Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

the crevices in the precipitous rocks in which in most places the mountains terminated.
The company was then withdrawn without molestation. We captured and killed about
six horses and mules. Private Leonard of the company was severely wounded through the left
instep and right leg. While the entire company composed principally of recruits acted with
cool deliberation and courage I would specially mention Private Leonard, who was wounded,
for marked courage and enterprise and also Private Schintger, a recruit, who assisted in
rescuing the former after being wounded. 77
And finally, this report from Lieut. J. W. Martin rounds out the descriptions of the Stein’s
Peak fight.
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operation of “C” Troop 4"
Cavalry in the engagement of the 23d instant.
We attacked the enemy on the left of our line with “F” Troop 4" Cavalry, Major Davis
directing the operations of both Troops. Both Troops advanced in skirmish line, “F” 100
yards in advance of “C”.
The Indians opened fire from behind some large rocks on the top of a hill about four
hundred yards in our front. In a few moments we observed that others were making behind a
ridge on our left flank and Major Davis ordered me to form a line on his left and cover the left
flank. This I did by falling back to the shelter of a ditch about thirty yards in our rear facing
my line to the rear. and forming line on Davis’ left nearly at right angles to his. The situation
during this movement was critical we received an enfilading fire for a few moments which
killed one man of my troop and wounded another. Two or three Recruits on the marching
flank showed signs of wavering but owing to the exertions of Lieut. Magrath (who is attached
to my troop they were rallied and in another moment the Indians broke and retreated to their
left behind a ridge in front of Major Davis’ line and back through the mountains to the rear.
Our line was then straightened out and advanced and in a short time all firing in our
front ceased and we advanced till recall was sounded.
I think there were about fifty Indians in our front and that we probably shot two or three
of them. 78
The regimental commander recalled that his casualties “were slight.” He had lost one
NCO, two privates and four scouts killed, and one officer and from six to eight men wounded.
They had captured 30 ponies and mules, killing those that they did not need for the Indian
scouts.
Forsyth believed that his regiment’s marksmanship training had paid off in the battle. “In
this action I first saw the good effects of our (then new) system of rifle practice. Our men were
far better shots than the Indians, and kept them down and under cover almost constantly.” 79
The fight at Stein’s Peak (or Horseshoe Canyon) is related by Jason Betzinez, one of
Loco’s people who was along during the breakout.
About sunset the men who had been attacking the ranch came in with several more
horses and mules. The leaders after talking among themselves announced that we would
make a long night march, meeting at daylight at a certain spring or waterhole at the foot of
Stein’s Peak Mountains many miles to the south of us.
Night fell, dark and moonless. All through the night we rode close together, so that no
one would stray away from the column. The warriors rode on all sides of us in order to keep
us together but in spite of their watchfulness some members of the Warm Springs band
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