Fannin's First Campaign, Fannin County, Texas

By Judge J. P. Simpson

In 1838, the first volunteer companies for the defense of Fannin County were raised and organized by Capt. Robert Sloan and N. L. Journey. These two companies consisted of forty men each. Capt. Journey's company met at Jonathan Anthoney's, 8 miles south of Fort Inglish, all in high glee under the influence of strong drink. That night the Captain's charger and two others were stolen by the Indians. Next day was spent in getting other horses to supply the vacancies: and that night, two companies met at what was then called Linsey's Springs, on Bois d' Arc, where Mr. Sears now lives. Beef was slaughtered for rations, and everything made ready for an early start for the Indian village on the west fork of Trinity. Guards were stationed around the encampment for the night, and each mess went to spinning yarns. In the midst of all this amusement one of the guards fired his gun, in an instant the pickets fled for camp, men ran for their guns; some guns were misplaced, shot-pouches and ammunition missing, all hurry and confusion; the Captain dispatched to ascertain the cause of alarm; no guard at his post; one of the guard (My mess fellow) dashed into camp saying he had seen and shot at an Indian trying to steal horses; his heart beating so hard he declared it was the sound of Indians' feet fleeing from the fire of his gun. The officer returned, made his report to headquarters, stated that he found no dead or wounded Indian; he supposed he had found an Indian's blanket, but on examination found he was mistaken; the blanket turned out to be the paunch of the beef slaughtered for rations for the men; no more yarns that night.

Next morning we mounted our horses and started for the Indian village, our pilot in front. Marched three days and camped for the last night until the Indian village would be desolated by the heroes of Fannin. An alarm by the pickets during the night, but no one killed or wounded. Next morning a council of war was held, scouts were sent ahead to spy out the village. The scouts returned and reported the village near at hand. Now we must try our bravery or run three hundred Indian warriors fortified in their huts, to defend themselves, squaws and children, and only ninety whites to attack and enter into deadly conflict with them. Columns of attack were formed and the charge ordered. Many a "pale face" was to be seen in the ranks. Away we went but lo! when we got to the scene of action only a camp of Indians was there. The Indians were soon dispatched by the men and the scalps taken from their heads by Captain John Hart. One white man was wounded and one horse was killed. There we found Capt. Journey's stolen horse and others. After the battle one wounded Indian lay concealed in the grass with tomahawk in hand.

A man by the name of Pangborn (usually called "Brandy" from the quantity of that article he drank) was on the lookout for the wounded Indian and come up on him so close he could not shoot. The Indian rose with tomahawk in hand, striking at Pangborn's head. The latter wheeled and ran, shouting for help at every jump. One gun was fired from our ranks, the Indian fell, and Capt. Hart was on him in an instant and took his scalp. The place some years since was occupied and settled by Maj. Bird, and called Bird's Fort, not far from where Fort Worth now stands. We started for home and the third night camped on Bois d' Arc, near where Orangeville now stands, and found that Indians had been in the settlement and killed and scalped one of our best citizens, Win. Washburn. Thus ended our first scout for Indians in Fannin, until a more formidable force could be raised to protect the frontier, which was done that 11 inter under the command of Gen. John H. Dyer of Red River County.

That question however, is not likely to be any better settled than at present. Smith's story for meeting Nails at the edge of Bois d' Are bottom, was, that he (Smith) had been to town that morning, and had left his powder horn on the grocery counter, was going back after it, when he saw Nails coming up oat of the swamp, through which the road was only wide enough to admit the passage of wagon and team, walled up on each, side with dense thickets, and was waiting there for Nails to pass out. When Nails came up, he cursed Smith and said to him, "I thought I gave you your orders to leave this county!" and jumped out of the wagon toward him, when he fired.

There is but one Judge who has or will pass upon this case, and he alone can right it. The popular mind however has already approved the manner of Smith's going.

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