPITAL.
During the fall of 1839, a young negro man owned by
Hamilton White was killed amd scalped by Indians in Wal-
mjit Creek bottom aibout six mUes from Austin. White had
a contract to deliver lumber at Austin, and started' the ne
gro for that place Avith a 'wagon load of lumbei' and $300.00
in money. The night before he Avas killed, the megro stopped
with has team at Reuben Hornsby 's. In the morning he said
that he was afraid to go on to Austin, as it Avas knoAvm that
hostile Indians were dm the A-^i cinity. Mr. Hornsby told hiim
that he had better Avait umtil he could get company. The dar
key, replied that Mr. White expected him to reach toAvn by a
certain time, and he Avould h; ve to take ehaneeis. He laecord-
ingly set forward, with the result stated.
The "Telegraph," published at Houston, sayis in its issu»
Of Dec. 18, 1839:
"The combined, tribes of the Lipans amd^ Toa^Biways
A¥ere at Austin on the llth inst. They were to accompany
Col. Burieson on the expedition into the Comanche country.
About 300 troops under this officer and 200 of the Indians
were to leaA'e the encampment near Austin on or about the
13th inst. for this purpose.
"The object of the expedition is to force the Oomanches
from the section of country near tLe San Saha amd to es-
tablisL a line of block Louses from the Colorado to the Red
River, These block houses, when erected and garrisoned, it
i« believed, will effectuaUy shut out the prairie Indians frons.
the country, and remove the frontier from 100 to 200 miles

308 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
further northward. By this means an immense tract, the
most fertile and healthy section of Texias, will he opened to
the emterprisimg immngranits Avho are crowding into the
country. The section of country to be thus wrested from
these savage hordes, is exceediimgly yailmable, from the fact
that it is .peculiarly adapted to the culture of wheat and
other staples of the mdiddle states of the American Union."

BURLESON'S ATTACK ON MIGRATING CHEROKEES—
DEATH OP "THE BOWL" AND "THE EGG."
The year closed AvMh an engagement om Chriistmiasi day
Avitih a considerable body of Cherokees who Avere trying to
make their Avay across Texas into Mexico by traveling north of
the settlements. They were led by John BoAvles, son of
Cod. Bowles, or "The Bowl," as he Was caMed by the tribe,
(the deceased chief who was kUled in one of the battles
fought Avhen the Cherokees were expelled from East Texas
in July), and another ehief called "The Egg."
Col. EdAvard Burleson, of the army, in commiamd of a
body 'of reguiliars, a few volunteers and Lipan and TonkaAva
scouts Avas making a Avinter campaign between the upper
Colorado and Brazos rivers.
During the afternoon of December 23, when he was about
twenty-five miles eai^ of Pecan bayou, his scouts reportted
that they had discovered a large trail of horses amd oattle
bearing south, in the direction of the Colorado river.
The trail wia® followed auc some time in the afitemoom of
December 25, Cdl. Burleson amd his mem crossed to the west
side of the river and approached Avithin a short distance of
the camp of Jobm Bowles and "The Egg" before being dis
covered. Burleson desired the Indiuns to surrender. They sent a
messenger to hkn to parley and at the same time a party of
them moved to his rear and took position in a ravine. Con
cluding that they were merely endeavoring to secure time to
attack his force to befstt advantage, he detained the Indian
messenger and .gave orders under wLich his men began to de-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 309
ploy im such a manner as to be able to assail the enemy both
in front and flank.
Correctly interpreting Avh^t Avas transpiring, the Indians
in the ravine opened fire, instantly kilUng Capt. Lynch and
Avound'ing several of the Avhites. The fire was returnedi by
Oompany B, which immediately charged! under Capt. Clen
denin, amd drove the sa^^ages out of the ravine amd hack
upon the main force. At the same time the rest of Burle
son's force charged the warriors under BoAvles and "The
Egg." Both of the chiefs and five other Indians were
kiUed. The conflict Avas brief, the Cherokees breaking he-
fore the impetuous onset, lamd seeking cover in demse cedar
brakes. AU the surviving Avarriors, except the messenger,
escaped. He and five womem and nineteen children Avere
made captives. Among the prisoners were the wife and two
daughters of Gol. Bowles and three children of John Bowles.
Some months later the prisoners Avere sent to their kindred
in the Cherokee Nation, Avest of Arkansas.
Col. Burleson continued his expedi'tion to a successful
conclusion, marching up Pecan Bayou, thence across to- the
Leon, amd doAvn the country to the settlements, frightening
Indians out of the region. Several bodies of hostiles were
reported by their scouts, but dissolved and disappeared, on
his approach. Among those Avho acoompanied him were Col. Wm. S.
Fisher, Major Wyatt, Captain Matthew OaildweU, Lieut. Lew
is, Dr. Booker, and Capt. (afterAvards Dr.) J. P. B. January.
The end of the year found the Indian situation in Texas
somewhat improved, the settlements rapidly extending, pop
ulation and Avealth largely increased, and security — the tArin
blessing of freedom — ^being afforded in larger measure to
the people on the frontier and elsewhere than at any for
mer tim'e since tihe era of the Republic.

CHAPTER XIII.

HE year 1840, in the history of Texas,
teems vrith interest. The stream of the na
tion's life, no longer a rivulet, was broaden
ing and deepening into a noble river.
Durimg the twelve months, the eastern,
and a portion of the northern boumdiary of
Texas were established by commissioners ap
pointed for t'le purpose. The "neutral
ground" on the eastern line was thus elim-
imated. The survey added a narrow strip
of land to the northern portion of the Republic. The set
tlers in it Avere generously treated by Texas, being al
lowed the same quantities of land as emigrants.
Having no use for the mavy, Texas leased the greater
portion of it to Yucatan, in Avhose service it remained for
two years. An attempt Avas made to establish a Republic
of the Rio Grande by Mexican revolutionists, but failed. The
effort "Avoul'd be unworthy of mention, but for the increase
of fame added to Texas arms by Colonels William S. Fisher,
S. W. Jordan and their comrades, who aided the movement
and performed military exploits on Mexican soil thait are
not surpassed by any record of Texas soldiers.
In the. latter part of the year the independence of Tex
as was formally recogmzed by Great Britain, France and Bel
gium, and the Repulblic's position a® a sovereign state as
sured.

BORDER WARjS OP TEXAS. 311
So much for general events and legislation. The
main interest that attaches to the year centers in
incidents that marked the working out of Presidemt Lamar's
Indian policy, and in happenings that SAvelled the bloody tide
o* savage atrocities that contmued to surge along tbe fron
tier.

FAMOUS COUNCIL HOUSE FIGHT.
January 30, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson Avrote to Col.
William S. Fisher, commanding 1st regiment of Texas In
fantry, directing bim to order three companies of the regi
ment to m'areh immediately to San Antonio, amd to proceed
there himself and take command of the troops amd station
them in such advantageous position near the town as he might
select. Gen. Johnston recited the contents of a letter re
ceived from Karnes and then, speaking of the Comanches,
saidi: "If they come, in accordance Avith their agreeanemts,
bringing with them the captives and deliA'er them up, such
voluntary release of their prisoners AriU be regarded as an
evidence of their sincere desire ior peace and they Avill, there
fore, be trearted Avith kinidmess .and be permitted to depart
Avithout molestation.
"You Avill state to them that this government assumes
tbe right, with regard 'to all Indiam tribes residing Avithin
the Umits of the Republic, to dictate the conditions of their
residenoe, and that their OAvn happiness depends on their
good or had conducit tovA-ard our citizens; that their rem.ain-
ing 'Avit'hin snch limits as may be prescribed, and an entire
abstinence from acts of hostility or annoyanice to the inhab
itants of the frontier, are the only conditi;ons for the priv
ilege of occupancy that the governmemt deems it is neces
sary at ithis time to impose."
He described ithat the Comamches be told that theijrmust
keep out of the settlements, and not molest persons locating
lands, 'as citizens were entitled by law to make locations
upon any vacant and unappropriated portion of the pulblie
domain.

312 j BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
He also commanded Col. Fisher to arrest and hold as hos
tages the Indians Avho came ,to the meeting, unless they
brought im and sun^endered all the captives held by Com'an
ches ; but to allow messengers to return to the tribe and re
port Avhat had occurred, and that the Indian hostages Avould
be releasd as soon as the Avhite captives were produced.
Col. Fisher communicated Avith the Comanches in Feb
ruary, teling them mot to come in Avithout bringing all the
prisoners. They repUed that they would arrive ait the time ap
pointed. March 19th a party of Comanches, consisting of thirty
two Avarriors and thirty- three women and chUdrem entered
San Antonio, bringing only one prisoner, Matilda Lockhart.
The girl's body was covered Arith bruises and sores, her
hair had been singed to the scalp, and her nose had been
burned off to the bone — evidently at some time considerably
anterior to the" (meeting, as the wound had healed.
Twelve chiefs who accompanied the party, were con-
dueteed to the Court House, where they took seats on the
platform at one end of the room with Col. Fisher, Col. Hugh
McLeod, Adjutant General, and Col. William G. Cooke, Quar
termaster General, and acting Secretary of Avar,* commis
sioners appointed to treat with them. In the room were
also a consideraible crowd' of bystanders. Capt. George T.
Howard was orderedi mp Avith tAvo companies of soldiers, one
of which was stationed in the Court House and the other
near the building.
The Indian Women amd childi-em Avere gathered in the
yard amd the warriors about the house.
The jail occupied the corner formed by the east Une of
JIain Plaza and the month line of what is now Market street,
and to the north of, and adjoining it. Was the court house.
Both buildings were of stone, one story, flat roofed, and
dirt floor.
Col. Fisher opened the talk by asking tbe chiefs why
»Geii. Albert Sidney Johnston had refused the position of Secretary of War.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 313
they had mot brought im all of the prisoners, thirteem in num
ber, Avhich tihey Avere knoAvn to have. Muke-Avar-rah replied
that they had brought in the omily prisoners, and that
the OtLers Avere Avith bands over -wliojn they had no conitrol.
Miss Lockhart Avas them questioned, amd said that she had
seen several prisoners in camp a fcAv days previous, and that
the policy determined upon by the Indians Avas to bring
them in one at a time and thus extort large ransoms. She
also told of the brutal treatment and indignities to which
she had been subjected. The chiefs listened in haughty
and defiant silence Avhile she spoke, and as she left the room
they became restless and gave evidence of their feelings-
trouble Avas imminent.
A message was sent Capt. Howard, lamd he marched into
the room with the company that had been stationed in the
yard, drew his men up in line .h.ci'Oss the apartment, and sta
tioned himself and sentry at the c-iosed doors. Capt. Redd's
company AAas ordered to the lear of the building, and had
barely arrived there Avhen the fighting began.
In the yard were Indian boys shooting with boAvs and
arrows at marks, for small coins that Judge Robinson was
offering them as prizes. jMrs. Maverick and other ladies
were looking on through cracks in the fence.
When HoAvard's company Lad been brought to parade
rest. Col. Fisher arose and addressed the chiefs. He re
proached them with their former perfidy, amd for violating
the terms of the subsisting agreement. Im conclusion, he
asked them if they recollected murdering tAVO Avhite men
while under a Avhite flag.
A Comamehe chief arose, and Avith am atidacity and an
insolence of tone and manner that could not be exceed'ed, re
plied, "No, AA-e do not reooUect," and seated himself, after
the Indian fashion.
Silence ensued. It Avas broken by the chief again aris
ing, turmim'g toward Col. Fisher with an air at once con
temptuous and threatening, and demanding in a loud voice,
"How do you like our answer f"
Col. Fisher replied: "I do not like your ansAver. I told

314 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
you not to come hei-'e again Avithout bringing in the priso
ners. You have come against my orders. Your Avomen and
children may depart in peace, 'and your braves may go amd
tell your people to send im the prisoners. When those pris-
on£rsi are retained, you and the other ehiefs here present
may likewise go free. Until then we will hold you as) hos
tages." The inteipreter had' to be told tAvice to report this dec
laration; protesting that a conflict AVOuld immediately follow.
As soon as he uttered the Avords be left the room. True to
his prediction, the chiefsi strung their bows, and drew thedr
knives.
I In bis official report, Col. McJ>eod saysi: "We told the
chiefs that the soldiers they saw were their guards, and
descended from the platform. They immediately followed.
One Olf them sprang to the back door and attempted to pass
tlie sentinel avIio presented his musket, VA-Iiem the chief drew
his knife and staibb'eid. hi.in. A rush Avas then mlade to the
door. Capt. IlO'Ward collared ome of them amd reoeiA'.ed) a
seA-ere stab in the side. IIoAvard tried ito use his sAvord,
but it Avias' too lcmg for serA-iee in .a breast to breast strug
gle, and all he could do Avas to seize the Indian's Avrist,
AA'bich he lueld till faint from loss of blood. He ordered tbe
sentinel to fire upon his antagonist, Avhich he did and the
Indi'am fell dead. Col. Fisher ordered, 'Fire if ithey do n'Ot
desist.' The Indiams rushed on and fought desperately, and a
general order to fire became necessary.
"Afteir a short, but desperate, straggle eveiy one of
the twelve chief is in the oouncil room la.A-' dead upon the
floor. "The indoor Avork being fini'shed, Capt. HoAA'ard's com
pany 'was formed in front to prevent retreat in that direc
tion; but in caasequence of the seA-'erity of his Avound, he
was relicA'^ed by Capt. Giillen, Avho oommand'ed the company
till the close of tiie action."
The bysitamders in the room had to fight for their lives
as WeU as the reist. Judge John Hemplnill (than District
Judge and later Chief Justice .of the Supreme Court) Avas

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 315
one of them, and disemboweled with a boAvie knife, one of
the chiefs, %A-ho grappled with him.
The Indians outside the hous(e fought like wild beasts.
Capt. Redd's 'Oompany coming up promptly in the rear of the
building, drove them to^vard' a stone building, A\iliich only
one of them -sraccieed in entering. Several Avhdte mem Avere-
killed and Avounded. The Indian arroAv« Avith Avhoch they
were struck Avere driven to the feathers. Several Indiams
were killed in adjacent streets and yards by citizens. A
small number of the savages managed to reach the
river, but were pursued and. killed by Maj. Lysander Wells
am'd a f cav other mounted' men, only ome of their party — a
renegrade Mexican — escaping. Three womem and two boys,
Avilio tciok: part im the fray, Ave re slain.
Wdshimg to spare the Avarrior in th.e ^rtome builddmg, the
commissiomers sent in an Indiam woman to tell him to surren
der and be spared. He refused the offer, and continued to
shoot, wounding several persons. After dark, a Mexican
crawled on top of the house, picked a hole in the roioif, and
dropped a large ignitedi ball of cloth saturated Avith .tiuipem-
tine imto the roc.m, for the purpoise of ligBiting up the inter-
i'Or so the occupant could be seen. The ball fell om the In
diam 's head and stu/cik -there, amd he rushed into the street
covered Avith flame. He Avas instantly riddled Avith bullets.
Twenty-eig'ht Indian Avomen and childrem were detained as
prisoners. The Texan loss Avas, kiUed: Judge James W. Robinson;
Judge Hood .of San Antoinio ; Judge Thompson of Houston ;
Casey .of Matagorda county; Lieut. W. M. Dunnington, 1st In
fantry; Privates Kamimsike .and Whiting, .and a Mexican.
Wounded : Capt. George T. HoAvard, Lieut. EdKvard A.
Thompson and private Kelley, severely, and Capt. MattheAV
Caldwell, and Mr. Higgembottom and Deputy Sheriff Mor
gan and Private Carson, slightly. Col. McLeod says: "Ov
er a hun'dred hor'ses amid 'a large quantity of buffalo robes
and peltries remained to the victors."
By request of the prisoners, ome squaw was released,
provisioned and allowed to go to her people and say that

316 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
the prisoners Avould. be released whenever the Texan prisoners
held by the Indiians Avere brought in.
A short time afterAvard a party of Comamches dis
played a white flag on a hill some distance from towm, evi
dently afraid to come nearer. When a flag was semt out it
was found ithat tbey had brought im several white children
to exchange for tiieir people. Their mission Was siuccessful
and they hurried aAvay.
The Telegraph amd Texas Register gave an account of
the following, among other incidents of the Council Heuse
Fight: "Capt. MattheAV CaldAvell, 1st Regimenit of Infamtiy, was
in the street unarm^cd whem the struggle 'COimmeniced. He
stepped into a 'house .to see if he could procure a gun.
No one was .at home, and he passed into the back yard.
There he was confronted by an Indian warrior, who made
ready to shoot him. CaldweU stooped down and picked up
a roek, which he thrcAV, hitting the Avarrior on the forehead,
slightly stbummimg him. CaldAvell contamued to throw stones,
hurling them so f aist, that for dodging, the Indiam dad not
get a chance to take aim amd let fly an arrow. While this
unequal combat Avas in progress Jolm D. ilorris, with only a
three inch barrel, single shot pistol, came into the inclosure.
Caldwell, Avho was mearly exhausted, called out, 'Go up and
shoot 'him John, or he Avill get m'e. I Avill keep him on the
jump with stones.'
"Morris did as requested, Avalking to AvUthin foum- feet of
the Indiam and shooting him thronigh the heaxi.
"Deputy Sheriff Morgan (.one of Deaf Smith's men)
AAia.s standing in the back yard of a residemce when three
warriors sealed the Aviall amd attacked him. Although wound
ed, be picked up a roiok and fracturedl the s-kuU of ome of
his assailant® Avith iit kilUm'g him. He then' seizied am axe amd
retrea.ted into the house, where he statfioned himself at one
side of the open- door. Tlie tAVo remaining IndBanjs attemp-
'ted to foiloAv 'Mm, amd he killed .them AA-ith terrific blowa,
dealt Avith the axe."
A Germian doctoa-, Avho was a local celebrity and a man

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 317
of soiem'tific taste anld attainments, came upom the body of
ome of the Imdiams kiUed by Morgan amd, being iihpressed by
the peouliar bumps om the head, took it for purpose otf dis
secting it. He Ava® maich. disgusted to find that the protub
erance 'Were mat natural devel opem emits, but due to the skull
beimg fractured im thirty-two placets. He later boiled ome of
the bodies, removed the flesh from the homes, amd articulated
the complete skeleton, whi'ch he placed im has cabdmet. Inci-
dently, he emptied the refuse into the Acequia, from which
cilbizems procured drimkimg water. The fact becoming knoAvn,
he stated .that the deposit was made Avihen everybody was
asleep .att night 'amdl the stream Av.ajs completely .purified be
fore water -AA-as agiaam takvem from it for drimkimg or cooking
purposes. Nothing buit his populaa:nty saved ham from en
forced emigration.
March 2&th, tAvo> hundred and fifity, or three hundred,
Comanches came closie to Sam Antonio, and chief Isimamca
and another warrior otf their number, rode daringly into the
public square, and circled aroumd the plaza, (them rode Boma
distance doAAm Com.merce stneet and ,baok, shouting all the
while, offering to fight, amd showering abuse and insults om
the Americans. ' ' Isimanoa was im full Avar paint amd) almost
naked. He stopped quite aAvhile in front Of Bluck's saloon,
on the northeast corner of the square. He shouted defiance,
rose in his stirrups, shook his clemch'Cid fist, raved) amd
foamed at the momth. The oitizens, through an interpreter,
told him that the soldiers were all dowm at the Mission San
Jose, and if he Avent there Colonel Fisher Avould give
him fight enough."
He proceeded 'ait omce to the Missicm amd repeated his
ehalilenge. Col. Fisher was sick in bed and Capt. Eedd Avas
in command of the post.
Redd replied to Isimanca by sayfim'g that a twelve days
trucie had beem' entered inito Avith th'e Comamches and be had
orders, not to break it, but if the chief and his war
riors would netunm wben the truce was at an end, they womld
be accomodated.

318 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
Isimanca denounced him and Ms- mem as coAvards and
finally left.
Yoakum says: "The Comamches hung about Sam Amton
io in isuLall parties brooding over their loss. The killing lof
so many of t'lueir chiefs Avas- a .seA-.ere stroike, and' they Avere
divided on the question of war. At lengtli they retired to
their homes, om the upper branch of the Texas rivers, to
make serious preparations for a terrible visitation om the
Avhite settlements."*
Bramch T. Archer Avas appointed secretary of War, and
Col. Williami G. Cook succeeded Col. EdAvard Burleson as
Colonel of infantry.
In May, the Republic Avas aroused by rumors of an im
pending military invasion from Mexico, to be accompanied by
Indians employed as allies of the Mexican troops.
Orders Avere issued under which a large force of Texas
A'olumteers a'ssembled for the purpose of organizing an army
for resistance, Upom the receipt of other imformatiom' that wa® deemed
reliable to the effect that no such hostile mOA-ememt was
likely to take place — ^they AA-ere disbanded.
The incident Avas designated as the "Archer War"
and provoked much adverse and undeserved criticism.
In the early days of July, Capt. Clemdenin left Sa-n Am
tonio in comimamd of a volunteer expedition against the Co
manehes, ibut afterAvards returned to the tOAvm leavng Capt. J.
R. Curmimgiliam and a force of nineteen mem on the Frio. In
an official 'report hy Cunningham he says that after they
parted July 4th, he crossed t':e Frio (om the same dlay) and
came upon a fresli Indiam trail, Avhich he pursued for several
miles up tbe Avestern side of tbe stream, expecting every
moment to come upon the enemy. The trail finally bore
? N'ai-^hKth, Mrs. V.-ebst",r carne "ntoSKn Antoriio v;thherthre«-j«.' c C tjI 5 ipon
ber back, having escaped frcii' tbe Coii.an.*h(i! by wbcir ti e had be«n c^pu r^d. t) « pr4\i-
oae year whun her hutband and partjr had be«n killed on Frushy Creek, near G»oreetoKn.
She presented a most wretcheij and pitiaLle appesritnce and vaa almc^t iamiifhed.
Friends cared for and ministered to her.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 319
aAvay from .the river, and he foUoAved it AA-ithout stopping
to get Avater. After proceeding for some time, mem and
horses began to suffer greatly from Avant of water. lit was
not praetieable to return to the river, Avithout abandoning
the chaise. He lamd the men determined to go on. This they
did, knowing that tLe Indiams would srt:op at the first Avater
hole and Avould probably make a stubborm figbit for its reten
tion. Between 5 and 6 o'clock p. m., Antonio, a Tonkaway
scout employed by the company, and Avho had) been/ kept
considerably in advance of tbe Gommand, rode back and .re-
-ported that the Indians — twenty Avarriors — Avere at a spring
just ahead and were saddling their aninnals preparatory to
resuming their journey. Cunningbam and those of his men
who were Avith him camtioualy approached the place amd took
position Avithin a short distance of the Indiams 'Avithouit being
perceived. He waited a fcAv monients for his rear file to
come up and 'dress into lime before ordering a charge. While
this moA-;ement AA-^as being execmted onle of his mem accidemt-
ly discharged a gum, and th.> Indians lea^ped into their sad
dles and applied the whip. He and. his men charged at once,
kiUing Indians rigliit and left. The surviving saA-ages labor
ed to reach thickeits some distance ahead. When all of them
were Avounded 'except three, the latter protecited the retreat
of the band in a maimer that he repeatedly speals cf "as
noble." lie says that one of the three Avas under fire of
ten or tAvelve of the best shots on the frontier, but acted
Arith cool intrepidity to the last. A rifle ball fimaUy .shat
tered his leg, and he fell over om his horse, just ais he and
the remnant of the band reached cover.. Cunninghaim cap
tured all Ithe effects of the Indiams. He says that be made
"a bon-f ire of most of their trumpery" and divided the
balance of their "plunder" among the A^olunteeis by lot.
The most important part of his capture Avas: a cabaUado of
horses and mules—a total of sixteen. He reached Sam An
tonio July 7th.

320 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
THE GREAT COMANCHE RAID— SACKING OF LIN-
VILLE AND BURNING OF VICTORIA,
During the first week in August, following the CounoU
House Fight, and other bloody affrays, narrated, occurred the
Great Comanche Raid ; in some respects the most formidable
invasion ever made by Indians into Texas,
This raid Avas khoAvn to and encouraged, if mot material
ly aided, by the Mexican authorities — especailly Gen. Cana-
Uzo .at Matamoras — and shows to have been weU planned,
with some degree of military strategy. The descent was
sudden, 'but the alarm spread as if borne om the wings of
the wind and the brave defenders of our frontier Avere soom
coUected under their favorite leaders and went in pursuit,
overtaking, emgagimg, and routing the murderers.
This remarkable affair marks am important epoch im
Texas history, and indeed most of our bistoriaEs regard it
as the turning point in affairs with the Indiams. Mamy par
tial and often erroneous accounts of this bold uprising amd
its timely quelling, have been published. Fortunately we are
enabled to give the facts as detailed by those im authority.
on matters pertaining to our border history.* It is not our
purpose to enter into the details of matters leading
up to and resulting in this bold raid — that belongs to the
h'story of Texas proper and has much to do with the po
litical attitude of Mexico toAvard the struggling Tfxas Re
pubhc. The unfortunate Council House tragedy doubli-eiss hast
ened the movements of this expedition, the enraged Co
manches, SAvearing to avenge the death of their fallen chiefs.
The Indiams to the number of about one thousand, begam
the descent from their stronghold in the mountains above the
San Marcos and extending their raid across thc country to
Lavaca Bay on the coast, an-a'lback to Good's Crossing on
Plum Creek, tAventy miles south-west of Austin, Avhere they
? Much of the data used in the preparation of this narrative was furnished the au
thor by the late Dr. Rufus C. Burleson a short tiire before his death, expressly for Bor-
d er Wars of Texas.

BATTl_E AT Pl-UM CREEK-PAGE 3Z4.

DEATH OP CAPT. JOHN B. DENTON-PAGE 357

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 321
were intercepted amd routed, losing all their prisoners and
property captured at Victoria and LinviUe.
The Indians passed doAvn the country during the first
days of August, leaving Gonzales seventeem miles to the
Avest, and murdering a feAV famUies as they passed through
the sparsely settled country, * they reached the quiet town
of Victoria at 2:30 o'clock p. m. on August 6. The citizens
were mot dreaming of Indians. Children were playing in the
yards, and on tLe sitreets, ladies were Shopping and joyfuiUy
engaged in their domestic aiffairs, the men were at their
usual vocations, when the bloody demons with horrid yeilDa
rushed into the streets and began their slaughter. Dr. Gray
and a few others who a(ttempted resistanc© Avere cut down.
The citizens not killed, took refuge in their houses and
fortified themselves as best they could. The Comanches
then plundered the stores and pri\-ate residences of every-"
tLing valuable. TLey caugLt in tJie lots and pastures be-
tAvieem tAvo and three thousand horses amd muies amd loaded
eight Lumdred or a tLousamd of them wiAL tLe goods
plundered. TLey started on to LinviUe. That night they
kindled big fires amd with fiendish joy danced and jielled
around the scalps of raurdiered citizens .and their plunder.
Next morning they hurried on to LiuA'ille, on the Avay
capturing ilrs. Crosby, grand-daughter of the oetebrated
Daniel Boione of Kenitucky, with her child and a nurse.
About daylight, on August the Sth, AvhUe many of the citi
zens were in bed, the Indians entei-ed Linvile and thi^ywing
themselves on the sides of their horses and riding in this
way, deceived the fcAV early risers who siaw them coming
but thought they were some of the usual caballados of horses
and mules brought into LinviUe for sale and shapment.
No language can teflil the- ii error of the innocent people
»-"Atthe time of this raid," says John Henry Brown, "the country between the
Guadalupe and San Marcos, on the west, and the Colorado on the east, above a line drawn
from Gonzales to La Grange, was a wilderness, while between that line it waa thinly set
tled. Between Gonzales and Austin, on Plum Creek, were two recent settlers— Isom J.
Good and John A. NeiL From Gonzales to within a few miles of Austin there was not s
settler. There was not one between Austin and San Antonio, A road from Gonzales t«
Austin had been opened in July, 1839."

322 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
wben they saw a ithousanid i-ed demons suddemly lising in
their siaddles and Arith fiemdiish yells killing the defense
less citizens, some of them in their beds. Resistance A\-as ut
terly useless amd the terror stricken men, women and chil
dren rushed for the smal boats lying in Lavaca Bay. The
warwlioop of the Avild Comamches, the cries of women amd
children and the groans of the dying, presented a scene of
horror upon Avhich the rising sun ncA-er before d.aAvned. The
oloody demons pursued the fleeing men, women and child
ren inito the Avater. Among those killed An^as Captain H. 0.
Watts, collector of cusitoma. He amd his beautifiil bride
-firere captured betAveen the shore and the boats. He Avas
kiUed and bis young bride Avas ruthlessly dragged back to
the shore and carried away as oaptdve. The majority of
the inhabitanits escaped to the boats, hurt all oithers Avere
murdered or carried aAvay captives.
LinviUe Avas the sbippimg poimt for a large portiom of
South-Aviesterm Texas amd Mexico and 'was at that time well
supplied Avith all sorts of merchandise. The exulting Co
manehes greedUy sacked the stores and private residences
and packed several hundred more horses andi miiles with
every kind of merchandise, elegant dresses and bed' clothes
from prdvaite residences. They now 'bedecked themselves
Avith red ribbons and gay clothing captured, and rode up
and doAvn the streets yelling like demons and fired the
tOAA-n, burning every house except one.
What lamguage cam express the horror of the innocent
men, womem and childrem a:s they stood on the boats in the
bay and looked upon- their once happy homes, burning to
ashes, and remembering many of their loA-od ones lay bleed
ing in tbo stro-f^s!

BATTLE AT PLUM GREEK.
The exulting Comanches, with three or four thousand
horses and mules, m'any of them heavily paciked Avith goods
plundered at Victoria and LinviUe, began their retreat. They
had glorious visions of the grand feasts and "War Dances"

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 323
they would have when they reached their mountain home
and displayed' the scalps and the untold wealth, and the
women and chUdren they had captured.
But, says one, God gave Texas heroes and path-finders,
who Avere cA-er ready to a\-enge such bloody raids. Among
these Avere "Old Gotch" Hardeman, Henry MeCuUoch, John
H. Moore,, "Paint" CaldAveU, Ed. Burleson and others.
The vigilant Ben McCulloch with a small force, Avas al
ready in pursuit — and im fact had engaged the enemy. He
sent Burleson the foUoAving dispatch: "General: The Indians
haive sacked and burned tbe town of Linville, and carried
off several prisoners. We made a draw fight with them at
Casa Blancoi — could not stop them. We Avant to fight them
before 'they get to the mountains. We have sent express
men up the Guadalupe."
Messengers rode swift in eviery direction, and at a mlo-
ment's warning, every man seized his gun, mounted and
rushed to the place of rendezvous. Those near La Grange
met at Col. Jno. H. Moore's, those near Bastrop met ait Gen.
Ed. Burleson's, those near Webberville at "Paint" Cald
well's, and aU concentrated at the point suggested by Gen.
Burleson, Avho ordered all to meet land attack the Comanches
at Good's Crcssing on Plum Creek, tAvo miles from Avhere the
toAvn of Lockhart no^v stands and twemty-seA^em miles beloAV
Austin. The grand old hero Paint Oaldweill Avith eighty-
two men, first reached the place of rendezvous August 1.
Next morning the scouts reported a thousand ludians coming
on the prairie Avith vast herds of horses and muiles, and sev
eral Avomen and children. But Biirlescm, nor Moore, nor Mc
Culloch, nor Hardeman had arrived; Avas it safe for eighty-
two men to attack a thousand Comanehes? HoAvever, as they
looked upon the awful spectacle, and saw tbem moving along
with women and children, CaldweiU could hold in no longer,
but yeUed out: "Boys, yonder they go and they have
got our AA-omen and childrem — they are a thousand' strong —
but we cam whip hell out of them! Shall Ave fight?" AU
shouted, "Yes, fight, fight!"
But at that time a courier came galloping up crying.

324 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
"General Burleson witL ome Lundred Texans and thirteen
Tonkawas and old Pilacido are coming!" In the meantime
Gen. Felix Huston arrived, and as Major General of the mi
litia, took command.
The Indians were exceedingly anxious to deifer the bat
tle until they could get their packmules Avith the vast
plunder and captured women and children beyond reach
of the infuriated Texans. And General Huston Avas equaUy
anxious 'to defer the battle until more recruits came. Several
bluff old Indian fighters told Lim Le kncAV notLing about
fighting Indians, that he ougLt to resign and let Gen Burie
son command. But this was Gen. Huston's first cLance for
gloirj-. TLe Indian cLiefs did all in their power to initimi-
date tLe Texians and hold them back untU they could get
their plunder and captives far rem'oved. SoA-eral of the In
dian chiefs charged up in front of the Texans and hurled de
fiant arrows amd spears at tLem. One of these daring chiefs
rode a fine horse with a fine .American' bridle, with a red rib
bon' eight or ten feet long tied to the tail of his horse. He
was dressed, ia eleganit style from the goods plundered at
Victoria and LinviUe, with a high-top silk hat, fine pair of
boots, leather gloves and an elegant broad-cloth coat hiod-
part before Avith brass buttons shining hiightly up and
down his back. When he first made his appearance he car
ried a large umbrella stretched. He and othei-s Avould
charge upom the Texans, shoot their arrOAVs, and retreat.
This Av^as done several times in reach of our guns. Soon
the discovery Avas made that they Aviore shields, and though
our mem took good aim, the buUets glamced. Am old Texan,
getting as near the place as Avas safe, Avaited patiently -tiM
they came up, amd as the Imdiam Avheeled his horse his
shield fileAv up. The Texam fired and brought him to the
groumd. Several ot'hei-s fell at the same time. Them, the In
dians began their retreat, and womld soon have beem' bej-omd
the reach of the Texans.
Gen. Huston Avas now told by the gallant McCulloch
and Gen. Burleson that the time had come Avhen they must
fight, and he reluctantly gave the order, "Charge I" Never

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 325
was a command! obeyed Avith Avilder shouts. Every man
was a hero, and the conscience-stricken, blood-stained Co
manches Avere swept aAvay like chaff before a tornado.
The Indians fled im wild confusion. Not one thought
of saving anything but his own scalp. They abandoned
their three thousand horses and plunder, and the captured
women and children. But they could not forego the
fiendish pleasure of murdering Mrs. Crosby, her child
and- nurse. They also shot an arrow into the bosom of the
lovely yonng- bride, Mrs. Watte, and left her as dead. But
Rev. Z. N. Slorrell and Dr. BroAvm heard her screams in
a thicket and went to her assistance. They extracted tbe
arrow, and she recovered- and lived many years — ^never for
getting her awful experience — and died at Port Lavaca,
in 1878. The enraged Texans pursued the Indians, and' kiUed
them for twelve or fifteen miles out, till they finally gained
safety in the brakes amd moumtains.
Thus ended' the great raid of 1840 — the most remark
able in our border anmals so far as Indian affairs are con
cerned. It Avas a Avomderful era in Texas hisitory; indeed it
was the turning point. Had the Comamches been smcc^s-
ful, they comfidently intended, Avith the horses, muiles and ma
terials captured, to equip a formidable Avar party of tAvo or
three thousand Indians for a grand re-raid doAvm the Colo
rado to the Gulf, plumderimg and devastating the fairest
portion of Texas. Im the meamtime Generals Carnalize amd
WoU, Avith some three thousand Mexican, cavalry, were 'bo
rush forvA'ard, capturing Sam Amtonio and Aoistim, Avith ali
booty. Chief Bowles and his Cherokees were to move
doAvn and destroy the easitem portiom of the state; the Wa
cos, Apaches and aUied tribes raiding down the Brazos, and
central Texas, thus utterly Ariping out the Texans. "But in
the good Proividence of God, we had heroes true amd brave,
who quickly raUied, amd uniting under their tried and cho
sen leaders, crushed, out this diabolical purpose f'or the ruin
of Texas. The defeated and routed Comamches fled to thear

326 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS,
mountain homes, overAvbebned Avith the conviction that the
Texans Avere quick of action, fearlessly brave, and invincible
of purpose— against any odds."
The savages Avere creatfallem and chagrinned, and sul
lenly retired to their raoamtain haunts to brood o.ver defeat,
and to plan revemge — om their Mexican alUes, AVbo had
failed to fulfill their agreememt, after imcoiting the Indiams
amd promisding to join them Avith their forces in a grand re-
raid of the AVhctle ooumtry. And for this brea^kiiig of faith
it is said the Mexicans suffered severely.*

HUSTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT.
Many thrillimg inioidenits and acts of indiividuail bravery
on the part of the c'hHrgimg Texans might be related did
space permit. It is in justice to the sulbject that the offi-
ciail repoii-t of the commander of the forces B:hould be given
— supplying, as it does, impottamt facts — 'amd it follows:
On Plum Creek, 5 miles west of Good's.
August 12, 1840.
To tbe Hon. B. T. Arclier, Secretary of War.
I arrived on yesterday evening anid found Gapt. Cald
weU enciamped om Plum Creek Avith about one hundred men.
This morning I Avas requested to take the command. Which
I did, with the consent of the mem. I organized them into
compamies, under tbe command of Captains Caldwell, Bird
amd Ward. About 6 o'dlock a. m. .the spies reported that
Indiams were approaching Plum. Creek. I criossed above
the trail about three miles, and passed doAvm 'On the west
side ; om arrivitog mear the traU I Avas joined by Ool. Burle
son with about one hundred men, under the command of Col.
Jones, Lieut. Col. Wallace and Major Handemam. I imme-
*"In October (1840) more than 400 warriors penetrated into Mexico, some 400 miles;
they killed, scalped, burned and destroyed everything they could; their track could be
traced for miles by the burning ranches and villaees. They carried off a great many fe
male captives, and thonsanda of horses and mules, and escaped safely to their stroneholds
In the mountains with their booty. The State of Nueva Leon suffered the most severely
from this onset, having more than 700 Inhabitants killed, and the State of Coahuila nearly
as many.— "Captain Flack's "The Texas Rifle Hunter." p. 183.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 327
diately fotnmed into tAvo lines, the right commandetl by Col.
Burleson, and >the left commanded by Capt. Caldwell, with
a reserve commanded by Maj. Hardeman, Avith Capt. Ward's
compamy. Om advamcinig mear the Indiams, they formed for
action, Avith a front of Avodds om. their rig'ht, (which they oc-
oupied'), their lines ex temdiimg nearly a quarter of a mile into
the prairie. I dismoumted my m.&n and a bamdisome fire was
opened) — the Indiam' cbdefs cavorting aroimd in splendid
style, om front and flanik, finely mounted, amd dp*^'=^'l in aU
the splendor of Comianche Avarfare. At this time sef «.sl Im-
dfians fell from their horses, and Ave had three or four miem
wounded. Finding that the Indiams 'were disposed to k««p
at a distance, amd .that a large body Avere assem'bled im the
woods, I ordered Cod. Burleson, Avith the right Aving, tomo'\'e
around the point of woods, and Captain CaldAvell, with the
left Aring, to charge into the Avoods; Avhieh movements Avere
executed in gallant style. The Indians did mot stand' the
charge, amd fled at aU poim.tis; from that time there Avas a
warm amd spirited pursuit for fifteem miles; the Imdiams
scattered, m.'ostly abamdominig their horses and taking to the
tLickets. Nothing could exceed the amiimiatiom. of the men,
and the icool and steady mammer in A^'hich they Avould dis
mount and deliver their fire. UpAvards of f oi'ty Indians Avere
kiUed — ^two prisoners (a squaw amd child) taken; amd Ave
have taikiem upAvards of tAvo hundred horses and mules, many
of them heavily packed Avith the plunder of linviUe and the
lower country. There is etill a large .anmount of good horses
and mules Avhich are mot gathered in. Of the captiA^es taken
by the Inidians below, Ave have only beem able to retake ome
— Mrs. Watts, of LinviUe — who was Avounded by the Indians
with an arrow whem they fled. Mrs. Crosiby was speared,
amd we umderstamd! that all the others Avere kiUed. We have
lost one killed and seven wounded — one mortally. I cannot
speak too highly of the Colorado, Guadalupe amd Lavaca
militia, assembled so hastily together, amd withorat onganiza-
tion. I was assisted by Major Izod, Colonel Bell, Captain
Howard and Captain Neil, ais volunteer aids, all of Avhom
ren'dered essential service. Colonel Burleson acted with

328 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
that cool, deliberate amd' prompt courage and candonet Avhich
be has so often and' gaUamitly displayed im almost every In
dian and Mexicam battle since the Avar commemced. Oapt.
CaldAvell, lalso a tried Indiam fighter, led' on his Avimg to tlie
charge 'with a bold' front amd a cheerful heart. Colonel
Jomes, Lieut. Col. WaUace, Major Hardeman, amd each of the
captains commanding companies, acted Avith the utmost cour
age amd firmness.
To conclude, I beUeve Ave have gl^Aiem tbe Comanches a
lessom Avhich' they AviU long remember ; near four hundred of
their braviest Avarriors have beem defeated by haif .their
num-ber, amd I hope amd trusit that this will be the last 'Of
their depredations on our frontier.
On tomorroAv I contemplate eonbodying as mamy mem as
I cam, and if Ave havie a sufficient mumher of good horsies,
pursue the Indians, in the hopes that Ave may overtake them
before they reach the moumtains. Colomel Moore joined us
this eA-emin,g Avith abotuit 170 men, horses A-ery hard' ridden.
I have the homor to be.
Your most obedient servamt,
Felix Huston,
Major-General, T. M.

INDIANS ATTACK KINNEY'S FORT AND ARE RE
PULSED.
During August, Kinney's Fort on Brushy Creek,
about eighteen miles from Austin, Avas attacked by
Indians. They expected to take its inmates unawares,
and would have done so had it not been for Joseph
Weeks. He heard what he at first Hupposed to be owls
hooting, but paid little atttemtiom ito the sounds umtil be
noted many amswering Loots from various directions.
He iistemed atiten'tiveily, umtil his practiced ear assured
him that the cries Aviere uttered by human throats, amd then
summoned his companions to arms, and started a messenger
to the nearest ®elttlementt for assistance.
This action Avias tafcenj none too soon, as the. hooting Avas

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 323
evidenitly a signal of at'tack, and the Imdiams immediately
thereafter rushed- om the place. They were met by a dis
charge of rifles that sent tliem reeUng^baok. Thiey fought
from cover for some time, but finding that there Avas mo pos
sibiUty of takdmg the place without greater loss tham they
cared to sustain, dreAv off Avith their dead and Avounded. On
ly ane mam in the fort Avas kiUed, and only one woumded.
Tbe mes-%mger reached, his destinataom, and a company
of fifty mem arriA-ied' at the fort mext day — ^too. late to pur
sue the Imdiams.
Kinmey was a soldier in tbe Texas army during the rev
olution; resided at Bastrop for some years, and later moved
to Brushy Cove, Avhere he erected the stockade that bore his
name. The attack AAias pi-otbably made before news of the
result of ithe battle of Plum Creek had spread among tlie
Indiams, for after it became generally knoiwn, they remained
overaAved for some time.

JACK HAYS FIGHTS LARGE WAR PARTY.
Im the fall of 1840 a party of about tAvo hundred Co
manches .stole.a large number of horses near Sam Antomio amd
drove tliem toAvard the Gmadalupe Riveir.
Capt. John C. ("Jack") Haj-s and twiemty men went in
pursuit, and came upom and charged tlie Indians at the
crossing of the Guadalupe.
The redskins aAvaited the onset, expecting to easily
overAvhelm thieir assailants by mere foa-ee of numbers. The
plans they laid for that puipose went "aglee". Hays amd
his comrades had a love of fighting that Avas umtinged by
fear, and ithat was fatal to tliose they eneoumtered.
The head' chief Avas speedily kiUed, and .the Indians
driven into complete rout. Hays amd his men pursued
them for several mUes, killing a number of them amd recov
ering motst of the stolen horses,
Saturday, September 1, Miehaed Naish, a cai-pemter of
Bastrop atLo had a fondmesBi for huniting, kiUed a deer in

330 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
the Avoods amd started) home with the carcass tied behind has
saddle. While ridiuig alomg, he was fired upom amd kililed
by Indians, who scalped him amd towk hds horse and its load
of vemisom. His body Avas found mext day by friiemds avIkh wenJt im
Search laf him. His eyes had' been pecked ou;t by bmzzards,
and his hody mutilated iby the Indiains, or by AAiolvies, aOmofitt
beyond identification.

CAPT. ERATH'S SERVICES.
September 20, Gen. Felix IBuston, as Major General of
'the Texas miUtia, transmitted to the Speaker of tbe House
o* Representatives a eommmnd cation, aeoompamied. by a re
port forwarded to him by Geo. B. Erath, captaim of a spy
company that he liad pl-aeed dn 'the field. After urging pay
ment of Captain Erath amd his miem, and saying that the com
pany had perfoir-med valuable service, he continues: "I al
lude primciipalJly to the discovery of the Imdd'am -brail above
the Waco' vUlage, ieadimg far into the mountains and, doubt
less, to the homes of our savage enemy. This, you will im
mediately perceive, Avill greatly facilit.a.tie our army im oar-
rj-ing imto effect wihat should be the 'omly policy pursued to^
wards our savage inivadei-s — 'Utteir lextermination. "
Captiaan Eraitb, im his report, says that his com'pamy
killed two Imdiams, and that various parties of Indiams were
seen by him, but fled upom the appa-oach of his force, amd
burned the grass behind them. The informatiom 'furnished
by Erath induced the Texas Government to depute Col. Jno.
H. Moore to lead an expedition to the home of the Co
manehes for the purpose of dealing them a crushing bloAV.
The Austin City Gazette, of September 23, say® that am
expedition against 'the Indiians liad been agreed upon, in ac
cordance wiith a plan long projected by Gen. Felix Huston;
that a totial 'of 1600 men were to be raised dn vairioms cioum-
ties, amd were to imnade .the Indian country at different
points; that the volunteers from the Colorado, Brazos, Trin
ity and Neches, would ileave their regpeetiA'ie places of ten-

BORDER WARS OF, TEXAS. 331
dezvouB November 10, amd that those fictom Red' River would
leave November 15. The paper says: "The Genea-ial com
manding Avas cal.led toi .the honorable staJtiopa be now fiiUs by
the free suffrages of his fe!Uo)AV citizens, amd tbey Avill not
moAV .desiei-t him." It declares .th'at the Avar is t'oi be one of
extenminatiom, and, commemting om the fact, remiarks:
"IMs is m it should be; for, once let the reds be taught
to fear the AA-hites and to respect their .property, and peace
and pirosperity wiQl reign supreme in Texas, immdgratioia
amd wealth avUI floAv to our shores, lamd the settlements Avill
im a sihort time be pushed tens, aye hnndredB of miles,
above the present frontier. ' '

BEGINNING OF SAN MARCOS.
Im an official report* dated October 1, Adgutant and In
spector Gemeral Hugh McLeod among other things says thali
the dtetachment of rangers at San Amtonio had been
sent on an expedition, and that a company had been
sent to the head- of the Sam Marcos river to con'struct amd
occupy a fort, which was tc be built of the best mateiriials,
as it Avas desigmed to control the pass through the moun
tains at that point. He says that a large mumlber 'of settlers
would locate near the fort, 'amd if it Avas properly main
tained, there would dm a few years be a sufficient mumber of
them to protect themse'lves. After speaking of the re-
inforcemenlt amd smpplies forwarded, to Col. Copk'C, he says;
"Col. Cooke Avill be emiabled from observattions lom his pres
ent campaign, to repoirt the most practicable line of defense
and settlement om our frontier from, the Colorado to Red
River, amd on bis return be Buffici'ently early for the action
of Oomgress. Any repoirt at presemt might 'appear speoula-
tvie and premature; but, in the absence of accurate infor-
matSom; I would suggest that the oross-timbers, being a
wooded and weU watered country, seems to present the
most continu-ous line for settlements and connmumicatiom
from Red River to the Brazos." He asserts, and lays stress
?Army Archives.

332 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
upon, ithe futiUty of employing volunteer forces enlisted
for short periods — and, particularly, suoh forces when
drawn from tbe floating papulation of toAvns, as they felt
no interest in protecting the from'tier, or the success of cam
paigns.

MOORE'S GREAT VICTORY.
Presddent Lamar determined to carry the Avar into the In
dian countrj- and to inflict upon the Oomanches such slaugh
ter as 'would leave them mo longer sufficient ipoAver or cour
age tbo injure the Avhites. Accorddnigly Ool. John H. Moore,
with tAVO companies of citizem-A-olunteers, aggregating ninety
men, dravvm mositly from Payette county and captained by
Thos. J. Rabb and Nicholas DaAvson, with S. S. B. Field, a
briUiant latvvyer of La Grange, as Adjutant — Cliark L. Owens
of Texana, amd R. Addisom Gillispie, Lieutemtamts ; and aug
mented by tAvelve trusty Lipam guides and scouts under
their chiefs, Castro and Placo — set out for an extended cam
paign far out into the Indian counitry.
Breakimg camp on Walnut Ci-eek, mear Austin, on Octo
ber 5, 1840, the company bore up the Coloradoi for a dasitance
of some 300 mUes to the A-'icinity of Avhere Colorado City
now stands. Om October 23, the Indi'am trail AA-as found c^
the Red Foi-k of the Coloo-ado and dashing foa-Avard the Li
pan spies soom lociated a comsdderable viUage of Comam
ches — 60 AvigAvams amd aboiut 150 AA-airriorsi — on the south
bank of the river. Herding the beeves in a mesquite flat
and leaving them to Fortune's chance, the Texans marched
up in closer proximity to the enemy, halted at midnight and
planned an attack to take place at daAvn. A fierce "wet
norther" Avas bloAAimg. The unsuspecting Comanches slum
bered comfortably under bbffalo robes in. their skitm-cov-
ered teepees, while the Texans had only the blue sidereal
doftU'C for a covering amd shivered in the chill light of the
stars. As the first rays of light gUmtoeired' across the AA-ild
and Avind-swept plains, the troops weaie ordered to mount,
deploy and move rapidly to the onslaught — Lieut, Clark

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 333
L. Owems Avith fifteem picked men as cavalry were deployed
to cut off any retreat of the enemy; Gapt. Rabb Arith his
command to the right, amd Capt Dawsoni with his contin
gent upon the left; the Lipans being with the center advanc-
cing column. What happened Avhem the viUage Avas. i-^«»cbed
is best told by Col. Moore himsielf:
"At the break of day, om Saturday, the 24th of October,
I ordered the troops to mount and march. 1 soon ascen
ded the hiU, and ordeiied Lieut. Caark L. OAvem to take coan-
m^ud of fifteen men taken from the companies, to act as
cavalry, to cut off any retreat of the enemy. I ordered Capt..
Thomas J. Rabb, with his command, up the right, Lieut,
Owen in the center, and' Oapt. Nicholas M. Dawson, Arith
Lis command, upom the left. Just before reaching the vU
lage I had to descend the hill, which brought us within two
Lundred paces of the enemy. I then ordered Lieut. Owen
with his command .to the right of Capt. Rabb's command.
I then ordered a charge of the whole upon the village,
which was obeyed instanter. The enemy fled for the riv<er,
wLicL was in the shape of a half moon, encircUng the -ril-
lage. Immediately upon charging the village, a general, ef
fective fire was opened upon the ememy, who soom com
menced f.alling upom the right and left. Aftei* chargimg
pretty nearly through their encampment, the mem dismounifc-
ed from their horses, an'd continued the fii-e upom the
enemy, as they were retreating to the river, Mamy Avere
slain before they reached the riA'er, in. AA-hich they took ref
uge — .many of whom Avere killed or droAvned. Some, Lo^T:-
ever, succeeded in crossing the stream 'and making off thro'
the prairie om the opposite side. At this time, Lent. Owen
crossed over and commenced cutting off their retreat. In
this the gallant lieutenant succeeded admirably. During
all this time, the fire was kept up most effectiA-ely at the
river for the space of thirty minutes.
"When the enemy had reached the opposite bank,
then it Avas that my troops displayed their skill in rifle
shootii^. Every man was deliberate amd at the crack of

334 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
his piece it was apparent that good ai'm had been taken.
The river amd its banks noAV presented e'very cAddence of a
total defeat of our savage foes. The bodies of men, Avomen
and children Avei-e to be seem om every hamd, wounded, dy
ing, amd dead. Having found that the Avork of death amd
destruction had been fully consummated here, I accordingly
ordered my troops to. cross the river, amd a poo-tion to act
in concert with Leut. Owen. With the residue, I ordered a
general charge im pursuit of the Indians Avho Avere at
tempting to effect thear escape. My men Avere soom seem
flying in' every direetiom through the prairie, amd their
valor told that the enemy Av'as entirely defeated. The
pursuit ceased at 'the distance of four mUes from the jKiint
of attack, amd fiU'dimg that the en.emy Avas entirely over-
throAvm, I ordered my men to the .emoampmemt.
"The num'ber of prisoners takem and brought iu'to camp
in small parties amounted to thirty four, seven of whom
escaped during a stampede of our horses on a very
dark nAglit, besides three I left behind.
"I instituted an examination into the number slain, and
from the best imfoi-mation, there Avere 48 killed upom the
groiund and' 80 killed amd drowned im the river. This num
ber is considered by the troops as being too small an esti
mate of the number actually kUled and destroyed in the en
gagement. I had two mem slightly Avounded, Mr. Dough
erty of Colorado county, and Mr. M. F. Jones of Fayette
— tAvo horses Avere also wounded in the engagement.
"At 10 o'clock my troops had all returned. I then or-
dea-ed the village to be destroyed by fire, and in fifteen
minutes tbe AA^hole emcampment, AA-ith all property of every
description, including more than three hundred saddles, and
a large number of skins of various kinds Avas in flames.
"I then ordered the troops to, march, assigning a suf
ficient giuancl to herd a.rd driA-e the inim?n.'4e cabaUado of
horses Avhich bad, been captmred from the ememy, in number
about five hundred, amd then turned my coui-se for this
place, marching by the position Avhere I had left my beef

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 335
cattle. After herdingr my cattle, I marched about six miles
and' emcamped for the might. The weather on my return
was unfavorable — had to lie in camp two days on account of
the north Avinds and rain. The distance from the city of
Austin to the battle gaxiund, I estimate at fuiU three hun
dred miles, and from the best information I havie been
able to obtain from the Lipan Chief, and those of the Ser
atic tribe of Indians Avith AAhom Wie miet, I would say that
we penetrated more tham half Avay to the city of iSantta Fe.
Upom my return, near the old Mission of Sam Saba, I fell
in with a smaU party of Indians of the Seratic tribe, fifteen
in mumber. After a consultation held .betAveem them and Cas
tro, the Lipam' chief, I comcluded to bring in Iavo of their
captains, as they appeared friendly and desirous to treat
with us, amd to aid us im our wars Avith the Comanches, Arith
whom tbey are also hostile. They represent their tribe as
residinig im the vicinity of the Rio Grande, betjvveem Santa
Fe and Cliibuahua, and that they have about eight hundred
warriors. "Two sprightly Mexican youths, bietween the lages of
fourteen and sax)t.een, AA-ere recaptured d-ui-ing the battle,
whom the Comanches had made cap'tives in the vicinity of
Camargo, on the Rio Grande, about three months since.
"Great credit is due Castro and his men, scA-enteen in
num'ber, avLo acted as spies during the cam.paign. They
proA-'cd faithful and actiA-e thrO'Uighomt, and the GoA-ernment
should be particular in retaining their friendship, fotr as
spies, they are unsurpassed.
"In conclusion, let me remark that too much credit can
not be aAA-arded to the officei-s of my command for their gal
lant and officer-like conduct, and bearing during tlie entire
campaign, and particularly during the engagement. And it
affords me the greatest pleasure to inform yoair Department
of the manner in Avbicli bo'th officers and privates dis
charged their duties, allwaj's ready and ever AvilUmg to obey
any order how-ever ardutous the performance might be.

336 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
"My men have returned in good health and fine spirits,
though much fatigned.
I have the honor to remain.
Your most obedient servant.,
Jolim H. Moore, C 1840.
— ^Austin City Gazette, Nov. 11 ol. Commanding Volunteers."

October 21, Col. A. SomervUle Avrote to CJapt. A. NeiU
regarding the proposed grand erqiedition against the Imdiams
in November. He said that he had beem informed that NeiU
intended to raise a company, amd requests him to muster
amd organize it amd report Arith the command by November
10, at Foirt Dunmington, on Brushy Creek, the rendezvous
designated by Maj, Gen. Felix Huston.
Thomas G. Stubblefield, Texas governmemt agent for the
Alabama® and Cooshatties, says in a letter* dated Novem
ber 2, addressed^ to Secretary of State, Abner S. Lipscomb,
that those Indians were om the reservation set a.part for
them amd Avere Avelfl. pleased; but, that the siurvey of the
lands, while in progress, was not completed.
The Austin City Gazette of N'0,vember 11, publishes a
nicely Avorded mote, sigmed by a number of leading citizena
inviting Col. John H. Moore a-md mem (who had returned
from an Indian expedition and Avere camped near town)
to attend a barbecue Avhicb would be giA-em im their homor
Monday, November 16; and, also. Col. Moore's i-eply ex
tending tlianks to the committee .acd citiscons for the iuAu-
tation, but saying that imoisit of his mem had 'been awa^'
from their families fctr a lomg time .and Avere anxious to get
home and he and his icoanmamd AA'ere, therefore, -umable to ac
cept the imviitation.
Nothin,g 'furthttt- see>niis to have been done toward launch
ing into the AA-d'lds the "grand expedition" that had been so
mticb discussed.
*Army Archives.

BORDER .WARS OF TEXAS. 337
The Avork dome by Mooi-e and lus folLoAvere Avas of such
a 'tliorouj'h nature and so far reaching in its effects, that it
Avas doubtlesv du-^med unuicesiiary to go to the expense
and trouble of other expeditions for aAvliile.

On Gilkdamd Creek, im Tiavis coam.ty, July 4, a party
of Imdiams killed amd scalped a .negro girl, who belonged
to Mr. Cliptom. She Avas driving coaais homie amd hoUoAved
at them. Ilea- cries attracted the attention of the Imdiams,
Avho crept itc%vard her tlii-cugb tbe tall grassf unperceived amd
shot her Avithout a-, arming.
Usually Indiams did mot kill megro slaves, but held them
for large ransoms, Av-hicli they seldom, or never, failed to
get. In this instance, and im some others, the love of blood
Avas stronger Avith them than the loA-e of gain. Wben cir-
cumstancL-.^ \t'r..-i\- iuoh a.s to. preclude tbe savages from hold
ing n-egioc'S fer ransom, tbe darkies Avere kUled, and gener
ally scalped, like otlier victims.

INDIAN TROUBLES ALONG RED RIVER.
Sliifting the scene of comflict — the bloody Avarfare oe-
tAveem the red mem and Avhites Avas being AA-aged all alomg
the frontieris — Ave will giA-e some incidents that transpirjCd.
in t]w extreme northern part of the Kepiiblic. The foUoAv-
ing as related by that earlj- pioneer ard historian cf that
section, the late Judge J. P. Simpson:
"Im the Avinter and spring of 1839 amtt '40 thc citizens
at Fort Inglish, Warrem and Preston moved home to the
Fort AAitli the determination to defend themselves and prop-
ei^ty against the foraj-s of the Indians, the effort of the gov
ernment having proA-cd abortive to. give protection to these
settlei-s, on aci-ount of it' l.ick of men and resources ad-.
equate for the purpose. The president Avas opposed lo a war
policy, and favoring pacific and treaty measures, instruct
ed the officers and requested tlie citizens to use tJi.?ir influ
ence and energy in collecting detached and broken tribes of
Indiians then scattered over tLe Republic, iui ¦order that they.

3Q8 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
might be treatied with, amd reservations of lamd be granted
them for settiement. Dr. D. Rowlett, congresaman. from
this 'district, had colle<rted. a Risall part, of a tribe o£ Coo-
shattees at has place on Red River, asd had tbe ovei-siight
of them imtii they could be provided foi- by tbe govern-
Mtent. "Daniel Dugan, Avho lived some mUes southfvveist «f Wai^
i'^a, was .oft-em- anmoyed by the Indians. His son, Daniel, Avas
killed by them Avhile at ivork a short distance from- the
K<TOSe. His house was attacked at night, one man killed
and another Avounded. The circumstances and incidents of
the kUling I will more minutely detaU. Three young men—
#reen. Hoover and Gordon — Avei-e occupying one room of the
Koxise, the old man Dugan and family the other i-oom, and G.
O* Dugan (wba died recently in California) and his brother,
WiUiam, occupied the stable loft to gmard their horses.
The yonng men. had retired' to bed (the famUy had not re
tired) wliem the Indiaj:'.s suddenly forced open the dtoor of
tie room im Avhiieh the yoarng men Avere sleeping, and 'dis-
¦6harged a mumber of shots imto the bed, kUling Gi-e^n,
woundin)g Hoover, and then rushed into the house. Gor
don seized the door-shutter and Avith force closed the diooy,
throAring the Indians to the outside, where the dogs at-
t^fifced them, and they comamemced shooting the dogs, amd
the old man Dugan shooting at them as fast as he could,
and they at him in the hoiise Avith his family. During this
dangerous, exerting, conflict, George amd WiUiam weiie not
idle speetatoi's of the sun-oundings. The moon Avae shining
very brighltly and they had discovered an Indiam Avho had
set his gun at the door, and during the fight at the house
had been working a4 the lock trying to get the horses out.
He was in such a position, ho Ave vei-, that those in the loft
could not shoot him. After the fight was oA-er aft the houstj
4wo Indians came up to the stable with lariats om their
jjetks, when the Dugams let them have the contents of their
guns. One of the Indians fell dead and the other ran a
ftLort distamee and feU, uttering saA^age groans in his dy-
dng agonies. The Indian at the stable door then ram off,

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 339
leaving his gun. The Indians tlien began to LIoav on their
Avlristles amd hoot like owls, as a (signal !to rally and' get to
gether. "(Next morning the dead Indian Avas- found ito have on
a calico hunting sMrt Avhich Di-. RoAvlett had given Mm,
and the gum at the door pi'oved to belong to the Cooshattee.
iehie^" Avho lived at Dr. Rowlett 's. Catherine, the youngest
daughter of Darnel Dugan, had solemnly vowed Avhen her
brother, Daniel, Avais killed, scalped, and tomahaAvked, that.
she Avould .cut off the head of the first Indiam sJlie got a
-cLance at. She accordingly shouldered! an ax and march
ing to the stable, as bold as an experienced amtF.
adi-oit surgeon going to dissect a subject, with a
few direct bloAvs severed the head from the bo% auth
carried it to the house as a trobhy of revenge for the mur
der of ber brother. The headless body Ava;^ left as food for
beasts of pi^ey. I saAv the skull about the house yeavs
after. The old lady Dugan Avas verj- smart, industrious eco
nomical, domestically imolined woman, much more so &i^
ATomen of today. She spnm he- thread, woA-e her cloth axifl
made her own Avearing apparel. She foimd use for the In
dian sfcuU as one of tbe fixtures to her loom as a quili
gourd and had it attached accordingly. Catl-terine married
a Methodist preacher, B. W. Taylor, and moved to Gftli
foinia."

PATE OF A PIONEER FAMILY — OTHER TRAGEDIES.
The foUoAving incidents occmred during 1840, but the
exact dates haA'e not been preserved:
Dr. Hunter and family — ccHDusisting of his wife, nearlr
grown son, three daughters (aged respectively, about ten,
twelve and eighteen years), and negro Avomau' — located in
the Red River A^Uey at a point about eight miles below Old
Warren and several miles from any neighbor. Subsequentlv
his eldest daughter married William Lankfoird of Warren and
settled at another place. Sometime thereafter Dr, Hunter

340 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
and his som left home. During their absence his ten and
tAvelve year old daujgQiteas Avere attacked at a spring, about
a hundred yards from the house, and one of them killed amd
scalped, and the other taken prisoner by eleven Indians. The
Indians crept to the house and rushed imto it amd kUled
Mrs. Humter and the megro woman, amd scalped the formea-,
but no't tbe latter. They them looted the premises, and were
just disappearing from vieAv, when youmg Humter returned.
He caUed to his mother, but received no reply, amd runmiing
through the open doorAvay, stumbled over her Ufeleas and
mangled body. The little girl Avas compelled by the Indiams
to dress (her oavu mother's scalp. Six montlis, or a year,
latei- she was ac'ld to friendly ChoctaAvs amd, her brother
learning of the fact, Avent to the Nation and ransomed ber.
Mclmtyre anld his family located near ShaAvneetOAA-n. in
what is moAV Graysom county ; 'but being anmoyed by the In
diams, moved to Avhat is knoAvn as Melntyre's/ crossing on
the ChoctaAV, in the same county. Mood^-, Avho resided in
the same region, started to Warren on bmsiness amd. at dusk,
AAheu opposite Mclntyre '.s house, AA-as shot and killed by
Indians, Avho .scalped Mm, built a bon-fire and laid his body
on it, and danced and yelled around the pyre all night. Mc
lntyre and his two sons, the latter aged respectiA-ely twelve
and fourteen years, plainly heard the noise, and barrioaded
the dooi-s of their cabin, expecting to be attacked. Some
months later his isons Avere killed and scalped Avhile hunting.
Tavo brothers, named SeAvell, living at Old Wiirren,
heiard a noise in their horse lot at night and one of
them Avent out to investigate. When near the lot, a voice
called to him, saying: "Lay the gap loA>-er." Believing that
white thieA-es were trying to steal thc stock, Le exclaimed:
* ' 1 've caught you ! ' '
A momemt later he Avas struck in .tlie breast by am ar
row. He ran to the house, exclaiming as he passed his broth
er: "I am shot," land, stagg-ering on a few feet further, fell
dead. The Indian AA-ho, kUled him pursued him closely; but
being confronted by the other SeAveU, halted amdi was in the

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 341
act of disohargrn'g an aritsiw at hb ncAv antagonist when'he
was fired on and killed by the surviA-ing brother.
Moody, the Mclntyre bo.vs, amd young Sevi-ell Avere
believed to liaA-e been kille^l by Shawn-eies, biit tbe -Arhite
l>eople Avere mot able to confinn the suspicion, by, proof. For
their part, the ShaA\Tiiees disclaimed having committed the
murders, and chargied them to "Avild Indians."

SAVING OSBORN 'S SCALP.
Claiborne and Lee Osboi-n, James Hamilton and seA-eral
other young men separated Avhile buffalo humting — GLaiborne
Osborn and James liaomltom gcing in one direction and thieir
companions in another. InddaiLi attacked and pursued' Os
born and Hamilton, badly Avounding the horse of Osbofrn.
The young men galloped fi-om the spot tOAvard Avhere their
coma-ades- could be found; but had gone only a short di-s-
tan'ce when Osborn 's horse feU tbi-OAving him lieaAdly to the
ground. Ha.milton kept on, reached the other humiters, andi
dashed' b<ick to the resicue Avitli tbem. They arriA-ed barelA-
in time to .s*A-e Osborn 's life. He Avas lying Avhere he feU.
Indians Avere all around bim, b'^ating and stabbing him.
and' had partly- rcmoA-ed his scalp. A fusilade from the
party sent the Indians scui-rAin.g to the cedar brakes. O-'*-
born's scalp was carefully replaced and, im time, healed.
He settled ni-ar Webberville, Travis count.A', Avhere he lived
many year-, and reared a large and respectable family.
Kenney hays: "From a fierce raid om Bastrop the trail
ol retreat led through Burleson county * * *. They (the
Indians) were pursued by Gen. Burlesom AA"ith a party of citi
zens, and scA-en Indians killed. Aroumd Austin * * * the pre
datory ineui-sions continued Avithout ces-sation, the W,aco*
and Comamches chiefly diAiding the responsibility."
"At Fort Inglish, * "' * tAvo boys named Cox Avere cap
tured. The Indiams Avere chased, but made good their es
cape, carrjiu'g aAvay tbe captives. On the AAiay, they kiUed
a one-ai-med man and cut off his remainnng arm, Avhicli at
ndgliit they roasted and ate, making signs to the hoys that

342 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
they Avonld soon eat them also. But "they did not, and sis
months afterwardis the boys Avere purchased by traders and
sent home."'*

The year lelosed Avitli a large poi-tiom o-f Texas oonjjuer-
e.d from the isavage foes of settiement lam'd ciA-ilization, amd
further redeamption of ithe Avilderness assured. It is rema.rk-
stble thart. so mueh should liave b'.'er accomplished whem the
public treasury Avas empty, the Kepublic unable to borrow
inonej-, and the papea- currency of Texas was circulated with
difficulty at only a small fraction of its nominal value. The
only explanation is that berth governmemt and people co-op
erated loyaUy for the attainment of the object im A-ieAv, and
looked to the future, instead of the present, for rcAvard —
a sane prescience 'and Aiali'ant optimism that hastened in
crease 'of population, Avealth and security as nothing else
could ha.A'e done.
Casting up the account today, it oan be truthfuiUy said
the price Avias none ito great for that Avhieh it obtained for
tb-o.se Avbo paid it, and for those Avho ha,A-e come after them.
? Scarfrs "Comprehensive History of Texas."

CHAPTER XIV.

HE year 1841 has been teeated by Texa-s
hastorians as one practically free fi-om In-
daam atrocities and serious depredations — a
fact diie to their mot havMig access to ar-
chiA-es amdl other sources of information
that are now aA-ailable. While tbe list
of liorroi-s perpetiiated by the vanishing
race — ^still strong enough to sti-ike, and
AAith hatred and isanguinaiy impulses inten
sified rather tham. diminished by Avhat it
had sufferedi— Avasi not so long and 'gruesome 'as those of
some fornier years, it Avas still of lam extent to- harroAv the
sympathies and make the blood rum cold, and requires the
year to be marked in red in the annals of the conunon-
wealth. The struggle for master}- Avas yet on, and Avas prose
cuted by the Anglo-Americans Avitib a courage and a reso
lution -tliat came doAvn to them from Senlae, Agincourt
amd Crecy, and that has ever caused them 4o reject frcan
the hamds of Fortune anything save victory aud dominion,
when Avaging contests for supremacy. The reader vrill
therefore find that the incidentsi of border warfare in
Texas in 1841, are not inferior in interest to those thait pi"e-
ceded them.

,344 BOllDER WARS OF TEXAS.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS— INDIAN HOSTILITIES.
The FU'th Congress passed a joint resolution, approA-ed
Jan. 6, 1841, pi-ovidimg "That the sura of .$10,000.00, Avhich
-svns 'appropriated for the purpo.se of volunteer expeditions
against tbe hostile [ndians on the upper Brazos river be,
am.d the same is. hereby, transferred for the piirpose of rais
ing and subsisting any force that the Pre-sid-emt may author-
i'A- to be raised for .s.aid expedition."
Am act of Congress, approved January 18, abolished' the
office of Secret'ary of the Navy and di6\-olved tbe duties of
that office om the Secretary of War, Avho AA-as afterAvards
(sometimes addressed by his former title b'Ut more often amd
correctly as Secretary 'Of AVar and Marine. The act abol
ished, or comsoMated, varictus other offices; required the
President to reduce the number of officers holding commis
sions in the regular army, and proA-jded that all further re
cruiting for the army shoiuld be discontinued.
The Travis Guards, a uniform'ed com.paay, were imcor--
porated by am act approved January.- 23.
January 23, Capt, Jolm T. Price, Avh,o had j.ui.st complet
ed a -scout tO' the Aveist AviLth his spy company, sent a des
patch* to tbe Socreitary cf War, ccmtainiiig such in.foi-ma-
tion as Ive could gather cancernimg the imtemtioii of Mexico
to invade 'Texas — an cA-ent that AvaiS then deemed cer
tain to occur diiring the sprimg, 'or isiummer, but Avhich -\vas
preA-emted hy a series of fortuitcms circum'stances, that' be
friended Texas, as it had been several times before. He said
that it Avas reported that an army of 10,000 men Avas being
mobilized aiul that it Avould- be reinforced by ea'ch of the
IVIexican. states furndishing 2,000 mem.
The Galveston Artillery Coanpany, a unifonnedi couipany.
was incorporated by an act of Congres,'?, approved Jan. 30.
An act!, apprOA-ed Feb. 1, appropriated $8,000.00 for
the suipport of troop® tbem on the fromtier under the com
miamd of Col. Wm. G. Cooke.
*Anny Archivea.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 345
Am act approved Februarj- 4, 1841, auithorized the set-
tlei-s om the fromtier borders of each of the fol'lowlmg coun
ties to organize a company of not less tha,m tAvemty nor more
than fi.ftA--six iniEwte men, I'anlc and file: Fannin, Lamar,
Ked Hiver, Biiwle, Pa.scbal, Panola, Xac&gdocbi s, iroustou,
Robertson, I\Lilam, Ti-uAis, Bexar, Gonaales, Goliad, Victoria,
Refugio, San Patricio, Montgomery amd Bastrop. The com
pamies Avere to elect their OAvn officers and hold themselA'es
in readiness to afford a ready amd aotiiv'e .protec-tioim to -the
fiK>mtier settlements. The aet piroA-ided: "The members of
said eoiniipani&s sball at all tiimes be prepared 'with a good
feubsitamtial lioi-se, bridle and' .saddle, Avitli other necessary ac-
comtrementis, togr^ther Avith a gocd gun and cine lioimdred
ro-uiiKfe 'of air.mun'tiGD : and in additiom to this:, Avh.eni .called
imto Siervicn, suc-h number of rations as thr- eaptain. may di
rect. '" " '* The captains * * ¦» may, A\-bcm thci.v detau it pru
dent, dtftail fr.-m th't-ir 'joinipanies a number of s.pies, not
more tl'i.rm five, to act ui'dn tbe frontians of t'lcii: seA-eral
counties." Members of the eomipanies Avere exeuiipted from the paj--
m-,^irt of ,:state, eomnty and earporatit^m pO'U .t:^x aaiil- the tax
ass-esK.eid by law upcai one -'3.ad<ile bouse, iintl fromi the pei"-
forni'an<i'e od: any kind of imilitary du*iy and Avoikii:;g on tbe
pmbli'c roads.
The piii\- i)ri,\ided fur .eaeL niiimte niam a\-.ms une dollar
per ¦d.a.y for fc-eiviee actually rendered; "pioviJed," says
tiK' act, '-that the nifiul)..'is C'f tb'C companies sball no!t- re
ceive pn.y on iiiny one expedition for a longer pei-iod than
fifteem days: and, on the several expeditiior.s Aotrrln ome year
after their organization, shall not recoiv..- pay for a longer
p-jriodtban four months in the aggregate, excepting' the spies,
for every year thereafter * * * ."
F'Oissibly about thi.s time (t'ne ila.te is uncertain) a num-
])er of settlei-s, Avho biii.tl come to Warren, Fannin coumty, to
attend' district court, whieh Avas .to convene the follwA-iing
day, Avere gathered Sunday night around a stove in a tavern
kept by Capt. SoAvell and J. S. Scott, and were indliistriously

346 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
etgagsed' im stoAV-ing- toddiea and talkin;g. They Av-ere sudden
ly startled by la comflnoticm in the stable and horse lot of the
tavern, and rushed out inito the diarkmess and' tOAAiaa^d the
spot— most of 'them neglecting to take tlioir fireaiMma with
them. As tbe.y surmi'>ed tbey Avonld, tliey found- that, In
diams Vrere attconptinig to steal the stock. Capt. Sowell,
who AA-tas in fromt, ifired his pistol at the marauders, AA'itliout
effect, and Avas himself shot and instantly killed, ome arroAT
penetrating his stomiajch and amother entering his back and
coining out dn fromt. Scott killedi an Indian., and. tha
balance of tlie redskims took to their heels. The district couit
oi-gamized, but immediately adjourned amd the judge, law
yers and litigants started for booue, upon a scout informing
them he had diiscovered the trail o*" a large band of Inddams
going in the dire'etiom of Fort IngMsh. Capt. Bird, - — Siimp-
iiom and scA-eral othei-s Avaited until might to set forth, and
bad gone but la shoa-it distance vhen they stopped for Capt.
Bud to recover biis hat, Avhich had fallen off. While he Avas
looking for it, a number of Indians ra'n toAA"iard the pai-ty,
yelling and shooting arroAv.s. .Simpson fired bis shot gun at
them and cried in a stentorian voice, as if addresi-siing a comi-
pany of ramgers: " Charge !" Tbe effect on. the Indians AA-as
luagieal; thty tore into -w^jods as if Jack IlaA-s, himself, wa»
after them, and the travelers Avended their AA-ay toAvard
Avhere they Avere going, possibly Avithout wasiting time on the
bat or cO'iiiplimentimg Simpson on his ready, resoureeful wit.
January 9, Judge James Smith and .son, of Austin, tli«
latter mounted behind the Judge on a horse, AA-ere pursued
by Indians mear the capital. F.nther and son AAere well
mounted and might haA-e e.'wapKi, but for the fact that, rid
ing under a .triee they Avere knocked off by one of the limb*.
Scrambling to their feet, they ran imto a thicket; but AA'-ere
l)nrsued by thc Indians, Avho killed and scalped Judge Smith,
and took the boy 'imto captivi tj'. On the same day a broth
er of Jfudge Smith Avais chased by Indians, but escapedi by
the fleetn.ess of his hoi-se. Ten days later Judge Smith's
father-im-l«;Av, Avbile cutting a bee-tree four miles south of
Austin, was kiU'ed amd isealped by Indians.

BORDER WARS OP .TEXAS. 347
In a; despatch dated. January 10, Capt. Benjamin T.
OilHam, of the 1st Infamtry, commandant at San Antonio,
saj-s that Capt. Jaek Haj-s amd his sipy company Avere on, a
scout tosvard' the Nuecess and) Rio Grande, and a report Avas
daily expected from him, and that Mexicam. banditti, who in
fested the Mexicam border and preyed upon ranches and trad
ers, had' committedi thefts of horses and cattle.

OFFICIAL REPORTS OP BORDER DOINGS.
Capt. Geo. M. Dolson of Travis County Minute Men
made the foUoAving report* to Secretary of Wkr Branch T.
Archer, April 2:
"I have the honor to report that the company of minute
men, under my command, AA-as organized om the 2&th ult. On
the 29th I sent Lt. Newcomb and tAvo. mem to reconnoitre
Brushy, aa-Iio retui-med the next day and reportedi a fresh
trail of Indians leading towards Austin. A portion of my
mem Avere soon mounted, amd accompamed by some volun
teers, Avent in immediate pursuit. We Avere unsiuccessfid
in finding these Indiams, but discoA-ered the traU of the
party Avho had stolen Capt. BroAvn's homse a fcAV mights pre
vious. We foUoAved tlie trail and succeeded in gaining their
vicinity, a few- males aboA-e the Perdenales riA'er. Hei'e I or
dered a halt for the purpose oi refi^shing our h-oa-ses, hav
ing ti-aveled about sixty miles in tAventy-four hours ov.er a
^noumtaimous co.umtry. I sent out ray spies (mounted om Ihe
best hoi'ses) who returned, bringing anto camp three of the
entemy's cabaUado and reporting fresh signs in the Ooloaia-
do bottom. At midnight Ave Avere in our saddles and again
upon their trail, -with the hope of discovering their camp and
attacking them at daAvn ; but the dai-kness of the .mght pre-
venited. Having halted again for a short time, Ave continued
•our route. At daybreak we discovered thedr horses, and a
few minutes afterwards found oui-selveis upom tiieir camp.
Tlie action commenced, on the part <rf the Indians, by a rap-
?Array Archive*.

348 BORDER WARS- OF TEXAS.
id discharge of a-ifles. We immediately charged, and da^OA-e
them fr-om their camp. TAA-ice they rallied, under oi*dieis of
their cliief, Avho acted Avith considerable bravery ; but noth
ing could stop, tbe impetuosity of my men, aa.di the Indiams
bi-oke in eA'eiy du-ecticn, leaA-ing us in posse-iisiom O'f their
camp. The na'turc of the ground aa'OuI'I not admit the ope
ration of caA-alry, but Ave pursued them a .short distaince on
foot. Tbey AA-ere suffered to escape, hOAvcA-er, bearing off
tiieir Avoundcd, the number of which could not be ascer
tained, and leaving tiieir ehitf and seA-en others dead om
the fidxl. We returned' from the chase, burned their boAvs
and arroAvs, and destroyed the camp. We arriA-ed im town
last nigtht, bringing the horse tbiat had been stiolem froan
Captain Brown. I am happy to say, mone of my mem Avere
Avounded. I, myself, received .in the eo-mmencememt of the
eliase, one shot in my breast and one in my thigh. My horse
was ab.o shot .tlu-ough the neck. After being- shot, I ecn-
tinued- tbe chase on foot until so completely exhausted I
could neither proc€€.d furthei- nor command my men. At tliis
instant, Gaptain Daniels came gTallant'ly to my aid, amd called
to the ni.cn, 'For God's sake,' not to permit the charge to
end! At lliis I 'was satisfied and desisted' from further ef
forts to proceed. The men under Captain Damiels continued
the charge until tbe Indians Avere dispersed. The Indians
numbered aboufl thirty-five."

BEN McOULLOCH ROUTES PARTY OF INDIANS.
Eai-ly im May, Oapt. Ben McCniUoeh amd fifteen com
panions (Ai-thur SAvift, James H. Callabam, Wilsom Randell,
Gr€<:m :McCoy, Eli T. Hanldns, Archibald Gipson, W. A. Hall.
Ileinry B. McCulloch, Ja'mes Roberts, Jeremiah Robea-ts, Thot5.
R. Nichols, Gapt. Wm. Tomlinson', William P. Kincannon,
Alsey S. MiUer amd William Mori-dson) marching from Gon
zales to the principal mountain tributary of the Guadalupe,
and themce to Avliere Johnson's Pork of the Llano empties
iuito the latter stream, surprised and attacked! am emoamp
memt of twemty-tAvo Indians at daAvn. Fi\'e Indiains Avere

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 349
kdUed, and half the rmnainder Avounded. They lost eveiy^
thing except the 'arms they had in their bands. Some of
the same Indianis had stolen horses at Gomzales. MeCuUoch
diid not putrsue them immediately thereafter, as there would
haA-e been little probability of ov-ertakim.g them. He 'A\-a.ited
for sevea-al days, so that they- AA-ould belicA-e tlnat no pulrsiuit
was intended aind relax their vigilance. The result attested
the AA'isdom of the plan adopted.

SERVICES OF CHANDLER'S RANGING COMPANY.
Capt. Eli Cliamdler, of the Robei-ison. Coumty Minute
Men, Avi-iting to Secretarj- of War Branch T. Archer, from
Framklin, April 16, 1841, says:
"I beg leave to report that the compamy of minute men
under my conunand AA-as organized om the 29th of March.
* * Upom the evening of the 9th of April I received' infor
mation that an- Indiam enemy had kililed Mr. Stephen Rog
ers, Jr., and had! .driven aAvay ei^ht head of horses from
the easterly side of tlie ^'avasoU River. I inmnediately
coUected tAventy-five of my mem 'and, by a forced march,
Avais enabled to come up Avitb two of them about 11 o'clock
a. m. of tbe llth inst., at the distance of two miles, moving
the stolen horses. * ¦» * I imm^'diately gaAe chase at fuU
speed for the distance of seven miles and * '^ ¦* recovered
all of the horses ***** aaidi took one from the enemy. I am
soriy to say that, fi-om the jaded com-ditiom of cair horses
and tlie start which they had, they were able to elude us.
While we must regret their escape, it laffords me pleasure
to say that, from tbe perseverance manifested- on the mardl;i
and im tbe chase by eA-ery man under 'my command, I be-
lieA-e tliat nothing is wanting om the part of 'thisi com-m-amd
but a fair opportunity, to sustain that character for chiv-
a»lry Avhich is alAvays au'tdcipa ted fromi Texas citizen-s."
Further supplementing his report to the Secretary of
War, Captain Chandler says: "* * ' Om the 16th inst. I
received infoi-matiom from spies Khat they bad accidemtaUy
met Messrs. Ha(rdes.ty and' Porter, AAiho had been despat<^d

350 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
by Col. Thos. L Smith and B. J, Cbambens (who Avere on a
fiUirveying expedaticm) to inform me that they had discovered
the appearance of & body of Indians on Pecam Creek, a
-fributary ce£ die Ttrinity River, at tlie distance of about one
htmdredi miles from this place. I forbhwithi took up the lin*
of march AvLth forty-five men of my command, amd was
joined on the march by Thes. I. Smith ancB Mr. Branch
(both of Milaan county), R J. Chambers, C. M. Winkler,
John Copeland, P. Flint and M. M. Ferguson, as volunteer.!!',
iffliafcing tlie aggregate force fifty-three,
"On the morning of tlie 20th, by traveling ajU of the
pj-ecedingi nightt, I Avias able to gain a poertion im the neigfe-
boah-cod of dhe « " * Indiams, and beUeAing that we had not
Seen discorvered, I concealed my men and despatclied recon
noitering parties, which resulted' in Lieut. Loive reporting
iiSs having found, doAvm tlie Creek a few miles, a deserted
vUlage, Aphich had beem visited within a few days by the cii-
e-myu But the lat*n«^ of the hour induced me to remain un
til the dawn of the next morning, at which time we took ^
the line of maatih for the dtserted village. Having pro
ceeded aborut fi\-e miles, Ave discovered at the distance of
three hundred yards, eight or ten of the enemy, * * ® jm-
mediately gave chase, and purrsued them about three mile!*
in a contraiy direction, as we afterwards learned, from their
vSlage, but by their superior knowledge of the Avoods, they
evaded' us. I tbem retrogn'adcd: to hunt the deserted villaig'ej
-which we found, comtaining twenty-eight lodges, amd also a
trail, which we puisued. At the distance of one mile we dis
covered omr foi-mer foe, on the same trail. I immediately-
ehai'ged Avith aU my force at fuU speed om the path, which
ram on a ridge mot more than three hundred otr four hnn-
'dred yards Avide, enclosed on eajch side by two creeksi run
ning nearly pao-aUel, and om each side of whieh was an ex
tended bottom, groA^n up with underwood so as to bo int'
passable for horsemen, a distance of about five miles, A?hich
brougbt us up with thc enemy's new A-illage, without over
taking them; but eomtrnuing directly througlh the camp,
thereby alai^ing mem, Avomen and chUdron, who aU fleiJ

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 351
before Ave could get Avithim gunshot distance, to almost im
penetrable thickets, abandoning eveiy vestige of their prop-
eiity. I had dismoumted my mem, leaving the captured prop
erty 'and oar horses under charge of Lieut. Lo^e andi a d«-
¦kichmemt, amd commemced scourimg the bottom, and succeeded
in collecting some property; and hadi a few shots from the
enemy, Avhich were i-etui-med Avith effect. Durimg my absence .
LieiA Love leceiVed a few shots, AvMeh Avere promptly re-
t-uraed; Avith .effect.
"I .haA-e only to report Col. F. I. Smith sl^tly Avound*
ed im the hand ; three of the enemy killed, some wounded ;
and name mules, tAvemty-three hoaxes, some powdter, lead' amd
iaxies, pelts, etc., taken — all of Av.hich we estimate AAiorth
"tfiipee thousandi dollai-s.
"After buimimg theii' A'illage and desta"05'ing everything
that couldi be useful, Avhich Ave could not transport, I took up
the lime of march for thisi place, and arrived liei"e last night,
aia weU."

Yucatan, declaa^ed its independence May 16, and- engaged
in waji' with ilexico, Avhicb gave tlie latter country some
thing, besides invading Texas, to think about. This circum
stance Avas of course fortmnate for the people of Texas.
Nevertheless, peace did not prevail, as the Indians Avere con-.
sfSantly plundering 'and murdering in all parts of the Repub
Uc, and more escpeeially along the northern frontier during
this year.

BIRD'S FORT.
As a pr^ude to what foUoAvs, it must be remeinl>ercd
that latfc as 1841, ClarksviUe was the most Avestedy to*»Ti of
amy. mote dn the valley of Red River — there were scattered
ftettlememts in Lamar and Fannim coumtieiS; primcipallr
alomg the rivei'; and a fenv cabim-* along tlie Sulphurs, amtJ
betweem these streams amd Red Iliver, high up as Fort Ing
lish, (mear where Bonham now slagads) ; at old! Warren (in
Fannin county) ; and the most Avesterly se'-tiement at

352 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Preston, opposite the mouth of the Washita River, known
as Coffee's Trading House.
Bands of hostile Indians Avere constantly depredating on
these exposed settlements and inurderin^g the less piiotected
inhabitants—as their massacre of the Ripley famUy on Rip
ley's Creek, in Titus county, early in April, 1841,*
amd various outrages in the Warren neighborhood amd else-
Avhere, as Ave shall narrate.
In the Avinter of 1840-41, Captain John Bird or
ganized and led a company of three; months rangers
from BoAvie and Red River coimties, up tihe Trinity
River, for the purpose of locating and establishing .a
military post, as a. means of encouraging settlements in that
section. At that time there Avaaa law of the Republic donat
ing lands for this purpose. A site Avas ehosem, amd a stock
ade erected, ®ome two or three miles east of the presemt
tOAvn of' Birdville, on the Main or West fork of the Trinity,
which Avas named Bird'.s Fort, but for some 'cause — the time
of, their enlistm.ent expirimg — the rangers returned home,
leaving the post unoccupied. A little later Capt. Robert.
Sloam led a prospecting party as far out a« the fort; but
soom returned, one of the partj-, DaA'id Clubb, late of Illi
nois, and a soldifr in the Black Hawk war of 1832, liavimg
been killed by Indians at a small lake 'ca Elm fork of the
Trinity, a shorti distance above its mouth, and beloAv the
Keenan crossing.
FoUoAving these expeditions, in tihe fall of 1S41, .the
braA-e and hardy pioneers, Hamp Rattan, Captain Ma
bel Gilbert, and John Beeman, with tllieir families, and a
»EarIy in April Indians attacltcd the Ripley family at their homeon theoIdCherokes
trace, on Ripley Creek, in Titus county. Mr. Ripley was absentfrom home at the time.
Hisson (twenty years of aee) was shot and killed while plowins in the field; his eldest
daucrhter (about sixteen years old) was shot and killed while running frcm the house; two
youTiger dauehteis escaped by reachintr and taking refuge in a thicket. Mrs. Ripley ond
all of her smaller children save one were beaten to death with clubs while tryins to maka
their way to a cane brake situated two hundred yards from their cabin. Ihe child, not
with the mother, was asleep in the house and was burned to death, the Indians plunderine
and then settine fire to the habitation which was reduced to ashes. This horrible crime
led to the orEanization of a retalitory expedition, which took some time to oreanize in tiiat
sparsely settled section, and which was kd intp the Indian country by Gen. Tarrant.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 353
few single mem, located at Bird's For.tj Expecting to ffind
an abundance of game in the country, the settLera carried
out a Bcamt supply of provisions, but the Imdiams hadi buitn-
E!d off tlie grass from all that section, and cdo ga;tae of an;y
kind was to be found. So, late in Noviember of this yearj
a waggon \Y-as sent back to Red River for supplies. Being
overdue, three of the setfilei-s. Ales W. Webb, (in 1905 Uv-
dng at Mesiquite, in Dallas county), Solomon SilkAvood, and
Hamp Rattan, Avent in search of the Avagon party. Reaching
a i>oint about one amdl a half miles south-<ea«t of the present
toAvn of Carr oU ton, on the east side ox Elm Fork, Christmas
day, they halted to cut a bee tiree, AA-hen they Avere attacked
by a small party of concealed Indians. tRattan was kiUed;
but) Webb and Silkwood,. after killing one of the Indiams,
esicaped to the foit. One of .the single men now
Avent out, and soon met the; relief wagon, Avhich reached tha-
s<iene of the tragedy on the SOth of the month, where they'
found Ratitan 's body, still guarded by ibis faithful dog. Th»
remainr, Avere carried- to the fort, and iii a rude coffin made
of an old wagon bed, committed to earth. This worthy pio
neer and. martAT Avag a brotilier of Mrs. A. J. Witt (de
ceased) of Dallas county, amd Mrs. W. J. Throckmorton and
Mrs. Wm. Fitzhugh, of Collin county. Two of his brothers-—
John and' Littletcm Rattan participated in the Village Creek
fight. At the time of the tragedy snow was six inches des^p
and the weather intensely cold, and from the exposui-e on the
ta-ip, Silkwood sickened and ditd And' thus commenced the
first perma'nent settlement on the upper Avaters of the Trin
ity.

GENERAL TARRANT'S EXPEDITION.
General EdAvard) Tarrant Avas a gaUanjt soldier, andJ onft
of the successful leadeirs of volunteers amd rangers im the
defense of the northeasteimi pert of Texas a/gaamst Imdiaixis.
He was! also a briUdamt and noted laAvyer — ^lang residing ia
Bowie county, but later removing to Ellis county, where he

354 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
diedt. The successi of the expedition Avhich he headed agaanst
•the great Indiam enieampmmt On Village Creek in 1841, Avas
reason for attaching hisi mame to the county embracing the
'theatre of liisi fearless exploit^ om that oceasiom. The hon-
CH- conferred was well bestOAved. The location of Ithis for
midable force of depredating Indiams Avas at a poimt some
distance east of Fort Worth, andi a feAV miles west of the
toAvn of Arlington, a little south of Avheare the Texas 'amd Pa-
Kjific (railroad crosses VilLag-e Creek — ^AvithSn sight of the in-
Mrmrbam cans that moAv speed to andt fro every fcAv minutes
between Fort Worth and) Dallas.
No full and reliable mairrative of Tarram't's: expedition,
the Village Creek; fight amd tragic death of the celehra'ted
ijHomeer preacher, laAvyer amd Indian fighter — Jobm B, Den
ton — has ever before been published). The official accoumt
which follows, was recently diseoivered! among the Army Ar
chives im the State Library at Austin. The document -was
wiatten by Acting Brigade Inspector Wm. N. Porter, under
idate, Bowie county, June 5, 1841, reporting to Secretary of
War Branch T. Archei-, andi reads:
"By order of Gem. Edward H. Tajramt, Brigadaer Gen
eral of the Fourth Brigadle Texas Militia, I communicate to
you the following facts relative .to am expieditdom which he
has lately completed' against the hostile Indians.
"On the 14th of May, he left Fort Jobmson, above Cof
fee's Station (.the them abandoned potst, estabUsbedi by Wmi.
"Ot, Cooke at or near the present city of Denison. — ^A^Utbocr)
¦with one company of mem commanded' by Capt. Ja'mes Bour-
l«flid. Owintg to late dsspredationa by Indiams of a more fre
quent and' daring charaoteir, and learmimg that tlie villa^ of
Indians hadi lately been dli&eovered on the headAvatiers of the
Trinity- River, he determined, Avith the smaU number of sSix-
•-ty-mime men, if possible, to find the Indiams' andi attack
tbem. We marc'hed five days in a direction) a Uttle south
of west, passing through the lower croBs-iimbers, and) cxoss-
ing the head ba'anches of the middle fork of the Trinity.
On the fifth day we entered the. upper cross-timbers anti
changed our direetiom a little miore south. On the 19th we

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 355
-discovered tolerably fresh signs. We had every reason to
beUeve there 'were Imdiams im the vicinity. We soon found
two viUages, -which we found to be deserted. The Indians,
'»t some time previous, had' cultivated corm at these villages.
There were some sixty or seventy lodges in these two vU
lages. They were om the maim westerm bramch of the Trin
ity.. They being situated on high branches of the moun
tains, Gen. Tarramt deemed itt imprudent to burm the villages,
fiOr fear of gisving alarm to the Indians. Froflni such .devat-
ed positions the smoke could have beem seen for many
mUes ; hut they were, im a great measure, destroyed wdth
our axes. We changed our course southeast, foUowimg the
xjourse, for some disitamce, of the maim westtiern bramch of the
Trinity; and on the 21sti Ave crossed- the high divide, and that
night camped on the eastern branch of the Brazos. Find
ing mo Inddam sigms here, we chamged- our course east untU
«wie again struck the Triniity, dntendiimg to scoui- the western
branch to its mouth. On the 24th we came to the f ordi of
the Trinity, Avhene Generals Rusk am<i Dyer ©barged the
Kiekapoo camp in 1838, im sight of the lower cross-tiimbers.
Here we recrostjed the Trimity from the eastern side to the
western- side, and upon the high prairies one male from the
ford, we found A-ery fresh, signs of Imdfiams. The spies were
«ent ahead, andi returtnedi and reported the Indian Adllage
in three miles. We arrivedJ in three or four humdred yards,
and) took up a positiom behind a thicket. The men were or-
ideredi to divest themselves of their blankets, packs, and all
manner of incumbramces, after which the line was formed
andi the -order ^ven to chairge into 'the villaige on horse
back."

FAMOUS VILLAGE CREEK FIGHT.
•'Aaoe you all reau^? * * * Now toy btave men, we vnii
never aU meet on earth again; there is great coJUTosion aiad:
tieath ahead. I shall expect every man to f SI his place aiod'
do his duty" were the ail too true words of admonition ut
tered by the 'grim and fearless Tarrant as he gave his or-

356 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ders and led his brave men im the desperate charge- In S
moment the sound, of firearms, with a vodce of thunder, rang
out .over the alarmed and terror^rickeni inhabitamts of that
i-uda city of the wUderness. The onslaught was fierce and
the surprise complete— rthe Indians fallflmg im deaith before
they oould escape from their lodges, or 'fleeing in Avild com-
fusSon, "The vUl^e Avaa takem in am instamt," says the oif-
ficaal repont, Avihch Ave noAV resume:
"Discoveriog a lange trail leadiog doAvn the creek anil
*onE8 'Of the Imdiams having gone im ithait direction, a few
men were left at the last village amd the reat at fuU speed
took their course down the creek upon which t'he AiiiUage
Avas situated.
"Two miles from the first village we burst suddenly up
cm. another AuUage. TMs waa taken l^e the first. There
was amother vtiUaige in sight belojAv. Many of the hoises
having failed, the men ran towards the A-iUaige lom foot ; but;
file Imdians, having beard the firing at the second! viU^ge,
liad tame to take off thdiir guns and' ammumitiom and cooi.-
menced occasionally to return our ¦fii'e.
"From this tdme there was no distimctio-n of viMages, but
one continuous AiUage for the distance of ome .mUe and a
-half, only separated by the creek, upon which it was situated..
We had hofw became so scattered that Gen. Tarranit. deemed
it advisable to establish some rallyimg point to Avhich smaUer
parties should bo expected to iially. We marched back ' to
the second village, and the rear guard Avith the pack having
•ccaae up, the General chose this las the position. From tihi?.
point Capt. John B. Denitom (aide to Gen. Tan-ent) and
Capt. Boiirland took each ten men, for the puipose of scour
ing .the woods. The parties Avent in different directions, but
formed a jumetiom ome mfiile and a half beloAv the second vU-
laige. From tihas point they intended to return, but discover
ing a very large trail — ^mucli laaiger tham any w© had seen,
one end of AVhdch led civer a mountain AA-est, the other eaSt
tdwardls th'e maim Trinity, crossing ithe crec'k upom which
¦the villages AA-ea-e situated— they Avere compelled to crosis the
oreek at .tlie loAver end of a bend Avhich was formed like a

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 357
hoi-se-sboe. They turned to cross the creek, pei-ceiA-nmg
tha-oug<h the timber Avhat appeared to be a vUlage stUl larg
er than amy they had heretofore seen ; but just as the
two detaehmemta Avere cm the eve of entering the oi-eek, they
Avei'e firedi on by an ememy that could not be seen. At the
fsRst fire Gen. Tarramt's aide, Capt. Denton, was kdlled and
Capt. Stout severely woumded'  Capt. Griffin slightly ; the
elothes of many others Avere pierced with balls, but fortunate
ly no one else Avas touched. Situated as tbey were, it was
impossihle to maintain theia* position, being fired at from ab
most every quarter amd unable to see the enemy, Im this' sit-
-nationi the men did the best tliev could- — dismaunting, Komo
'of themi raisdng the yell, iamd' making cAnery demonstraticai
as thouigh they intended' to charge tl>e creek. The Indian
yells amd firing soon ceased, and both parties left the
gi-toumd. It was mot the wish o'' Gen. Tawramt to take any
piisoners. Tlie womem and children, except one,® Ave suffer
ed .to escape, if .they Avilalied, and the mem meitheo- asked,
gave or received any quartei-.
"Pnom the prisomers whom we liad taken, Ave leai-nied
that at those A-illages thei-e- Avere upwards of ome thousand
warriors, mot more than' lialf of Avhoini Avei'e then at home.
The other half Avere limmting buffalo, 'and Btcaling^ on. the
fi-ontier. Here was- tbe depot for the stolen hor&eis from our
frontiier, amd the 'homie of the horrible savages who had
m'urdered our faanilies. They Avere poi-tions of a good' mamy
tribes — principally the Cherokees Avbo' Avei-* driven' froaa
N-acogdoches county, some Creeks and Seminoles, Wacos,
Caddos, Kickapoos, Amadarcos, etc. We counted tAvo hund
red and twenty-fiA-e lodges, aU in occupation, besides those
that they could see a glimpse- of through the trees in the
main village. They had about three hundred acres in corn,
that Awe saAV; and AA-ere abundamtly proA-ided with ammuni
tion of every kind. They had goodi guns amd had) moulded
a great mamy bullets. Each lodge had two cft' three little
»Gen. Tarrant kept an Indian chiM that wae captured, but returned it to its mother
at a council held in the Indian Territory i>i li&

358 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
baigg of powder and lead, tied up in .equal portions; amd, at
one lodge, a sorit of blacksmith shop, where we found) a set
of blacksmith's tools. W© flound over a half bushel of
moulded bullets, and we -also found some seirgeanit's
swords, miisket fUmts, rifle and musket poAvder, pig lead,
amd musket baUs, wihich we supposed they musit have taken
from the place Avhere the regular army buried a .portiom ^of
their ammunition. They had aU manner of .fasrming uteosila
of the best qwaflity, except plows. In some of thq lodges
we found feather beds and besteads.
"Wet felt .domvimced if the Indians could! ascertain the
smallness of 'Owr mumbers, they might, with so great a num
ber, by taking ladvanitage' of us at the crossing of the creeks
with such immense thickets in their bottoms, which we were
compeUed to cnoss, if mot defeat, at least, cut off a great
-many -of our mem ; lamd, if we had remained! at the vUlage aU
night, it would have .givem tbe Indians time to have oonoen-
trated their forces, ascertained our numbers, amdl Avith ease
have prevented our crossing a stream of the size of the
Trinity. It was deemed advisable, therefore, to take up the
lime of manch and cress the Trinity that night. At 5 o 'clock
Avith our poor, dead coanpaniom tied across a horse, we left
-the village, marched twelve miles back on the trail Ave came,
crossed the Trinity, and camped in the open prairie. The
mext morning, twemty-.five mUes from; the viMage, we buried
our friend,** amd im five more days Ave arrived ia tine settle
ments. "We had one killed; one badly, and one slightly wound
ed. The Imdians bad) twelve kiUed, that we coimted; and) a
great many more muist have beem killed and wounded, from
the quantity of blood we saAV on their traofls and im the
thickets where they had' run.
"We bnought in six head of cattle, thirty-severa horses,
three htmdred pounds 'of lead, thirty pounds of powdler,
twenty brass kettles, tAveraty-one axes, sevemty-ithriee huf-
A-Accounts differ as to the name of thecreek where Denton was first buried. One
that it was on a rock rid^e in Fossil Creek bottom near where Birdville now stands, and
another that it was on a bluff of Oliver Creek in Denton county.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. ^^
falo n-oibes, fifteen guns, thirteem pack saddles, and three
»words, besides drvexs othejr 'thiings not reooUected."
DEATH OF DENTON.
But little cam be added to the foregoing. A few- words
'iment the tragk; dieath of the noble Captaim DemtJom. Ihir-
ing the terrible engagementi in Avhch Denton AA^as killed, the
brave old pioneer Indi'am fighter, Capt. John Yeary, caUed
out at the top of his voice: "Why im the h — ^1 domi't you
nnove your mem out where iwe cam see the enemy? We'll all
be killed here." To Avhich Captain Hemry Stout, himself a
brave and moted piomeer leader amd India'ii fighter, said:
"Men, do the ibest you can flor yourselves. I aan iwoumded
amd poAverle^," amd at 'once am irregular retreat beg-an. ^he
detoehment had failem into an ambuscade.
The shot that pierced Dentom was so deadly that there
was evidently mo death struggle. He bad balanced' himseif
iu his saddle, raised his gun, amd closed ome eye, dntendim^
to deal death mi>om the enemy Avhen the death shock struck
him. W'hen his deatli was discovered his mAistfles Avere grad
ually relaxing, amd his gun, yet im his hand, Avas inelimiag
to the ground. Tlie mem nearest to liiTO took him from Im
horse amdl laid him on the gro-and.
The late venerated pioneer. Rev. Andrew Davis^ them a
lad, who participated im the Village Creek battle, says:
"After tenderly Avrapping tlic body of Denton and securing
it on a gentle horse, about 4:30 p. m., Ave moved out from
the viUage, amd mp the river to a point near Fort Wbrth,
amd there spent the miigbt. Early mex!t raiomiimg Ave crossed
•the river at a place Avlitere the timber Avas narroAV. After
crossing the riv-er, Avje traveled im the direetiom lof Bird's Sta
tion, aiming for Bonham — ^then Port Inglish— -as our ob
jective point, '^.t about 11 a. m. Ave halted on a prairie 'on
the south side of a creek, wiith a high bamk om the north.
Om one of those elevations Captaim Demtom "was buried —
tooila having beem brought alomg- from' the vUlage for that
purpose. His grave wias dug a good depth, A thin rock

360 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
was cut so as to fit. in t'he btottom of the gra vet, similar rocks
being plajced at .tlue sides and also eot the head) amd foot.
Aojotber i-oek Avas plaieed o(ver ithe body, latnd the grave fill
ed up. T'hiis was buried on* of God's noblemen." And so
perished one of Texiis.' brainiest and best men, a fine ora
tor, far above the avera.^ iiu initeUeet, -amd, had he lived,
Avould have proved a blessing to his coumtry and assisted
Jaoart-erially im itss advancement —
' 'The piomeer was laid to rest,
The red man set him free.
Disturb 'him not, but let him sleep
Beneatli the old oak-tree. '¦"*
But 'the precious bomes of the beloved Demtom lAvere dis
turbed, and finally, after three quarture of a century, prop
erly honored — 'having been in barred three times. First, by
Ids sorrowing comrades im arms, im that lonely Avildermess
grave, in May, 1841 ; a second time, when the pioneer eattle-
.maai of Dentom ccnvnity, John- Chisum, exhumed the remains
and gaA-ie them burial im his yard at the Cliasium. ramch, mear
BoUvar, in 1S60; and a third time, im 1901, Avhen, through
patriotic promptim.gs of members of the Old Settlers Asso
ciation of Demtcm county, aU that rem'ained mortal of the
hero Avere gathered up, amd after am approprriate ad
dress by tlie late ReA'. Wra. Allen, extolling the deeds and il
lumining the character of the deceased, and amid solemn and
imposing ceremonies, tlie remains Avei»e laid to final rest be-
Beabh a suitably inscribed slab, in the court house yard at
Denton, tlie capital toAvn of that fair coumty, .each of Avhieh,
yjs AveU as the primcipal stream AVibich courses tbnoa^gh that
county, and am institutiom of leamihg, Avere mamed foi' and
ATill ever perpetuate the memory of one of the braA-est and
noblest defenders of the Texas frontier..

OTHER EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS.
June 13, 1841, Brig. Gem. James Smith, 3rd Brigade,
»W[lharrer'> "Indian Depredations In Tesu."

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 361
Texas Militia, Avrote from Nacogdoches to President Lamar,
«aying that Major Gage and his spy company had attacked
a party of fifteem Imdians amd pursued the sui-A'-iA^ors, eight
in nmmber, and ambushedi tliem at the c.TOSsin,g of the Trin
ity, where they killed seA-.em of tbem — cmly cina. of t.he fifteen
escaping. Capt. Eli Chandler, im a report* dated June 19, 1841,
gives am. account of am lexpecU-tiom .to the northwest boaimd-
ary of the ci-oss-tirabers, om the divide betAvec-im the Brazos
apd Trinity rivers, from which he had juat returned with a
command of forty-one men. Near tlie point specified, he cap
tured a young Mexiieam wlio eomducted him to tam Indiam
village from iwhieh the warriors were absent. Om the 'way ;to
and in, the village, he took fourteen prisio-ncrs. One of these
imSormed him that sfX'ty Avarriors Avere to meet at tlie vU
lage to ,go on, a hivit. Thereupon, he despatchtcl an aged
Avoman to tell her people to bring in the Americam prisoners
they had, and tlie IiidKam .prisoners would be released .amd
a friendly coinpaict .fmterecT i.nto. Oonti-'niuimg, be fays: "I
th'cm proceeded immediately to Avliere I left my baggage,
Avhere I avriA-ed about 1 olelicck p. m. The party 'of Avarrioiis
above spoken of, 'to tlie imimbei' of sSxty, biad' arrived early
.in tlie day and; atitacked my- baggage guard, .who retreated
a short distance to a ravine, t^ook position, aai'd by their oiiU-
ion and A-,a'lor, i-Aicceededi iiii driving back tlie tmetiiy with ithe
loss of their ehief amd v,ne other killed. Tbe wliole number
of Indians kilkd AA-ere four, and three or Iciir iwoumded.
None of my command reieeiA-ed the sligliest injuiy from the
enemy. He says that he a'bandomed fuirther piu'suilt as his
force 'was small Bjnd 'he had the prisoneit,! to .guaid, and i-e-
tamied to Fra^lin, He asks instruietions a.s' to Avliat he shall
do Avith the prisoners. He siays: 'The Mexican prisoner
taken is a young man of smart iuteiligenee — spi-aks the Eng
lish' lamgmage quite Avell — states that he hs<si beem liiA-ong
amomg the ChoetaAvs' — ^Avas among these Imdiams trad-ipig'— -
mays th-ey were primcipally lonies, soime Shawnees, a few
? Army Archives.

362 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
?^acos; that the Waoo'si and Cherokees live mot far distant;
that the Tehuaioamas, Cadd-os, Kiekapoios, etc., all make leom
beit.weem the BrazQS and Trinity rivers; that mam^y of tbem
live at Avhatt as called the Big BeUd Vd'Eage om the Brazos,
Avhieh he says is about twenty miles albove \vhere the Amem-
•cams Avere last Aviniter; thait all of tbe different tribes talk of
gettimg together and lividug at one place; that there is
•some little talk among them of making peace Avith tbe Ameri
bams; th'at they are /gemeraUy mearly destitmte of provisions
and l^ve gceat difficulty in obtaining the same; that they
Bay tbey obtaip their large qmamtities of lead) by findihg it
'buried im the uPPer coiwitry; says he can take .us to several
eucampmemtB. I expect to make amother expedition/ as soon
as my horses recruit, if circumistajnces should inditoate the
•.*ame. ' '*

THE SANTA FE EXPEDITION. '
The Santa Fe exi>edition, recommended by the Secre
tary of War and sanctiioned by President Lamar, left Brushy
Creek, near Austin, June 20, 1841, to traverse six hun
dred miles of ^vildernesis to Santa Fe. It Avas commiamded by
Brig. Gen, Hu)gh M'cLeod, brother-im-laAv of Presidemt Lamar
and consisted of five compa&iies of mounted infantry and an
artillery company Avith dme brass six-poumder (a total of tAvo
hundred' and' seventy soldiers), abomt fifty other persoms
(traders, teamsters and adventurers), and Wm. G. Cooke, R.
F. Bremham, and J. A. Naivarro, commissioners instru'cted
to say to the peopile of Samta Fe that, if they wer.e Availing
to .aickmoAvledgie that portiom .of Ncav Mexi'co 'as a pailt of
Texas, the ilaAA-s of tbe Republic w-ould be extemded over tliem.

» From July 15th 'o 20th between four hundred and five hundred volunteers from
theTcxassideof the Red River assembled at Fort InKlish for the purposeof another ex.
pedition into the Indian country. They orfanizcd by electinp AVilliainC. Youne, colonel
Jamvs Bourland. lieutenant colonel: John Smither, adjutant, and William Lane. David
Key. and others, captains. While this was transpiring Indians captured two little boys
on the Bois d'Arc fork of river, a few miles distant, and carried them off. The ehildren
were recovered about two years later. Gen. Tarrant assumed command of the expedi
tion. It moved southward into what is AVise county, and received news of its coming re
turned to Fort InKlishand disbanded.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 363
but if they did not, Texas wished to establish friendly com
mercial relatioms Avith them and would not use force to bs-
sert its territorial claims. Priesidenft Lamar had pneviiously
issued a prodlamatiom covering the same grouJnd and dedar-
ing the .Objects of the expedit.iom to be wholly pawifi'c
Friends of the enterprise tiad introduced- a bill in Con-
.ganeas, authorizimtg it, but the measure had been rejected by
both houses. It was, therefore without statutory warramt,
and Avas ifadertaken solely upom ecsecmtive respooisihilifty.
The only legal saiiotiom that leauld be claimedl for it was
that tbe atot of 1836, defining the boundaries of Texas, in
cluded iSanta Fe ihi the limiirts of the Republic and iti was the
duty iof the President to enforce the sovereign ju'risdactiioo
aisserted. lit is said that the season selected £or the ulhdertakimg
was too late and as a comsequenoe, there was miuchsufferiog
for want of grass aind waiter. The wagons were overloaded,
the distance to Santa Pe Avas under-estiraatied, and the
guides were unfamiliar with the rouite. There seems to have
beem a fatal comlbinatiom of oircumstanoes, that foredoomed
the expedition to (the humiliatitng disasters and tragic suf
ferings it enoounitered. Not kmoAving what aAv-aiited it, it
started forth in tbe gayest spirits and .with the mosit san
guine expectataoms. "The long train of Avagons," says
Geonge Wilkins Kendall, "moving heavily forward Avilth
the differemt .companies of voluntteers, -all well mlommted' atnd
Avell armed land riding in- domble file, presented am imposing
as Avell as atnimating spectacle, causiing cA-ery heart to beat
high Avith the anticipation of exciting incidents on the bound
less prairies."
Finally reaching Ncav Mexico, after much suffering 'and
many adventures, the advance troops of the Santa Fe Expe
dition under Col. Wm. G. Cooke, were induced, by treacher
ous representations, to lay doAA'm. their arms and surrender
to Commandant Col. Salazar, in Ncav Mexico, on Sept. 17th,
1841. 'The remainder of the expedition followed. The pris-
ohers were marched on foot to the interior, (some perish
ing on the long journey) Avhere many of them were impris-

364 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
oned an gruesome and foul dungeons in the City of Mexi
co, and others at Puebla and Perobe. News of the disaster
to and. fate of this expedition was nob received in Texas un
til in January, 1842. Some of the unfortunate men. were re
leased at the instance of Oen. Andrew Jackson and other
friends in position bo intercede for clemency; some died in
prison, and the remaining surv-ivors, 119 in number, Avcre
tiventuaUy all released by order of Gen. Santa Anna, June
13, 1843. "

BATTLE IN CANON DB UVALDE.
In June, 1841, Capt. Jaek Hays having slightly amgment-
ed his company, pursued and defeated a depsedatin® party
of Comanches near Uvalde Canyon, itbe paiitieniars of which
.are giveb. thus in his official report: Sam Antcbiia, Jmly 1, 1841.
To the Hon. Brantch T. .Archer, Seeretai'y of Wax:
I have the honor to inform you that I haye this mowi-
iBg returned from an expedition in pursuit of a party of Inr
dians .that had heen committing depfredatioms, and driving
off stock from tlie vicinity of this place.. On itha 24th of
this month I set out witli a eompatoy of .thiiity men, and
took tbe trail wiliSch led in th.e direetiom of 'the Canyon de
T7 valde, Whtta within tAAio males of the eni^amice of tthe can
yon, AA'e camte upom a party cd Indiams, om their AAay from
the main camp (of the vicinity of this toAvn. I immediatelA-
attacked them and succeeded n kalling eiglut, and taking
tbe tAVO other prisoners,* capturiing all their hoi"ses amd
piRoperty. I atouM have eomtinmed on tto 'their main camp,
hut as my horses Aviere muich jaded, and I foujnd tlie camp
more distamt tham I expected, I comcluded to retTBrn, amd af
ter recruiting pi'ooeeded to the etncampmemt, the situation
»TotakeaComancheprisoDer was an affair of creat difficulty. One reason was the
fact that the Indian rule of warfare was opposed to lettiDK a captive live lonser than cer
tain ceremonies could be performed, in some instances 'hey seem to make an exhibit of
the captured persona to the tribe or nation. After thia was accompliBhed a cruel and lin-
trerinET torture was infiicted. It is reasonable to suppose that the Camanches believed
that the whites inflicted similar outr^rres aad similar death npon the'lndlan prisoners.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 365
.of Avhieh I haA^e ascertained. But one of my <cotmma;nd was
woumded— -Mr. MiUer— amd he not severely. The company
iconsistedl of s-ixtcem Americains. In addition I Avas aided by
Captiami Ploires, Avith about tAventy Mexicans.
I have the honor tiO> be your o'beditint S'ei-vamt,
JOHN C. HAYS
Captain Commanding.

BORDER BANDITTI.
J:cihm T. Price AA-rote to Secretary of War and Marine
Branch T. Archer, from Victoria, July 2, an foUoAvs:
"In aceordan-ce Avith a requisition made by the Sheriff
of tihis county and Refugio, in oompany Avith some forty
citizens, went to thc Nueces for the purpose of arresting .lie
maraiidfers who have for some time past infested our fron
"Our party Avas composed of citizems lof this county, Rei-
fugio and San Paitrico. We reached the Nueces on the 22ndi
ult., and there learoed that a short time previous a Mexi
can had! beeSi 'to Kinney 's Randh and stated that a party cf
;300 scldiers "were Avithin thirty - fiA^ nriles of that
pdaee, uSider the command of Col. Verial. He stated Uhat
'the troops were rn- search of robbers and had succeeded ha.
surprising a party of tem atnd had killed them all but one.
The bodies of these men- Avere found by our party. It ap
pears tliat ithey (the robl>ers) had a short time before killed
a party of traders and robbed •^heni of several hundred dol
lars, a let of blankets, etc. This party of AmericaiUs w%^
'led' by a Mr. Yearby avIio formerly resided ait Austin.
"We learned also from some Mexicans recently frocBi
Camargo that Owensby, AA-ith about fifteem men, bad been
surrounded by tAA^ or three hundred- Mexicans, and' thsfe
eight or nine of his men were killed and' himself -amd fi-ips
others taken prisoners. Verial with his command had r&-
tuitned to the Rio Grande before our arival at tihe Nueces.
"It appears fnom) the statement made by the tradefls
who have visited our counttry of late, that it is the? settled

366 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
purpose of the Mexicam authorities not omly to assert, but
maintain, the control of the territory between the Nueces
and Rio. Grande. * • -*"
Capt. Sanchez (aide de camp to Gen. Ampudia), in com
mand of fifteem Mexicam cavalryimem, made a descemt upon
Flower Bluff, fifteen miles sourh-east of Kinney's and Au-
brejf's ranch, and captured Phillip Dimitt, J. C. Boyd,
Stephen W, FarrOAv aiid Henry Graham.
He also took $6,000.00 wcrth of goods that had been pnr-
ehased -as stock for the mercantile establishmeimt of Dimitt,
Gurley and Farrow. Boyd and Graham were em
ployees of Gurley amd Farrow-. Gurley was absent from the
Bluff at the time the raid Avas made. Sanchez di'd not dis
turb the store of Kinney and Aubrey, wbich led Gurley
land others to entertain and give expression to opinions
that Avere perhaps unjust. Gurley writing ' to Secretary
Archer from Goneailes, sa,id that indignation meetings had
been held at Victoria, Lamar, Gonzales and otlher toAvns, and
Ahe people were Avillitog and eager to turn out em masse
make good the claims of Texas to the territory betweem the
Nueces and Rio Grande, and inflict retaliation' on Mexico for
injuries suffered'; lUat they waited only for the Texas gov
ernment to amthorize them ;to act.
Dimitt and hds companions were takem to Maifcamoras amd
thence to Monterey where they were delivered to Arista.
By his order they were manacled and marched to SaltiUo. On
the way their irons Awere removed by Oaptt Chaffind who
commanded! their guard.
At Saltillo they m&de eni attempt to escape. Some of
them got off a considerable distance. Capt. Chaffind semt
fhem word that he would for.give tbem if tbey returned, and
if they: did not, he womld have Dimitt shot. This message
was uttered' dn the presemee of Dimitt, who as soon 'as he
saw that he was umobserved, took a large dose of morphine
which caused Md death. Yoakum says: "Thus fell a Coble

'*.Army Archives.

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS, 367
spirit by Avhom the first Lone Star banner was unfurled on
the heights of La Bahia."

CAPTAIN ERATH'S FIGHT.
Capt. George B. Erath, of the Milam County Minute
Men, writing from Fort Bryant August 12, 1841, to the Secre
tary of War, says: "Agreeable, to appointment mad.e Avith
Capt. Ohandlefr, from Milam county, I met the Robertsor'
County Comipany on the 26th of July, 1841, at the lomie A-il
lage on' the Brazos, and were also joined by Maj. LeAvis, Mr.
Archer, Mr. Landers, and several other gentlemen from Aus
tin. Captain Chandler took command by consent of par6-
ies aid we proceeded slowly up Jhe Brazos, having to con
tend and' tarry with sickness daUy. We passed several eva
cuated town.'* of the enemy in tbe cross-timbers and out spies
used every exentiom to ferret out the grand viUaige, but Avith
out success. Om the 3id, of August, being encamped in the
upper edge of the cross-tim'bers and ainixiously waiting the re
turn of ciiK spies to commence retrograidie movements, cii-r
provisions being exhausted, a feAv Indians made their
appearance about camp. I Avas detached, Avith tAventy mem,
in pursuit ; and in search of the trail, divided my party,
leaving some men with Capt. Love of Robertson county on
the left. My men, im the meantime discoveredl the traU, and
I pushed hard on the same, when I was fired upom by a
party of Kickapoos, or Cherokees, from behind a cliff of
rocks which secured the enemy completely, being only on one
side possible to ascend it Avitli the utmost difficulty ; Avhich
passage Avas dtefended bravely by the rifles of the enemy.
Their first fire kilted one of my men, Oapt. A. J. Smii.th of
MUam county, and scA-^ral balls grazed others Avithout in
jury. I formed im a little groA-e of timber, and returned the
fire, which Avas kept up for half an hour, during Avhicb time
•iit is thought that Ave killed two Indians and, pea-Imps,
wounded others. At tliat .time Oapt. Lov« arrived, and
amother re-enforcement came up from camp. A ©bai-ge Avai?
then miadte and the bluff .carried. The Indiansi left the

368 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
ground carrying theiir dead. The mountainous situation. lOf
the country made pursuit impracticable; and after bury-
.ing our dead man, Ave commenced our retumi through the
cross-timbers. The 7th of August I isepaiiated my company
friom Capt. C'liamdler's and I'eturned to tbe settlememts by
way of the Bosque, finding no sign of the enemy on our re
turn. We stlE feel convimoed that a strong village exists
on the Brazos, but that only a Avell fitted campaign can' cap
ture it.
The itodls amd sufferings of the company were greater
tban usual, and itbe pereeveranee .and vigilance of tlie men
•highly commendable '**«."
The general election of the Republic occurred Sept. 6j
1841, and resulted in the choice of Gen. Sam,Houstoni as PreSr
ident by a vote of nearly tAvo to one oA-er his opponent, Da
vid G. Burnet, and of Gen. EdAvard Burleson as Vice-Presi
dent by a large majority over Memucan Hunt.
Col. Martin Francasco Peraza, as envoy of Yucatan, ar
riA-ed in Austin September 11, to solicit for his country na
val aid' from Texas. This Avas granted after the Secretasry
of State received from' John D. IMorrrs emd C. Van Ness, oom-
missdoners AA-iho had beem sent to Gen. Arista, a communica
ticn stating the result of their mission and that no agreemeflt
had been entered into that rendered impi-oi>er the granting
of .such aid.**

DEATH OF MAJOR HEARD.
In August of this year a company of eight "minute
men," consisting of John Kermer, Charles Sevier, Gilbert
II. Love, Jolim Hardister, Thoiunn Sypert, William McGrew,
and Thomas Dronigoole, led by Maj. Heard, left Old Franik-
lin for a scout up the countiy. Tltey left on a rainy day
afterhoom' and foUoAA-ed the trail leading to'wards Parker's
Fort. Early next day, whem about fourteem males from
3f Yoakum is mistaken in assertinar that the neerotiatjnn with Peraza was effected
while Arista's '*peace envoy** was in Texaa and that this circumstance and the Santa Fe
expedition were responsible for the contiuuance of border warfare, murders, robberies, etc.

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QZ(I)z0h(0D
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BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 369
Franklin, Avbile riding in single file and passing a couple of
deep ravines, near tiieir junction, about eighteen Indians
rose from under the bank of tbe one parallel to the trail, and
only thirtA- or forty yards distant, amd fired, on tbem, com
pletely surpvi.'iing tlie party. Major Heard, riding in front,
fell dead from hi;,- horse, pierceH.t by three balls. Some of
the men retreated a short distance and halted, others dis
mounted near by, and Leve stood by the dead body to pre
vent its being scalped, but Avas soon compelled to join- the
others, all of whom ralUed togetlier. Love lost bis mule,
but succeeded in mounting the dead man's horse, and after
some skirmislLing tbe seven men returned to Franklin, Avhen
a party Avent out and carried iu for burial the dead body
whieh -had been scalped, the bead and hands cut off, and
otherAA-ise niutiilated."
The Indians Avere pursued for several days by a party
composed of John Kerner, William jM. Love, Gilbert H.
Love, AVilliam McGra.Av and a number of others, but they
failed to overtake them.

John Wahrenberger, employed as a gardener by CoL
Louis T. Cook, Avas attacked at night in the fall of 1841 by
Indians AA-hUe he Avas carrying a sack 'of meal £i-om the mill.'
near the edg:- of toAvn, to the home of his employi-r in Aus
tin, lie ran' for bis life, but held on to his burden,
"Avhich Avas a fortunate ciroumstance, as some of the arroAA-S'
shot at him by the pursuing Indians struck and stuck in
the sack of meal, only one hitting him, making a slight Avound
in the arm. He fell breathless in the doorAvay of Col. Cook's
house. Cook fired om the Indians, bringing ome lOf them to
the ground. This halted them. As soon as they could rally
they picked up their Avounded companiom and ram for cov
er. The marauders Avcre pursued the next day, but were-
not evertakem. In the fall of 1841 Captain Jack Hays and his rangers
were attacked by, but defeated with great slaughter,
»Heax*d*e Prairie in Robertwm' county perpetuates thenan-.c of this worthy pioneer. '

370 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
a large force of Comamches at the "Enchamted Rock," in
GUlcspie county. During the action, Capt. Hays became
separated from his men, but took position on the summat
of a mass of broken, lava-like rocks, that sloped steeply
doAAn im eA'ery dii'ectio-n.
The savages swarmed up the escarpment, im mad en
deavor to kill bim and take his scalp. He shot them fast
er than tbey could ascend. The fortumes of tlie day went
equally 'ill Avith them im other parts of the field, anJd at lasft
-they were forced into rout and retreated, uttering hoAvls
of defeat.

llie sixth Congress convened at Austin, Nov. 1, 1841.
President Houston and Vice-President Burleson Avere inaug
urated December 13.
President Houston 'si assertions that Lamar's Indiam pol
icy had resulted in faUiwe and that millions of dollars had
been ' Avasted in usele.ssi eixpenditures, were due to misappre
hension of facts. However, the pacific policy pursued by
President Houston during his first administration (as the
first constitutional president of the Republic) did not secure
peace for the frontier, and left at its close the greater part
of Texas in the possession of .hostile, bloodthirsty and exul
tant savages.
The Cherokees entrenched in the east, and the Ooman
ches, lords of the west, afforded the Mexican government op
portunity and means to plot and wreak vengeance on the
people of Texas, and retarded rhe settlememt and- develop
ment of the country, Avbi«li Lamar removed. He expelled the
Cherokees, broke the power of the Comaniahes, ren
dered impossible serious co-^opcration of the Indiams Avith
Mexico in any plan of iuA-asion and attempted conquest, and
prevented Indian' depredations and muiders ever recurring
ou so large a scale amd over such a Avide extemt of territory
as in former years. Ill-timed and profitless as the Santa Fe
expedition appeared to be at the time iit occurred, it made
Texas' claim to its "northwestern territoiy" sufficiemtly
good for the state to obtain for its relinquisbimeBit in 1850,

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 371
$10,000,000 from the Uiuted States government. ^Phe finan
cial coat of the expedition Avas less than .$80,000. The
greatest cost was the loss of so many noble lives.
It is- plea-sing ,to reflect, hoAvever, that the mem' who fell
perished not in vain. The large increase in the public debt,
deplored in the message did not in the end amount to much.
The debt was scaled to a fraction of its nominal total and
was discharged by other milUons of money paid to Texas,
after anmexatiom, by the United States, and mot by taxes
wrung from the pople. The gains obtained Avere enormous,
amd would have been fully compensatory if they had repre
sented returns for actual doUars .contributed in part by the
Teixans of that day, and inj part by their successors.
Perhaps, after all, the aggressive Indian policy of Lamar
was of imperative neces.sity at tlie period of his administra
tion. There were at least extenuating circumstances and con
ditions, and mueh of public sentiment brought to bear upon
him. But the genius and policies of lloustom met emergen
cies that could have been moulded to advantage by no other
means and manner. Each Avas a good and great man, and
each labored biavely and conscientiously for Avhat he be
lieved to be for the good of his oountrymem.
The patriotic Texan of the present day — unbiased by the
jealousies, animosities and politics of the past and view-ing
tbe men and' measures of old in the clear light of accom-
pli^ed results— "finds much to applaud^ and little to censure
imthe administration of Lamar, and cam say truly those meas
ures for Avhich he was most criticised, brought the largest
benefits to Texas and wiU longest preserve his fame and keep
aglow the gratitude of posterity.
By the faUure of Gen. Hamilton to negotiate a $5,000,000
loan for Texas in Europe, Lamar was sa\-ed from a great fol
ly that he would probably have committed, viz : the iuA-asion
\o£ Mexico witb ai Texas army. Diplomacj-, result
ing im later yearj* in annexation, a&complished Avith
out cost and bloodshed, what any Texas army ithat could
have been marshalled and supported with such a loan, would
have faUed to attain. The loam is said to haA-e been de-

372

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.

feated by the influence .of Saligny, the French minister to
Texas. One of his servants killed a hog belonging to Bul
lock, a hotel keeper at Austin. The boniface thrashed the
hostler and afterwards insulted amd threatemed Saligny,
^vho deraanded of, and failed to Secure from the Texas gOA'-
ei-nment, the redress to Avbicb he considered himself entitled.
His brother-in-laAV, M. Human, the French minister of
finance, Avas instrumental in having the banking firm, Lafitte
& Co., of Paris, abruptly drop the loam after they had led
Gem. HamUton to believe they would place it. The diffi
culty Avitlli Saligny Avas adjusted after Gen. Houston, suc
ceeded to the presidency, and the French minister retui-ned
to his post. Saligny always stoutly denied that he book any
action that conitributed to the defeat of 'tlie loan. Whether
he did, or did' not, is immaterial. The fact remains that faU
ure to obtadn the money Avas a genuine blessing^ though dis
guised as a calamity at the time.

i

'if^

> '^

u

'^iS-^^ -^

T, *

An Early T.A-pe of Eevolver.

CHAPTER XV.

LANCING over tbe liistooy of the last yeiaais
of the Texas Republic, one finds many stir
ring cA'ents aid tragic episodes transpiring —
as the ill-starred Santa Fe expediticm dur
ing the latter half of 1841 ; the dual j\Ie»i-
eam imvasiom of "iVxas amd capture of Sam
Amtonio, first by the folH^es utader Vaisqiiez,
j'^-^ *^-~C^^^ amd second, those led by Gemeral Woll, in
Vl : .-A,' l-^srn the spring aind summer of 1842, leading up
to the battle of Salado and tbe horrible
DaAvson massacre, and the sad s'^quLUce, the Mier expedition,
¦the break at Salado, "lottery of deatb," amd castle P€tix)te;
the "Archive War," resuMing from .President Ilousitioln's 'at
tempt to remoA-e the records from the exposed and reeemtly
(1839) selected seat of government at Austin, iin December,
1842; the eelebratod Snively expedi'tion and its deplorable,
shameful, failure; the bloody and fearfml vendetta or feud
ktnoAvm to bistorj- as tlie "Wair iof the Regulatca's amd Mod-
eratois," and A\-^hieh raged "with fearful violence in the east-
erta part of tlie llepuMic for nearly tliree years, quelled
finally per force of government arms, in 1844; and otlier
momentous happem'imgs. "TAvas imdeed a SAvift mo'ving i>e-
riiod of fiery history makimg. But of these, amd such mat
ters, it is not our purpose to. narrate im this coinmection .
Other imeidemts and equally tlmlling affairs now engage
our attention.

374 BOEDER WARS OF TEXAS.
At the general election, Sept. 6, 1841, Gen. Sam Hous
ton Avas chtosen by a large majority for a second term as
Presidemt of the Republic, ¦with Gem. Ed. Burlesom, as Vice
Piresidemt.. Both Avere tri'ed soldiers and patrilots, 'amd able
statesmen — ^a most fortunate circumstance for Texaji at
that critiieal period. The Republic was them laboring in a
sea .of difficulties that mamy believed mo ome, save "Old
Sam" Houston, coaild safeily guide it .OA-.er. All had comfi-
demce .im his great amd directing miBd, and his triumphamt
eleetiom. amd A-igorous handling of the reim-s of govermmemt
Avas joyously hailed Avith gemeral satisfaeticm throughout the
eoumtrA'.

PEACE OR WAR.
It is mot O'ui'. Avish .to discuss the political issues of that
day and time, nor to voice opinion regarding the opposing
policies advocated relative to dealing Avith and treating the
various Indian tribes yet, formidable and hostile, residing
in the Republic. Houston's predecessor, President Lamar,
believed that A-igorous AA'ar sibould be AA-aged until all tbe
tribes, both mative amd migrated, sh.o.uld be exterminated
or subdued. His favorite slogam, as so tersely expressed by
acting Bresidemt David G. Bumet, being "Let the sJAA-.ord do
its AAiork." Am.d, in aceorda-nee w-itli 'this idea Lamar had
•emcO'UTaged expeditionis amd sent foiices agaiinstt .the Avild
tribes and all other Indians, inflicting chastisement at every
opportunity, ,amd hemce, whem Iloustou again came into office
be found the Imdiajns exceedingly ho.stile and A^engeful^ — "the
Avbole frontier lit up Avitli the flames of fierce amd saA-age
Avarfare." Houston's policy for dealimg Avith the saA'ages Avas .exact
ly the reA-erse of LauLar's. He uniformly and eA-er favored
a peace .policy, the forming- of peaee-treaties am'd 'the dis
bursement of presemts, talte, etc., to comciliate and pacify
the wild mem. "On this policy (says John Henry BroAvm) the
country AA-as divided im opinion, amd the questiom Avas often
disicmssed with more oa- less bitterness. Notbi-nig could be

BORDER WARS OP, TEXAS. 375
more (natural, respecting a policy affecting so deeplj- the
property and lives of the frontier people, Avho Avere so great
ly 'exposed to the raids of the hostiles, amd had Uttlle or toio
faith in their fidel-iity to treaty stipulatiotns; 'Avhile the Presi-
damt, a-eaLi:ziiE.g tliie spai-sity of populaticm and feebleness in
rcAiources lof .the govermmemt and the .country, hoped to bring
abonit a gemeral cessation of hostilities, establish a lime of de-
markatiom betAveen the Avhites and Imdiams, amd by estabUsfa-
img along the saime a Ime of ti-adimg ho-uses, to pa-omote
firiemdly 'traffic, with occasional presents by the govenn-
memt, to control the Avild mem and preserv-e the 'lives of the
people. It was a policy in k eepimg Av.itln liis .high chaa*acter
as a Avise and faitihful guardian of the lives of the people.
The lack of confidemce by many in the fidelity otf the tribes
Avais mo reasom AA-hy the effont, so fraught Avith .gtood, should
not be made."

HOUSTON'S INDIAN TALKS.
Houston's letters amd reported talks to the red men go
to shoAv he umderstood their character, their semtiments amd
sansibilities. and the casit of their minds perfectly, as aa-cU
as .tlie thoughts and modes ^of expression best calculated to
affect theiu favorably, and there cam 'be -no doubt but that
Presidemt Houston Avielded am inflmemce 'and did much -to
reccmcile and keep the Indians in subjection, and thus lem-
abled the. settlers to push forAvard and gain a more substan
tial hold. Whem Houston Avoaild treat Aviith .the hostiles and
dissuade them cSrom the A\'arpath he Avrote: "The .red broth
ers all knew that my Avomds to them haA-e never beem for-
gobteai by me. They h.ave .never been s'walloAved up by
darkmeiss; nor has tbe light of the sun ccmsumed tbem.
Tirath cannot perish, .but the Avords of .a liar are ais noithing.
I wish you to come, and Ave AviU -again .shake hanids amd
counsel together. Bri.mg other 'clii.efs with you. Talk to aU
the red men to make peace. War oaainot make them happy.
It has lasted too lomg. Leit it now be -e'nded and cease f'Oir-
ever. Tell all my red brother.? to listen to my oommmnica-

376 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
tions, and to walk by the words of my council. If they hear
jne and keep iny Avords, tbeir homes .shall be happy; theia-
fires shall burm bi-ightly and ^be pipe of peace shall be hand
ed ai-ount! tiie lieartli of thrii- wigwam.s. Tbe tomahawk shall
«o more be raised in Av-ai-, noA- shall the dog hOAvl f'or the
master avIio* has been slain in battle ; joy sliall take the place
of sorrow; ,atnd the laughter of your ebildren shall be lieard
in place of the cries of youi- women."
Tbese "talks" or letters make interesting reading even
at this far time, and they clearly illustrate the policy Hous
ton Avas AA-ont to pursue, besides giving a glimpse of affairs
and cotiiditivj'iLs alomg the border, as Avell as the embittered
feelings the.m existing betAveen the Avhites and Imdians.
Mai-k the simple, yet beautiful, and even lofty, style, so
iuited- to the iintutoredi nuinds of the red men. Tihe Indians
loved and confided in Houstoni, a'nd im retarn, Houston ncA'-
er betirayed a trust, nor forgot tbe AveWai-e of, his forest
friends. An. incidemt transpired that sboeked him greatly, amd
that a-aised up bitter a'nd rcA-engeful enemies for the Avhites,
\iz: the killing of the ceilebrated Ijipani chieftain, Flaco.
The Lipans had ahvays been friemds of the 'white people,
and bad acted as .scouts aind guidets side by side Avitb tbem.
Fla,co bad charged often Avitli Hays amd other frontier lead
ers, had displayed signal Avisdoiin, good feeling and gaUantiy
om mamy occasions, amd Avas Avortby of the highest esteem in
Avhieh he Avas gemetrally held, ile Avas killed, it Avas claimed,
b.v a party of Avhite men Avlio mistook his identity, and aet
ed Avitli inexcusable haste. The Lipans denounced the aet as
nuirderj and joined the Avild prairie tribes. Houston sought
in vain to console and placate tbem by tbe folloAviiig letter,
Avlrittem to Fla.co's father:
Executive De'partment, Wa.shiugton, March 28, 1843.
To the jMemory of Gem. Flaco, Cliief of Lipans.
My Brother: My heart is sad. A daii-k cloiud restis up
on your na'tiom. Grief has sounded im your camp. The
voice of Flaco is silent. His aa-oikIs are mot heard in coun-

BORDER WAliS OF TEXAK. 377
cil. The chief is no more. His life has fled to tbe "Great
Spirit." His eyes are closed. His heart no longer leaps at
the sight of tlie buffalo. The Noioe.s of your camp are no
longer bea.rd to ery: "Flaco liajs returned from the eliase!"
Your chiefs look down upon tbe earth .and groa.n in trouble.
Your Avatrriors Aveep — the loud voices of grief are heard
from you.r Avomen and children. The songs of the birds are
silent. The ears of your people bear no pleasant sounds.
So'rroAv Avhispers in the Avinds. The noiise of the tempest
passes; it is not beard. Your hean-ts are heavy. Tbe name
of Flaco brought joy to all hca.rt.s. Joy -was on. cA-ery face.
Your pec'ple Avere happy. Flaco is no longer seen in the
fight. His voice is noi longer heard in the battle. The en
emy nq longea- ma-ke a path for his glorj-. His valor is no
longer a giiard for your people. Tbe right amn of youir na
tion is broken. Flaeo Ava.s a friend to the -white brothers.
Tbey Avill not forget bim. They AAiill leaueimber the red Avar
rior. Ills father Avill mot be forgotten. We will be kind to
tbe Lipans. Grass vshall not groAV in tbei path betvi-eem us.
Let your Avise mem give the council of peace. Let yomr
youmg men Avalk in the white path. The griiy-beaded men
of your natiiin vrill teach Avisdam. I Avilil hold my red
brotbe'r by tbe hand Thy brother, Saiiu Il'oustoii.

HOUSTON'S INDIAN POW WOW.
A eontempo.rary AA-riter* and eye-Avitness, thus gra.phi-
cally .descnibeB one of the President's laKlian. ])oav avoavs,
Avbieb occurred at tbe capital. Tlie scenes and incidentis de
scribed will .n-c-ver 1)e re-eni.vt'ted — ^tbe pictuj-e is of a scene
forever past :
"It Avas im tbe early summer of th ¦ y, ,;ir 7S44, before
the close of President Houston's seeoiid term, that am In
dian council Avas Iwld at Wasbiin.gtcn, a.bout three quarters
of a mUe from the village center. Upon invitation some
»V*teTan Prank Brown, yet (1912) living.

378 liOKDEK WARS OF TEXAS.
fifty OH' jucire Indiam brav-es Avitii their womien amd children-,
agigregaiting a hundred ar more, came in a body. A grove
AvaB selected, in Avliich tQiey Avere directed to camp. Their
tem'ts Avere erec'tted of buffalo skin.s. They brought in homey,
herdrr oil, r'..n.cl- nae-aits .of Arild aniimiLs. The .pra.sidem-t ca'used
thenn to be f.armis.hied Avith corn for bread and boaniny, amd
beef, as needed. They Avere priesemte'd AA-iith blanketis and'
ottbe'r useful articles, inclmding trimkets. Their pomies were
pastured on the rich grass. The range Avas o.pem.
"ExAiibitions of skill Avith boAv and arrow, lamee and tom-
abavv-k, Avere giA-en. Games AA-ere indulged in. Imdiams and
Avliites freely mingled. The red men ivere in the village near
ly every diay parad.ing the strPeets and vi.sLting the Avhites at
their plactw of bii.sine.ss and diA'elliin,gs. They AA-.erie often in-
viKed to the 'tiables of tbe AA-hite folbis, Avhere they sat dOAvn
and ate bea.rtily. Tbeir table manners were extremely awk-
waiid. It Avias aimusing to see an Indian with a piece of
bread im band, at the saume time holding a fork im the same
hand. In conviej-ing the bread to his mouth he Av-as like
ly ta stick the prongs in his eyes. After meals all bands
sat im th.e sb.ade and Bmoked the pipe. It Avas customary, as
an 'act of friendship and courte.sy, for tbe same pipi- to be
Ti.sind 'hy 'bot.b Avliiteis and red mem. It required a stomach
for tbe a.\-ej-apc white mim to eonfoiim. Thb pipe \vas filled
witb a preparation of mixed tobacco aud suraacih leav-es,
called killikiniek.
"At night the whites Avere in tbe habit of go-lng to th.e In
dian camp to see their amusera.nints. These coinsiisted of
games 'amd dances after the Indian fa.sliioin. Their da.ncing
is diffioulit to idesenibe. The mem' and Avoanen did mot dance
together as we do. The mem Avould foo-m a circle and damce
to the right in. a forward manner, after a rude fas:liiiom. Af
ter tb.e men were through tliey left the ring, AA-hem. the Avomen
took itbeir places. Insttead of dancing in a foi-Avard Avay, as
did the men, they advanced to tlie rigliit sideAvayis, all'in a cir
cle. There Ava.s little or mo grace in the moviements of either.
The muyic consisted of a drum, made from a dried deer skin,

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 379
tightly stretched OA-er a stout hoop, amd a seasoned Spanish
gourd with the drj- seed rattling in it Avhem shaken.
"A da J- Avas set for the council. Im the forenoon Presi
demt Housto_, Avitli his cabinet off.icei-s, Avent to the caanp.
They Avere neatly dressed as became the occasion. President
Housiton sometimes affected a rather gaudy styl'C — be fre-
quemtly Avore .i vest made from spotted leopard skin. The red
chi.efs and their leading mem Avere painted in gorgeous
colors, theia' heads adorned Avith large feathens, the leg^mgs
with Ibeads and painted desiigms. A council fire 'was
lighted in the center of a space cleared for the purjKise. The
president and his cabinet officers occupied ome side of the
council ground, sitting in a sort of half ciincle. The Indians
occupied the opposite side, also sitting in a half circle, facing
the Avihites. All i>at on buffalo robes sipread' om the ground.
Spectators consisting of Avhite men, Avoim.en aaid' children,
with the red men not of the council, their Avomen and child
ren, surrounded the councilmen. In a ehoirt time aifter the
conferemoe met a laa^ge pipe, Av.ith a lomg stJem, duly orna
mented and filled witli killikiniek, AA-as lighted. Presidemt
Houston took the pipe, dreiw tAvo or three whiffs in a delib
erate mamnier, and tliem handed it to the first chief on tbe
left of the half circle of red m;en. This chief placed the
stem in his mouth, sloAvly dreAA- tAvo Avliif fs. and then handed
it to his neaa-est neighbor o.n the right. In this manmer the
entire circle of eoimoilmen, Indians and Avbities, paa^taok of
tbe pipe.
"After the smoke Avas finished, the president arosie, and
through an interpreter made a talk tOi tbe red chiefs. But
feAV Indian.s could umdeirsta.nd English ; nearly all of them
spoke Spanish. The president, from bis lomg associatiom with
Indians .and intimate kmOAvledge of their vieAvs and preju-
di'ces, kneAv how to address them. Nearlj- ev.e(ry time a sen-
temee Avas translated the chiefs would utter a grunt of .ap
proval. At the conclusion of Presidenft Honstom's address
the chiefs AA-ere invited to talk. Some of thettn did so. The
oeremomies lasted quite a while. At the comclusion the

380 BOKDER WARS OF TEXAS.
coiuacil formally adjomrmed Avith good feeling on botli sides.
"The Indians remained some tho^ee or fomr weeks. They
finally broke caanp, packed their effects om horses, mounted
their ponies aud departed on a Avest course. In a day or tAvo
theA" AV'ei'.e beyond tlie Avhite .settlements."

HOUSTON'S INDIAN TREATY.
In September 1843, the President, through his fearless
commissioners, Captains Eldridge, Torry and Bee, effected a
peace treaty Avith the Waoos, Anadarkos, ToAvash, Caddos,
Keechies, Wichitas, Tehuacanas, lonies, Beedies, Delawares,
Biloxi, and other small tribes, includimg a band of thirty
Cherok.e'es, 'who had assembled at a desigmaticd point om the
Trinity, now in Wise coumty. KeecM-ko-so-qua head, chief of
the Tehuacanas, AA-as the leader and most influential Indian
in tbe council. In council a boundary line Avas discussed and
finally agTee'dl upon between the Avhites amd the Indiams,
alo.ng Avbicli trading houses Avere to be establi,shed — one at
the mouth of the clear fork of the Trinity (Fort Worth), one
at Coaiamcbe Peak (Hood county) on. the Brazos and one at
Fort San Saba. The treaty had the effect it is said, to al
lay hostilities for a tkn.e, though, of course, tbe boiimdary
Avas not ahvays respected by either Av.biiites or Indiams.
Thus, during- his tenm of office, Houston. AA-as diligent
and determined in his .effarts to. comcUiiate im some degree at
lea.st, the incensed savages, and dissuade them as mueh as pos
sible from sucli constant and A-emgeful li.cstilitiies. No^ oppor
tunity in. .this direoton Ava.s overlooked. The Piresidemt Avas
constantly sending out "talks" and presents by faithful
commissioners and aigent.s, Avho A-iisited the Indiams in their
OAvn wild baumts, at girfeat peril, as special representatives ;
and alAA-.ay.s inviting the ehiefs amd head mem to A-iat and
councU Avitli The Great White Fatlier — the Presidemt — at his
liome, tbe ca.pital.
At the close of his term of office, Hoaiston AA-:as Avar-
ranted in saying, among otiier things, portending a better
eoindition of affaii"S' and brighter' hopes for the future Avel-

BORDER WARS OP TEXAS. 381
fare of the struggling Republic: "Our Imdiam affah's are in
as good condition as tbe most sanguine could reasonably haA-e
anticipated '' ~= *> It is not demied' that there are amomg the
Imdiams, as among- our oavu people, ifndividua.ls' Avho Avill dis-
ragard .all law amd comm-it .excesses of the most flagramt
eluaraeter; but it ds imjiut to attribute to a tribe or a body
of mem disposed to obey the laAvs, what is properly charge
able to a fcAv renegades and despea-^adoes. Other govemmemts
of far greater resoiuroes for imposing restraints upon tbe
Avild mem of the forests and pi^airies, have mot beem exempt
from the infraction of treaties, and occasional commission of
acts of rapine and blood. We must, therefore, expect to suf-
fei* im a greater or less degree from the same causes. But
evem tliis, im tbe opimiom of the Executive, does not furnish
overruling testimony agaimst the policy Avhich he has con
stantly recommended, and Av-hioh he has had the happiness to
see so fully and satisfactorily tested."
Though a marked difference is perceptible, and a de
crease of lio.sitilitie.^ is' obsei-vable, espeieiaUy durimg the .lat
ter half of Houston's second 'term, yet many crimes amd de
predations Avere comtmitted in various sections, and espe
cially along the advancing and exposed line of frontier;
atrocilties, capdA-ities, amd fierce comflicits — em-ougli indeed
im A'olume to far exceed the limits heoMj ascribed. But, per
haps, one can. tire his readers Avith tellimg too. much, hctw-
'jver thrillimg- amd absorbing the subject. A fcAV othea- not
able incidents amd < nga gem emts, w-ithout further preface,
must suffice.

DEATH OF CHIEF "BIG FOOT".
The foUoAving thrilling incident Avell iUustrates the
trials and perils of the pioneer settlers and the manner and
mode of border warfare as carried on im Texas at that pe
riod" of time.
Captain Shapley P. -Ross, -father of the late Gen. L. S-
Ross, Avas one of the early, staunch, pioneers of Texas,
having emigrated from Bentonport, Ohio^ and settled near

382 BORDER WARS OP TEXAS.
the present town of Cameron, JMilam county — then a howl
ing Av-ildei-ne-ss — in 1839. Captain Ross was of powerful
frame, with cool courage and a sagacity equal to the In
dian with Avhom he Avas so often thrown in contact; in
fact Ro.ss was endoAved with all the qualities neeessaiy to
tbe makeup ofi tilie hardy pioneer and successful border
trooper, and' hence he soon became a recognized leader of
the whites against the Comanches and ot^her hostile tribes
of Indians Avho them ruled that regiom. Captain Ross lead
his neighbors in many expeditions against the Avily red foes
and encountered many thrilling adventures and narrow es
capes. One incident has, more t^an any other, made his
name famous in the border annals of Teacas. This was the
celebrated hand-to-hand fight betAveen Captain Ross amd the
powerful Comanche chief, "Big Foot," which occurred in
1842, and in Avhich combat the famous Indian Avarrior lost his
life. The details of this celebrated encounter are here given
substantially as told by Captain Ross himself.
Captain Ross had just returned home from a business
trip to the loAver setftlements, bringing with him a fine mare
he had purchased, the Indians haAing stolen all his other
horses. A short time after his return the bold and alert
froiiiier&man heard in the woods nearby Avhat an unsophisti
cated person Avould haA-e tlioufjbt- the Avliinneying of a colt
and the hooting of oavIs. But the quick ear of Ross soom
detected the cheat, and he kncAV the house AA-as Avattehed and
surrounded by sa.A-ages. He kept indoors till the next day,
when Avord Avas conveyed to a neighbor named Monroe, whose.
horse had beem carried off the' night previous by the Indians.
The object of the Comanches in imitating the Avhinneying of
a colt was to draw the settler from his cabin and murder
him. The ruse did not work that time.
The maa-auding thieves having hastily fled Avith their
booty, it was determined to raise as good a force as possi
ble amd follow the Indians. The party included six, one of
whom was a young man, Shapley Woolfork, a nephcAV of
Captain Ross. On examining the traU, the settlers readily
recognized the tracks of the notorious Comanche chief, "Big

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 38.^
Foot," of whom 'the settlers far and near stood in mortal
dread, so cruel were his outrages. The little pursuing com
pany dashed forAvard some thirty miles in a drenching rain
storm, Avliich Avet the poAvder in their flintrock rifles and
rendered them useless. Tavo of the party became discour
aged and returned, but Captain Ross and three determined
companions continued the pursuit.

THE HAND-TO-HAND STRUGGLE.
Suddenly, at a point knoAvn as "The Knobs" near the
present tOAvn of Temple, in Bell county, the Indians Avere
discovered, having halted to skin, a buffalo they had just
shot. The surprise Avas apparent, bub the Indians had no
chance of escape, and dropping their knives, seized their
guns and bows and prepared for the contest — & most despe
rate one. The savages repeatedly snapped their guns but
failed to Tire, their powder also being wet'. Both parties
now clubbed their guns, and in close contact the battle roy
al raged, many daring acts of individual heroism transpir
ing. It was a deadly match, a struggle for life between
fearless red amd white Avarriors, and for a time the issue
was indeed doubtful. Finally, one of the settlers, Bryant,
killed an Indian Avith the butt of his r'ifle. ToAA-ard the close
of .the figlit. Captain Ro.ss .vi.w Big Foot mounted on a fine
animal, Monroe's mare be bad stolen, and riding toAvard him.
He drcAv both his holsters, but discovered to hia chagrin tha.*
the poAvder was Avet. He tbreAv one of tbem at Big Poot'.s
head, but struck him on the sthoulder. lie Avas about deal
ing the cMef a terrific blow Avith the but of his rifle ivhen
an Indian rode up close behind and Avas in the aet of cleav
ing Ross' head, Avhen Woolfolk came to his uncle's rescue and
quickly dealt a bloAv that tumbled the sa.vage from his pony,
at the same time pulling Woolfolk off his horse. A personal
combat between the two Avas prevented by the Indian mount
ing behind Big Foot. The tAvo Indians dashed off and at
tempted to escape, but they Avere again hotly pursued b.y
Ross and his nephew. The race was an exciting one. On
went Big Foot and his companion, whom the mare bore along

384 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
swift as the Avind. Suddenly they came to a ravine bluff.
They sa.AV it too late to stop the animal in her flight, and
headlong over the bluff AA-ent the mare and her tAvo riders.
They Avere soon floundering in tbe mire and Avater. Quickly
the pursuers dashed up — Woolfolk in the lead, himself dash
ing doAvn the declivity, alighting betAveen the tAvo savages.
Ross managed to halt on the brink. He sprang from his
mare and jumped down and into the melee, his first inten
tion being to separate the tAA-o Indians and prcA-ent them'
from "double teaming" on his nepheAV. The four combat
ants Avere noAV on the ground and on an equal footing, and
noAV it Avas that the desperate death struggle commenced.
Big Foot and. Captain Ross regarded each other for an in-
sta.nt. Both kncAV it Avas death for one or the other. FirO
flashed from their eyes. Desperation Avas depicted on their
countenances. They drcAv their knives — bright, keen butcher
blades, Avhieh a hunter ahvays carried. Both Avore moccasins,
Avhile the Comanebe chief ivas bedecked in full Ava.r paint,
his long plaited Jiair hanging far doAvn his back — he Avas in
deed ferocious looking. Captain Ross Avore a slouch hat
and buckskin hunting shirt, Avith an old fashioned poAvder
horn slung around his ivaist. With a wild, guttural shout
tbe chief advanced, knUe in hand, and made a determined
lunge at 'bis powerful Avliite antagonist. Tbe Indian's foot
.slipped ou the Avet sod and he missed Ross. Before he could
rise, Koss seized Big Foot by the hair Avth bis left hand,
Avbile Avitli liis right he brandliahed amd drove hisi' knife to
the heart of the Indian chief. The contest Avas OA-er; the
spirit of the renoAA-ned Chief Big Foot AA-inged its Avay to the
"happy hunting grounds." Both combatants sank to the
ground — Big Foot in deatli, Ross unnerA-ed and exhausted.
While this Avas transpiring, Woolfolk Avas engaging the oth
er Indian in a similar strugle, and finally succeeded in dis
patching him. After scalping their victims the settlers re-'
turned to their homes Avith the trophies, and the stolen
horses recovered.
Captain Ross liA-ed to a ripe age, dying at Waeo, a few
years ago. He experienced miany of the trials and A-icissi-

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 385
tudes incident to frontier lifcj and participated in numerous
Indiam fights, but this was hia mosit desperate emctoointer,
and when marrating the incident the old veteram alAvays
grew serious. It was a Ufe and death struggle, amd has caU
was so close he never jested over the matter.

FATE OF THS GILLELAITD FAMILY— CAPTURE MH)
RESCUS OF MRS. FISHSR.
The narrative which foUoAva is one of the most instruct
ive, yet pathetic, in aU our Texas history, not only
because it is the story of t^va helpless children, made or-
phams by Comanches, the most cruel and bloodthirsty of all
the Indiam tribes, and who were dragging them to a captivi
ty worse than the fate their paremts had just suffered at
their hands, but, because the story in its simple, unvar
nished recital throws upon the great white, peaceful canvas
of today, a faithful picture of the hardsbiips and damgers of
our early pioneers im their efforts to establish homes and
civilization in Western Texas. Be it remembered, too, that
this tragedy -\vais enacted six years after peace had been won
at San Jacinto.
We quote from a letter written by A. B. Hanmum, First
Lieutenant Matagorda Riflemen:
"Im 1841-42 the Mexican Govemm.emt sent several ma
rauding expeditions into Texas, and in the latter year Sam
Antonio was tArice captured and plundered. In the spring
of 1842 AVi© Avere im force om the San Antonio Iliver to repel
a Mexicam iuA-asion, when news came to us that the Indians
had killed a Mr. Gilleland and his Avife at or mear the Mex
ican vUlaige, Don Carlos Ranch. After the massacre they ev
idently moA-ed up the river, holdimg two little white ohil
dren prisoners.
"Gen. Albe-Pt Sidney Johnston, then in command of the
military, and in camp near the scene of the tragedy, called
for ten men, weU moumted, to reconnoiter. With Gen
eral Johnston we .proceeded abo(ut ome mUe below
the tOAvtn, whero I found and pointed out to^ him

386 BORDEU WARS OP TEXAS.
ain Indian tr&ii leading into th'e river bottom. Here, after dis
mounting and making coffee, Gen. Johnston returned to the
command, leavingr m.e in charge of half a dozen men a'nd fil
ter n scouts under Captain. Price, who had joined tis. We
soon discovered the trail of the Imdians and were in hot
pi rsuit. There were Dr. A. T. Axsom, distinguished after
wards as president of the Board of Health of New Orleans ;
Colonel Kerr, purser of the Texas navy; Dallam, auth'or of
the Digest of Texas Sibatutes, stiU am authority, alsoi author
of the novel, 'The Lome Star.'
^'Two miles aAvay in camp w^re our noble ex-President,
M. B. Lamar, and the hero of Shiloh, Albert Sidney John
ston, and not far from the site of Fannin's massacre.
"The Comanches scattered and our yelling men foUoAved,
making it impossible for them to escape. After clearing the
timber, they form'cd' in Une to receive us, while a tall old
chief ran up and dotwn the line playing the flute. They had
evidently counted us and intended to give battle.
"Firing commenced when a gay Indian on a fdmely ca
parisoned horse presented too fair a picture to be resisted,
and I fired at hinii; he dropped from the horse, one he had
captured the day before, and and all took to the woods. We
fastened our horses to the trees and .pursued, thinking to
give them fight in regular Indian fashion, but they never
raUied, and left guns, feathers, shields amd horses behind. We
rescued the ^prisoners, a little boy, lancied) in the side, amd a
pretty Mttle girl Avith long, goldem curls and eyes so soft, so
mystic; s^he was one of the politest little things on earth.
The Mttle boy, bleeding at every gasp, was given water. Dr.
Axsom lay pale om the ground. 'What is the matter, Ax
som?' 'Oh, that child's wound makes m.e sick.' The
case of the healing of the Tvound of that little hoy, WiUiam
M. Gilleland, was puMished in the Neiw Orleaais Medioal
Journal by Dr. Axsom.
"The little girl wab, when I sarw her in 1886, one of the
handsomest of the very handsome W'Omen for which Texiaa
18 justly distingniahed, and she, Mrs. Rebecca J. Fisher, a
veritable que^i of sooiety.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 387
'The GiUeland children were taken just as the Emm -was
setting, amd were rescued the next morning, the Indians trav
eling all the time until overtakem by the riflemen.
"General Johnston was inconwnand, amd carried Rebecca
the little girl, from the Carlos Ramch to the home of a Pres
byterian nUnister, Dr. Blain, in Victoria. The hoy was left
behimd under Dr. Axisom's nursing amd my .directions."

STORY OP THE HEROINE.
Mrs. Fisher, who here teUs her terrible experience, is
at present (1912) living in Austin. Her story further Uluae-
trates the damgeffs of fiw-ntier life im early Texias :
"My parents, Johnstone and Mary Barbour GUleland,
were living in Pennsylvaima, surrounded With everything tx)
make life pleasant, -when they became so emthusiastdc over
the enooniraging reports from Texas (that they comcluded to
join the excited throng and wemd their way to this, the sup
posed 'Eldorado of the West.' They haiStUy and at great
sacrifice, sold thedr home near Philadelphia, and set sail
for Galveston Mri'th' their three ehildren. Not being uiaed to
the hardships and privations of frontier life, they were Ul
prepared for the trials Avhich awaited them. I kmow not the
date of their arrival. They moved to Refugio county,
near Don Carlos Ramch, which proved to be their last
earthly hajbitation.
"My father belonged to Captain Tomlinson 's company
for some months, £md when mot in active warfare was
engaged in protecting his own and other familes, removing
them from place to place for safety. They frequently had to
flee through blinding storms, cold and bumgry, to escape In
dians and Mexicans. The whole 'country 'Waa im a state of
exoitememt. FamiUes were in constant danger and had to
be ready at any moment to flee for their Uvea.
"The day my parents were murdered waa ond <»f those
days which youth and old age so much emjoy. It was im
Btrango eonrisruat to the tragedy et its close. We were only
a ifie-w rods Crom the house. Suddenly the warwhoop of tha

388 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Coamamche burst upon, our ears, sendShg terroir to all hearts.
My father, in trying to reach the house for weapons, Avas
shot doAvm, amd near him my mother, clinging tq her child
ren and prayiug for God to spare them, was also murdered.
As she pressed us to her heart we were baptized im hetr pre
cious blood-. We Avere torn frota her dying embrace and
hurried off into captivity, the chief's Avife dragging me to
her horse and cUnginig to me Avith a temaicious grip. She
was at first savage amd vicious looking, but for eome cause
her Avicked mature soom relaxed, and foldlimg me in her arms,
she gently sm'Oothed back my hair, indioatimg that she was
very proud of her suffering victim. A white mam, with aU
the cruel instincts of the savage, was with them. Serveral
times they threatenied to cut olff our hamds and feet if we
did not stop crjang. Then the woman, im savage tones amd
gestures would scold, and' they would cease their cruel
threats. We were captured just as the sum was setting and
were rescued the next morning.
"During the few hours we were prisoners the Indians
never stopped. SloAvly and stealthily they pushed their way
through the settO.em.ent to avoid detection, and just as they
halted for the first time the soldiers suddenly came up'om
them, amd firin'g leomm'enoed. As the battle raged the Indi
ams "were forced to take flight. Thereupon, they pierced my
little brother through the body, and striking me with some
sharp instrument ¦ on the side of the head, they left us, for
dead, but we soon recovered sufficiently to find ourselves
alome im the dark, demse forest, wound'ed and covered witb
b'lood. "Having been taught to ask God for all things, we prayed
to our Heanrenly Father to take care of us amd direct us out
of that lonely place. I lifted my wounded brother, so faint
amd isio weak, lamd Ave soom came to the edge of a large
prairie, when as far away as our swimming eyes could see, we
discovered' a company of horsemen. Supposing ithem to be
Indiana, frightened' beyond expressaion, and treanibling under
my heavy bxtrden, I rushed baek with him into the woods,
and hid behind some thi.ek bushes. But those bi%ve men, on

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 389
the alert, dashing from place to place, at last disoovered ts.
Soom we heard the clatter of howes' hoofs and tho voices 'of
our rescuers calling us by name, assuring us that they were
our friends who had come to take care of us. Lifting the
almost unconsciouoi Uttle sufferer, I carried him out to tbem
as ibest I could. With all tbe temderness of Airomem, their
eyes B-uf fused .with teairs, those good mem raised us to their
saddles and hurried off to camp, where we received every
attenition and kindness that mam oould besftow.
"I was seven years of age whem my parents were mur
dered. Sixty odd years have passed since then, and yet iny
heart girows faint as the aAvf ul time passes in review. It is
indelibly stamped upon memory's page and photographed
so deeply upom- my heart that time with all its changes oan
never erase it."

LAST RAID IKTO ANDERSON 00DNT7.
In the year 1843, a party of Indians, about tem im mum
ber, (made their last hostile raid in the territory embracing
what is now Aildersoh ooum^. "We caUed it Burnet county
at that time," saya pioneer Capt. Wm, R. Russell of Har
per, Texas, who supplies these factsi:
"in the neighborhood where my father and family lived;
near Mound Praiirie, they stole some horses and kiUed and
butchered a very fat ox, belonging to Da.vid Roberts. Tak
ing the greater part of the flesh ofl the ox, they left in a
westward direction. My father. Col. Lewis M. RusseU, head
ed a pairty of citizens and foUowed them. They crossed the
Trinity River, and om the bank of the riveir lom the west side,
the Indians stopped and pulled off the shoes from the
horses and cut notches in the front of tbe horses' feet, so
that they would make a ttack resembling the track of a buf
falo. The Indiana moved on westward about two miles, and
stopped tb barbecue their beef. The scouts sigShted the In
dians at the head of -a ravine that led into the river, the
ravine being completely enveloped with a chick, -jungle of
brush, briers and vines. The scouts charged on them, but the

890 BORSSR WAH^ OF l^XAS,
Indiana made good their eseape dowa the ravine. The seouts
captured all their horses and returned home vrithout firing
again."

0APTUR3 OF THB SIMPSON CmLDREN.
A widow named Simpson lived at Austin. Among other
children she had a girl, Emma, aged about/ fourteen years,
and a boy, Thomas, about twelve years of age. During the
summer of 1844, about 4 o'clock one afternoon, these ohild
ren went to drive up the cows. They were on the dry
branch, near where Maj. C. L. West's residenee noAV stands,
when their mother heard them scream. She required no ex
planation of the cause; she knew at once that the Indians
had captured her darlings. Sorrowing, and almost heart-bro
ken, she rushed to the more thickly settled part of the town
to implore citizens to turn out and endeavor to recover her
children. A party of men were soon in the saddle and on the
trail. They discovered that the savages were on foot — ^four in
number — ^and were moving in the timber, paraUel to the riv
er and up it. They found on the trail shreds of the gfirl's
dress, yet it was difficult to folloAV the footsteps of the
fleeing red men. From a hill they descried the Indians
just before tthey entered the ravine below Mount BonneU.
The whites movied at a run, but they failed to overtake the
barbarians. A piece of an undergarment was certain evi
dence that the captors had passed over Mount Barker. The
reeky surface of the ground precluded the possibiUty of fast
trailing, and almost the possibility of trailing at alL Every
conceivable effort was made to track the Indians, and all
proved unavaiUng. They were loath to return to Austin to
inform the grief-stricken mother her loved ones were indeed
the prisoners of savages, and would be subject (o all the
brutal cruelties and outrages of a captivity a thousand times
more terrible than the pangs of deatt. The scene which en-
sutd Avhen the dread news reached Mrs. Simpson's ears can
not be pictured with pen or penoil N.o scienoe, nor art.

BOHrBBR WAJBS ©ff T^XAS.. 391
nor deAfioe known to man oould oompass «»h an underfSak-
ing. The wail of laigony amd despair rent the air, and tears
of sympathy -were wrung from the frontiersmen who never
quailed when danger came in ita most fearful form.
In about one year Thomas Simpson was restored to hia
mother. He had been purchased from the Indians by a
trader at Taos, New Mexico. From him many particulars of
the capture were obtained: He said his sister fought the In
dians aU the timte. They carried her by foroe, dragging
her frequiently, tore her clothing and handled her roughly.
Thomas -was led by two Indians. He offiered no resistance,
knowing he would be kiUed if the did.
When the Indiana discovered tbey weire being followed,
they doubled, coming back rather in tdie direction of Austin.
They made a shea-* halt mot far firom HoiU. Jiohn Hancock's
place. Thomas begged his sister not to resist, and told her
such a coui'se would cause her to be puf to death. She was
eventuaUy separated from him. When the Indians who had
her in charge rejoined their companions, young Simpson saAV
his sister's scalp dangling from a Avarrior's belt. No one v/ill
ever know the details of the bloodj' dasd. But a knoAvledge
of Indian customs justifies ithe belief that the sacrifice of an
innocent life involved incidents of a more revolting charactJer
than mere murder. In the eoursie of time the bones of the
unfortunate girl Avere found near the place where Mr. George
Davis erected his resid.ence, and to that extWt corroborat
ed the account of Tliomas Simpson.
It is no difficult matt'er to conceive what were the im
pressions produced upon parents then living in Austin by
this event. It is easy to imagine how vivid the conviction
must have been that their sons and daughfiers might become
the victims of simUar misfortunes, sufferings and outrages.
Let the reader extend the idea, and include the whole fron
tier of Texas in a scope extending, as it then did, from Red
River to the Rio Grande, a sinuous line upon the outer tiers
of settlements, and including a large extent of the Gulf
coast. Let him remember that the country was then so
sparoely populated it was quite all frontier, aad open fo in-

392 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS
cursions of the mercUess tribes who made war upon women
and chUdren, lamd flourished the tfomahawk amd the scalp
ing knife in the bedrooms and the boudoirs, as well as in the
forests, and upon tihe bosom of the prairie. When he shall
have done this, he cam form an approximate conception of
the privations and perils endured by the pioneers who re
claimed Texas from the dominion of the Indian, and made it
the abode of civilized men.

BRUTAL MURDER OF OAPT. KEMPER AND PERILOUS
ESCAPE OF HIS FAMILY.
The reader has already learned in the opening chapiters
of this work, much of the troubles bf -the early settlers Avitih
the ferocious tribe of Caranehua Indiams, and of their final
expulsion and fate. The last notable hostlile act of this tribe
was the murder of Capt. John Frederick Kemper, at his
ranch home, "Kemper's Bluff," on the Guadalupe River,
ill Victoria coumty. This hardy pioneer was a native of
Kentucky, but came from Tennessee tO Texas in 1836,
having been previously united in marriage to Miss Eliza
MiUer, daughter of Ool. MUler, who brought volunteers
to the Texas army three separate tSmes— the first as early
as the yeiar 1835. Capti Kemper was in commamd of am artU
lery company in Colonel Miller's regiment. The command
was made prisoUers of Avar et Copano, immediately after Pan-
min's disasttous battle of the Oalito ; were sepairalted and
spared from the inhuman massacre perpetrated a few days
afterAvards. Captain Kemper setifcled at Keinper^ Bluff in 1845.
At the time of his death, tthe fainily consisted of hiinse'K, Avife
and tAVO children, Amanda Jane, aged three years, and
JameJs, aged five Uibhthi. Mi-s. MUler was also Jireseiiil, oh a
ATisit Avith her daughter.
The killing of Oapt. Kemper by the Caranchuas oc
curred in November, 1845. Aboii'ti 3 "o'clock in the afternoon
the mileh c.owa ^ere "seen running i6 the pen, pursued by a
party d^ Indians. Ciipftaih Ki^pei-, giih in hiid, stepped

BORDER WARS OF Ti^XAS 393
outside the house and motioned them to desis,tii; their only
reply Avas a volley .of arroAvs, one of Avhich took effect,
striking tihe captain in the shoulder, back of tbe coUar bone
and passing out beneatlb the shoulder blade. He re-entered
the bouse, Mrs. Miller pulling the arrow out of the Avound,
and expired in a few minutes. The Indiams came about the
house, not venturing, howeveB, in front of the only door.
Mrs, Kemper fired a gun at them once through a crack be
tween tihe logs, but was ignorant as to the effect of the dis
charge. About- dark the red devils procured a quantity of
dry moss, Avhicb they placed under the floor amd fired. Mrs.
Kemper raised a plank and Mrs, Miller extinguished the
flames by pouring on them a pail of water. They then left
the house, and with the t<imber for a guide, proceeded to the
residence of Mr. Alonzo Bass, om the Calito, about twelve
miles distant, arriving at 3 o'clock in the morning. Their
mournful flight was through a da.rk, rainy nigbll — and later
accompanied by a fierce norther. The party that Avent doAvn
the next day to inter the remains of Capt. Kemper, found
the house robbed of all articles esteemed of value by the sav
ages. Feather beds AA-ere emptded of their contents and the
crockery Avas all broken. Upon their departure, ilhe fiends
laid a brand of fire upon the breast of their victim, the sig
nificance of which is left ^o the elucidation of those more
conversant Avith the lore of the aborigines.
The venerable Colonel Miller died at Victoria, Feb. 16,
1862. Mrs. Kemper resided but a short time at Kemper's
Bluff aftler her husband's death. Amanda J. was married to
Mr. David F. WiUiams in Victoria, Nov. 4, 1868.

TEE LATER COLONIES ABTD FRONTIER iSXPAWSION.
Elsewhere we have briefly noticed the early colony
grants tio Austin, Edwards, DeWitt, Robertson, and otAiers,
which were in force and building during the period of Mex
ican domination over American Texas — 1822 to 18356. The
promotion and carrying out of these conttacts by the en
terprising empresarios, of coursie, resulted on the more rapid

894 BORDER WARiS OF TEXAS.
settlement of l^ie country and the expansiou of its fron
tiers. After the revolution and the estabUshment of independ
ence, quite a tdde of emigration flowed into tthe mew and
famed Lone Star Republic, and many daring and adventurous
EpiT"it3 drifted in, and fearlessly abode at' San Amtonio, Cor
pus 'Jhristi, and at other points along the exposed frontier — ¦
along and up the Colorado and the Brazos, and even to Red
River on the fearfully exposed northern boundary. But
during the first haif of the Republic's ten years existence no
regular colony contracts of any consequence were made.
On Feb. 4, 1841, however, an act Avas passed authorizing the
President to enlteir into oomtractis for the colonization of
wild lands in Northwest and SouthTfest Texas — the act be
ing amended, Avith more liberal and encouraging conditions,
on Jan. 1, 1843.
Under this laAV, as originally enacted. President Lamar,
on Aug. 30, 1841, entlered into the contract for Avihat became
knoAvn as the famous Petler's Colony, in North Texas. The
east line of this grant ram from the mouth of Big Mineral
Cre-ek, in Grayson countjy, due south, passing about ten miles
east of Dallas, to a point in tJhe eastern part of Ellis eoun-
..y, ^nd thence Avest and north to Red River, embracing a
large district of the best lands in North Texas. "Begin
ning in 1842," says John Henry BroAvn, "itS was rapidly set
tled, chiefly by farmers from Missouri, lUinois, Indiana,
Koa-jucky, Tennessee, and other states. It has developed in
th-e fifty years, (BroAvn wrot'e tAventy years ago. The in
crease in population amd strides of progress during tlhis pe
riod has been even greater than the precedin.g half oentu-
ry), despite bloody Indian wars, the Civil War and the ca
lamities following, into the wealthiest and most populous
portion of the State, in which are comprehend'ed the whole
or large parts of the counties of Grayson, Collin, Dallas,
Cooke, Montague, Wise, Parker and several others on the
west." Tbe injduoememt offered' to seiitlers in this colony was

BO^DHS WAJffiS OE TEXAS. 895
a headright ©f 640 aor^ to the h«*c|j* of famUies, amd 320
acres to each singl* man — (ifiia «oiapany receiving ita pay in
liberal premium lands lying farther west. In the sequel to
this volume — "Texas Frontier History" — ^the trials endured
and the dangers encountered and combatted by these brave
settlers in defense of their homies, as AveU as the similar
troubles of colonists in other of the later settlements, along
the expanding frontier, wiU be fuUy noted.
The Mercer Colony, attempted about fthis time — the
grant covering the territory now embraced im Kaufman
and some adjoining counties — was not at first successful.
But the emterprise at least served to augment the Peters set
tlements, where most of Mer«er's colonists re-settled.
About the time that the Peters Colony was gotten un
der headway, another important, and finaUy prosperous,
settlement, knoAvn as the Castro Colony, was commenced in
the southwestern part of the Republic. Henri de Castro
Avas a Avealthy, highly enlightened and noble Frenchman.
On January 15, 1842, he contracted Avith President Houston
for settling a colony of his countrymen and others in the
feirtile prairfies west of the Medina River. At greBt expense
— more than $150,000 — for ship transportation (at different
times and in all, 37 ships were chartered) and conveyance
overland, Castro brought over and settled during the period
of his leight years icionttract, over 5,000 immigrants, "farm
ers, orchardists, and vine-growers, chiefly from the Rhenish
provinces." Tlhese people he suistaiimed' and fed at his own
expense till they could prepare homes and lands and raise
food crops, and get a foothold in the new country, whither
they .had so confidently followed their benefactor and noble
leader; and whose prototype is found only dn his predeces
sor, the great empresario, Austin. Space prevents a narra
tion of the troubles of these colonists during the first years
— ^harassed, as they were, by both Indians and Mexicans
-—and but for the constant vig^anee of Capt. Jack Hays
and hia brave rang<ers, who so faithfully |»itroIIed that ex
posed sectioB, they must have faUed and i»erlah«d-

396 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
Speaking of Hays and his rangers during this period, the
noble old Franco-Texan empresario, Henry Castro, says:
"I' take this occasion to do justice to Capt?ain Jack
Hays and bis noble company. They Avere equal to any emer
gency, but such a company can, in my opinion, only be com
pared to the old Musketeers of Louis XIV, who represented
the chivalrous gentleman soldiers of Prance. Hays and his
men represented the true and chivalrous, disinterested Amer
ican igentlemam soMiei", Avho at aU times was ready to shed
the last drop of his blood for hia country and the protection
of the feeble."
At Overy opportuhiiy the Indians harassed these ex
posed colonists, and from the Same they set foo't on land
and began their journey OArerland, and mostly afoot, to their
-wild prairie homes, they A^^ere beset with deingers. "In the
rear of ome of their first emigrating parties, the Indians
forty miles below San Ahtohio, attacked and burned a wag
on. The driver, an American, rifle in hand, reached a thick
et, and killed several of thfe India,ns; but they kiUed a boy
of nineteen — a Frenchman— and euttingi off his head, naUed
it to ia tree. Im the buimifc "wagon was a trunk containing a
considerable amourUt of goild and sUver. Im the ashes the sil
ver was found melted, the gold only blackened."*
'The Bounding iaind sustainng of the Castro Colony in
that remote and exposed section was indeed a bold sftiep.
John Henry BroAvh says: "He confronted dangers unknown
to the first American colonists in 16122, for besides hostile
savages, now accustoined to the use of firearms, it chaUenged
inroads from the whole Rio Gramde Mexican frontier, which
in 1822, furnished friends and hot; enemies to foreign seittle-
inenta in Texas.
An interesting volume could Ibe Avritten descriptive of
the efforts of Henry Castro to settle his colony, then ex
posed to the attacks of bandit and guerilla Mexicans, but ^
U'ttle tto its Tvest, and tq aU the hostile Indiana north and
•west of his proposed settlement. It waa an achievement
*- Brown's Hlat^rytof Texas.

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 397
lUtitling the name of Casti-o to be enrolled among the most
prominent pioneers of civilization in modejrm times. Yet
the youth of today, joyously and peacefulfly gaUoping over
the beautiful hiUs and valleys .he rescued from savagery,
are largely ignoramt of his great serA-ices.

The contract entered into by President Houston with
Fisher and Miller, for Avhat became knoAvn as the German
Colony, and whieh grant covered the beautifull mountain
sections drained by the Perdenales, Llano, San Saba and
^he loAver Conchos, after passing to the management! of
"The German Immigra.tion Company," also proved success
ful — though perhaps fraught with more dangers and tribula
tions than that o'f any other of the later colony enterprises.
A large mumber of industrious settlers were introduced
between 1844 and 1848, who foUowed the pursuits of stock
raising and farming, and eventuajUy triumphed over the hos
tile savages who domiciled, as it were, in their very midst,
infesting every vaUey and mountain. But the fierce con-
fflicts of these brave German pioneers hardly come within
the period of time alloted to this volume.
Thus was the spirit of emigtrartS/oni again set im motion,
and oomtiued, wth imcmeiaslLnjg volume and .energy.

THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS IS NO MORE.
Amd now Ave have arrived -at that period in Texas hisito-
ry which marks the close of the Lone Star Republic, and
with it we shall conclude the present compend|ium ,0f bor
der annals, having closely followed the doings of the brave
pioneers from the day of their first advent under Austin;
during the uncertain colonial period and on doAvn through
the dark years of the Republic, consitantly struggling for
an existence, land fighting the common foes, both Indians
and Mexicans, tiU they finally triumphed, amd wom a great
^ate to American civilization, commerce and education. Of
the further affairs of Texas as 'a State and of* her eontiar
ued struggle Avith the red men for mastery and finontder ex-

398 BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
pansion, the reader will be told in a second volume, under
the title — "Texas FroUtier History."
Of the fortunes of the Lone Star Republic, it may be
said that for nearly ten years it proudly claimed an exist
ence, amd struggled forward in financial straits and under
aU sorts of most adverse circumstances, as one of the inde
pendent nations of the woiUd. Nothing but the wise and
careful councilings of her statesmen, chief among whom
was the great Sam Houston, and the determined valor of pa
triotic and fearless defenders in the mighty eontiest all
along her extemded and exposed borders, saved and upheld
the young nation — a feat that astonished mankind, and is
weU reckoned as one of the anomalies lof the world's histo
ry. A vast empire reclaimed from a wilderness of savagery,
and Avrested from a grasping and populous nation ; and then
held against both Mexican and Indian claimants. All this,
too, by a mere handful of fearless pioneers — ^that bold Utfle
body of buckskin-clad and poorly fed' border troopers and
dasihing ramgers, iu thedr constant strife and bold, wonderful
exploits^— the like of which the world has never before or
since Avitmessed.
The history of every state in the Ameriean Union is
tinged with the life's blood of (their early settlers^ and pio
neers in their struggles for possession over and against the
red men. In no land or country was tihis strife waged- Avith
mope bitteimess amd cruelty, and blood'th'irsty stubborn
ness than iu our OAvn Texas; beginning, as it did, in the open
ing chapter of its pioneer history, and carried on with re
lentless and determined fury, as it was, for more than half a
century — ending only in recent; times.
Referring to internal affairs and the condition of Tex
as Avith regard to her indiam foes at the time of annexa-
iton, land her abiUty to cope AVith this foe, Garrison ("Tex
as," p. 271-2) says: "It was possible for the United States
to protect' the Sftate from inv asion, but Texas had an enemy
that was practically witjhin, her ga^, -with whom it^ was
mudih more difi^icult to deal. TTiia was the Indian. The
tribes in^de the Umits of the State on thei nor^ made fre-
queut ra^da into the ooxintxj aout^i of Red River and were

BORDER WARS OF TEXAS. 399
very troublesome. Of course, the most annoying Indians,
noAv as of old, Avere the Comanches, along the western, fron
tier, who Uked especiaUy to k!iU and scalp Mexicans, but
v,-ere AviUing on occasion to accept a Texas victim. The in
terior was protected Avith tolerable effectiveness! from their
ravages by the advance line otf settlements, yet at no Ettile
cost to the settlers themselves. They were the brave
•hand Avith which the deadly bloAvs of savagery must be re
ceived and warded off. The State employed its ranger
force to good advantage, biit it was difficult to prevent or
anticipate an Indian, raid, and the Une of exposure was sev
eral hundred miles in length." f
The circumstan,ee3 in-vited the appUcatdon of the system
ojf colonizing the Indians on reservations, and in 1855, the
State haviing set apart the necessary lands, most of the Tex
as tribes were induced to locate on reservations under the
protection and.supervision of agents — one om the upper Braz
os and ohe om its tributary' knowm. als Sialt Pork.
In regard to affairs and conditions of the RepubUc dur
ing the adminsitraton of President Anson Jones — ^Dec. 9th,
1844, ta Feb. 19th, 1846— Hastorian Wooton says: "Duiring
that pCTiod there was but one Congress, the Ninth, whioh
met in regular sessdon the first Monday im December, 1844,
and adjourned February 3, 1845, and again convened in spe
cial session on June 16, which continued until Jume 24.
Aside from the usual legislation neeessiary to perfect the
laws and run the government, tShere was no incident oif spe
cial import^ce in the acts of the Ninth Congress. The
country was at peace, both at home amd abroad ; the popu-
latiom was rapidly increasing, there was the prospect of ear
ly annexation 'to the kindred states of the north, amd tjho
finances were so improfved that the Republic's paper was at
par, while there was a cash balance im tjhe '-trea.sury suffi
cient to operate the government for two years Avithout a dol
lar olf additiomal receipts."
The destiny of the giant Republic of ">trl>e Lone Star 'was
foreordaiimed, as it were, however, amd its people earnestly
sought union with the land of freedoin — preferring the flow
er of statehood to' the pompous-sounding title of republia.

40a BORDER WARS OF TEXAS.
The bill introduced- for the annexation of Texas to the Unit
ed States, having received the approval of ithe House of
Representatives, February 25, and a favorable majority vote
having obtained on March 1, 1845, the measure was sign,ed
i — beimg one .of the veiy last official acts of President Job-n
Tylea- — amdi Feb. 19, 1846, Tecxas 'beicame a Stiate.
The dream of the Austins had .come to pass);^ Sam Hous
ton had realized his far-planned hopes amd won immortal
fame; the matchless pioneers had triumphed; a vast domadm
had beem established in the far amd -¦Vild south'.vest; its po
sition well defined and ably maintained, tiU voluntarily sur
rendered and added to the galaxy of statlesi — :to continue in
growth, progress amd grandeur, forever most resplendent.
The deed was one of great momem*., anjd it thriUs, as one
reflects — stands in vivid imagination with the vast
tbromg assembled omi that memorable looaasion, lisjtening to
the sUvery ringing and svi^elling oratory of Anson Jones,
the out-going and last President 'Of the Riepublie of Texas,
a.s 'be delivered his vialeditetory, concluding with the signifi
cant but solemn utterance: "The final aet in the great
drama is noAV performed. The Republic of Texas is no
more."
¦ THE END.