Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. III

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859

113

Jany 30th 1850

My dear Sir,

I have just returned from a long and unsuccess- ful jaunt that I have had after a small party of Indians that murdered Major Bryant of Corpus Christi on the morning of the 12th He had reached the Chockolet [Chocolate Bayou] jour- neying towards Goliad when the ambushed for [sic] rushed upon and instantly killed him. They had taken some 60 or 80 Head of Horses from Wood's Rancho which they succeeded in carrying off. Intelligence of these depredations did not reach me until the night of the 13th. On the morning of the 14th I with a detachment of 23 men gave pursuit, and followed them for six days with the most untiring energy, but all my exertions to overtake them proved of no avail I followed them over three hundred miles, frequently coming upon Horses that had been abandoned and lanced; evident of the rapidity with which their retreat was effected They passed out near the Leona Station through "Canions Pass" into the Mountains, where I was satis- fied that f uther pursuit would be entirely useless- I am satisfied that if I could have gotten a fair start with these ruthless murderers, that the number of our foes would have been somewhat diminished; as it was I was doomed to disappointment, and the war path that we followed with all the fury of revenge burning in our bossoms, we were compelled to retrace, sad, weary and dejected- Upon my return I saw sufficient sign to induce me believe that a large party of Indians were down, probably on the Rio Grande-

With great respect

I have the honor to be Your Obt. Svt. J. G. GRUMBLES

Capt Co. Texas M Vols

His Excellency

P. Hansborough Bell Austin

[Endorsed] Capt J G. Grumbles to Gov Bell Report of Scout January 30,th 1850

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