The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-19
The Murder or Colonel Craig.

from the San Dlego lCaHIornla) hTdd, oi 'he
18th Of June. we copy an account OF the murder
of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel LEWIS 8. CRAlo, OF
the third regiment Of United States infantry. as
also of Sergeant BALES, of the first artillery.
The startling intelligence reached San Diego on
the 10th instant Of the murder on the desert oil
COL Craig, third infantry, and Sergeant Bales,
first artillery, by two deserters from Major Heint-
zelman's command at Camp Yuma.
II ID stated by the military express rider, who
gives this information, that Col. Craig, accompa-
MED by sergeant of the third infantry, and by
Sergeant Bales. Of the first artillery, who was de-
tailed by Col Magruder, with a party to act I'M
der the orders of Col. Craig, an additional es-
cort to the Boundary Commission from this place
to Camp Yuma, met on the desert the two desert
ers, at about third Of the distance across from
this eide. They were on foot, and armed with per-
cussion rnusksts. The colonel, taking with him the
two sergeants, pursued them for some miles. call
ing on them TO surrender. At length they halted.
Col. Craig took off his sabre, gave it. with his pis-
to, to Sergeant Bales, and, dismounting, proceed
ed unarmed towards the deserters Offering to use
his influence in their favor if they would return
with him. The other sergeant in the meantime,
seeing the colonels mule stray oil, went to catch
it, heard shot, turned, and saw Col. Craig fall;
and at another shot saw Sergeant Bales fall. Be
fore he could recover the coonels mule the desert
ers fred upon him, and he fled to camp. Nothing
further was known Colonel Magruder, who was
on the spot at the old town of San Diego, when this
news came, Immediately sent native California
couriers to all the Indian chiefs between this and
San Gorgonia-some one hundred and thirty
miles-ordering them to turn out their men and TO
use every effort TO apprehend and deliver to him
alipe these murderers, offering, at the same time,
suitable rewards; the object being to establish
Gordon Of Indians from this place to San Gorgonia,
so as to block up all the avenues from the desert
to the upper country Subsequently, through the
promptness of MIR. George McKinstry, at San lsa-
bel, who had been communicated with by Major
McKinstry, from the depot there, trace OF them
was obtained, and Immediately an armed party Of
soldiers detached by Col. M, by the coast
road to Los Angeles to intercept and get ahead OF
them, whilst another, two days after, was sent TO
follow up their Trusty soldiers were at the
same time sent to watch at night the boats and
shipping in the harbor, to prevent escape by sea,
and the proper notifications were directed to be
sent to the shcrfs of Los Angeles and Santa Bar
was, that on the 18th inst. the murderers were de-
livered up to the colonel at the mission of San Di
ego, by Pablito Apiz, chief Of Temecula, to whom
he had sent orders. They are now we'll secured,
being heavily ironed and confined in strong and
separate cells.
Their muskcts, and knife belonging to Sar
geant Bales, were also delivered up by the chief
We hope speedy justice will overtake these mis-
creants II is said that Pablito showed much tact
in capturing these men. He first bought their
muskets and paid for them, then asked to look at
their only revolver; and, having got possession Of
it, ceoly told them they were his prisoners. Upon
showing a disposition to resist, fifteen Indians
sprung up from "parts unknown" and, drawing
| their bows, threatened instant death; whereupon
| they were put in the stocks by Pablito, and de-
| livered up the next day, as above stated.
Since writing the above, we have been furnished
with extract of letter received by express from
Camp zkma, which destroys all hope of the exist
ence of Colonel Craig, and assures Of the safety
Of Sergeant Bales, who, it appears, was wounded
| badly, and confirms fully the above melancholy
| intelligence:
Saturday morning, while yet on the road, we
met two deserters. Colonel Craig, with whom
riding al the time, rode in pursuit, taking two
sergeants with him, and not wishing to use force,
continued to follow them for several miles, talking
| and advising them to return The deserters at
length came to halt, and said the thing must be
decided without going further. Colonel c. then
| threw aside his sabre, and, handing his pistols to
| one of the sergeants, advanced unarmed toward
them. When within very few feet they (the de.
serters) fired-one ut Colonel Craig, the other at
| the sergeant, who was further off The colonel
| fell without word, and died in ten minutes
| he was shot through the stomach. The sergeant
| was wounded in the leg, the same shot killing his
horse, which fell with him, thus placing him alec
| in their power. The other sergeant was catching
| the colonel's mule, which had straycd. After
shooting the colonel and first sergeant, they COM
menced firing on him. He, seeing how matters
| were, turned his mule toward the train, leaving
| Colonel c 3 mule to be caught by the murderers
He overlook one or two Of the wagons, and, chang
| ing his animal, came into camp with the news. A
| who brought up the colonel's remains, also ths
| wounded sergeant.
| Colonel C. was killed June 6, about seven o'clock
! We buried him at camp where wells had been
lately dug by Captain Davidson, Eat alamo
| Mucho.)
"The Indians last night came into the Commits
sion camp and took fifteen Mules