The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-30

of this treacherous race than ourselves. lhey
serny demanded who we were, ana ior what we
were in the Apache country One OF then' namou
Gomez, and as we afterwards learned the terror OF
Chihuahua, was particularly anxious 10 attack US
at once They were answered that we were Anne
rcans, en- route 10 Preside Our intentions de-
pended on their own. We had come there peace
able, that we remained so belonged to them. They
insisted that should instantly come with them
and have talk, but were told there could be no
conference until their men were drawn Oft and they
came up unarmed. This appeared to excite dis
sension among them Some were for instant at.
tack, while others were undecided MIR. Howard
came down and Joined me- The chief Gomez call
ed out that we were afraid, and that If we did not
move they said their fight would commence
but there was that in the eye and reply of our IN
trepd young guide and interpreter that caused HIM
TO lower his tone. 1t was satisfactory to see, al
this moment, the cool and resolute demeanor Of the
escort who, under the direction of Lieut. Smith
had now tied the heads Of their animals together,
and were waiting for the raising of hand to COM
mence the unequal struggle. On the right and ef'
two parties had stripped and dismounted, with their
bows and arrows in readiness 10 take US as nearly
as possible in flank, while another IN front and
mounted appeared about TO charge. But the nhu-
ence Of Gomez was not sufficient to bring the ma
ority Of the chiefs his advice and they agreed to
draw off their people and parley. This was done
and il decided that they should proceed in adj
vance to the water hard by, where they were en-
camped, and that should follow, select our camp
and in the evening decide our future relations by
council. We took post in small ravne which
afforded some little chance for defence The In
dans, who had here very large cavalcade of horses
and drove of cattle, were all around u.s. Our sit
uaton was gloomy, and few considered we had
any chance Of escape. The chief Gomez was par
tcuarly urgent that we should scatter about and
look for wood, here quite scarce, and go to cook
ing, repeatedly saying he was friendly; but, OBJ
serving that his party were all mounted, and their
bows still strung, we remained together, each man
by his saddle, his arms in his hand, and watching
with great anxiety the movement of the Indians.
At in the evening, the chiefs, unarmed and with
their blankets, appeared to talk. Through the me-
dunn of Mr. Howard, explained that we were an
advanced party of the army soon to appear upon
this line. That towards all friendly Indians the in
teptions of the United States were friendly. Agents
would probably be sent among them, and while
they continued peaceable they would be put upon
the same footing with the other Indian tribes That
the commanding general was DESTROYS that their
chiefs should meet him on his approach and enter
into treaty. Making them some trifing presents
of tobacco, &c, which they begged an earnest of
amity, they all seemed satisfied but Gomez, who
to the last retained his fierce and insulting de-
meanor.
They were anxious as to our relations with Mex
that power, but were now at peace, and that the
army would advance TO maintain that peace. The
ghtest ausion, however, to that part of the treaty
which relates to restraining Indian depredatons
upon Mexico and restoring Mexican captves would
have been the signal for desperate struggle from
which fifteen men, with but two days scant allow
ance Of provisions, without wood and water, and
totally unsheltered, badly armed and worse equip
ped had but little chance to escape with life
We LAID down that night upon our arms; the ex-
IRENE codness Of the mountain atmosphere increased
our discomfort. Expecting to be attacked each mo-
ment, but little sleeping done. In the morn.
ing we learned from Mexican captive that war
talk had been held, and Gomez only prevented
during the night from falling on us by the refusal
of the chiefs Cigarrito and Chiuonero to aid him.
Saddling up on the morning of the 18th, and
leaving this locality designated in after CONVEX
sations as "Gomez camp" we retraced our march
of yesterday, guided by the friendly chief Cigar
rito. Gomez himself took leave in a very insulting
manner, and warned never TO visit that country
again. We learned that he was then but four
days from Mexico, with large cavalcade, a great
many cattle, and the plumber of his recent excur-
sons into Chihuahua The old chief, who, riding
at the head of train, related these things added
that we must beware of him, for his designs were
yet hostile, and begged TO be excupated from all
share IN his operations. We stopped at Cigarrito's
camp, taking position above 1t from which we
could defy alike open attack and treachery. The
! Indians, whether friendly or hostile are the most
accomplished thieves ever met with, and not one
! who permitted TO come our fires in spite
! Of watching, but went off laden with small articles.
! The most serious loss TO myself did not discover
| until some days afterwards, when | found that my
saddle-bags had been picked of various things, in
GLIDING bundle of papers, comprising all my
,rders, instructions, letters, private Journal and
n,o,.,v vouchers for disbursements at Fredericks-
hnrg 7, was done while the council was being
held and !, ,-as dark Thus the desire of one day
retal,atino nnan iomez and his party was not les
sened by the reflection that he was then probably
using my most important 'ape" =" cover 0isar-
ri,o's
The warning of the old chief of ne Southern
Apaches was not needless Inducing, by tn GUT Oh
a couple of blankets, one OF his men TO put us on
trail which might cross the range of mountains, we
lett the Apache village Our route was still some
what back upon course, for we found we had
come great deal west, and were told that difficult
and tedious path would have to be followed south
II we persisted The Indian at length, coming in
sight of notable mountain peak pointed the
course and left us. We entered fairly into the
gorge of a beautiful pass, and through it, winding
It's way between lofty and perpendicular walls OF
basalt, runs clear brook. The travel was fine
continued succession Of cottonwood groves mixed
with cedar, oak, and blackberry, while the multi
tudes of wild roses, the only ores we had met with
IN Texas, made new feature in the picture. We
were pleased to find that ttle or no labor would be
required TO pass the road through the mountains
here; and thus, tor had almost despaired Of a
practicable route, gave new courage
A small band of Indians in advance Of US, and
whom we met in the pass towards night, took To
fight.
The creek | named the Lmpia, and at one
O'Clock the next day, 2Oth March, we passed the
mountains, and reached the point where we were
TO leave It's refreshing waters. The cottonwood
trees here, growing to great size, were marked
with the rude painting of the Camanches.
Alarm smokes and signal smokes had now be-
gun to appear in every direction, and the signs
around US warned us TO be guarded. Although
only one O'Clock, all our preparations to camp were
made, the animals staked out packs and saddles
properly placed. The men carefully examined
their arms.
At o'clock at night, saddling up, we silently
took up our sombre march leaving our camp-hres
burning, quitting the trails another measure Of
precauton, and holding course by the stars, the
men were directed TO march four and five abreast.
the pack mules TO be led, and the Mexicans to be
ready to fasten all the animals together at a mo-
ment's warning. We were trsversing bare dog Is
town prallle. IL was there that Gomez expected to
kar ~ al, - II.