The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-06

Interesting Discoveries OF Ancient settlements
"A New and Fertile TersitOry-Psnisnmcns
~ the ApAches, &c., &c.

yHtEFeGtlmQ Discoveries Ancient
A New and Fertile Territory
IRON the santa Fe Gazette, Oct 81
Sometime since, Immediately on the reception OF
the news Of the battle between Col Bonneyile's ex-
petition and the Coyotero Apache lndians, IN the
ella country, gave brief notice Oh the result OF
the rencontre. This expedition was probably the
most arduous trying and dangerous ever projected
since New Mexico has been Territory Of the United
States and it was also successful, having fully ac-
complished the end contemplated in its organization.
Not only this, but IL has resulted in obtaining nfor
nation of valuable portion OF our territory which
otherwise might have remained hidden from us for
wears to come. We regret that limited space
win not permit US to enter into the details Of this
campaign as fully desire would lead and its
importance deserves. We can only CLEAN over the
face of the reports and endeavor, in very general
manner, to give readers an idea of the progress
Of the expedition and its happy termination.
The depot Of the expedition was established on
the west bank of the ella river nearly west from
the Adobe Wal" on the Rio Grande, and about
twelve miles northwest from the San Lucien springs
The northern column was under command of Col.
LOring, consisting of Major Shepherds infantry,
composed of Lieut.. Alley, company b, Sd infantry,
and detachment of another company from Sd in
fantry; Capt Hatch, company J., rifles; Lieut.
Rowland, detachment of company G, rifles; Lieut.
McNally, detachment of company D, rifles; DR.. Lie
therman, Assistant Surgeon U. s. A.; Lieut.. Roge
Jones, Adiutant rifles; Lieut. Bonneans Sd infantry,
with party of trailers, and Capt. Chavez's spy
company. In the canon Of San Vicente, this COM
mand struck trail Of about 1000 sheep, and
party of Indians. Following it through and
over the San Vicente mountains, (Which had
been set fire to by the Indians0 and to the valley
Of the Safo river, they on the oath came fresh
upon the trails ascending slight elevation be tween
two ridges. Indians and sheep were discovered
in the canon, and the approach of the troops
was complete surprise. On seeing them they COM
menced Eight. Pursuit was made, and eight Indian
men killed-among them the celebrated Chief
Cuchillo Negro-and one squaw accidentally. Five
squaws and FIVE children were captured Also, all
their camp equipage, large quantity OF packed
meat, about 1000 sheep, several oxen, and other
animals. The command instantly commenced pur-
suit of another small party, who hod about five
hundred sheep, discovered in a neighboring canon.
These, however, made good their escape, after a
warm race, leaving most Of their sheep behind.
Colonel Loring proceeded on his trail, through
very rough and mountainous country with but little
grass or water The country which he travelled
seemed to be barren and deserted. He encountered
many hardships, but his men and the officers en-
dured them with the most unilinching fortitude.
The Southern column was under command Of Col.
Miles, and was organized as foliows:-Capt. Eweil,
with Leutenants Moore Chapman and Davis and
B, and companies of LIST dragon Capt. Clai-
borne, Lieutenants Edison and Dubois Nta Il,
and X companies of Mounted Rifle Lgltenants
Whipple and Steen in command of aul compa-
mics Sd infantry; Lieutenants jackson and Cook in
command of b and companies Sth infantry; Lieut..
McCook in command Of Pueblo Indians, and Capt.
Bias Lucero, in command of Mexican guides and
spies; Lieut.. Lazelle, adiutant, and Dr. Harden,
medical oflcer-makng in all 442. This column
was divided into two wings, Col Miles in command
Of the right, and Capt Ewell in command) of the
left, (Col. Bonneville with this column. On the
18th Of June they started to the Coyotero country
They marched south and southwest from the depot.
On the first came to extensive ruins supposed
10 be of Aztec origin There were also evidences
that the Coyoteros had farmed there in former
years. The ruins seemed to indicate that
population Of 1000 or 5000 must at one time have
resided there-probably 200 years back. On the 24h
fhp ar,iaS an a distaucp
ahead. Captain Ewell, with 20 infantry and 40
mounted dragons, with all the officers under
his command except Lieut.. Edison, endeavored
to surround the camp. The guides and spies cap
In this march Captain EweIl's company suffered
much, having 10 sustain itself by killing some OF the
Indian ponies they had captured On the 27th Capt.
Ewell's wing in advance, proceeded towards the
Rio Gila-the Pueblo spies in advance. About three
o'clock of that day the spies reported Indians about
and told Captain L. to "go on with his people"
They proceeded but short distance when they
came upon the Apache camp. Col Miles was
IN the rear when Captain f. commenced the attack,
We copy from his report to Colonel Bonneville -
$50 soon musketry was heard by US the order
was given to gallop and the charge was made ,de
field of battle When arrived, which was not until
Lent Debois had passed with his company, my first
object was to ascertain how the field lay. what
was placed. soon found that Captain Ewell, I'M
der his heavy charge OF dragons, had broken the
Apaches-they had taken cover in the thick under
woodland that IL was the work OF infantry 70 pick
them out; that he dragons were occupying the left
bank Of the Gila attng of the retreat Of the enemy
70 Mount Turnrall. and that Captain Claiborne
and Lieut.. Dubois had very properly charged on the
right bank and prevented them from reaching the
mountains on that side. Ny object, then, was to
bring into action as possible the sth Infantry,
and recrossed the river from where Leutenans Whip
pie and Steen were engaged TO give this order, but
found, 70 my great surprise, that Leutenants Jack
tIar du nm
and actively engaged in the place where they were
most needed. II was then primary object to regu
late the firing that our troops should not nure each
other, which could easily be done when all were 80
anxious to destroy our enemy in narrow valley CO.
vered by a dense underground Of willow. When !
recrosscd the river again, found Lieut.. Steen had
been driven out Of the bushes by a rally from the
dragons, and Lieut. Moore actively ralying his men
plisbed the Infantry dashed into the thicket and
soon captured many prisoners. The battle field ex-
tended for mile ON both sides OF the ella, and WAS
covered with thick underground The battle com
menced at hafpast four O'Clock and lasted till sun
down. There were forty warriors engaged in the
conflict, two Of whom only are known TO have es-
capped. There were but twentyfour found dead on
the field. Two women were kilied--one while fight
ing with bow and arrow. There were twcnty-four
women and children taken prisoners.
The wounded of the troops were Licntcnants Da
Wis and Steen, and five six OF the soldiers and one
Pueblo Indian. None OF them fatally.
The conduct Of every officer and the soldiers during
the battle is mentioned in the most fattering terms
by Col. Miles,
Besides the havoc among this party Of Indians the
troops destroyed about 600 Of corn, and cap
tnred large number of sheep, horses, &c.
Lieut.. whipple's report Of scout TO the head wa
tiers Of the ella IL very interesting and we are sorry
that with this as with the entire expedition have
to deal SO sparingy. He describes &c country a.
rough generally, with an occasional Artile valley,
and mentions the appearance Of beaya large mum.
Der q eagles and turkeys, the latter being unac.
custcmed the sight Of man that when shot at they
would not fly. Fish were caught in great abundance
ont of the ella River. His march was exceedingly
difficult, and many OF his men, including himself,
poisoned by poisonous plant. He captured in this
scout about $50 sheep from the Indians. He was
accompanied by Lieut.. Steeu.
Captain Ewell gives very interesting report Of a
scout under his command TO the Checeehue Noun
tains. After giving account Of a skirnish with
aome Indians, in which some OF them were wounded
and probably killed. he says:"f reached the Giia in
the galley tie io,eer end Of ,chicb out Of sight.
but scidsntiy from fceatyfcs 70 thirty miles long,