Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

391

No. 274 LETTER FROM D. C. COWAN TO CAPTAIN WILLIAMS

[Dec] ( 31st 1859

Capt. Williams Camp San Saba County To his Excellency H. R. Runnels

On my arrival here I find that from the signs found by our Scouts the Indians are in the country and from the signs left by them by scalping the stock they kill and their arrows being painted red. they intend killing the panick increases among the people Men are afraid to leave there Familys to assist us to hunt them and the extent of Country we have to range over and cun- ning of the Indians has so far prevented us from catching them they skulk and hide in these mountains and rocks where they are as hard to find as a panther or Fox unless there is more com- panys so that we can follow them Home or we leave rais our Company to 100 men and get our provision and ammunition here by the next Light Man this Country will surely suffer or be abandoned Spedely. Captain Williams with 19 men followed a trail above the head of the big Witcataw and untill his provision gave out and his horses failed when on his way back he called on the Commander at Camp Colorado for relief when after consid- erable Gaveling by paying for it he got a Little flower and Meat the Horses at Camp Colerado is Broke down they learn us noth- ing. We are doing all that we can with our means and will con- tinue to do so for a while yet but as sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the west without some more Efficient aid we are ruined While I was down Captain Williams with Six men all at his camp the rest being out on a Scout struck across the country and found the trail of the Indians that Killed the persons in Bell County and followed it to the Cedar Brakes on the Clear fork of the Brasos when the Indians abandoning.some of the Horses they had stolen they scattered so that he could trail them no ferther he brought in the horses found on the trail.

~ r I r

r I I ; I

Most Respectfully

Your Obedient Servt

D. C. COWAN 1st Lft.

D. C. Cowan

[Endorsed]

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