Jack County, TX - History - James B. Dozier, Esibell and Others, Indian
Fight in Lost Valley


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James B. Dozier, Esibell and Others, Indian Fight in Lost
Valley

During the fall of 1863, Company G of the Frontier Regiment,
commanded by Capt. Newt White, was divided, and a part of the command
stationed at Fort Belknap and the others located in Lost Valley. J. B.
Dozier, Esibell and about four others, were on "Patrol Duty" between
the two camps. Dozier was armed with a rifle, and his companions
six-shooters. At some point along their way, near the northeastern part
of Young County, they suddenly encountered four savages. When Jim Dozier
fired his gun, he shot one of the Indians from his horse. Others were
firing with their six-shooters. When Dozier again re-loaded his gun, he
fired a second time, and another savage fell from his horse. The two
remaining Indians fled, and were pursued by the rangers. They succeeded
in. killing a third Indian, and only one escaped to relate to the
savages the misfortune of his companions.

For a long time, the bodies of these Indians lay where they were killed.
and were seen each day by the soldiers, who were doing "Patrol Duty."
Finally, the Indian skulls were hung in a tree and shortly afterwards
the skull of a negro placed beside them. There they remained for many
days in a conspicuous place, plainly discernible to the rangers who
passed each day, patrolling the territory between the two camps of Capt.
Newt White's Company.

Note: Before writing this section, the author personally interviewed
Babe Williams, James Wood, B. L. Ham, F. M. Peveler, A. M. Lasater, J.
Fowler, Mrs. Ed. Wolfforth. all of whom were living in Young and
adjoining counties when this fight occurred.

Further Ref: Wilbarger's Indian Depredations in Texas.

The following story is from the books:

The West Texas Frontier or a Descriptive History of Early Times
in Western Texas
Volumes 1 and 2
by Joseph Carroll McConnell