The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-06
TINE INDIAN TRouRLEs mn NAV MExIco

From the files of the Santa Fe Gazette we take the fol-
lowing account of the rencontre which have before
nounced AS having taken place between the United States
troops and the Apaches, Fort Union;
On the I'd inst Lieut. Col Cooke commanding al Fort
Union sent Lieut. Bell with his company of dragons
pursuit Of party of Apaohes who had committed
depredaons near that post There originally in all
81 men, besides Captain Sykes and Lieut. Maxwell, who
went along amateurs; but the first second day out
accidentally shot himself three others were
detached to carry him back to the fort This left 29 six Of
whom were left with the pack animals and in the
fight They struck the Indian trail Sunday morning about
10 o'clock 30 40 miles below the crossing of the Red
river, and which they followed short distance when
they discovered two mounted Indians who fed their
approach. Soon after they lookout hill him
they pursued and captured While conversing with the
prisoner they twenty thirty warriors painted and
ready for fight, coming up at full gallop. Lieut. Bell at
the head Of his men, advanced to them and held
parey He told them his object peaccable and
evidence Of it. gave up the he had captured said
they must surrender three Of their horses for the three
cattle they had recently killed. and also their chief Lobo
This they refused to do denying all knowledge Of the
ter whereupon Bell ordered his take three Of their
best horses which he pointed out and Lobo the chief
This made the Indians furious and they showed every
demonstration for fight Lobo in the time making
his escape and again placed himself at their head Lieut.
Bell now determined to attack them, which, when per-
ceved by the Indians they dsmounted turned their horses
loose and prepared 70 resist They were drawn up oppo
line and the Indians in semi-circlc Bell charged
through Them the using Colts pistols instead Of the
sabre the Indians falling fiat the ground or lodging
behind their horses The dragons wheeled and charged
them again then they broke and into dead ravne
near by inaccessible to horsemen and thus made their
escape. Two soldiers killed and four badly wound
ed of the Indians FIVE killed including their chief
Lobo and many are supposed to have been wounded,
much blood upon the rocks, and several were
helped away by their comrades Among the spoils that
fell into the hands of the Americans the horse bows
arrows, lance &c, of the chief Lieut. Bell the
ming marched for the crossing Of the Red river with his
wounded he not strong enough to pursue the In
dans and the night after the attack, band Of forty
made descent on the herd Of cattle
belonging to Fort Union and off 200 head. Lieut.
Bell has already been ordered to in pursuit and also
meet the mail and see il safe in.
The St Louis Republican furnishes with further par
tculas Of Lieut. Davidsons engagement with the
Apaches, which submit in addition to what we have
before given
The battle lasted three hours and Lieut. D. having lost
two-thirds of his command forced retire fighting
his two miles and with the disadvantage of
ceived an arrow wound not very in
conflict Surgeon Msgruder also wounded slightly
The Republican adds
The victory was a deary-bought one TO the Indians
vast superiority in numbers gave them the triumph Every
thing safe at Cantonment Burgwn, Taos there
being fifty odd there II expected that the whole
Of the generals dposable force would be against
the enemy"
letter dated Taos March 81 says
They commenced firing upon us every shot taking e.
feet either upon the horses 1t sad sight
see many falling dead by my side We were in so
bad place that the Indians had great advantage Of us
had stopped three minutes longer, man would
have been saved The wounded now in the hospital
Mexican whom met in Taos to-day told that he was
al the place of action yesterday afternoon and counted
sixfy dead Indian bodies,
Major Blake and Thompson, with few troops and a
large number Of Mexcans started last night bring
the dead bodies and to attack the Indians II they could be
found"