Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

deployed Troop “F” as skirmishers, and ordered Lieut. Martin, Comdg. Troop “C,” to deploy
his men likewise, and to move forward in rear of Troop “F”, which was done, with an interval
between the Troops of one hundred yards. When the skirmishers had arrived to within two or
three hundred yards of the base of the hill, the Indians opened a brisk fire from the side of it,
from its crest, and from a ravine to the left of it, which was at once returned by our skirmishers.
While the firing was going on, I observed a party of Indians moving down from the
Mountains on my left front obviously with the intention of flanking the command. I ordered
Lieut. Martin to change front so that his skirmish line would form a right angle with the left of
the skirmishers of Troop “F”—This movement was promptly executed under a sharp, enfilading
fire, and the skirmishers of Troop “C”, opening fire upon the Indians in their front with the
skirmishers of Troop “F” were engaging those in front of them, the Indians abandoned the
positions they held and fled to the mountains on the right front. The hill (about 200 yards in
length and 300 or 400 feet in height) was then occupied by Troop “F” while Troop “C”
wheeled and swung around to the base of the hill in the valley between it and the high
mountains on the left. After giving the men a rest, I ordered Troop “C” to move forward
towards and up the mountain (800 or 1000 feet in height) now occupied by the Indians. These
mountains were nearly at a right angle to the first position held by the enemy and from which
they had been dislodged. While Troop “C” was advancing, I sent Lieut. Dickinson with ten or
twelve skirmishers of Troop “F” to work his way carefully up a ridge on the left of the
mountains and forming a part of them. I then moved forward with the remainder of the
skirmishers of Troop “F” in the interval between Troop “C” and Lieut. Dickinson’s skirmishers,
and after a scattering fire from the Indians they abandoned their secure position and fled
to the crags and peaks of the mountains on my right.
These mountains are from 1500 to 1800 feet higher than the hill first occupied by them.
The recall having been sounded, Troops “C” and “F” were formed and marched back to their
horses.
The casualties in Troop “C” were one private killed, and one Sergeant severely
wounded (through the body.) There were no casualties in Troop “F”.
During the engagement Lieuts. Wheeler and Dickinson, Troop “F”, and Lieut.
McGrath, attached to Troop “C”, behaved in a zealous and creditable manner. Lieut.
Martin, Comdg. Troop “C”, carried out my orders promptly and gallantly. Troops “C” and
“F” did their duty in a soldierly manner. Act. Assist Surg. Cockey was under a heavy fire and
when the Sergeant of Troop “C” was wounded cared for him professionally. I omitted to
mention that Lieut. Martin, Comdg. Troop “C”, was slightly wounded in the left forearm.
The positions taken by the Indians were strong ones, and they held their first
position tenaciously until driven out. 76
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