236 necessary. The Commanche descended from the hill to accept their profered invitation. With yells, and menaces, and every spe- cies of insulting, gesture, and language, they tried to excite the Reserve Indians into some act of rashness by which they could profit. A scene was now enacted beggaring description. It re- minded one of the rude and chivalrous days of Knight-errantry. Shields and Lances, and bows, and head dresses-prancing steeds and many minutias were not wonting to compile the resemblance. And when the combatants rushed at each other with defiant shouts, nothing save the piercing report of the rifle, varied the affair from a battle field of the middle ages. Half an hour was spent in this without much damage to either party. A detach- ment of Rangers was advanced to reinforce the friendly Indians, and the Comanches quited the field, and the imposing pageant vanished from the view like a mimic battle upon the stage. It was determined to leave the Indians in possession of the prisoners and captured horses, and to hurl the Rangers upon the Comanches. My men made a forward movement, if not with the precision of practiced veterans, yet with as much coolness and bravery. The enemy instantly began the retreat. I directed Lt Petts to show him self and detachment upon the hill with the intention to steal upon them. Lt Nelson anticipated me and passed around the base of the eminence at a run The unfortu- nate arrival of the Toncahua Indians upon our left flank pre- vented the complete success of the maneouvre. The Comanches broke and fled in various directions. We pursued as fast as our jaded horses could carry us. After a run of two and a half or three miles I saw we could effect no more and called off the men. In this second conflict the enemy lost seven killed and left on the ground, and a number were wounded. Our loss was one Waco Indian killed and one Ranger [one word blotted] wounded, (George W Paschal Jr.) It was now 2 0 Clock P. M. and we had been running our horses much of the time since 7 o clock A. M. I determined to march to my camp that night--fearing the In- dians might ascertain its locality and over-power the weak guard left to protect it. We learned from a captured woman that Buf- falo Hump was twelve miles below us with a considerable body of warriors, and we knew fugetives had reached his camp and notified him of our presence. The forces of the enemy in these two engagements amounted to upwards of three hundred-The captured camp had seventy lodges and fires; The other party number over one hundred Our entire force was two hundred and thirteen The loss of
Powered by FlippingBook