The Arroyo Seco Fight was a clash between militia and Rangers of the Republic of Texas and a large Comanche war party traveling with Chief Essowakkenny, which took place on the Seco Creek in Medina County, Texas, on August 10, 1838.[1]
| Arroyo Seco Fight | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Republic of Texas | Comanche | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Henry Wax Karnes | Chief Essowakkenny | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 21 men | 200 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 wounded | 20 killed and 20 wounded | ||||||
Background
editOn December 28, 1837, Colonel Henry Wax Karnes was authorized to raise eight companies of Texas Rangers to patrol and defend the frontier of Texas.[2] On August 10, 1838, Colonel Karnes and his men camped on Seco Creek. Members of the patrol included Jack Hays and Benjamin F. Cage.
Battle
editWhile the twenty-one encamped on the Seco Creek rested their horses, the unit was suddenly attacked by about 200 Comanches on horseback.[3] Colonel Karnes alerted his men to take cover in the ravine, using the thick brush for cover. Though outnumbered about ten to one, the Texans returned fire in a rotating sequence of six or seven men at a time to give some time to reload as others fired. This allowed them to hold their ground. Although the Comanches fought fiercely, fighting, regrouping, and unleashing three separate attacks, Chief Isemani was killed and Chief Casemiro was badly wounded.[4] Twenty Comanches lay dead on the ground, with as many wounded. They then gathered them and returned to their village.
Although an overwhelming victory for the Texans, Karnes, who had been directing the battle from a bluff, was wounded, and several of the Rangers' horses were shot dead.[5]
References
edit- ^ "The Comanches must tire of hostilies". Telegraph and Texas Register. September 1, 1838. Page 2, column 5, second paragraph below "Hon. David G. Benton".
- ^ Thomas W. Cutrer, "KARNES, HENRY WAX," Handbook of Texas Online [1], accessed October 08, 2011. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
- ^ Brown, John Henry. Indian wars and pioneers of Texas. The Internet Archive. Austin: L.E. Daniel. p. 50.
- ^ Moore, Jr., Francis, ed. (September 1, 1838). "The Comanches must become tired of hostilities". Telegraph and Texas Register. Page 2, column 5, second paragraph after "Hon. David G. Burnet".
- ^ Moore, Stephen L. (2006). Savage frontier. vol. II, 1838-1839 : rangers, riflemen, and Indian wars in Texas. Denton, Texas: University of North Texas Press. p. 19. ISBN 1-57441-206-X.