In studying the history of Crosby county I have found what authorities believe to be the first fight between the Indians and the White Man in Crosby county. The details of the battle are quoted below from a photostatic copy of the report in the War Department Washington, D.C., which was sent me by our representative, George Mahon. Quote:
Fort Griffin, Texas
Nov. 4, 1869.
Actg. Asst, Adjutant General, Head Qtrs. Sub Dist. of the Brazos.
Fort Richardson, Texas.
Sir:
In compliance with Special Order No. 2 cs. Head Qtrs. Sub Dist. of the Brazos dated Fort Richardson, Texas, October 15th 1869, I have the honor to submit the following report.On the 16th of October 1869 with a command of twenty three (23) enlisted men of Companies D and F, 4th Cavalry, together with ten (10) Tonkawa Indian Scouts under their chief "Simond", I started to Phantom Hill, Texas, and on the 18th reached that place and reported to Brevet Major J.M. Bacon, Captain 4th Calvalry.
On the 20th, the command commenced to march in the direction of Double Mountain, arriving there on the 23 instead. On the following day we marched in a Northwesterly direction along the "Main brazos" from thence to Duck Creek (23) twenty three miles west of Double Mountain we continued our march along Duck Creek (15) fifteen miles, and then marched direct west (12) twelve miles and camped on the first waters (Ford on the Brazos) about two O'clock, P>M>
On the following afternoon 28 Instant, a body of Indians numbering about (300) three hundred armed with bows and arrows, shields, and pistols, mounted on poines without saddles made their appearance on the Surrounding Hill Tops and at once commenced an attack upon our camp. They were supposed to belong to the Kiowa and Comanche tribes. The command was at once placed in position and charged them. We had a running fight which lasted about four (4) hours over a country of about five (5) miles during which time there was supposed to have been killed and wounded about forty (40 Indians; the fighting ceased at dark and the command camped at this place. Early the next morning a small party of Indians made their appearance about twenty five (25) in all. We charged upon them when they fled panic, stricken - we followed their trail about seven (7) miles toward the Fresh Water Fork of the Brazos, where we found and surprised a small camp of Comanches, killing five warriors, and capturing seven (7) women and children together with fifty (50) head of horses (poinies). The Lodges with trappings and equippage was burned and destroyed.
The captives stated that the largest parties of the Indians had gone to the Reservation to obtain their annuities, and that several camps were about six (6) and ten (10) miles from this place. Owing to the conditon of the animals and the poor grass, Major Bacon decided to turn towards Fort Griffin, Texas.
Near the Fresh Water branch of the Brazos in the direction of Fort Sill wagon trails about a month old were visible, also several abandoned camps extending a distance of some fifteen (15) miles, supposed to have been inhabited by some fifteen hundred (1500) Indians. Cattle trails were numerous passing by these camps in the direction of Red River showing that a very large amount of stock had very recently passed in the direction of the Reservations.
The Command marched distance of about four hundred (400) miles in all over a rough country with much of the country without water. The Tonkawa Indians behaved very gallantly and were foremost in the affray - paticularly (sic) one named "Henry" who in a hand to hand fight killed one Comanche with the butt of his carbine. None of the men or animals of the 4th Cavalry sustained any injury.
I arrived at this post with my command on the 4th of November 1869.
Very Respectfully Sir
Your Obedient Servant,
F.M. Bohem
1st Lieut, 4th Cavalry.
This battle apparently occured in what is now the L-7 Ranch or in that vicinity. Since it happened several years before Mr. Hank Smith settled in the Blanco Canyon and several years before the buffalo hunters in this county, I thought that you might wish to give this early bit of Crosby Co. History space in your paper. I have never known of this Indian Battle being made public to the people of Crosby county and I have inquired of Mr. Bob Smith if he knew anything about it which he did not, but stated that his father knew Lieut. Bohem at Fort Griffin. This battle as you will note was fought seventy years ago.