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officers; I reported to the commanding officer; and was informed by

him that he would direct the quartermaster to furnish me; as soon as

convenient; with transportation to Fort Duncan; the station of my

company。



In the course of a day or two; the quartermaster notified me that a

Government six…mule wagon would be placed at my disposal to proceed

to my destination。  No better means offering; I concluded to set out

in this conveyance; and; since it was also to carry a quantity of

quartermaster's property for Fort Duncan; I managed to obtain room

enough for my bed in the limited space between the bows and load;

where I could rest tolerably well; and under cover at night; instead

of sleeping on the ground under the wagon; as I had done on the road

from Corpus Christi to Laredo。



I reached Fort Duncan in March; 1854。; and was kindly received by the

commanding officer of the; regiment; Lieutenant…Colonel Thompson

Morris;and by the captain of my company (〃D〃); Eugene E。 McLean; and

his charming wife the only daughter of General E。 V。 Sumner; who was

already distinguished in our service; but much better known in after

years in the operations ofthe Army of the Potomac; during its early

campaigns in Virginia。  Shortly after joining company 〃D〃 I was sent

out on scouting duty with another company of the regiment to Camp La

Pena; about sixty or seventy miles east of Fort Duncan; in a section

of country that had for some time past been subjected to raids by the

Lipan and Comanche Indians。  Ournoutpost at La Pena was intended as a

protection against the predatory incursions of these savages; so

almost constant scouting became a daily occupation。  This enabled me

soon to become familiar with and make maps of the surrounding

country; and; through constant association with our Mexican guide; to

pick up in a short time quite a smattering of the Spanish language;

which was very useful to one serving on that frontier。



At that early day western Texas was literally filled with game; and

the region in the immediate vicinity of La Pena contained its full

proportion of deer; antelope; and wild turkeys。  The temptation to

hunt was therefore constantly before me; and a desire to indulge in

this pastime; whenever free from the legitimate duty of the camp;

soon took complete possession of me; so expeditions in pursuit of

game were of frequent occurrence。  In these expeditions I was always

accompanied by a soldier named Frankman; belonging to 〃 D 〃 company;

who was a fine sportsman; and a butcher by trade。  In a short period

I learned from Frankman how to approach and secure the different

species of game; and also how to dress and care for it when killed。

Almost every expedition we made was rewarded with a good supply of

deer; antelope; and wild turkeys; and we furnished the command in

camp with such abundance that it was relieved from the necessity of

drawing its beef ration; much to the discomfiture of the disgruntled

beef contractor。



The camp at La Pena was on sandy ground; unpleasant for men and

animals; and by my advice it was moved to La Pendencia; not far from

Lake Espantosa。  Before removal from our old location; however; early

one bright morning Frankman and I started on one of our customary

expeditions; going down La Pena Creek to a small creek; at the head

of which we had established a hunting rendezvous。  After proceeding

along the stream for three or four miles we saw a column of smoke on

the prairie; and supposing it arose from a camp of Mexican rancheros

catching wild horses or wild cattle; and even wild mules; which were

very numerous in that section of country along the Nueces River; we

thought we would join the party and see how much success they were

having; and observe the methods employed in this laborious and

sometimes dangerous vocation。  With this object in view; we continued

on until we found it necessary to cross to the other side of the

creek to reach the point indicated by the smoke。  Just before

reaching the crossing I discovered moccasin tracks near the water's

edge; and realizing in an instant that the camp we were approaching

might possibly be one of hostile Indiansall Indians in that country

at that time were hostileFrankman and I backed out silently; and

made eager strides for La Pena; where we had scarcely arrived when

Captain M。 E。 Van Buren; of the Mounted Rifle regiment; came in with

a small command; and reported that he was out in pursuit of a band of

Comanche Indians; which had been committing depredations up about

Fort Clark; but that he had lost the trail。  I immediately informed

him of what had occurred to me during the morning; and that I could

put him on the trail of the Indians he was desirous of punishing。



We hurriedly supplied with rations his small command of thirteen;

men; and I then conducted him to the point where I had seen the

smoke; and there we found signs indicating it to be the recently

abandoned camp of the Indians he was pursuing; and we also noticed

that prairie rats had formed the principal article of diet at the

meal they had just completed。  As they had gone; I could do no more

than put him on the trail made in their departure; which was well

marked; for Indians; when in small parties; and unless pressed;

usually follow each other in single file。  Captain Van Buren followed

the trail by Fort Ewell; and well down toward Corpus Christi; day and

night; until the Indians; exhausted and used up; halted; on an open

plain; unsaddled their horses; mounted bareback; and offered battle。

Their number was double that of Van Buren's detachment; but he

attacked them fearlessly; and in the fight was mortally wounded by an

arrow which entered his body in front; just above the sword belt; and

came through the belt behind。  The principal chief of the Indians was

killed; and the rest fled。  Captain Van Buren's men carried him to

Corpus Christi; where in a few days he died。



After our removal to La Pendencia a similar pursuit of savages

occurred; but with more fortunate results。  Colonel John H。 King; now

on the retired list; then a captain in the First Infantry; came to

our camp in pursuit of a marauding band of hostile Indians; and I was

enabled to put him also on the trail。  He soon overtook them; and

killing two without loss to himself; the band dispersed like a flock

of quail and left him nothing to follow。  He returned to our camp

shortly after; and the few friendly Indian scouts he had with him

held a grand pow…wow and dance over the scalps of the fallen braves。



Around La Pendencia; as at La Pena; the country abounded in deer;

antelope; wild turkeys; and quail; and we killed enough to supply

abundantly the whole command with the meat portion of the ration。

Some mornings Frankman and I would bring in as many as seven deer;

and our hunting expeditions made me so familiar with the region

between our camp arid Fort Duncan; the headquarters of the regiment;

that I was soon enabled to suggest a more direct route of

communication than the circuitous one then traversed; and in a short

time it was established。



Up to this time I had been on detached duty; but soon my own company

was ordered into the field to occupy a position on Turkey Creek;

about ten or twelve miles west of the Nueces River; on the road from

San Antonio to Fort Duncan; and I was required to join the company。

Here constant work and scouting were necessary; as our camp was

specially located with reference to protecting from Indian raids the

road running from San Antonio to Fort Duncan; and on to the interior

of Mexico。  In those days this road was the great line of travel; and

Mexican caravans were frequently passing over it; to and fro; in such

a disorganized condition as often to invite attack from marauding

Comanches and Lipans。  Our time; therefore; was incessantly occupied

in scouting; but our labors were much lightened because they were

directed with intelligence and

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