DESPERATE INDIAN BATTLES IN TEXAS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 254, 25 May 1868, Page 3

DESPERATE INDIAN BATTLES IN TEXAS.

The San Autonio correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, under date of January 14th, gives the following account of a light with the Indians at Camp Lancaster ; —Despatches just: received here state that a severe Indian battle was fought at Camp Lancaster, on the 27th of December. Camp Lancaster is 240 miles northwest of this place, on the Rio Pecos, and is garrisoned by a company of coloured cavalry belonging to the command of General Hatch. The Indians about one thonsand strong, attacked the camp at four o'clock p.m., while the company were watering their horses. In the dash three men were killed, a number wounded, and thirty horses captured ; but the coloured soldiers retreated in good order to the post, where, getting their Spencer carbines, they furiously assaulted the savages, driving them into the old post works near the camp, where the fight lasted until late in the night, when the Indians gave way in confusion. On the night of the 28th the Indians renewed the attack, but were rep u lsed with great slaughter, the ground being strewn with bows, arrows, guns, blankets, coats, pistols, and knives, but carrying off all their dead and wounded. During the battle, a number of white men were seen among the Indians wearing the Confederate grey uniforms and apparently directing the movements. This is the first pitched engagement the coloured troops have had with the Indians, and it is not likely that the savages will bother them soon again. The negroes fought with a savage desperation that astonished the red men, who, no doubt, thought they could easily capture the post, and its small garrison. The garrison, Company B, Ninth United States Cavalry, about 70 men, were enlisted in Kentucky by General Brisbin, and nearly all of them had seen service in the army during the war. Another Indian battle with the negroes is reported to have taken place at Eagle Springs, lasting six hours.

Recently a villager was drowned in the Tagus. The Mayor ordered a search for the body, and described the deceased as follows:—Dark complexion tall; marked impediment in his speech. The significant statement is made with regard to the depression of the American shipping interests, that on the 29th January there was not a single vessel of any description in the Port of New York loading for a British port. Scores of foreign vessels were up for freights.