The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker. Page: 40
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40 TE CARANKAWA8 INDIANS.
on the shores of Matagorda bay, have removed to this island, and
perhaps will yet dispute the " right of occupancy" with " Uncle
Tilley." The history of this tribe is a most singular one. Driven
along the shores of Texas by the tide of white emigration, they
have found in every other Indian tribe implacable foes. Pressed
on by the whites, pursued and hunted down by the Mexicans, defeated
and cut to pieces by the Comanches, Lipans, and other
prairie Indians, wherever they were caught upon the plains; they
gained a scanty subsistence by gathering oysters along the seashore,
and fishing in the bays. They finally pitched upon Matagorda
bay, as a place of residence, but were again driven out by
the Texians, who rapidly settled along the shores. To be persecuted
and oppressed, to be down-trodden and insulted, seemed to
be the unhappy fate of this miserable race; until, driven to desperation
by their sufferings, they resolved to put an end to their name
and race for ever. Murdering their women and children, the warriors
sought for some uninhabited island, where they could wait
patiently for that death which was for ever to destroy all traces of
their tribe. It is now said, they have chosen Padre's Island as a
suitable spot to linger out the remnant of their miserable lives, and
make their lonely graves.
About 12 o'clock on the morning of the 19th of May, we came
in sight of the shipping lying at Point Isabel; and never was the
sight of masts and yards more welcome to a land-sick mariner,
than were these signs of life and civilization to eyes which had
for nearly a week gazed upon nothing but one dreary waste of
sand and sea. We found on the point of the island several tents
which were occupied by boatmen, who ferried passengers over to
Point Isabel, and by one of these ferrymen, we informed the officers
at the fort of our arrival, and signified our desire to cross immediately.Taking advantage of the departure of the boat, several of us
left our horses in the care of our messmates, and embarked at once
for the Point. The little craft, favoured by a fair wind, sped merrily
over the smooth waters of the bay, and soon landed us at the
long wished-for place of destination. Fort Polk, Frontone, or
Point Isabel, has already been described. We found every thing
in a state of excitement, and everybody apparently busy. Everywhere
bustle and business prevailed,but the movements of every
one were controlled by strict order and discipline. Every thing was
pleasant to look upon. But more pleasant to our eyes than gay
uniforms or glittering arms, snow-white tents, or banners fluttering
in the breeze, was the sight of some old familiar faces, which we
had not gazed upon for years, but which were the first to welcome
us with smiles to the soil of Mexico, and greet us warmly in a'
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Reid, Samuel C., Jr. The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker., book, 1859; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38096/m1/44/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.