Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

holes and crevices in the ground, and cliffs of all kinds. It’s a wonder we made it safely but we
did. When we came down on the plain we headed toward the Southern Pacific Railroad,
intending to get into the Chiricahua Mountains south of old Fort Bowie. In the darkness some
Indians who got confused strayed away from the band. But by morning most of us had
assembled at the designated rendezvous point and during the morning others rejoined us. By
now no one dared to try for an escape or to make his way back to the San Carlos Reservation.
It was too far and we were now too closely involved with the hostiles in the fight with the
troops.
The Apaches when moving about like this always designate an assembly point for the
end of a day’s or night’s journey. Such places are easily distinguishable landmarks that can
be pointed out well ahead, or previously-used stopping places, such as springs, which are
known to the tribe. If possible the assembly point is on high ground where we can get food,
observation and avoid surprise. So it was this time. We stopped on the side of a mountain
southeast of Fort Bowie. Here we rested and slept during the day, getting in shape for another
night trip. By thus moving mostly at night we escaped being seen and kept ahead of the
troops, who usually marched only in the daytime. While we were on this peak some of the
warriors did sentinel duty, observing especially toward Fort Bowie. We half expected to see
troops come out toward us but none did. Maybe they stayed in the post to protect their own
women and children or were looking for us somewhere else.
That night we headed southeast through the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains,
crossing and recrossing arroyos and hills. We stayed out of the main mountain range, whose
peaks exceed 9,000 feet in elevation, but we had to go through several rough canyons. It was
a terrible journey. During the following day we again rested in a hiding place while some of
the warriors again did sentry duty. By now we reached the frontier of Old Mexico having
marched at least 70 miles in the two nights since the fight on Stein’s Peak. We were somewhere
east of the present site of Douglas, Arizona, headed for mountains which stood in the
wide plain south of the border. So far we hadn’t seen a single enemy but rode along
peacefully, some of us very tired and sore from the unaccustomed long rides. After we had
crossed into Mexico we began to feel safe from attack by U.S. troops, not knowing that the
troop commander, hot on our trail, intended to cross the border with or without permission of
higher authorities. 80
The 4th Cavalry squadron made for the Gila River where he thought the hostiles were
heading. After a two-hour rest, they reached the main road to Richmond at 1:30 a.m. Here they
made a dry camp and received intelligence from a civilian that the Indians had left the Gila River
and were heading to Mexico. In the morning they were reinforced by Captain Gordon’s troop of
the 6th Cavalry and Lieutenant Gatewood’s Indian scouts. They sent their wounded into Lordsburg
and reversed direction, now heading for Mexico, and camping at Stein’s Pass station at 9:30 p.m.
on the 24th of April.
Forsyth also had a telegram sent from Lordsburg arranging for water and supplies to be
positioned for them at Separ station. The water was waiting for them there. Forsyth remembered
the scene.
...Our horses had travelled seventy-eight miles, sixteen at a gallop, in most intensely hot
weather, and had been forty hours without water, save about a pint each at Horse Shoe
Canon. We managed to procure several barrels in which to water them, and it was piteous to
hear them neigh and see them plunge as they heard the water rush into the barrels from the
A MAGAZINE OF THE FORT HUACHUCA MUSEUM
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