Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

assistance promised from Bowie and Willcox. Arrived at Galeyville about 3 A.M. 25" and
found that the Indians had crossed the San Simon Valley, as we had expected, and had started
four or five hours before we left San Simon. 28 miles distant. I did not, under the circumstances,
feel authorized to march in a different direction from that in which the hostiles were
reported or might have started from the San Simon direct toward Guadalupe Canon, as the
matter was so discussed before leaving San Simon. Capt Rafferty with his troop and [Darr’s]
Scouts from Bowie joined us soon after sunrise in vicinity of Galeyville, having left packs and
rations to follow next day—strength about the same as my own.
Moved about seven miles to Cave Ck. and remained there until about sundown. Spent
the day in grazing and resting our stock, defining trails and trying to ascertain what the enemy
was about. Marched rapidly across the Valley after sundown but had to halt soon after
midnight, and after the moonrise. The hostiles had scattered somewhat, entered various
canons and gorges, and we could not possibly make out what their intentions were before
daylight. In fact we found ourselves among rocks and gulches, and unable to move intelligently
at all. Unsaddled and grazed where we were until daylight. Resumed trail as soon as
practicable on 26" Marched probably about 20 miles and camped about 3 P.M. The Bowie
pack train, upon which we would all soon be dependent for rations, was left at Cave Ck to
follow at daybreak 26". It joined us before sundown that night. Marched 27" passing
Cloverdale a short distance to our right across Animas Valley, over Animas Mts and camped
about sundown near mouth of canon on eastside of Mts, about 25 miles S.E. of Cloverdale.
We were satisfied that the enemy could not be many miles ahead of us, and 16 of our
most sagacious Scouts, selected for the purpose, were placed under charge of Guide Al Sieber
who reported to me from Bowie, at Galeyville, and I here wish to state that this man’s services
were invaluable to us throughout the trip.
Sieber left camp soon after sundown—balance of Scouts under Lts. Mills and [Darr]
12" Inf. perhaps a half hour in his rear. Left Pack trains—animals on herd and fires
burning—with orders to guard to keep them up as long as they naturally would be kept
burning if we were all there. And led the Cav. out of that canon about 8 P.M. with as little
noise as possible, no smoking or loud talk. My orders were to locate the hostile camp, and
learn as much of their position as possible, if they were in camp to do nothing in any manner
to alarm them—to dog them until daybreak if they were on the move, and for everything to be
stopped at once as soon as their locality, or any signs of it could be discovered. All of which
was fully understood between Sieber and myself, and by all my officers. After going about 8
or 9 miles, Sieber discovered the light of their fires on the opposite side of what proved a long
natural fortification. Two or three hours were consumed in learning positively that the hostiles
were there. This fact having been ascertained by three volunteers led by the (unintelligible) of
Mills’ Scouts, who reported hostiles making medicine, Mills and [Darr] were directed to effect
a encirclement with their Scouts, on the mountainside. (Unintelligible) before daybreak, if
possible, while Sieber guided me with the Cav. by a circuitous route, leading horses slowly
about seven miles around and below the hostiles’ position. Approaching it from the Valley,
and general direction in which they had been travelling. The Scouts were to open the ball as
soon after dawn as they could see well, and were all ready, when the Cav. was to come up on
the jump. Which was all done, and in my opinion as well done as possible. The surprise was
complete. Pack trains were to follow at daybreak, which was done. The hostile position had
been well chosen, evidently with the intention of making a fight—their flankers advance and
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