TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859
278
Capt John S. Ford Commanding Texas Frontier [Endorsed] Report of Capt. Ford of March 31st 1858
No. 174 LETIER FROM E. BURLESON TO J. S. FORD
Head Quarters Texas Rangers, Camp Runnels March 30th 1858.
Capt.
I have the honor to report the following op- erations; On the 25th Inst. I started for Fort Belknap, on busi- ness connected with my official duties, and passed the night at the house of Mr. Dobbs on Clear Fork. On the morning of the 26th. Inst. it was discovered, that Mr. Dobbs's horse had been stolen. At an early hour I started for Camp at a gallop, about 3 miles from Dobbs's I saw an Indian crossing the road just ahead of me I charged him and fired at him with my revolver but on discovering 6 or 8 others close by I left him, and pro- ceeded to encampment. On my arrival I had the bugle sounded and in five minutes sixty five men were in the saddle and eager to advance against the enemy. I immediately moved at a gallop. I detached Lieut. Pitts and Tankersly with a detachment to make a reconnoisance between Camp and Fort Belknap myself and Lieut Nelson with 40 men made a forward movement and struck the trail very soon. We followed it at half speed, and at 8 miles found a horse the Indians had killed, and the indications induced us to be- lieve they were not more than one hour ahead- At 30 miles we came to the house of Mr. Johnson, were the Indians had recently inflicted two arrow-wounds upon a young man. They had also stolen horses, which were recovered by a negro man, who had the courage to charge them and recaptured his masters animals. He fired at them and thinks he struck one. · We were now confident of finding the Indians, and started upon the trail wit.h eagerness. Three men met us here, and informed us the Indians had di- vided; and they insisted upon placing us upon the right trail,
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