Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-10-09
Col Bomnevilles Fight with Indians on the ella
River,


The Santa Fe Democrat of the 30th Of July comes
to with the particulars of the recent action of Col
Bonneville's command with the Apaches on the ella,
said to be the most decisive engagement of troops
with the Indians.
AS they neared the ella the country became more
level and spies discovered signs of Indians and it
became evident that the enemy at hand. Their
speed increased and in a little while they
in view Of an Indian camp upon the bank of the river
partially surrounded by thick bushes. The charge
Immediately sounded, and the troops rushd to the fight
Lieut. Moore led the of the coulmn charging thrO
the village and the river and taking up position
to cut off the retreat to Mount Iurnbull. 1t McCOOk
joined the head of the column in the Charge and render
ed valiant services in the action This completely broke
up the camp of the Indians and all who able fled
into the neighbOrng bushes, where they made their de-
! fence.
1" In the meantime the right column, under 1t. COL
Miles, at the head of which Col Bonneville marched
was coming up rapidly possible. When the report
of musketry first announced the battle commenced, it
about mile and half from the scene of action,
slowly descending the mountain down rocky and bushy
pathway. AS it was known that Capt Ewe
engaged with the enemy, the order to gallop
given and the charge made, Col Bonneville leading the
van to the field Of battle.
"The whole command was now upon the ground and
took part in the action. The dragons having cut off
the retreat of the Indians to the mountains on the left
bank the Mounted rifles charged the right bank and
prevented escape in that direction The Sd and 9Th In
fantry, under Lieuts. Whippe and Steen and Lieuts
jackson and Cook assisted by the Rifles and Dragons
attacked the Indians in the bushes on opposite sides
of the river, and after severe conflict succeeded in xii
ling capturing nearly the whole party The field OF
battle extended the distance of about mile and hall
on both sides of the ella, and covered with thick
growth of bushes, which enabled the enemy to fight with
great advantage.
"Of the Indians, twenty warriors and four women
were found dead in the field, and twenty-seven women
and children made prisoners The loss of the
my is supposed to be much greater than indicated by
the dead bodies found upon the field of battle as two
prisoners taken after the action both report that the
camp consisted forty warriors, of whom but two
three escaped. Of our troops two officers Leus Steel
and Davis, and nine men, were wounded.
" In this affair, the officers and seemed to vie
with each other in gallantry and Lieuts Moore Chap
man and Davis, of the LIST Dragons, and Lieut. Whip
pie, Steen and McCook, of the 3d. and Lieut. Lazele
of the 9th Infantry mentioned as having particularly
distinguished themselves, Iieuts Davis and Lazelle
each had personal encounter with the enemy. The
latter shot one Indian and cut down second he was
charging with the Dragons and the former attack
ed by warrior, whom he slew, after sharp conflict in
which he was wounded.
'lhe following nOncOmmsSiOned officers also men
toned having behaved with the most distinguished
gaantry viX: Sergeant Perlon, Corporals Anderson
and Lambert and Privates Donnely, Welsh and Cour
rer, of the lst Dragons Sergeans Heron DoOng anG
Morrison, Corporal MaOney and Privates, Hughes Nc
Caude, Quinn, Woodnanse Weis and Zihginhoffer O
the Sd Infantry and Corporas ODOnnel and Robinson
Wolfert, and Private McFay the 9Th Infantry
Lieutenant Moore here spoken of as having led thu
charge is Lieutenant Isaiah n. Moore of the LIST reg
! ment of Dragons, native of Pennsylvania.
WraU yho+ic Oh