382 about eighty warriors in the battle besides, numerous squaws and boys. I had seventeen or eighteen all told, citizens and all. It is a source of great gratification to report that the men under my command acted with the utmost bravery. It gives me much pleasure to state that Col Leeper expressed himself highly indig- nant at the course pursued by the Indians in coming out of the Reserve and attacking Peterson's house. Indeed he spoke of it in the strongest terms of disapprobation and seemed to justify our course. I respectfully beg leave to state that the citizens in the vicinity of that Reserve were highly gratified at our presence there and did all in their power to furnish us with subsistence, and to make our stay agreeable & pleasant. They informed me that the Indians on the Comanche Reservation had been in the habit of committing depredations and doing mischief by destroy- ing their crops &c, stealing cattle, horses &c and that the citizens were prevented from resisting them from motives of safety to families. Anticipating a renewal of the attack after the battle, we fortified ourselves by throwing up a breast work. On Tuesday morning the 26th Lieut. W. H. White reached our camp with a reinforcement of thirty-three men from head quarters. We remained near the Comanche Reserve until Satur- day the 20th July sending out scouts every day or two, but find- ing no Indians. The attack was not renewed, but upon the con- trary the Indians remained closely on the Reserve while we were in its vicinity & confined their hostile demonstrations to its limits. On the 30th in obedience to your orders we left Camp on the Clear Fork and started for Head quarters, and arrived here on the 21st without anything of interest transpiring on the way. The Indians were to have started on their Red River trip the day on which we left. In conclusion permit me to congratulate you on the success with which your Police Force has met in restoring confidence and quieting the difficulties which have heretofore prevailed on this frontier.
I have the honor to be Most Respectfully Your Obt Servt J. W. NOWLIN Lieut.
Powered by FlippingBook