Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24
DEATH OF COL. CRAIG.

DEATH COL. ChAlu.
We have been permitted to copy the annexed
extracts from despatch of the Mexican Boundary
Commissioner to the Department of the Interior
MEXICAN BOUNDARY CoaMIssIoy,
CAMP YUMA, COLORADO RIVER, JUNE IL, 1897
Snl have the honor report the arrival OF that por-
ton OF the Boundary Commission charged with the survey
OF the river ella at this place from Ban Diego The march
been attended with accidents to wagons and
mules owing to the bad condition Of the road and diff
cutes Of crossing the desert 1t has also been attended
with sad and affecting calamity, which has cast gloom
over all this is the death of Bvt Lieut. COL CRAIG, the
excellent and efficient commander of the escort which
took place the 9th instant when midway across the
great desert AS all the circumstances connected with
this melancholy event win be interesting to the Depart
ment and to the friends of brave and distinguished
officer, here relate them.
On the 9th Of June, when encamped the desert be-
tween the Colorado and the Pacific, Lieut. Sweeney met
us from Camp Yuma. He informed that he was in
pursuit Of two deserters who doubtless still the
desert We left camp at o'clock P. NJ, being compelled
travel at night in consequence of the excessive heat of
the day left in advance, usual the wagons
ready; COL Craig riding at my side for hour and
hail. when, the road becoming very heavy, and the
wagons in consequence making but slow progress the
Colonel left and fell back. During the night various
gentlemen of the Commission joined me- reporting how
the train progressed This to be longest march
without stopping it being about fifty miles to the next
well on the desert, which it necessary to reach
early as possible. accordingly pushed in company
with the pack mules whose speed much greater than
Of the wagons and reached the well at Alamo Mucho
at O'clock having been just twelve hours the march
Two hours after my arrival with the pack mules others
| of the party came in, and among them Mr.. Malcolm
Seaton who reported that about break of day the
party had fallen in with the two deserter of whom Lieut.
Sweeney in pursuit That Col Craig having at once
recognised them by their dress and muskets, spoke to
them and asked where they were going They replied to
Vaecto The Colonel told them he knew that they
deserters from Camp Yuma and advised them
with him. They parleyed awhile, when they told the
Colonel that they would that they des-
perae and would shoot any who attempted to arrest
them The Colonel then called for Sergeant Qun, of his
command, and Sergeant Bale, the noncommissoned off,
Ger in command of the six furnished by Colonel
Magruder who, with the other soldiers, with the
wagons and followed the deserters There eight pr
Yates, in addition to the n-commissioned officers
whom he could have called had he deemed their aid and
presence necessary.
About hour after Sergeant Quin rode into camp
state of great excitement and related the following par
tcuars: That he and Sergeant Bale left the train &C.
cording to Colonel Crag ORDERS and joined him in pur-
suit of the two deserters that they up with
them, when the latter stopped and said they would go
further that they must settle the business there Col
Craig again expostulated with them and used the most
persuasive language to induce them to surrender them
selves and return with him to Camp Yuma. They said
that they would not return to that post The Colonel
then told them if they could live there he would
deavor to have them assigned his command if they
would quietly return He then dismounted from his
mule and handed his sxshooer Sergeant Bales the
same time throwing off his sabre. Thus disarmed he
approached the deserters telling them who he was show
| ing them that he had disarmed himself and intended
taking violent towards them. He still be-
ieved that when he pictured them the difficulties be-
fore them in crossing the DESERT and by using mild and
persuasive measures, he could prevail them
with him
At this moment his mule being without his rider moved
off, when the Colonel directed Sergeant Quin to stop him
The sergeant did So and thereby separated himself by
few rods from the Colonel and the other sergeant He
now heard the discharge of muskets and looking
saw Col Craig fall. The next moment he Sergean
Bales rapidly dschagng his xshooter at the deserters
his horse at the time prancing about and raising
dust He Immediately towards COL Craig but be
fore reaching him received the fire of the deserters him
self lie could then nothing either Sergeant Bale
or his horse. Believing them to have been disabled OF
killed. and the deserers having fred four shots at him
he made his way off fast possible to my camp the
well of Alamo Nueho in advance of the wagons
Immediately the arrival Of the wagons discharged
the ambulance and prepared it with party in
search of Colonel Craig and the missing Sergeant and
placed il under the charge of DIR. Thomas H. Webb,
Lieut. Whippe, and others accompanying him. Bedding,
clothing water and provisions placed in the
ambulance.
Although in the midst Of the desert unprotect-
ed by q tree o shrub without food for animals,
save very little corn 1.-THE last of which then distri-
buted) and with a broing pouring down on us, /
felt my duty await the return Of Dr. Webb hoping
that Col Craig might be brought in alive We therefore
remained in camp all this day and the following night
The day, at about O'Clock p NJ the party
ed bringing the dead body Of Colonel Craig and Sergeant
Bales disabled by buckshot wounds. For other par
ticuars of this sad narrative refer you the
panying letter Of DR.. Webb Not received.
was DESTROYS to take the body Of Col Craig to Fort
Yuba and have it buried with funeral honors but Doctor
Webb reported that it mpracticabe owing to its
rapid decomposition, it would require if three
days reach this post The body therefore deposit
ed in deep grave the road the DESERT at sunset
the burial service being read At o'clock P. M. the
Commission moved on and the second day after reached
Fort Yuma.
An express rider, his way from Fort Yuma to San
Diego, encamped with the Commission on the day the
events above related took place This overlook Dr.
Webb the spot where the transactions referred to