Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

After killing three Mexicans, one a woman, near White Sands, they exchanged gunfire
with Guilfoyle who now had with him 20 cavalrymen from Company L, 9th Cavalry, without any
loss to either side. The lieutenant kept close on their trail and jumped the Apaches again on 25
July. This time they captured the Indian camp and reported killing two Indians, although no
bodies were found, only blood stains.
Nana continued his raids, killing three citizens on one occasion and four Mexicans in the
foothills of the San Mateos on another. Nana caught a civilian posse napping at Red Canyon and
killed one and wounded seven others. But more importantly, he was again on horseback, having
taken thirty-eight mounts.
The black cavalrymen caught up with the band again on 3 August at Monica Springs in
the San Mateos, inflicting some unsure casualties before the hostiles melted away into the wilderness.
Guilfoyle’s detachment was now exhausted, his supplies and mounts depleted, and he had
to retire from the field to refit.
The theater was up in arms, with Colonel Hatch directing eight troops of cavalry, eight
companies of infantry, and two companies of Indian scouts. Hatch thought Nana had about 70
men with him, but it was probably closer to 40.
A fight developed on 12 August when Capt. Charles Parker overtook the hostiles twentyfive
miles west of Sabinal, near Carrizo Canyon. The soldiers lost one killed, three wounded,
and one missing. During the fight Sergeant Thomas Shaw displayed extraordinary courage under
fire and was cited by Parker. He was awarded the Medal of Honor. Nana lost four of his men
before breaking off.
Gustavus Valois. Photo courtesy U.S. Army Military History Institute.
On 16 August another fight between Nana and Lieut. Gustavus Valois, with Troop I,
Ninth Cavalry, took place along the Cuchillo Negro River. Valois, a Prussian and Civil War
captain, started over after the war as a private in the 5th Cavalry. Two enlisted men were killed,
six horses cut down, and 23-year-old 2d Lieut. George R. Burnett was hit twice while rescuing
one of his men. Burnett received a Medal of Honor for his action. First Sergeant Moses
Williams and Private Augustus Walley answered his call for volunteers to act as a rear guard to
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