USA > Texas > Border wars of Texas; being 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 > Part 19
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* Author of Dewees' Letters.
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had a desperate and disastrous battle with a force of one hundred or more Indians (Waces, Caddos, and Keechies). near the latter land mark, while a body of Delawares look- ed on, from a distance, as passive spectators.
Noah Smithwick says that a large Indian encampment, occupied by the members of several tribes, including some Delawares, was found at the "stone house." While at that point one of the rangers, Felix McClusky, gave chase to and killed a lone Indian, scalped him, and rifled his pockets, though the Delawares tried to prevent him. His fellow rang- ers upbraiding him for the deed, he exhibited a chunk of tobacco that he had taken from 'his victim's pocket, and de- clared that he "would kill any Injun for that much tobac- CO."
The Delawares warned the whites that Indians of the murdered man's tribe and others in alliance with them, would avenge the atrocious crime.
When the rangers came in sight of Caddo Peak, they were suddenly confronted by the avengers, who demanded the surrender of Mccluskey,* which was refused. He pos- sessed no atom of that spirit of self-sacrifice, that has some- times led men to accept death in order to save the lives of others. There was nothing 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. The men of both sides were armed with rifles, were expert marksmen, and tried to waste as little time and ammunition as possible. Four of the rangers were killed, and it is believed, a large num- ber of the Indians, before the scales of victory were depress- ed in favor of the savage warriors by a stratagem they adopted. They set fire to the tall, dry grass that covered the prairie and that extended into the ravine. The wind was blowing in the direction of the white men, and the flames raced toward them, preceded by a dense and blind-
*Survived the engagement, but was afterwards killed in a drunken brawl.
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ing volume of smoke. The rangers glanced in one direction for a route by which to escape, but saw the Delawares sit- ting there, apparently for the purpose of cutting off their retreat. Lieuts. Benthuysen and Miles then ordered their men to follow them in the opposite direction down the rav- ine, and, emerging from the depression, shot and cut their way through the encompassing Indian line, and fought to the timber, a distance of about eighty yards. While this move ment was being executed, eight white men were killed, Lieut. Miles among the number .* The six survivors, some of them severely wounded, were not pursued through the woods, and made their way to the site of the present city of Dallas, where they found a large encampment of Kickapoo 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 Indians became so hostile in the territory now constituting Cherokee county, that the settlers moved to Nacogdoches. In the fall of that year a number of white families went back to their former homes. On the way they were met by an old and friendly Indian who told them that the region to which they were journeying was filled with '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 captor of Santa Anna. Without attempt to disparage the names and fame of others, we : subjoin the following "Obituary Notice of Lieut. A. H. Miles"-printed in the Telegraph «of issue Saturday, Dec. 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 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 capture, 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 This 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 for the weal of his adopted country .- S."
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their fences burned, most of their stock driven off, and their crops greatly damaged. They also saw many Indians roving about, but took them to be Cherokees and members of the bands associated with that tribe, all of whom profess- ed to be friendly. The white people determined to stay long enough to gather what remained of their crops. One day while busily engaged in this work, they were attacked by a large force of Indians, with whom there were a few Mexicans. The male members of the Wood, Kellough and other families were murdered, and women and children made prisoners. Nothing was ever after heard of the captives, save vague rumors regarding a little son of Mrs. Wood. It was said that the child' became an Indian war- rior and chief of the tribe into which he was adopted, but this is only vague tradition.
There were two Kellough families. The first family, con- sisting of Allen Kellough, wife and five children, were all killed. Old man Kellough, wife, and two sons, comprised the other. The old man and his sons were slaughtered. His aged wife ran into the yard, and told the Indians to kill her. They refused. Mexicans, who were with them, cursed her and told her to go back into the house, which she fin- ally did. There were two other ladies in the house. Nei- ther she nor they were molested. Neither were two other fam- ilies. The miserable survivors of the massacre, left every- thing behind them and fled from the accursed spot to Nac- ogdoches. En route they were joined by a band of Chero- kees who accompanied them into the town, ostensibly as an escort. The Cherokees vehemently denied that they or Indians associated with them had anything to do with the massacre; but evidence was adduced that satisfied many minds that they and their confederates perpetrated the mur- ders.
John Henry Brown says that the butchery "led to the battle of Kickapoo, and was one of the impelling caus- es that led to the expulsion of the Cherokees and associate bands from the country."
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KILLING OF SETTLER McCULLOM AND CAPT. ROGERS -ADVENTURE OF THE HORNSBYS.
In November, 1837, Capt. McCullom, who had recently come to Texas from Alabama, and who was stopping at the hame of Capt. James Rogers, in Bastrop county,* went with a son of Capt. Rogers to a creek for the purpose of build- ing a wolf pen, or trap. While they were cutting the nec- essary timber, McCullom was fired on by Indians, who were attracted to the spot by the sound of the axes. He called to Rogers, telling him to make for the house, and then ran in that direction himself, forgetting to take his gun, which he left standing by a tree. The two men speeded down a new cut road leading to Wilbarger Creek, and crossed ahead of their pursuers; but as McCullom mounted the farther bank, he was shot in the back and instantly killed. Young Rogers kept on, passed below the ridge, plunged into the undergrowth, and escaped.
Subsequent to the foregoing incident, Capt. Rogers, Craft and a man whose name is not remembered, went to Coleman's Fort to procure ammunition for settlers on the Colorado River. While they were crossing the open prairie in Hornsby's bend, on their way home, they were chased by two parties of Indians-one riding toward them from the near and the other from the right. Craft and the stranger, who were well mounted, escaped; but Rogers, who had an inferior horse was overtaken, killed and scalped. The Indians proceeded to the residence of Reuben Hornsby. He was at work on the farm. They attempted to cut him off from the house; but fortunately his son saw them, and reached him on a fleet horse in time for both of them to escape to the house, where they barred the doors, present- ed their rifles, and bluffed the Indians. The redskins were not in a mood to come to close quarters and rode off, after yelling, circling about the place, and making daring dem- onstrations.
¥Father of Ed. aud J. B. Rogers of Travis county.
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When young Hornsby left the dwelling to take the horse to his father, Mrs. Hornsby and children who were with her, ran to the river bottom and concealed themselves. They remained there until after the departure of the In- dians and then returned to the habitation, endeared to her by so many sorrowful and happy associations.
POST OAK SPRINGS MASSACRE.
From several sources-all reliable, but conflicting as to date etc .- we gather meagre details of a horrible affair, which occured, persumably in May of this year, at a place then known as Post Oak Springs, now called Ad Hall, in Milam county.
Preparatory to withdrawing the small ranger force from Little River Fort, Lieutenant Erath it appears had sent five of his men, Dave Farmer, Aaron Collins, Clabe Neil, Sterrett Smith and Jesse Bailcy, to Nashville for wagons and teams with which to move household effects etc., of the two or three families residing at the fort.
On their return trip with the wagons and teams; and just as they approached an island or grove of post-oaks in the prairie, they were ambushed by a party of Comanche Indians* and all killed.
Over due to return, a scout was dispatched and soon came upon the horrible scene. All the evidences of a desper- ate fight were apparent. The bodies of Collins and Smith, says Sowell, ** were found in one of the wagons, and the oth- er three were scattered on the prairie between the wagons and mott of timber. The particulars of this struggle cannot be given as none were left of the white men to tell the tale. "But it is likely," continues Sowell, "the Indians discover- ed them some distance off and hid their forces in or behind the mott, and when they charged out and cut the rangers off
*Newton C. Duncan's paper read at Old Settlers Reunion. Belton, Texas, 1903.
** A. J. Sowell-on authority of James A. Boales-in "Texas Indian Fighters". P. 229.
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from this position, they had made a desperate effort to fight their way through the Indians to it. It is likely also that there was some confusion and there was no concert of ac- tion, as the scattered position of their bodies would show. The Indians secured all the teams, guns, pistols etc., and re- treated."
GEN. JNO. B. HOOD'S BRILLIANT VICTORY.
One of the most severe engagements of this year was Lieutentant, afterward the famous Confederate General, John B. Hood's fight with a party of Comanches and Lipans near the head of Devil's River, Texas. On the 5th of July, the gallant young Lieutentant in command of twenty-five men of company G, 2nd Cavalry, left Fort Mason on a scout against depredating Indians. Provided with thirty days ra- tions, an Indian guide and a compass, and actuated by youth- ful aspiration, the little party scoured the 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 Devil's River. From here he hurried on, though his horses were very much worried, and traveled over the bluffs and mountains down the river, but keeping some three miles from it. Late in the afternoon of the 20th of July he left the trail, and went in towards the river to get water, as his men were very thirsty. About a mile from the trail, and some two and a half miles from his party, on a ridge he discovered some horses and a large flag waving. The orders in Texas at that time were to attack any Indians found away from the government reservation, but of course to respect a white flag. Without going to water, and leaving eight of his com- pany with the pack mules and supplies, Lieutentant Hood, with seventeen of his men rode towards the flag. Halting near the Indians, Hood signeled them that he 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
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paces the treacherous foe suddenly threw down the flag and setting fire to a lot of rubbish they had collected commenced a desperate attack, at the same moment about thirty war- riors arose from among the tall grass and "Spanish leaga- nets," within 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 hand struggle, with the odds in favor of the Indians. Hood's little force wavered and fell back, but were soon rallied by their brave young leader, and making a most desperate and dash- ing charge with their revolvers, the Indians gave way-thus the fight continued till dark when the Indians gave up the contest and gathering up their dead and wounded moved off toward the Rio Grande-much to the relief of the soldiers who had exhausted about their last round of ammunition. This was a most serious affair in which two of the scouting party were killed and several wounded, among them Lieutenant Hoed, who had his hand pinned to his bridle with an arrow. It was afterwards learned that the Indians lost nineteen war- riors killed on the field and fatally wounded. Hood made his way to Camp Hudson, where he obtained supplies and med- ical aid for his wounded-then returned to' Fort Mason. General Twiggs, commanding the department, complimented. this brave little company on their exploit, saying in his official report: "Lieutenant Hood's affair was a gallant one, and much credit is due to both officer and men."
This gave Hood muchi 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 Lieutenant and stationed at Camp Color- ado. In 1858 he established Camp Wood, on the Nueces river, at which post he remained till 1860 when he was call- ed to Washington and commissioned as chief of Cavalry at West Point-a position he filled till the breaking out of the: Civil War.
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During this year there was a severe encounter with 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. Davis 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 the sufferings that the women and children experienced were sufficient to consecrate the land to high ideals. But the year stands not alone in these particulars. Grouped with it are others. 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." 1
CHAPTER XI.
HE year of 1838 opened well for Texas. A heavy and desirable emigration that be- gan in the latter part of 1837, continued, while land values and taxable wealth in- creased steadily. New towns, farms and ranches were established, and settlements pushed westward-along Red River to Fan- nin and Grayson counties.
Galveston had taken on new life through the efforts of Colonel Menard, and oth- ers, and grew rapidly to a town of importance, be- ing adorned by handsome buildings, and having in its harbor frequently as many as fifteen or twenty ships and vessels at a time. Houston, the seat of government, also in- creased in population and wealth and became a commercial depot-communication being maintained between the two towns by a line of four steamboats. Let the reader remem- ber those were days of small things and sparse population.
PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY-TREATIES WITH THE INDIAN TRIBES.
The French blockade of the coast of Mexico and polit- ical convulsions in that country, prevented invasion of Tex- as in force, and left the seas open for development of Texas commerce, which expanded until it included trade with Eng- land, France, and other foreign countries.
President Houston by his rigid rules of economy, if not replenishing the empty exchequer, was at least restoring
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confidence in the credit of the rising young Republic. The country had been blessed with prolific crop yields the pre- vious year. Thus the people were prosperous, and might have been entirely happy, but for the redoubled continuation of Indian hostilities, which "lit up the whole frontier with the flames of a savage war."
The General Land Office of the Republic of Texas, ac- cording to previous enactment, was opened January 4th of this year, and was immediately followed by land claimants, with surveying parties, invading Indian territory, and bat- tles with, and fierce andl sanguinary reprisals on the part of, the Indians. Yoakum attributes the immediate cause of increased hostilities to the opening of the land office. "Surveyors and locators, desiring to select the best lands, had gone out beyond the settlements, and begun their oper- ations. The Indians, seeing them at work, were not slow to believe what the Mexicans had told them-that the white people would take all their hunting grounds, and drive them off. Their attacks upon the frontiers were in resistance of this movement."*
President Houston's Indian policy was continued, and tested to the utmost.
January 18, 1838, a treaty of peace was signed at Live Oak Point, by James Power, acting for the government of Texas, and Culegasde Castro, chief of the tribe, represent- ing the Lipans. It was stipulated that the Indians were to be given $250.00 worth of presents; that trading houses were to be established among them; and that neither Indians nor white people were to take redress of grievances into their own hands.
Emanating from the War Department, a little later, we find the following conciliatory order :
Houston, Feb. 4, 1838.
To Gen. A. Sidney Johnston, 'Col. Lysander Wells.
Gentlemen: By order of His Excellency, the President,
*History of Texas, Vol. 2. P. 248.
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you are hereby empowered as commissioners to meet and hold conference with the Comanche Indians.
You are to meet them so soon as practicable, assure them of our friendly feelings toward them, and of our ear- nest desire to cultivate with them a trade for our mutual ad- vantage, and to this end, trading houses shall be established for their convenience, by which means they will find a mar- ket for their mules, buffalo robes, etc. Invite seven or eight of their chiefs to visit the Executive and both houses of Congress at the next session, say about the 21st of April next. Also have an understanding with them that they are at all times to co-operate with us against our enemies.
We rely upon your good judgment and discretion in saying to them all which shall be necessary to convince them of our friendship to them. Assure them also that the President has now gone to Nacogdoches to enter into an ar- rangement with the Cherokees. Barnard E. Bee.
Col. Henry W. Karnes was appointed as a colleague of Johnston and Wells, to assist in the mission. His letter of instructions, under date of April 12, 1838, suggests that he must use great caution in discussing the question of terri- tory limits with this tribe-"That you must manage in this way. You must say to them that they will continue to hunt where they have game, and if they find our people in their hunting grounds with the passwords, to treat them kindly, as our people will do should the Comanches come in- to our settlements."
"After a delay of some two months, a band of about 150 Comanches, led by two chiefs, Essowakkenny and Essoman- ny," says Gen. Johnston's biographer, "came in to hold the 'talk.' The chiefs were about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and about five feet eight in height; Essomanny was rather a bull-headed fellow, with a firm and sensible ex- pression ; Essowakkenny had a more intelligent countenance."
It had been the immemorial custom of the Comanches, after plundering the country, to ride at their leisure into San Antonio to trade, or for ransom. On such occasions, to relieve
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themselves from the care of their horses, these fierce war- riors condescendingly committed their caballado 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, Essowakkenny, on meeting General Johnston, waved his hand with a lordly gesture towards his horses, saying: "There is our caballado. Take care of it." "Yes," replied General Johnston, looking at him steadily, "I see your caballado. You ride good ponies. I advise you to watch them well. All white men are not honest. I take good care of my horses. Take care of yours." By which the General meant to teach the Comanches that he was not "a Mexican hostler in uniform." The chief understood the irony, and that he had to deal with a warrior; he smiled grimly, and detailed some of his own 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 a desire for such. In the course of his "talk" General Johnston suggested, that if so desired, trading posts would be established among them. Essowakkenny rose, and saidi "that the Comanches had noticed that trading posts al- ways seemed to frighten the buffalo away, so that they did not want any in their country; but they did not object to; a line of posts along the border of their country"-drawing an imaginary line with his hand, so as to indicate a distance of about three miles from San Antonio. Not caring to discuss the delicate subject of the boundary further, General John- ston, without alluding to the trading posts again, dilated upon the benefits of peace. Essowakkenny rejoined that his people had made peace with the Mexicans. "I am glad of it," replied Johnston; "although the Mexicans are not our friends, it is good for the Comanches to be at peace with everybody." Essowakkenny added, with a humorous look, that "he did not make peace with the Mexicans until he had stolen all their horses." To the invitation and request that he visit the President at Houston, Essowakkenny re-
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plied that he could not go, but that his brother, Essomanny, 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 "grunts" and expressions of satisfaction-when the council was dismissed with the best of feelings prevailing.
On the strength of this talk, Colonel Karnes, supplying himself with a quantity of suitable goods, left with the band on a trading venture among the Comanches. And it is of record that "he was treated well and made much money." Encouraged by these results, a party of thirteen men afterwards left San Antonio with goods to trade with them; but as they were never heard of again, it was sup- posed they were treacherously murdered by the Comanches."
A treaty of peace was concluded with the Tonkawas, at Houston, April 11, 1838, and signed by Secretary of War Barnard E. Bee and Col. George 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 their hunting grounds and homes in peace and also, that their white brothers may be fully assured that they sincerely wish to love them as brothers, do agree and promise to bring to just punishment such individuals of their tribe as 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 and 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, will forthwith appoint an agent who shall superintend their business and protect their rights and see that this agreement is complied with by all.
"It was stipulated that five Tonkawa chiefs should visit the seat of Government twice a year and talk with
*Wm. Preston Johnston's "The Life of Albert Sidney Johnston." P. 89.
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the President and amicably adjust all differences."
An act of the Texas Congress, approved May 15, 1838, authorized the President to raise a corps of cavalry, to con- sist of two hundred men, enlisted for not less than one nor more than three years, for the protection of the southwest- ern frontier.
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