One of the most powerful and hostile tribes in North America, inhabiting the western parts of Texas and the Mexican provinces, and the south-western part of the territory of the United States near the Rocky Mountains; entirely wild and predatory in their habits; the most expert and effective lancers and horsemen on the continent. Numbering some 25,000 or 30,000; living in skin lodges or wigwams; well mounted on wild horses; continually at war with the Mexicans, Texians, and Indian tribes of the north-west.
46. Eé-shah-kó-nee, the Bow and Quiver; first Chief of the tribe. Boar’s tusk on his breast, and rich shells in his ears.
47. Ta-wáh-que-nah, the Mountain of Rocks; second Chief of the tribe, and largest man in the nation.
This man received the United States Regiment of Dragoons with great kindness at his village, which was beautifully situated at the base of a huge spur of the Rocky Mountains: he has decidedly African features, and a beard of two inches in length on his chin.
48. Ish-a-ró-yeh, He who carries a Wolf; a distinguished brave; so called from the circumstance of his carrying a medicine-bag made of the skin of a wolf: he holds a whip in his hand.
This man piloted the dragoons to the Camanchee village, and received a handsome rifle from Colonel Dodge for so doing.
49. Kots-o-kó-ro-kó, the Hair of the Bull’s Neck; third grade Chief; shield on his arm and gun in his hand.
50. Is-sa-wáh-tám-ah, the Wolf tied with Hair; a Chief, third rate: pipe in his hand.
51. His-oo-sán-chees, the Little Spaniard; a brave of the highest order in his tribe; armed as a warrior, with shield, bow and quiver, lance fourteen feet long, and war-knife.
This was the first of the Camanchees who daringly left his own war-party and came to the regiment of dragoons, and spoke with our interpreter, inviting us to go to their village. A man of low stature, but of the most remarkable strength and daring courage.—See him approaching the dragoons on horseback, No. 489.