129 Mexico, about 20 miles below Laredo, and had sacked the various ranches below even as far as Roma;- several days having elapsed since the occurrence, I deemed it proper to strike for the upper Nueces, where I expected, either to await their return, or, should they have passed up, to follow their trail. On the 16th I struck a trail on the head of the "Raices" leading up the country, upon which I encamped for the night, being satisfied, from appearances of the trail, as well as their frequent halts, to cook their horse meat, that the Indians be- lieved themselves out of danger, and were travelling without any precaution; the sequel proved that I was right in my calcula- tions, as I overtook them at about 8 oclock A.M. of the 17th en- camped on the "San Roque", about 30 miles W. N. W. of Fort "Ewell" on the Nueces. The action was.commenced by the Indians themselves by comin.g out of an arroyo, in which they were encamped, forming in front of it, and opening a heavy fire with muskets, rifles, ar- rows and one six shooter on my command, and throwing out a read blanket, challenging me to attack them. I immediately formed in front of them, at about 75 paces distance, with A. Gat- liff and J. D. Scott a little in front and on my extreme right, and ordered my long rifles to open a fire, slow and sure. A. Gatliff, one of my trailers and guide, commenced the action by killing the chief. No man moved or fired without an order from me, but as the Indians had decidedly the advantage of position, being covered by the "Arroyo" I ordered J. D. Scott also one of my trailers with a party of the men to cut of the cavallardo of the Indians, and A. Gatliff with an other party to get to the rear of the enemy, so as to cut off his final retreat, while I with 15 men on foot, leaving J. Botts with a small detachment to guard the horses, charged the arroyo about 100 paces below the encamp- ment. My Infantry gallantly charged the enemy, and a severe con- flict ensued; the Indians were finally forced out of the arroyo, when they were met by the mounted men, who continued a run- ning fire upon them, and remounting my Infantry, I followed them until I was stopped by a heavy shower of rain, which poured in such torrents, as rendered impossible to distinguish any thing a head. The Indians numbered 19 men and two women-of this number-but one certainly escaped- Nine men killed on the ground, the remainder desperately wounded. -- 23 horses and
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