New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-21
Mexican boundary Commission.

al tnar could De desired
Mexican boundary COmmission'
From In. Provd~nce Journa, Dec ~
The writer Of the following letter IL attached
to the party with Mr.. Bartlett. 1t was UT.
Bartlett's intention 20 start the next da!, W
way of Saltillo and Monterey Tor Camargo;
which be expected 10 reach IN forty days, anu
where he had appointed to meet MAJOR hmoi!'
C,urAJrrA. Mexico, Saturday, Oct o. 1872.
We arrived here Yesterday after a journey OF
fifteen days from Fl Psso the distance about ~ or f'
The frstday from Fl Paso reached San Eleazario
d rniles the next about ~, when we encanped near
tho Rio Grapde which had vet 20 be crossed Finding
the river deep and the banks steep, we cut away 'ne
| latter with spades.
After thu we journeyei very pleasantly with de-
lghtfu weather and with natural road as .n9.t as
the Pswtucket turnpike The party all enjoyed them
selves much, and the march was more agrceaoe tian
any have had since have been In the COrnni'soh'
But on the 18th occurred Of those terrible events
which though Of frequent occurrence in this country
had not before happened 10 This was an atacS on
our train by the Indians, and short but severe fgt
On the morning of the day mentioned started from
the camp with four others ltle in advance OF the
train, which after sartod Thoe IN advance were
mounted Our camp in the middle Of broad pam,
without tree shrub or rock near, and from the time
we had left the Rio Grande we had not passed MI or
ravine-a was a vast open PLAIN with mountains from
ten 10 twenty mile distant From the camp In qust
there mountains from one 10 TWO es u.s.
tant but ell was open between VI ana them. -
When about mile from the camp, crossed small
avine, some eight or ten feet deep, hned win low
bushes soon after which, hearing guns discharged and
unusual yells looked around and sow band OF In
dians mounted horses, charging fur1ously on tAe
wagons, then two hundred to three hundred yards pc
hind us and who had come from the ravine mentioned.
We turned about andin two minutes were along
eide OF the train BY the time we arrived the Indians
having crossed and recTosscd. and Jailed 10 STAN
pede" O. e. brighten the riues) and seeing US close on
their heels with our pistols presented pushed 10 the
rear of the train where they made tremendous charge
on the party there which driving the loose mules,
eight in number SO sudden was the attack, mat tnosc
in the rear did not perceive the enemy until the fore
| most were upoa them, their arrows flying and hnces
poised Two men endorsed in this charge, and
third pierced TO the heart by thrust from lance zen
dead from his horfe; although it is said he ao received
! GROW.
Tho 6obt was now around the last wagon, which the
savages had cut of from the rest, and from which they
endeavcred detach the mules and cause them 10 run
ind break loose themselves but the teamster, with
much presence Of mind jumped from the mule he rode
and bringing biz leaders around fastened their heas 70
the wagon lie then got his rifle from the wagon ana
bravely defended it, The arrows now lew In all d.
rections and lences thrust At the eamsers Oar
five Mexican soldiers too had got from the wagons and
firing their muskets fast they could in fact
by this time the firing pretty general but W IN men
on horseback, rather mules, with the enemy on
the full run, throwing himself about on his spirited
horse to avoid being shot fire had but little Ell
feet, one Indian only being killed IL was satisfaction
however, ell, TO know that this the man who
Gdancod one OF our party and caused his DEATH Ine
lost also the horses ridden by the two iner who were
uDhorsed on the first charge and one other making
eleven in ALL They were frightened by the yelling In
dians when all control them was lost and they
were rushed of with all speed across the plain, that
it would have been useless TO follow Oar only trophy
the horse saddle blankets and equipments OF the
Indian killed.
The rascsls when we had all come up and charged
them found it rather too hot and gave making tor
the mountains with all speed, followed closely by hye
six Of but the advantage was all on their
side for they had fresh horses while we only had mules
to pursue them with yet the could not DC restrained,
and pursued them without any advantage, for about
one ana bali or two miles into the mountains, wncre,
fearing that larger numbers might he concealed behind
rocks IL rayines they very reluctantly gaze up Inc
chase.
we were unwilling TO run further risk by separating
party and exposing the wagons 10 another attack for
we feared tha. many Of the Indians hsd concealed them
selves under the bushes and Otherwise di-sppelrei
This is their mode OF warfare to lie concealed and eur
prise small parties.
Mr. ThuTbor had a narrow escape from being cut of.
Being in the of the train lac just putting plant
in hi portfolio, when the Indians were upon him. He
had time TO tic up his pazt, but mounting his mule,
stood on the defensive. The Mexican soldiers, seeing
hi predicament TO his cid and being loot
feared by the Indians who hatened away out of
reach OF their muskets
Although we lost one man aud eleven animals we
think got of well, for saved train and the
valuable property contained and drove oil the enemy
Their plan to STAN pce The mules, which 20 fright
them, when they uncomfortable, jumping in their
traces. breaking the wagon-tongues ana eStricatng
Themselves The Indians then keen up their ls and
screams prick the animals with their ances and when
they once get them started, no human power can re-
strain them With the speed of race horses and frantic
with aai m. they ruh scross the plains and over the
mountains, until they get from 60 TO 100 miles from their
starting lace when they conceal them.eves and their
stolen animals in rGyine in the mountains wAcTc
they cannot be found.
Great credit is due TO the teansteIs, whom, more
than upon any else depended the safety of the train
When the Indians charged on them, hrst dlscharslng
their and then posing their long lances toward
them they first restrained their restivc and frightened
an.nals end then presented their pistols rides nj the
Indians without dischargng them. This kept them be-
yond the reach OF their long ances and with their bows
and arrows the Indians N ssed their markalthOugh
men had very narrow escapes. Several arrow points
with broken chats found after the fight, deeply I'M
bedded in the wsgonboxCs well as few bue.-hol5s
/ for some of the Indians had firearms.
After buTying our man. we again moved of, anxious
get far as possible from the OF this disaster
We all believed the Indians would rally and again
tack us We therefore moved with great caution keep
ing as compact as possible and posting On every
little cmincncc we passed. IN order that might
an the approaches TO the road. We al-O took in
at the fret pool met, so that we could encanp where
we could best fOrtiy ourselves An open plain
lcctcd, u corral inclosure made OF the wagons, a
double guard placed, and think can with truth say
that every slept with eye open. Within mile
| Of the ravine where were attacked, We many
graves and fragments of clothing, marking the spot
where similar attack made large train only
week 80 before; several men killed. and thirty sni-
mails captured II is the same spot too where entire
] DESTROYED WI 400