Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

assured that no citizens of the republic of Mexico would be molested, harmed or injured in
person or property by my command, but I felt it incumbent upon me to pursue and, if possible,
destroy this band of murderers; the inhabitants of the border expected it of the troops, and we
were anxious to fulfil their reasonable expectations. Colonel Garcia replies in substance as
follows: “While I am willing to acknowledge the justice of your pursuit of these Indians,
nevertheless my government is strong enough to punish these people.” 86
The Mexican commander told Forsyth that his men had ambushed the Apaches who were
fleeing from the Americans, and had their women and children in the lead with the warriors
deployed as a rear guard to watch for the Americans. The Mexicans had suffered 22 killed and
16 wounded, but had killed 78 Apaches, mostly women and children, and captured 33 women
and children. Forsyth asked permission to visit the battle sight and did so in the company of
Colonel Garcia. The American commander then ordered his forces to leave Mexico over the
routes they had entered.
A MAGAZINE OF THE FORT HUACHUCA MUSEUM
Al Sieber, seated, with Indian Scouts in 1883.
Civilian scout Al Sieber, who had been with Rafferty and Tupper, was critical of Forsyth’s
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