Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-12-03
Correspondence.
Correspondence of the sentinel.
SANTA FE, New MEXICO, !
Oct0ber 30H. 1858.

In my last promised to give you the
result of our trip from Albuquerque, but
had no idea Of what the result would be.
When our party"left the latter place, we
were all in fine spirits, with bright pros
poets ahead. We continued our course
westward for some $50 miles, and pass
ed over some beautiful country, and
through several Indian towns amongst
them that of the Luna Indians was
the most prominent We found them
very friendly. We traded considerably |
with them. The population of their
town numbered about 1000. We CON
tinued our course, following the trail of
two other trains-a Mr.. Rose, of Iowa,
and n Mr. Caves, of the same State
and when within so miles of the CoIera-
ola river, the eastern boundary of Cali
fornia, we came up to the advance trains
cncampod in canon, surrounded by the
Cosncna Indians, and defending them
selves the best they could. Those trains
above spoken of, reached the Colorado
river in safety, with little or no loss
and upon reaching the river, they were
met by the Malone Indians, very friend
ly, and Mr.. Rose distributed presents to
their chiefs--they promising him assist
ance in crossing the river and protection
for his stock; but the same day the In
dams ran off many of his stock. The
next day he put on vigilant herders,
which prevented their running off any
more, until the afternoon, when about
300 Indians, well armed with bows and
arrows-tho bows being about seven
feet long attacked the camp, whom
there was but six men in, the others be-
ing out bcrding stock and building a raft
Upon hearing the firing, some % rush
ed to the camp The battle continued
for several hours, with uncertainty and
doubt as to the result; but before sun
down the Indians left the ground, taking
off their dead-having robbed the trains
of nearly all their stock, and killed eight
Of their number, six women and chill
dren and two men, and woundirg II.
The Americans supposed they had kill
ed some 80 Indians.
The Indians continued to increase their
numbers during the entire fight, and
from the best information the Mexican
guide could obtain, they numbered some
5000 warriors.
As soon as dark came on, the trains
made an effort to move from camp, as
they were surrounded by thick willows,
which gave the Indians great advantage.
They succeeded in getting two and q
half yoke Of cattle and three horses,
which enabled them to move one wagon
and buggy; the women and children,
numbering over fifty, were compelled to
walk, leaving behind them all their pro-
visions and clothing except what could
be carried in the wagon, the buggy be-
ing appropriated to carry the wounded
that were unable to walk They tray
cllcd some mile or moro upon an eleyat-
cd and clear spot, expecting an attack,
and remained there until the moon rose,
which gave them sufficient light to ira
vel. They then commenced their rc-
treat, and continued their march for 80
miles over mountains, canons and swamps,
until they reached the spot where we met
them. Many of the women and chill
dren were destitute Of shoes, their feet
badly blistorcd, and themselves entirely
exhausted with fatigue, and their stock
unable to travel.
They drove 10 the river some 900 head
Of cattle and some 100 horses and mules,
which were nearly all taken from them
besides they left behind them p wagons
loaded with provisions and other articles.
Our party consisted Of 43 men and nine
wagons, 800 head Of cattle and 60 mules
and horses. Such sight I never be-
held, and hope never again to witness.
Something upwards of 100 persons in
Guiding 60 or 70 women and children
destitute Of provision, and without any
means Of escape from the horrible saya-
ges then surrounding them, whose thirst
for their hearts blood was made apparent
BY their hidoous yells.
But in the course Of events, We were
made the happy instruments Of their re-
lief. We were permitted the great plea
sure Of being able to tender to those suf-
fcrors provision, as well as the means Of
escape which was arranged the follow
ing day, and orr march Of retreat com
moncod none riding except those who
were too feeble 10 walk. We continued
on until we reached the San Francisco
mountains, some 400 miles from Abe
qucrquc, ting nearest point Of relief
There, upon consultation, we dctormin- |
cd to divide the train, and send ahead
such us was able TO undergo the fatigue
Of travelling and living upon beef alone,
(and that without salt,) for that was all
We had when we reached the mountains. /
Our deliberations resulted in sending
some 30 Or 80 ahead--as many as could
be sparcd--to obtain relief from the 60
eminent Of Albuquerque
/ forgot to mention that upon reaching
the summit Of the mountains we met
another train under a Mr.. Peck, from /.
Canada who divided bis provisions with I
US and assisted in getting some families
TO leave the mountain. ] travelled with I
the second advance train Of forty in pur-
suit Of relief, leaving my brother behind
in charge Of the train with some fifty
five women and children and thirty-fyc
men Our advance train, numbering in
all one hundred, we continued upon beef
until we reached Luna, where wo sue
coded IN obtaining some corn. which we
.s L.. 4 y