Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

in the face. Discussed advisability of killing what stock we had not captured but concluded
’twas best no to expend more ammunition just then.
Upon return next day, the evidences were that the enemy had left in a hurry, abandoned
a lot of plunder and even some ammunition—Exploded shells prepared for Winchester,
Springfield and Sharps fifties were found—considerable blood and a few dead Indians. There
were 74 head of stock driven away by us, 15 belonging to enemy killed on ground and 15 or
20 killed and abandoned by them during our pursuit from Chiricahua to Hatchet Mts. Two of
the captured horses were claimed by Capt. Gordon as having been lost by “D” Troop at
Cibecu last Aug. One of the dead Indians had on moccasins and clothing, recognized as
having belonged to Chief of Police, recently killed at San Carlos, and was recognized as a
Chiricahua deserter from our Scouts last fall. My officers know of 12 bucks and several
squaws killed by us, in our engagement of 28" April in Hatchet Mts. The bodies of five bucks
and three squaws killed by us were found in going on with Col. Forsyth and returning after
being dismissed by him.
While I do not attach superlative importance to a few Indians more of less killed, we
killed all and more than claimed in my dispatch of that evening. Col. Forsyth saw that
dispatch, but I notice in a published dispatch of his, repeated by Col. McKenzie that we are
credited with seven Indians, and if I understand it, the report is based on statement of Mexican
captives—Squaws.
My dispatch was based on my personal observation, knowledge of the circumstances,
and reports of my officers engaged who saw more than seven Indians fall and lie there for
hours in plain view. As a matter of fact more than seven dead bodies of Indians, killed by us,
were found on 29" and 30" April. We know that a number of those killed by Mexicans had
fresh wounds bandaged up. I attach no credence to squaw of Indian stories in this respect, but
if credence is to be attached to them, I have to say that my Indians claim fifty killed and
wounded and of the two, I prefer their statement to that of Mexican captive squaws.
Returned to our camp of previous evening about eleven (11) miles from scene of fight,
arriving about 3 P.M. Col. Forsyth arrived there on our trail about sundown and directed me
to proceed with his command on the following day, which I did.
Up to the time of his arrival I knew nothing of any forces following me, and had good
reason to presume that there were none, as our packs, leaving Cave Ck Chiricahua Mts.
morning of 26" had overtaken us that night, having nothing to do but to march.
With 100 additional men at 9 A.M. 28" I believe the hostiles could have been held cut
off from water for an indefinite time, and a surrender of the whole gang forced in about 24
hours. As it was, I think the pursuit of the Arizona Troops, under my command caused the
hostiles to be totally routed and a large portion annihilated by the Mexican Troops in open
country next morning 29" ult. about 25 miles from the scene of my engagement of 28" and
while attempting to escape to Mts. on opposite side of valley. The officers of my command
engaged on 28" April all of whom are deserving of mention were as follows: Capt. W. A.
Rafferty 6" Cav. Comdg Troop “M”—Lt. T. A. Toney 6" Cav. Comdg Troop “G”—2 Lt. S.
-. Mills and F. J. A. Darr 12" Infty Comdg Cos. “D” and “B” Indian Scouts—2 Lt. J. Y. F.
Blake 6" Cav. on duty with Troop “M” and Acting Assistant Surgeons Carroll and Brun.
Guides—Sieber, Keogh and Rohner and chief packer Neil rendered the best service in
their power, as did every officer, soldier, citizen of Scout, so far as my observation extended,
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