Apache Campaigns - Fort Huachuca - U.S. Army

the best gait possible, considering the rough and rugged country we were passing over, and
wherever we could do so we advanced rapidly from cover to cover, so as to lessen the danger
of being hit by the bullet of any lurking foe.
Our manner of advance had been determined after a thorough consultation, and I had
impressed it on the minds of the Indian scouts that my way was better than their own, as it was
now nearly impossible for the Apaches to conceal themselves so as entirely to cover our
approach and pick off more than one or two of our party, while, on the contrary, if we kept
pretty well bunched they might get all of us. After we had gone some twelve miles on the trail
we found a transverse ridge lying across the pathway, which ridge rose to a considerable
height, and was capped with a rock palisade extending as far as we could see to the right and
left, and this effectually cut off all flanking movements; but the trail at our front and centre ran
through a gradually deepening and narrowing gorge between solid rock, until at the upper
end the sides were quite high. Just beyond the top there floated the faintest, thinnest mist of
smoke in the atmosphere, which would not be noticed by a tenderfoot, and which I could
barely distinguish even my eagle-eyed scouts had called my attention to it.
Yuma Bill and those nearest us said that the Apaches were up there in an ambuscade
that they had laid for us; that there was no doubt about it; that a band of them had camped
and cooked there the night before, and, on our approach being discovered, they put out and
covered their fires, but had left a few faint indications behind them. It was not possible for us
to get a view in behind their supposed position by the use of our flanking scouts, so the only
approach was the narrow defile in front through which the trail led, and to follow it probably
meant death to some of us, as the hostiles were supposed to be lying to the right and left of it
on top of the high rocks, and would let us pass in and enclose us on all sides before opening
fire.
To my order to go on, and explanation that a soldier had to risk his life if necessary to
carry out his orders, they most solemnly demurred; neither would any single one consent to go
through and develop the position on my promise to make all available dispositions to cover his
retreat should he discover the enemy’s position without being killed. I had sent off my
corporal with a despatch, and he had not yet returned, so I was alone with the six Indians;
and as neither force nor persuasion would avail, I finally taunted them as cowards and
squaws, telling them that if they dared not go, their commander would, and that he, for one,
was not afraid of the Chiricahua Apaches. It being evident that a man would have no chance
mounted, I dismounted and gave my bridle-rein to one of the scouts, and instructed them to
watch and give me what protection they could; but if I was killed, or so badly wounded as to
be unable to get back to them, to keep together and defend themselves, and work back to the
cavalry command. After most carefully examining my arms, with my carbine in hand, cocked
and ready to fire at a flash, with a great show of boldness I struck out on the trail, indulging in
a little parting bravado that I could whip the whole Apache tribe.
Advancing into the defile, I soon lost sight of the scouts, and as I approached the
summit, only a few yards at most could be seen either to the front or rear, as the trail ran
through a deep and narrow passage with many turns and angles. Constantly expecting to
hear the sharp crack of a rifle, I tried to see in front, behind, and above, lest a hideous Apache
should quietly poke his gun over the edge of the chasm and shoot me in the back. So, with
every nerve strained to the utmost tension, I cautiously crept from angle to angle, crowding in
against one side to avoid a downward shot, yet frequently glancing at the top of the opposite
A MAGAZINE OF THE FORT HUACHUCA MUSEUM
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