Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-20
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FROM Inc Soulhsfn kGa.J bdnhSIi august ~
The melancholy tidings of the death of this
gallant young officer reached this place few
days since. He has many warm friends here,
where he was well known and esteemed for
his noble qualities and brave and generous
bearing We are sure the bereayed family Of
the deceased have the sympathies of the whole
community. The following letter, written by
one who knew him in boyhood, and brother
officer, gives the particulars Of his tragic and
untimely end:
FoRT UNION, NEW Mexico, July2, 1854.
Dear Sir For the last few months severe
and deadly war has been waged between the
troops in this territory and warlike though
diminished tribe of Indians, called the Taca-
rela Apaches In one battle we lost two
killed and four wounded. In another, twenty
two killed and twenty-one wounded. But how.
ever severe those battles were, ST. Bellies and
Danson's no officers had fallen. And now
speak Of the last fight, which has just occurred,
ton the 30th ultimo,) and in which our little
army has lost young and promising officer,
raised and educated in our town, namely, j. T..
Maxwell son of Mrs. Maxwell, of Athens, Ga.
Lieutenant Maxwell graduated from the
military academy in 1850, and has served
honorably aud faithfully as brevet and second
lieutenant in the Sd regiment of infantry, ever
Lieutenant Bell of the I'd dragons, had with
the Apaches, Lieutenant Maxwell although it
was the first time he had been under fire, con-
Quoted himself most galantly, as a man and
Georgian. In another skirmish with the same
Indians, being adjntant of the commanding
officer, he ran the gauntlet with the GOODNESS of
a veteran; yet he was to the last degree unas-
suming; and ], who was brother officer, sta.
toned at the same post, never but once heard
him speak Of his deeds; and | firmly believe
hewas partially unconscious that he had acted
so nobly and gallanty Mild by nature, yet
those, who have seen him in conflict aver he
was wholly changed, and cast all thoughts of
death behind him. Yet death, without mo.
ment's warning, has at length overtaken him.
On the morning of the 29th ultimo, Brevet
Captain Sykes and Lieutenant Maxwell, with
about sixty dragons, There being no dragoon
officers on duty at the post started in pursuit
of the party of Apaches, whose trail had been
seen the day before, o short distance from the
post After a hard and vigorous trail, the com
mand came in sight of the savages early on
the morning of the both. Captain Sykes sent
Lieutenant Maxwell with twenty DRAGONS up
a precipitate "mesa,' or small mountain, to
cut off the retreat of band Of about twenty
Indians, who were attempting to gain difficult
and almost impregnable passes of the noun
tains. Lieutenant Maxwell being well mounted,
charged at the head of his men to cut off the
enemy ere they could pass certain point
above him. Unfortunately, possibly from being
better mounted, himself and one sergeant and
two men arrived at the summit of the mesa
some few moments ere the rest Of his troops
closed up. AS soon as Lieutenant Maxwell,
twho was ahead,) with the three men, arrived
at the aforementioned place, the Indians
showed themselves above and commenced
deadly discharge of arrows.
Lieutenant Maxwell, with revolver in hand.
emptied it with deadly effect but ere he had
done so, he had received an arrow through his
body---completely through. He drew his sabre,
and in doing so his bride arm received another
arrow which passed through, and glanced
against his left breast. He still used his sabre,
and when he received his last shot, he was in
The act Of sabring an Indian but in that act,
while bis head was bowed to his horses name,
he fell-.an arrow in his brain-and fell like
knight of Ole, in his harness--his sword grasped
in his hand, a smile upon his face. The In
dams fed. Then came the troops laundering
ND the hil-but too late, alas for poor young
Maxwell had fallen! And rs Captain Sykes
saw him, with upturned lace, lying stark dead,
whom but moment since he viewed in the
prime and bloom Of manhood, he bowed his
head and wept as hone but q wa rrior can
Lieutenant Maxwell was buried at his post,
with military honors and around his lonely
grave were heard sobs and were seen tears
adown weather-beaten visages, where tears
were strangers. i, who had known him from
boyhood, followed him to his long home; and
although tears were TO me a stranger still,
when heard the soldiers requium and the fu-
SHADE over his grave, they did burst forth, I'M
controlled; and even now, while pen this sad
memorial Of his fate, they come unbidden.
He died without an enemy. He died as
soldier should, and lies wrapt in his martial
shroad, as is a soldiers due. Peace to him,
my friend and brother soldier. May it be my
lot thus 10 die glorious death.
w. G. A.,
First Lieutenant I'd Art, u. S. A.