The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-08-28
From the Southern (Ga.) Banner, Aug. TO-.
Death of Lieut.. MaxWell-Iiis last Fig Int
.. with the Indians.


The melancholy tdings of the death of this
young officer reached this place few days
since. He has many warm friends in this
place, where he was well known and esteemed
for his noble qualities and brave and generous
bearing. We are sure l.,c borcaYtd family of
the deceased have i,i' symPataics Q! the whole
community i!lr following letter, written by
one who knew an in 5Gyhood and Il brother
officer, gives the particulars OF lis tragic and
untime.y end:
FORT Union. y. NJ, Ed.il ., 1852
DEAR Sir: For the last few months a Sc
we're and deadly war has been waged between
the troops in this Territory and warlike
though diminished tribe OF Indians, called the
Tarcarclla Apaches. In one battle we lost
two Killed and four wounded in another,
twenty-five killed and twcnty-one Wounded
But, however severe these battles were, (St.
BeileS and Dans0n's.) no officers had fallen
And now speak Of the last fight, which has
just occurred, ION the 10th ultimo,) and in
which our little army has lost young and
promising ollicer-raised and educated in our
town-namcly, J. Il. Maxwell, son of Mrs.
Maxwell, Of Athens, Ga.
Lieut.. Maxwell graduated from the Military
Academy in 1850, and has served honorably
and faithfully as brevet and second Heuten-
ant IN the third regiment of infantry, ever
since IN this country. In the fight, Lieut.
Maxwell, although 1t was the first time he had
been under fire, conducted himself most gal
lan1ly, as a man and a Georgian. In another
SklrmlSh with the same Indians, being adiu-
tahL OF the commanding officer, he ran the
gauntlet with the GOODNESS of veteran vet
he was to the last degree unasSuming and |.
wh0 Was brother officer, stationed at the
same post never but once heard him speak of
his deeds; and firmly believe he was partial
~ unconscious that he had acted so noblv and
galantly. Mild by nature, yet those who have
seen him in conflict aver he was wholly chang
ed, and cast all thought Of death behind him.
ct death, without Il moments warning, has
ut length overtaken him.
On Che morning of the 29th ult.. Brevet-
Captain 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, IL short distance from the
post. Alter hard and vigorous trail, the
command came in sight Of the savages early
on the morning Of the 30th. Captain Sykes
sent Lieutenant Maxwell, with twenty dra-
goons, up preciptatc "mcsa,' or small noun
tain, TO cut Oil the retreat OF band of about
twenty Indians, who were attempting to gain
difficult and almost Improbable passes of the
mountains. Lieut.. Maxwell being well noun
ted, charged al the head of his men to cut off
the enemy ere they could pass certain point
above him. Unfortunately possibly from be-
ing better momted-himself and one sergeant
and two men arrived at the summit of the me-
81 some few moments ere the rest OF his troops
had closed up. AS soon as Lieutenat Max
well, (who was ahead, had arrived at the above
mentioned place, the Indians showed themselves
above, and commenced deadly discharge of
arrows.
Lieut.. MAXWELL with revolver in hand emp
tied 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 anoth-
er 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 sabreing an Indian; but in that
act, while his head was bowed to his horses
manc he lell-an arrow in his brain-and fell
like knight of old, in his harness, his sword
graSpcd in his hand, a smile upon his face
The Indians fled. Then came the troops thun-
dering up the hill-but too late alas for
poor young Maxwell had fallen! And as Capt
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 wcpt as none but Il warrior can.
Lieut. Maxwell was buried at his post with
military houors and around his lonely grave
were heard sobs, and were seen tears adown
wcather-5eaten visages, where tears were stran-
gers. l, 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 requiem and the iusiadc over his
grave, they did burst forth uncontrolled and
even now, while l pen this sad memorial of his
fate, they come unbidden.
lie died without an enemy. He died as
soldier should, and lies wrapt in his martial
shroud, as is a soldiers due. Peace to him.
my friend and brother soldier. May it be my
lot thus to die glorious death
w. C.. A.,
First Lieut. I'd Art U. 5. A.
To b. NJ. H., Athens, Ga.