Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-29
FRAN the Southern fGa.) Banner, Aug. 10.


Death of Lieut. Maxwell-Iiis last Fight with the
Indians.
The melancholy tidings of the death of this
gallant young officer reached this place few days
since. He has many warm friends in this place,
where he was we'll known and esteemed for his
We are sure the bereaved family of the diseased
have the sympathies of the whole community. -
The following letter written by one who knew him
in boyhood, and brother officer, gives the par
ticulars of his tragic and untimely end:
FoRr UNION, (New Mexico,)
July I'd, 1854.
DEAR SIR For the last few months severe
and deadly war has been waged between the troops
in this Territory and a warlike though diminished
tribe of Indians, called the Tarcarella Apaches.-
In one battle we lost two killed and four wound
ed ; in another, twenty-five killed and twenty-one
wounded. But, however severe those battles were
(St. Bellies and Danson's, no officers had fallen.
And now speak of the last fight, which has just
occurred, ION the Goth ultimo,) and in which our
little army has lost young and promising othcer
raised and educated in our town-namely: j.
+. Maxwell, son of Mrs. Maxwell of Athens, Ga.
Lieut.. Maxwell graduated from the Military
Academy in 1910, and has served hOnorably and
faithfully brevet and second lieutenant in
the third regiment of infantry, ever since in this
country. In the fight Lieut.. Maxwell, al
though it was the first time he had been under fire,
Georgian. In another skirmish with the same In
dams, being adjutant of the commanding officer,
he ran the gauntlet with the GOODNESS of veteran:
vet he was to the last degree unassuming; and
who was brother officer, stationed at the same
post, never but once speak of his deeds; and l
he firmly believe he partially unconscious that
had acted so nobly and calamity. Mild by nature,
vet those who have seen him in conflict aver he
was wholly changed, and cast all thought of death
behind him. Yet death, without moments warn
ing has at length overtaken him.
On the morning of the 29th ult., Brevet- Cap
tain Sykes and Lieutenant Maxwell, with about
sixty dragons, (there being no dragon officers
on duty at the post started in pursuit OF the party
of Apaches. whose trail had been seen the day
before. a short distance from the post. At
ter hard and vigorous trail, the command came
in SIGHT of the savages early in the morning OF the
Both. Captain Sykes sent Lieut. Maxwell, with
twenty dragons, up precipltate mesa, or
small mountain, to cut of the retreat OF band OF
about twenty Indians, who were attempting TO
gain difficult and almost impregnable passes OF the
mountains Lieut. Maxwell being we'll mounted,
charged at the head of his men, to cut GH the en-
elny ere they could pass certain point above him.
Unfortunately possibly from being better mount
ed-himself and one sergeant and two men ar
rived at the summit of The MESA some few mo-
ments ere the rest Of his troops had closed up
As soon as Lieut.. Maxwell, (who was ahead,)
with three men, arrived at the above mentioned
place, the Indians showed themselves above, and
commenced deadly discharge of arrows.
Lieut. Maxwell, with revolver i'll hand, emptied
il with deadly effect; but ere he had done so, he
had received an arrow through his bOdy-com-
pletey through. lie drew his sabre, and in doing
so his bride arm received another arrow, which
passed through and glanced against his lett breast
lie still used his sabre, and when he received his
last shot he was in the act of sabrlng an indian
but in that act, while his head was bowed to his
horses name, he fell-an arrow through his brain
and fell like an knight Of old, in his harness.
his sword grasped in his hand, a smile upon his
face. The Indians fed Then came the troops
laundering I'D the hill--but too late, alas! for
poor YOUNG Maxwell had fallen! And as Capt.
Sykes saw him, with upturned face, lying stark
dead, whom but a moment since he viewed in the
prime and bloom Of manhood, he bowed his head
ana wept. as none but warrior can.
Lieutenant Maxwell was buried at his post,
with military honors and around his lonely
crave were heard sobs and were seen tears adown
weather beaten visages, where tears were stran-
gers l. who had known him from boyhood, fol-
lowed him to his long home, and although tears
were to me Il stranger, still, when heard the SOL
dier's requiem and the fusiade over his grave,
thew did burst forth uncontrolled; and even now,
while pen this sad memorial Of his fate, they
come unbiddcn.
He died without an enemy. He died as a SOL
der should, and lies wrapt in his martial shrouu,
as q soldiers due. Peace to him, ny friend and
brother soldier. May it be my lot thus to die
L glorious death.
w. C. A.,
First Lieut.. ID Arr. L. S. \.
ID IT A.