The Caledonian

From the Texas Sentinel of March 24.

BUTCHERY IN TEXAS.

On the 19th of March, a body of 65 Indians arrived at St. Antonio, bringing Miss Lockhart, a little girl, taken by them a year and a half since from the Guadalupe, for the purpose of holding a council with the agents of our Government. They said they wished to see if they could get a high price for her, and if so, they would bring all the other prisoners, one at a time. Miss Lockhart stated that she had seen all the other prisoners at their camp, a few days before she left. Col. W. G. Cooke, acting secretary of war, being present, thought it proper to take hostage for the safe return of the prisoners, and Col. Fisher was ordered to march two companies and place them in the immediate vicinity of the council room. After some parleying in relation to the prisoners, one company was ordered to march into the room, and the other to the rear of the building where the warriors were assembled. The chiefs were then told that they were prisoners and they would not be liberated until they restored their white prisoners. One sprang to the back door and attempted to pass the sentinel, who presented his musket, when the Indian drew his knife and stabbed him. A general rush was then made for the doors. Captain Howard, caught one by the collar, and received a severe stab. He then ordered the Sentinels to shoot the Indians, which was immediately done. They all then drew their knives and bows for battle, and the whole twelve chiefs were immediately shot. In the mean time Capt. Reed's company was attacked by the warriors in the rear of the yard who fought with desperation. The Indians were driven into the stone houses, from which they kept a gallant fire with their bows and rifles.--A small company succeeded in gaining the opposite side of the river, but Col. Wells pursued them with a party of mounted men, and killed all, with the exception of one renegade Mexican. A single warrior took refuge in a stone house refusing every offer of life sent him through the squaws, and after killing and wounding several of our men, the building was fired at night, and he was shot as he passed the door. The whole number of warriors, excepting the Mexicans, amounting to 35 were killed, besides 2 women and three children; our loss was 7 killed. At the request of the prisoner, a squaw was liberated and well mounted to go to the main tribe and request an exchange of prisoners; she promised to return in four days, with our captive friends, and Cols. Cooke and McLeod will wait until their return. We learn from Mr. Durkee, who arrived from Austin yesterday, that Col. Barleson has been called upon to organize an expedition forthwith, to operate against the Comanches. He will raise one company on the Colorado, and at Austin, and take with him the company which was left at Houston a short time since, under Captain Pierce, and a body of Tonkawa Indians.