The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-18

SAN DIEeo, California. June 10, 1852
DEAR II is with the deepest pain | announce 10
you the death Of Lieut. COL Craig, Sd infantry, who was
murdered in the desert between this and camp Yuma
willis, 10 the discharge Of his duty an officer The
sad event occurred the 9th OF June, at o'clock a.
That he bore you proudly in his heart, where none
but honorable memories could find a resting. place ius.
tihes me in addressing you without apology, though
have not the honor 10 be personally knswn 10 you.
The circumstances OF his death illustrate the character
Of the man, and briefly these Cosnel Craig on the
morning OF the 9th instant when about onethrd of the
way the desert from this SIDE met two deserers
irom Camp Yuma, trying TO make their way in 10 the
settlements. They were foot. and armed with per-
cussion muskeis The Colonel and his rarity were on
mules. lie pursued the desertets, taking with him two
sergeants who, like himself armed with pistols and
sabes lie followed them two three miles, urging them
to surrender and stating 10 them that he did not intend TO
force. AT length the deserers halted and Colonel
Cfag taking Oh his sabre and pistol and handing them 10
sergeant in their presence, dsmounted, and unarmed
approached them, addressing them at he same time
The Colonies mule having strayel at that Moment
one OF the sergeants went catch il. In The act of
doing so, he heard too shots in rapid succession
Turning bis head, be the Col and Sergeant Beals
fall. They then commenced firing on him. when he nut
spurs TO his horse and fled 10 camp party was mme.
dately sent The body OF Colonel Craig was found
and II the sergeant, who had been wounded in the
leg, the same ball killing his mule The wounded ser.
geant stated that Colonel Craig was fred upon when
within few feet OF the deseres received the shot in
the front and lower part of his body did not speak and
expired in about ten minutes He buried on the
desert at place called the alamo Wells" Thus ter
minated the Of this gallant off er and most
honorable and estimable
/ received the first intelligence OF the above about ~
o'clock on the 10th instant, and at g. D. M despatched
native couriers TO all the Indian tribes between this and
the mountains Los Angeles distance Of some one
hundred and thirty miles, ordering The chiefs to turn
out their men and TO use every effort to spprehend the
murderers. This accomplished on the 18th BY an
Indian chief The prisoners delivered to me on the
l6h and securely ronei in the cells Of the mis-
sion. The pistol OF Colonel Craig and the hunting. knife
Of Sergeant Beals found their persons The SER
geant will recover 10 supply any link in the chain OF
evidence which may be wanting; and we have the
mournul satisfaction 10 know, least that IL their VIC
tim cannot be recalled to life, his assassins cannot e.
cape the punishment due TO their Infamous crime. This
event has cast gloom over us all which could not have
been produced BY the DEATH under any circumstance OF
an ordinary man. From the same pat Of the country
we tCag and myself have been friends from bovhood
companions in-arms through the wars OF Florida and
Mexico, and for the last four months have seen him
almost daily here. After he left u.s. visited him. some
twenty miles on his road, spend last night with him
shared his tent, and left him in the morning filed with
The brightest anicpaons. The road, though long, had
these he ever eckoned ysu one Of the best not only OF
himself, but Of his family leave the task to you, there
fore, TO communicate 10 Mrs Craig this cad news anq