Washington telegraph., 1849-11-07
From the ~ o. Picayssaze, 221 ult.
GREAT FIGHT WITH THE APACHES

From the ~ o. Picayuaze. 22d uit.
GREAT FIGHT WITH THE APACHEs.
1t will lie recollected by our readers
that the Mexican state of Durango, which
has been from time immenorial prey
to the savage incursions of the Apache
Indians. who have ruined their agriculture
and almost dissolved the bonds of civilized
society among the poor Mexicans residing
at spots distant from the large towns, de-
cided few months ago TO invite adven-
turers from the United States to form guer-
rilla bands. in order to make war Oh their
merciless foe. For this purpose the leg
islature appropriated certain amount OF
head money, $500, for each Indian taken
dead or alive. Several companies were
soon formed, and some terrible encounters
have taken place between the Americans
and the Indians, in all Of which the latter
have been worsted, loosing large NUM-
Der of their chief warriors, killed or made
prisoners. The Mexican papers at the
capital at first denounced this system OF
mercenary warfare, and we believe that
the Congress passed strong resolution
condemnatory of the conduct OF the Du-
range Legislature, and also that OF Sonora,
which had initiated the former. Our last
advices, however, from Mexico, received
yesterday, state that public feeling III that
city had changed on this subject, and the
Siglo, one of the most influential OF the
metropolitan prints, declares that there is
no other way of getting rid of the scourge.
Among the American companies that
have distinguished themselves III this war.
fare, that commanded by Capt Box, IN
the service of the State of Durango, Is IN
the first rank. This body had terrific
encounter with band Of Apaches on the
Sd of September, and although but 80
against between 200 and 300, they came
off victorious. The Mexicans are quite
enchanted with their deeds, and the Slglo
of the 2lst nit. devoles considerable
space to narrative of their explolls.
We translate from that paper the tol-
lowing:
MOST IMPORTANT.
STATE OF DURANGO, Sept. 6, iS49.
For the information of the Inhabitants
of the State we publish an extra contain
ing the following letter received by ex-
press from Santiago Papasquiaro, giving
an account Of the fight which took place
at daylight on the Sd inst, between the
savages and the valiant guerrilla company
of NOrte- ANaer1canOS sent III pursuit OF
them by the Supreme Government. We
congratulate our fellow-citizens on the
victory gained over the feroclous enemy,
and we trust that it will reanlmate our
people, and convince them that the In
diaus are not invulnerable, since less than
thirty men have put to flight more than
Two hundred of them, after stretching
upwards of twenty dead on the field.
TO tile Secretary 0f the Supreme Go0ern-
mzent Of Durango;
AMERICAN GUERRILLA COMPANY
OF CAPT Box,
Santiago, Sept 5, 1919. }
Sy-Last night overlook the enemy
among the ruins of the rancho of Iala-
veras, distant one league from Papasqui.
arc. AT O clock this morning the battle
commenced, when the positions an3 en-
trenchments of the Indians were carried
by assault They fed, leaving five killed
and ten prisoners, whom | handed ovel
to the Alcalde of Papasquiaro. The In.
dans shortly afterwards recovered from
their surprise. and finding how small ouI
number was, and their own overwhelming
superiority, they returned and made Z
furious attack on us-hve MeXicans on
horse back, and the Americans who were
entrenched within the rancho. Being
re pulsed, they dashed off toward the spo
where the Americans had left their horses
| which necessitated retreat by the lattel
| to defend their cattle.
As the Americans were on foot, will
my four men on horseback kept the enc
my in check until they reached the spo
where their horses stood. Here the ell
| counter was tremendous, and the firing
was without interinission on both sides
| Mr.. Thomas Cloaland [CleaveIand, per
hapsl was the first that fell, after he ha(
killed two Indians He was captured
alive, having been suddenly seized by tht
enemy, who Immediately cut off his head
The Indians finding their loss so sever,
by the precision with which the Ameri
cans delivered their fire. at length re
treated and again took mp their position
at the rancho, which had been abandoned
by the latter, when they FASTENED to The
! defence of their cattle. The COMPANY
returned TO the charge with admirable
courage and again stormed the entrench
ment, driving ont the Indians with ;
heavy loss The latter than made an
other attempt at the cattle, but the Amer
leans pursued them, and after half al
| xs~ a.-l~< u,
| Indians returned TO their entreuchment:
at the rancho, when the fire having
ceased, they collected their dead ant
wounded, which lay exposed on the field
The fight lasted three hours, and l50(