OPERATIONS IN TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP.XI.

There being no other commissioned officer at the post, it necessarily compels me to remain inactive.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN BRADLEY, Second Lieutenant C. S. Infantry, Commanding Post.

Captain D. C. STITH, Asst. Adjt. General , Hdqrs. Dept. of Texas, San Antonio.

[Inclosure.]

FORT INGE, TEX., October 16, 1861.

SIR: According to order received from you I started on the evening of the 11th instant with a party of fifteen privates and two non-commissioned officers in pursuit of a band of hostile Indians, taking with me four days' rations. Upon arrival at the scene of depredations I was informed that the Indians had taken the direction of the Nieces River. I immediately started out in pursuit, an encamped that night on the Rio Frio. Next morning early we struck the trail, running in the direction of Fort Yulee, hotly pursuing it until sunset. That night (the 3rd) two mules and two ponies came into camp with several arrows stuck into them. The animals died shortly after they were discovered. On Monday morning I again started on the trail, following it for about half a mile, when I lost it. After some time I discovered that the Indians had retraced their steps in the direction of the Rio Grande. That day the Indians crossed and recrossed the Barosito Creek several times. Some of our horses in pursuing them, so boggy were the crossings, sank in the mud and had to be pulled out by lariats, causing great delay and wetting our sharpshooters and ammunition. The same evening, about sunset, upon arrival in a small clearing, we were suddenly attacked by the Indians (Lipans) were in large numbers. It seemed to be a head camping ground. as soon as attacked the men unsung their carbines and prepared for action, gut upon attempting to discharge them not one in a half dozen would go off, although four or five caps were used on each piece; the arms and ammunition being completely unfit for use from the soaking they and received during the day. I may here say that it rained incessantly that day form sunrise until sunset. The men who could not use their carbines drew their sabers and commenced using them. Three men who happened to have dismounted engaged the Indians hand-t-hand, killing several. I am sorry to say that the three men were also killed; that , along with 1 man and 4 horses wounded, was the only loss on our side; on the Indian side, about 10 killed and several wounded. The fight lasted about half an hour. As it was getting dark, having no pistols, and the Indians being too numerous-they were gaining strength every minute-I gave the command to retreat. On Tuesday morning we started for home, and arrived here this evening.

In conclusion, allow me to say that the men under my command behaved admirably.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

W. BARRETT, Sergeant, Company A, C. S. Cavalry.

Second Lieutenant JOHN BRADLEY, C. S. A.

Commanding Fort Inge.