AUSTIN | Projects & Construction III

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My family helped set the scene for the founding of Waterloo in 1837. Happy belated birthday, Austin!

Mr. Galbreath was bom in Macon County, North Carolina, on the 22d day of March, 1823, and came to Texas in March, 1837. In the fall of the same year the Galbreath family settled at Bastrop, on the Colorado River, which was then the outside settlement. The Indians were so hostile and made such frequent raids that these isolated settlers at times almost despaired of sustaining themselves. Gen. Edward Burleson, who had already distinguished himself in the Texas revolution, lived seven miles below Bastrop, and to him the people looked for protection and advice in these perilous times. Burleson said, "We must defeat the Indians in a general engagement, or else leave the country." It was decided by the settlers to endeavor to give the Indians a battle, and to do this they must invade their stronghold, which was in the mountains far up the Colorado. General Burleson was asked to lead the force, which was soon raised, of men and boys who could load and shoot a gun and had a horse.

About one hundred settlers assembled at Bastrop for the expedition. Among this number was Thomas Galbreath, then a boy of 15 years of age, and carrying his father's old flintlock rifle.
He had only that year come to Texas, and had never seen a wild Indian.

General Burleson led his men up the Colorado to the mouth of the Llano, and there came upon the Indians in their village in large force. Besides the warriors there were many squaws and
children. The Comanches were aware of the approach of the white men, and met them half a mile from their village to give them battle. Burleson formed his men in one line, and the Indians came at a full running charge and yelling loudly. They presented a formidable appearance, riding good horses, their shields on their left arms, and a quiver full of arrows protruding above the left shoulder. All had on the fierce-looking war paint, and many of them had buffalo horns on their head. Their long black hair waved in the breeze like streamers behind them. Their looks, loud yells, and impetuous charge was enough to strike terror, to the hearts of men who had never met them before.

Young Galbreath felt uneasy, and said if he had seen anyone else run he would have followed suit. He looked at the men around him. Some had fought Indians before, and seemed in nowise put out by this demonstration on the part of the Comanches. General Burleson passed close to Galbreath with fire in his eye and giving his commands short and quick, in about these words : "Dismount now, men, and stand to them. They are not going to run over us. Hold your rifles ready and don't shoot too quick. Take good aim. We will scatter them the first fire.''

Many of the Indians were nearly naked. They came as if they were going to run over the settlers without making any halt. The loud, clear voice of Burleson was heard, "Fire, boys, fire !'' There was a rattling, cracking volley all along the line, and the Indians divided, circling right and left all around the white men. They lay low on the opposite side of their horses and shot arrows as they went. The effect of the fire from Burleson's men could be seen in front. Horses were down and struggling amidst dead and crippled Indians, while others were running riderless with the charge. Others turned back, bullet stricken, and galloped in terror from the field. Some of the Indians who had been fatally hit were falling from their horses as they passed around the settlers. "Load quick, men ; they will come again," said the commander.

The fight lasted some time, the Comanches making four charges in all. When the quick eye of Burleson perceived that they had begun to weaken, he ordered his men to mount with loaded guns and charge them. The Indians gave way and began their retreat across the open prairie towards the mountains, not even stopping at their village. The running fight lasted two miles, and then the pursuit was called off. The settlers came back by way of the village and took possession of a number of horses, eighty head in all. The squaws looked sullen and would not talk. They were mad because the warriors had been whipped and had run away.

The horses which were taken belonged to the settlers around Bastrop. None of Burleson's men were killed on the ground, but many were hit with arrows and some died afterwards. The Indians had no firearms. Many of the settlers' horses were wounded.

Mr. Galbreath says this battle caused the settlement to start where Austin is now, but it was then called Waterloo. During the fight he fired his rifle four times. The Indians moved further west.

"EARLY SETTELES AND INDIAN FIGHTER OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS" by Andrew Jackson Sowell, 1900