From the Saturday Evening Post. The following interesting narrative of a fight with the Waccos and Tawackanies, Indians, in Texas, amounting to 164, and a party of Americans-nine men and two boys, eleven in number-is related by Razin P. Bowie, Esq. one of that party, now in this city. On the 2d of November, 1831, we left the town of St. Antonia de Baxar for the silver mines, on the St. Saba river; the party consisting of the following named persons:-Razin P. Bowie, James Bowie, David Buchannan, Robert Armstrong, Jesse Wallace, Matthew Doyle, Cephas R. Hamm, James Corriell, Thomas M'Caslin, Gonzales and Charles, servant boys. Nothing particular occurred until the 19th, on which day, about ten, A. M., we were overhauled by two Camancha Indians and a Mexican captive, who had struck our trail and followed it. They stated that they belonged to Isaonie's party, a chief of the Camancha tribe, sixteen in number, and were on their road to St. Antonia, with a drove of horses, which they had taken from the Waccos and Tawackanies, and were about returning them to their owners, citizens of St. Antonia. After smoking and talking with them about an hour, and making them a few presents of tobacco, powder, shot, &c., they returned fo their party, who were waiting at the Illano river. We continued our journey until night closed upon us, when we encamped. The next morning, between daylight and sunrise, the above named Mexican captive returned to our camp, his horse very much fatigued; and who, after eating and smoking, stated to us that he had been sent by his chief, Isaonie, to inform us we were followed by 124 Tawackanie and Wacco Indians, and forty Caddos had joined them, who were determined to have our scalps at all risks. Isaonie had held a talk with them all the previous afternoon, and endeavoured to dissuade them from their purpose; but they still persisted, and left him enraged, and pursued our trail. As a voucher for the truth of the above, the Mexican produced his chief's silver medal, which is common among the natives in such cases. He further stated, that his chief requested him to say, that he had but sixteen men, badly armed, and without ammunition; but if we would return and join him, such succour as he could give us he would. But knowing that the enemy lay between us and him, we deemed it more prudent to pursue our journey and endeavour to reach the old fort on the St. Saba river, before night, distance thirty miles. The Mexican then returned to his party, and we proceeded on. Throughout the day, we encountered bad roads, being covered with rocks, and the horses' feet being worn out, we were disappointed in not reaching the fort. In the evening we had some difficulty in picking out an advantageous spot where to encamp for the night. We however made choice of the best that offered, which was a cluster of live-oak trees, some thirty or forty in number, about the size of a man's body. To the north of them was a thicket of live-oak bushes, about ten feet high, forty yards in length and twenty in breadth. To the west, at the distance of thirty-five or forty yards, ran a stream of water. The surrounding country was an open prai Their chief, on horse-back, urging them in a loud and audible voice to the charge, walking his horse perfectly composed. When we first discovered him, our guns were all empty, with the exception of Mr. Hamm's. James Bowie cried out, "who is loaded?" Mr. Hamm observed, "I am." He then was told to shoot that Indian on horseback. He did 30, and broke his leg and killed his horse. We now discovered him hopping round his borse on one leg, with rie, interspersed with a few trees, rocks, and broken land. The trail which we came on lay to the east of our encampment. After taking the precaution to prepare our spot for defence, by cutting a road inside the thicket of bushes, ten feet from the outer edge all around, and clearing the prickly pears from amongst the bushes, we hobbled our horses, and placed sentinels for the night. We were now distant six miles from the old fort above mentioned, which was built by the Spaniards, in 1752, for the pur-his shield on his arm to keep off the balls. By pose of protecting them while working the sil, ver mines, which are a mile distant. A few years after, it was attacked by the Camancha Indians, and every soul put to death. Since that time it has never been occupied. Within the fort is a church, which, had we reached before night, it was our intention to have occupied to defend ourselves against the Indians. The fort surrounds about one acre of land, under a twelve feet stone wall. Nothing occurred throughout the night, and we lost no time, in the morning, in making preparations for continuing our journey to the fort; and when in the act of starting, we discovered the Indians on our trail to the east, about two hundred yards distant, and a footman about fifty yards ahead of the main body, with his face to the ground, tracking. The cry of Indians was given, and all hands to arms. We dismounted, and both saddle and pack horses were immediately made fast to the trees. As soon as they found we had discovered them, they gave the war whoop, halted and commenced stripping, preparatory to action. A few mounted Indians were reconnoitering the ground; amongst them we discovered a few Caddo Indians, by the cut of their hair, who had always previously been friendly to Americans. Their numbers being so far greater than ours, (164 to 11,) it was agreed that Razin P. Bowie should be sent out to talk with them, and endeavour to compromise rather than attempt a fight. He accordingly started, with David Buchannan in company, and walked up to within about forty yards of where they had halted, and requested them, in their own tongue, to send forward their chief, as he wanted to talk with him. Their answer was-"how de do? how de do?"-in English, and a discharge of twelve shot at us, one of which broke Buchannan's leg. Bowie returned their salutation with the contents of a double barrelled gun and a pistol. He then took Buchannan on his shoulder, and started back to the encampment. They then opened a heavy fire upon us, which wounded Buchannan in two more places slightly, and piercing Bowie's hunting shirt in several places, without doing him any injury. When they found their shot failed to bring Bowie down, eight Indians on foot took after him with their tomahawks, and when close upon him, were discovered by his party, who rushed out with their rifles and brought down four of them--the other four retreating back to the main body. We then returned to our position, and all was still for about five minutes. We then discovered a hill to the north-east, at the distance of sixty yards, red with Indians, who opened a heavy fire on us, with loud yells. this time four of our party being reloaded, fired at the same instant, and all the balls took effect through the shield. He fell, and was immediately surrounded by six or eight of his tribe, who picked him up and bore him off. Several of these were shot down by our party. The whole body then retreated back of the hill, out of our sight, with the exception of a few Indians who were running about from tree to tree, out of gun shot. They now covered the hill the second time, bringing up their bowmen, who had not been in action before, and commenced a heavy fire with balls and arrows; which we returned by a well directed aim with our rifles. At this instant, another chief appeared on horseback, near the spot where the last one fell. The same question of who was loaded, was asked; the answer was, nobody; when little Charles, the mulatto servant, came running up with Buchannan's rifle, which had not been discharged since he was wounded, and handed it to James Bowie, who instantly fired, and brought him down from his horse. He was surrounded by six or eight of his tribe, as was the last, and bore off under our fire. During the time we were engaged in defending ourselves from the Indians on the hill, some fifteen or twenty of the Caddo tribe had succeeded in getting under the bank of the creek in our rear, at about forty yards distance, and opened a fire upon us, which wounded Matthew Doyle, the ball entering in the left breast and out the back. As soon as he cried out he was wounded, Thomas M'Caslin hastened to the spot where he fell, and observed," where is the Indian that shot Doyle." He was told by a more experienced hand not to venture there, as, from the report of their guns, they must be riflemen. At that instant he discovered an Indian, and while in the act of raising his piece, was shot through the centre of the body, and expired. Robert Armstrong exclaimed, "damn the Indian that shot M'Caslin, where is he?" He was also told not to venture there, as they must be riflemen; but on discovering an Indian, and while bring his gun up, he was fired at, and part of the stock of his gun cut off, and the ball lodged against the barrel. During this time our enemies had formed a complete circle around us, occupying the points of rocks, scattering trees and bushes. The firing then became general from all quarters. Finding our situation too much exposed among the trees, we were obliged to leave it, and take to the thickets. The first thing necessary was to dislodge the riflemen from under the bank of the creek, who were within point-blank shot. This we soon succeeded in, by shooting the most of them through the head, as we had the advan tage of seeing them when they could not see us. I collected together, and held a consultation as to The road we had cut round the thicket the night previous, gave us now an advantageous situation over that of our enemy, as we had a fair view of them in the prarie, while we were completely hid. We baffled their shots by moving six or eight feet the moment we had fired, as their only mark was the smoke of our guns. They would put twenty balls within the size of a pocket handkerchief, where they had seen the smoke. In this manner we fought them two hours, and had one man wounded, James Corriell, who was shot through the arm, and the ball lodged in the side, first cutting away a bush, which prevented it from penetrating deeper than the size of it. They now discovered that we were not to be dislodged from the thicket, and the uncertainty of killing us at random shot; they suffering very much from the fire of our rifles, which brought half a dozen down at every round. They now determined to resort to stratagem, by putting fire to the dry grass in the prairie, for the double purpose of routing us from our position, and, under cover of the smoke, to carry away their dead and wounded, which lay near us. The wind was now blowing from the west, and they placed the fire in that quarter, where it burnt down all the grass to the creek, and then bore off to the right and left, leaving around our position a space of about five acres that was untouched by the fire. Under cover of this smoke, they succeeded in carrying off a portion of their dead and wounded. In the mean time, our party were engaged in scraping away the dry grass and leaves from our wounded men and baggage, to prevent the fire from passing over it; and likewise, in pulling up rocks and bushes to answer the purpose of a breastwork. They now discovered they had failed in routing us by the fire, as they had anticipated. They then re-occupied the points of rocks and trees in te prairie, and commenced another attack. The firing continued for some time, when the wind suddenly shifted to the north, and blew very hard. We soon learned our dangerous situation, should the Indians succeed in putting fire to the small spot which we occupied, and kept a strict watch all round. The two servant boys were employed in scraping away dry grass and leaves from around the baggage, and pulling up rocks and placing them around the wounded men. The remainder of the party were warmly engaged with the enemy. The point from which the wind now blew being favourable to fire our position, one of the Indians succeeded in crawling down the creek and putting fire to the grass that had not yet been burnt; but before he could retreat back to his party, was killed by Robert Armstrong. At this time we saw no hopes of escape, as the fire was coming down rapidly before the wind, flaming ten feet high, and directly for the spot we occupied. What was to be done--we must either be burnt up alive, or driven into the prairie amongst the savages. This encouraged the Indians; and to make it more awful, their shouts and yells rent the air; they at the same time firing upon us about twenty shots a minute. As soon as the smoke hid us from their view, we what was best to be done. Our first impression was, that they might charge on us under cover of the smoke, as we could make but one effectual fire-the sparks were flying about so thickly that no man could open his powder horn without running the risk of being blown up. However, we finally came to a determination, had they charged us, to give them one fire, place our backs together, and draw our knives, and fight them as long as any one of us was left alive. The next question was, should they not charge us, and we retain our position, we must be burnt up. It was then decided that each man should take care of himself as well as he could, until the fire arrived at the ring around our baggage and wounded men, and there it should be smothered with buffaloe robes, bear skins, dear skins, and blankets, which, after a great deal of exertion, we succeeded in doing. Our thicket now being so much burnt and scorched, that it afforded us little or no shelter, we all got into the ring that was made round our wounded men and baggage; and commenced building our breastwork higher, with the loose rocks from the inside, and dirt dug up with our knives and sticks. During this last fire, the Indians had succeeded in removing all their killed and wounded which lay near us. It was now sundown, and we had been warmly engaged with the Indians since sunrise, a period of thirteen hours; and they seeing us still alive and ready for fight, drew off at a distance of three hundred yards, and encamped for the night with their dead and wounded. Our party now commenced to work in raising our fortification higher, and succeeded in getting it breast high by ten, P. M. We now filled all our vessels and skins with water, expecting another attack the next morning. We could distinctly hear the Indians, nearly all night, crying over their dead, which is their custom; and at daylight, they shot a wounded chief-it being also a custom to shoot any of their tribe that are mortally wounded. They, after that, set out with their dead and wounded to a mountain about a mile distant, where they deposited their dead in a cave on the side of it. At eight in the morning, two of our party went out from the fortification to the encampment, where the Indians had lain the night previous, and counted forty-eight bloody spots on the grass where the dead and wounded had been lying. As near as we could judge, their loss must have been torty killed and thirty wounded.* Finding ourselves much cut up, having one man killed, Thomas M'Caslin-and three wound ed, D. Buchannan and Matthew Doyle, and James Corriell-five horses killed, and three wounded-that we recommenced strengthening our little fort, and continued our labours until one, P. M., when the arrival of thirteen Indians drew us into our fort again. As soon as they discovered we were still there, and ready for action and well fortified, they put off. We after that remained in our fort eight days, recruiting our wounded men and horses; at the * We afterwards learned, from the Camancha Indians, that their loss was eighty-two in killed and wounded. expiration of which time, being all in pretty | in their hands; they had velvet hats with wreaths good order, we set out on our return to St. Antonia de Baxar. We left the fort at dark, and travelled all night and next day until afternoon, when we picked out an advantageous spot and fortified ourselves, where we remained two days, expecting the Indians would again, when recruited, follow our trail; but, however, we saw noth-street. The company arriving by this access ing more of them. round them, and rosettes in their shoes. From the court yard, which opened through the columns of a fine portico, bands of music were heard. Carriages, as in a stream, were approaching by this access through the double gates that separated the royal residence from the entered through the portico, and turned off to the right. I went to the left, through a vestibule leading to other rooms, into which none went but those having the entre. These consisted of cabinet ministers, the diplomatic corps, persons in chief employment about the court, and a few others, the privileged being in high esteem. Knights of the Garter appeared to have it, for I observed their insignium round the knees of several. There was the Lord Steward with his badge of office; the Lord Chamberlain with his; gold stick and silver stick. The foreign ambassadors and ministers wore their national cos David Buchannan's wounded leg here mortified, and having no surgical instruments, or medicine of any kind, not even a dose of salts, we boiled some live-oak bark very strong, and thickened it with pounded charcoal and Indian meal, made a poultice of it, and tied it round his leg, over which we sewed a buffalo skin, and travelled along five days without looking at it; when it was opened, the mortified parts had all dropt off, and it was in a fair way for healing, which it finally did, and his leg now is as well as ever it was. There was none of the party but had his skin cut in several places, and numer-tumes; the cabinet ministers, such as we see in ous shot-holes through his clothes. On the twelfth day we arrived, in good order, with our wounded men and horses, at St. Antonía de Baxas. The following sketch of an introduction to the Prince Regent of England, and of the throngs at the royal levee, is from Rush's Memoranda of a Residence at the Court of London: old portraits, with bag and sword; the lord chancellor, and other functionaries of the law, had black silk gowns, with full wigs; the bishops and dignitaries of the church, had aprons of black silk. The walls were covered with paintings. If these were historical, so were the rooms. As I looked through them, I thought of the scenes described by Doddington; of the Pelhams, the Bolingbrokes, the Hillsboroughs; of A competent knowledge of the world may the anecdotes and personalities of the English serve to guide any one in the common walks of court and cabinet in those days. The prince had life, wherever he may be thrown; more especial- not yet left his apartment. Half an hour went ly if he carry with him the cardinal maxim of by, when Sir Robert Chester, master of ceremogood breeding every where, a wish to please, and nies, said to me, that in a few minutes he would unwillingness to offend. But if, even in private conduct me to the Prince. The Spanish Ambassociety, there are rules not to be known but by ex-sador had gone in, and I was next in turn. When perience, and if these differ in different places, he came out, the master of ceremonies advanced I could not feel insensible to the approach of an with me to the door. occasion so new to me. My first desire was, not Opening it, he left me. I entered alone. The to fail in the public duties of my mission; the Prince was standing, with Lord Castlereagh by next, to pass properly through the scenes of offi- him. No one else was in the room. Holding in cial and personal ceremony to which it exposed my hand the letter of credence, I approached as me. At the head of them was my introduction to a private gentleman, and said, in the common to the Sovereign. I desired to do all that full tone of conversation, that it was " from the Prerespect required, but no more; yet-the exter-sident of the United States, appointing me their nal observances of it-what were they? They defy exact definition beforehand, and I had never seen them. From the restraints, too, that prevailed in these spheres, lapses, if you fall into them, are little apt to be told to you, which increases your solicitude to avoid them. I had, in some of my intercourse, caught the impression that simplicity was considered best adapted to such an introduction; also, that the Prince Re- The Prince took the letter and handed it to gent was not thought to be fond of set speeches. Lord Castlereagh. He then said, that he would This was all that I could recollect. But simpli-"ever be ready on his part to act upon the sencity, all know, is a relative idea. Often it is attainable, in the right sense, only through the highest art, and on full experience. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the court of his Royal Highness, and that I had been directed by the President to say, that I could in no way better serve the United States, or gain his approbation, than by using all endeavours to strengthen and prolong the good understanding that happily subsists between the two countries." timents I had expressed; that I might assure the President of this, for that he sincerely desired to keep up and improve the friendly relations subI arrived before the hour appointed. My car- sisting between the two nations, which he reriage having the entre, or right to the private en-garded as so much to the advantage of both." I trance, I went through St. James' Park, and got replied, that I would not fail to do so. to Carlton House by the paved way, through the gardens. Even this approach was already filled. was set down at a side door, where stood servants in the Prince's livery. Gaining the hall, persons were seen in various costumes. Among them were yeomen of the guard, with halberds The purpose of the interview seeming to be accomplished, I had supposed it would here end, and was about to withdraw, but the Prince prolonged it. He congratulated me on my arrival. He inquired for the health of Mr. Adams, and spoke of others who had preceded me in the mis 426 sion, going back as far as the first, Mr. Pinck-in his recognition their country's approbation. It would be out of place in me to pourtray the exterior qualities of this monarch. The commanding union of them has often been mentioned; he was in his fifty-sixth year; but in fine health, and maintaining the erect, ambitious carriage of early life. I will only say, that he made his audience of foreign ministers a pleasurable duty to them, instead of a repulsive ceremo. ny. The Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from Sicily and Naples, Count Ludolf, had his reception immediately after mine. vee. Taking the whole line, perhaps a thousand must have passed. Its current flowed through the entre rooms, got onward to the vestibule, and was finally dispersed in the great hall, where it stood in glittering groups and fragments. Those who composed them, found themselves there, by a course reverse to that of their entrance, and went away through the grand portico, as their carriages came up. PURCHASING A HORSE. 6 Sergeant Bond related the following anecdote of himself with great good humour:-"I once bought a horse from a horse-dealer, warranted When the Prince came from his apartment, sound in all his points. I thought I had got a called, in the language of palaces, his CLOSET, treasure, but still wished to find out if he had into the entre rooms, I presented to him Mr. any fault. I, therefore, when I paid for him, John Adams Smith, as public secretary of the le- said to the seller, Now, my friend, you have got gation, and Mr. Ogle Taylor, as attached to it your money, and I the horse, so that the bargain Why, sir,' says he, personally. Other special presentations took is closed: but do, like an honest fellow, tell me place; among them, that of the Prince of Hesse of any fault which he has.' Homberg, by Lord Stewart, both distinguished you have dealt with me like a gentleman, and in the then recent battles of the continent. The as you ask me to be frank with you, I must tell Why, sir,' Prince Regent moved about these rooms until you that the horse has one fault. 1 pricked up he had addressed every body, all awaiting his my ears. What is it, my friend?' salutation. Doors hitherto shut, now opened, says he, 'it is that he will not go into the yard of when a new scene appeared. You behold, in a the Crown Inn at Uxbridge.' Pooh, pooh,' said gorgeous mass, the company that had turned off I, if that's all, I am not likely to put him to the to the right. The opening of the doors was the trial, as I have nothing to do with, or to lead me signal for the commencement of the general le- to Uxbridge.' It, however, so happened, that I I remained with others to see it. All had occasion to go to Uxbridge, and I determinpassed, one by one, before the Prince, each re-ed to try if my horse retained his dislike to the ceiving a momentary salutation. To a few he yard of the Crown Inn. I accordingly rode up faced about," said the Sergeant, addressed conversation, but briefly, as it stopped the street until I came opposite to the inn-yard the line. All were in rich costume. Men of of the Crown. genius and science were there; the nobility"seated myself firmly in my stirrups, at the same were numerous, so were the military. There time exhibiting the attitude in which the feat was were from forty to fifty generals; perhaps as many to be performed. Expecting a plunge from my admirals, with throngs of rank inferior. I re- horse, I stuck my spurs into his sides, and pushed marked upon the number of wounded. Who is him forward into the yard; but what was my that, I asked, pallid but with a countenance so surprise to find him enter the yard as quietly as "That's General Walker," I was a cow that had just gone in before him. But I animated? told, "who was pierced with bayonets whilst was not long left in doubt of what appeared to leading on the assault at Badajos," and he, be the cause of this change in his antipathies, by close by, tall but limping? "Colonel Ponsonby; he the landlord's coming up to him, and tapping was left for dead at Waterloo; the cavalry, it him on the shoulder, Ha, Jack!' says he, I'm Then glad to see you again; I thought I had lost you!' was thought, had trampled upon him. came one of like port, but deprived of a leg. As What do you mean, Mr. Landlord?' 'Sir,' says he moved slowly onward, the whisper went, he,' this horse was stolen from me about six A fourth had been months ago, and I have never seen him since.' That's Lord Anglesea." wounded at Seringa patam; a fifth at Talavera; I did not much relish this piece of information," some suffered in Egypt, some in America. There said the Sergeant," but I could not help laughwere those who had received scars on the decking at the conceit of the horse-dealer, to prevent with Nelson; others who carried them from the days of Howe. One, yes one, had fought at Saratoga. It was so that my inquiries were answered. "All had done their duty;" this was the favourite praise bestowed. They had earned a title to come before their sovereign, and read me from going to a place where the theft would be discovered; I wished I had attended to his caution, as the sale was not regular, and I was left to make the best terms I could with the landlord." What they were he kept to himself.-Fraser's Magazine. |