Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-06-05
TERRIBLE INDIAN FIGHTS.
n Month Later from new Mexico

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE WITH THE IN
D1ANs--Llsr or KILLED AND wouNDED-AN-
OTHER FIGHT, ETC, ECT.
From the Santa Fe Gazette, April Is.
THE FIGHT AT CINEGuILLA.
Through the kindness of Gen. Garland aud Asst.
Adit, Gen. Nichols, we have been permitted to
read the official report of the fight at Cineguilla,
between the Apnches and the United States Ora
gnons; and we now have the pleasure to place an
account 6f the same before our readers.
After the fight between Lieut., Bell and Lobo's
party. the Indians crossed the mountains and
showed themselves on the road between Taes and
Santa Fee. On the evening Of the 29th ult., Maj.
Blake, commanding at Cantonment Burgune,or
dcrcd Lieut.. John W. Davidson with sixty men
of companies + and |, first regiment of L. States
Dragons, to make II scout in search of the enc
my. He left the cnnonmcnt the same evening,
aud was accompanied by Asst. Surgeon d. l..
Magruder. The next morning Lieut. d., with
his commands came upon party OF Apaehea.sup-
posed 60 number near two hundred warriors, at
the foot of the north slope of the mountains, and
not far from the small Mexican village of Cine
guila. When the troops appeared in sight, the
Indians Immediately raised their war whoop, and
manifested disposition to make an attack.
The camp of the Apaches situated upon
noun ain ridge land in position naturally strong
and difficult Of access. Lieut.. Davidson saw
that an action could not be avoided, and there
fore made the necessary preparations for battle.
He dismountcd his men, and with small guard
to protect and hold them, placed his horses a lit
tie way in the rear. With the balance of his
command not more than fifty strong he made
an attack upon the camp OF the Indians. The
soldiers charged brayely up the ridge, aud car
ricd Il g position of the Apaches, who were forced
to retreat. They rallied, however, almost i'm
mcdinteIy, and attacked the troops at close quar-
tiers, with great desperation; they were several
tines repulscd, and upon each occasion, seven
in all, rallied again to the charge. in every in
stance exhibiting the utmost determination and
bravery. The troops maintained this unequal
contest for nearly three hours, when they were
forced 10 give way and retreat, which they sue
cceded IN doing, and reached Taos the same af
tcrnoon, with their wounded.
The loss ON the part of the troops was very
severe The official report shows twenty-five
killed upon the field twenty-thrce wounded,sey-
cral of them BADLY and upwards of iorty-iye
horses killed and lost in the action. OF the In
dans, it is not known how many were killed,but
/ Lieut.. Davidson judges they must have lost at
/ least fifty or sixty" On the arrival of the troops
at Taos Major Blake Immediately started for the
] scene of action, to bring in the dead bodies, and
! took with him twenty soldiers,all he could mount,
few Mcxicans and Americans, and small par
! ty of Pueblo Indians. They succeeded in re-
covering the bodies of those killed, which they
took to Taos, and had Inferred
! This is one of the sevcrest battles that ever
took place between American troops and the In
dinns, and our loss much greater in proportion to
the number engaged. The Apache, fought with
| n bravery almost unprecedented.and we are well
convinced that nothing but the stubborn valor of
Lieut.. Davidson and his men saved the command
from entire destruction. The troops had great
| ~ the disadvantage. The Indians selected their
own position, on a rugged mountain ridge, and
the dragons had to charge up "A steep slope to
reach them. he latter were encountered with
their horses, which it required nearly fourth
part of the command TO take care of; and the
valley in which the troops were at the time they
commenced the attack, Is so filled with large
boulders 10 render the movement of horses al
most impossible. We are sorry 10 learn that
Lieut.. Davidson and DR.. Magruder were both
slightly wounded.
Since the fight at Cineguila; the Indians have
retreated to the west side of Rio del Norte. and
are now holly pursued by Col Cooke with near
lg two hundred Dragons andrilemen. aud n spy
company of citizens and Pueblo Indians, under
the command of Mr.. Jas. ii. Quinn, of Taos.-
The troops are on their trail. which leads among
the mountains to the North; and as the Indians
are encountered with their women and children,
and are reported in low spirits, think there is
some chance of their being overtaken.
General Garland has taken the most prompt
aud vigorous means to bring the war to u speed
V and successful termination. A large number
| of troops under the command of gallant and ex
perenced officers. have been ordered TO the north
and are in rapid pursuit of the enemy. We
cannot conclude this article without sgnfying
our appreciation of the gallant conduct of Lieut..
Davidson and Dr. Magruder, TO whose bra
very and good conduct is Justly attributed the
safe retreat of the Survivors of the command
lfbreyets were ever earned they were upon this
occasion.
Total killed in action, %; total wounded %
total killed and wounded, As.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE BAT
TIE OF CINEGUILLA.
We learn few further particulars of the bat
tie of Ceneguilla by private letter from Taos.
1t appears that eight or nine dead Indians were
left ON the field, and on passing a certain point on
the Oio Caliente, they admitted a loss Of twenty
three, and We're in great tribulation. Tie Indi-
ans are said, by the Mexicans, to be tired of the
war; and are ready to surrender all the plumber
they have taken and make peace Lieut. David
son was wounded in the shoulder by an arrow.
and Dr. Magruder was wounded in the hand and
mead Their wounds arc not considered danger