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

the whites, and knew they were not able, even did
they feel disposed to fight them. They were told
that they had killed Agent Dodge and stolen stock.
They acknowledged that one of their men had COM
mitted the MURDER and that he was in the camp and
killed in the battle Of the 27th. They brought to
their very useful agent, DR.. Steck, large Jumps OF
what they thought was gold from the Coyoter0 gold
mountain to prove the sincerity Of their desire for
peace. (The specimen proved to be pyrtes-so
those who have visions of this gold mountain can
take the hint.) They said they would give their
lands. their sheep, horses and everything they pos
sessed for peace. They were told that the whites
did not want these-that they must behave them
selves hereafter and there would be trouble. They
left very much delighted with their reception, TO
bring in the balance of their people and what Mcxi-
can captives they may have. The captive women
and children have been ordered to be turned over TO
their people.
Thus ii is, the good fruits Of this expedition are
already being seen.
Col Bonneville and the entire officers and soldiers
of the northern and southern commands, deserve
great credit for the energy perseverance endurance
and bravery displayed in this campaign. Some Of
their risks imminent and marches almost mere
dible-climbing steep mountains, crossing deep
Tavines, and marching over sandy deserts without
water for twentyfour hours sometimes, and all with
out murmur from q single officer or soldier. II our
space would allow it would afford us great pleasure
to more fully allude to this expedition AS it is, our
readers will have to rest cOntented with this very
partial and imperfect notice.
Since writing the above we have received the
following very interesting letter from Col. Bonnie
ville which take the liberty Of laying before our
readers
SANTA FE, N. NJ, Sept. %, 1857.
DEAR CoLONEL-Returning Q few days since from
the depot on the ella, met your friend and agent
DR.. Steck He made much inquiry respecting the
ella country-whether your views in regard to lOcat
ing the Apache Indians in Puebos could be effected
on the waters of the ella. He appeared DESTROYS
that should converse with you on the subject, be-
leved any information in relation to this hitherto I'M
I'm no lppn nd
haps some day might be useful in assisting the opera
tons of your SUPPLEMENTARY with this people.
We were operating in what has been known az the
ella country for more than four months; had de-
tachment Of troops scattered in every direction,
bringing on their return sketches OF the country and
information from every quarter established my
depot the east bank of the ella rivera beautiful
spot about fifteen miles from the Mogolan Mountains.
This valley is about twenty five miles by forty basned
by the Mog0on to the north, San Vicente to the
east, the Bu1ro and Almoque to the south, and
to the west by the Patos and San Francisco.
These mountains enclose of the most fertile and
healthy spots earth, beautiful to perfection. So
much was it the admiration Of all who saw it that
our employees, every one, would have remained to
have made it their homes had it been safe to have
done
Lieutenants Whipple and Steen were sent into the
Mogollon Mountains. They remained in them near
twenty days-united the head waters of the ella,
and describe it most elevated and tumbled up
region, perfectly worthless, except limited space
on the northwestern slope of the mountain. The
maps, made from frequent readings of the compass,
look upon syery correct. Every detachment FUR
nished me with a map OF the country traversed.
These / have transmitted, with my reports, TO the
Department headquarters, TO which have no doubt
the General will readily give You access.
After passing the Depot valley, the river con-
tinues its course south, and enters the Ca
nones Of a low range Of lava mountains connect
ing the Burro and Almoque mountains. Lost,
as il were, for about twenty miles in these ca
nones, it falls into large open country, extend
ing from the Burro Mountains on the east to the
Almoque on the west; it continues westerly till it
meets the Serrita tornado, long range of canones
from the south forces the river among the issues and
precipices of its northern extremity: when, seeking
again its western direction it flows for from 20 to
100 miles through valley about 40 miles wide. This
valley was remarked by all az most fcrtilc-exten-
sve bottom lands. rolling country on either side,
Offering the finest grazing TO the very foot of the
mountains This galley, ike erery other capable Of
being cuitirated, gires evidence Of former people
agricultural IN their pursuit and no doubt far
cirii1ed than the present race srho des0tae Il. We
find TO the north the Almoqae and Patos mountains,
these with the Penal range. To the west the south
span Of the Penal mountains stand barrier to oil
egress. To the south we have the mountain ranges
OF Turnball and Graham and TO the east the Sierra
Jornada Within these boundaries we have q
spot, large, fertile, healthy and well watered by
the ella, bedded in the mountains. distant
nom all roads and pass ways, and without .
probability Of any ever being made through II
J
me to be most admirably adapted for the homes of
the Indians. Here established in his pueblo his fer
tile planting grounds at his door, good water, and
healthy climate with his focks herds and stock
fattening on the mountain slopes he would be well
situated The fnaquery. the favorite food Of the
Indian liz here found in abundance. lam aware that
objection may be urged TO assigning such fertile conn
tries TO the Indians; but this valley, with all it's
health, its delicious water, and rich lands is not
such az fancy would be desirable for the settlement
of people. who seek the great thoroughfares and
reject what 90 completely solates them from the
busy world Here, indeed a man may live and grow
fat and have nothing to disturb the quiet OF whole
year: but this is not in sympathy with busy active
and enterprising American citizens So that the fact
of its great isolation is additional recommendation
TO its Indian adaptabity where under the parental
with the certainty that his improvement, though
slow, will be constant. To the north Of the ella,
the country s broken, rising as you go north into
high mountains Of lava, DC. Small streams rise In
these mountains, and running through the canoDcs,
at times open out into small valleys of the greatest
fertility On the south the country Is rolling 10 the
mountains. without tributaries. II Is peculiarly
to this to all the ella region that springs com
mence in all the mountains, az to afford ahun-
times even for irrigation, but these springs lose
themselves in the loose soils Of the valley, and find
the river under ground.
have made rough sketch Of the subject, desir-
ing simply 10 draw your attention 20 II, and IL IL
should have the merit Of any usefulness I shall he
satisfied. The Serita Tornado, | omitted 10 men
ton, IN about one hundred miles due west from Fort
Thorn. b. J.. L. BoSEvIIIE, u. 5. A.
Col. James Collins, Superintendent Indian Affairs,
Santa Fe New Mexico.