The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-18
the murder OF Col. Craig.

The following letters have been furnished TO US for
publication by Senator Dawson OF Georgia, 10 whom they
addressed They detail with melancholy exactness
the particulars OF the atrocous crime by which
gallant and chlvarous officer OF army met his death
while discharging his official duty in manner alike
brave and humane Colonel Craig il will be remembered,
was in command OF the military escort Of the boundary
commission His death will be deeply lamen,ed by the
army, OF which he was an ornament and by all who
knew him in the various walks OF life;
ASSISTANT QuARrERsAsrERs orrcE
San Diego, Cal, June IA, 1862.
SIR; rumor has reached this place, TO the effect that
Breyet Lieutenant. Colone Craig United States army,
murdered the Desert" between paiecta and Camp
Yuma" on the ella rivers and knowing that the news
papers OF San Francisco will publish the story TO the
world long before lis truth fasty be satisfactorily
established, take the liberty lin the absence Of knowl
edge of his wfes address) of narrang you all that is
known OF the circumstances connected with The
My" express nder" carrying the army mail from Camp
Yuma TO this place, met sergeant OF the Colonies
pany the It'll instant, Canisa creek" the
Desert, who informed him that Colonel Craig Sergeant
Beals and himself had fallen behind the escort TO the
boundary commission and had encountered two deserers
from Camp Yuma. Colonel G. dismounted from bis mule,
and endeavored persuade the to surrender, prom
isng TO ntercede for them with their commanding officer
During the conversation the Colones mule strayed and
he directed the narrator OF the story to go search of
the animal. Whilst in the execution of the ORDER be
heard the report OF gun, and turning his head dis
covered the Colonel in the OF falling and at this me-
ment another gun discharged, and Sergeant Beals
fell He then mounted the Coloners mule and made the
best OF his way TO overake the command in the adj
vance.
The express rider made search for the bodies, but
unsuccessful in finding ylhng conoborate the
sergeanls story. Two deser,es, answering the descrp-
ton of the supposed murderers passed the Rancho Of
San Isabel distant from here fifty mles) yesterday
morning, and of them, il is said, large knife
known to be the property of Sergeant Beals Two or
three different parties from this place in hot pursuit.
and have been the different Indian tribes
the mountains, notifying them OF the supposed murder
ers and offering large reward for their apprehension
1t will be some days ere can ascertain the truth and
apprehensive that The mail will pass down the
coast in the mean tme carrying the news to the States,
aggeraed to an indefinite extent by the tongue OF rumo
have deemed it proper knowing your intimate relations
with the Coonefs family, apprze you of the facts as
they exist do not believe the story but it may be that
the high regard and affection entertain for the Colonel
induces Incredibly not shared by others around me.
shall leave early in the morning for Santa Isabel and
will then take every means in my power ascertain the
truth.
II the fears OF the community realized, every effort
will be made the body, and bring his murderer
to punishment. 4 shall regard this not only as my duty
but melancholy pleasure, justified by intimate ac-
quantance of many years. standing with the Colonel and
full knowledge of his worth and standing as an officer
and hgh-toned gentleman.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
J. McKINSTRY,
Brevet Major U. A.
Hon. w. C. DAWSON,
III 8. Senate, Washington Civ ID C.