The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-13
FURTHER PARTICULARS or CAPTAIN Mclean s
ENGAGEMENT WITH TIE Ma HAJOS
rRrsa, The states. Get 12th.y

In tho dispatches of Agent Yost to tho Commission
or of Indian Affairs are many interesting particulars of
Capt McLeans engagement with the Navaos, which we
were not able to give in the account yesterday pub
lshed We stated that the affair took place the 29th
of August when Capt Mclean, with force of twelve
regulars assisted by fifty Mexcans, attacked the Nava-
JOS at Bear Spring. in Campbelps Pass The details are
appended, as given by Agent Yost: .a.
As the attacking party galloped forward to the place
where the Indians were encamped the latter depoyed
off to the hills the right and left and in front, with
view, thought to surround u.s. and make desperate
fight Those tho right and left kept out of sight,
while those in front fired volley of arrows, gave the
warwhoop and by gestures invited us on to engage
ment As the chief of the Navajos was gaepng up and
down before his men, apparently giving command and
raying them Capt Mclean fired pistol-shot at him
from horseback This seemed to amusc more than to
frighten them The fire instantly returned from
left without doing any damage Avooy of arrows fol-
lowed from all sides, but did not reach us. Capt Nc
Lean gave the command to three Of his to dsmount
and with himself in the lead, pushed to the attack
telling the Indians at distance of 400 yards with great
accuracy Fatal shots at such great distance took the
Indians by surprise and they quickly made for the trees
Occasionally they would run out seemingly endeavoring
to decoy tho attacking party into Closer rather
ambush fight. H aaf
sWho Capt, Mclean was aiming shot at an Indian
in 'front.' one who had sccreted himself tho left about
150 yards distant took deliberate aim at the Captains
heart The latter fired struck and Ibeleye killed hisman,
and wheeled quickly to get another cartridge just
he turned the concealed Indian fired, the ball striking
the frOnb OF on passing
around two and half inches coming out, and pro-
ducing severe but not fatal wound. The shock
great the Captain staggered ten paces became very
PALE sick at the stomach, and in fact every indca
ton Of a speedy death He mounted on his horse,
taken to the wagons, and there nursed we'll as
tho circumstances would allow until arrived at Fort
Defiance E
I" During the fight, which lasted some ten or fifteen
minutes, remained on my horse, on the immediate
spot, and saw for myself the whole proceeding. Only
two Of the Mexicans dismounted They all seemed
anxious for the fight and equally anxious for the booty
They captured some twenty-five ponies, number of
blankets, and one Navajo Indian. egts
II cannot say, with any certainty, how many Indians
were killed think, however the number must be be-
tween six and ten. Three or four were wounded. On
the night of the 29th Lucero hc commander of the so
Mexicans who assisted Capt Mclean in the fight and
part of his encampedo the Puerco, while we pushed
on to Fort Defiance, account of Captain Mclean 8
wound. The Indians we're around Lucero's camp oil
night and succeeded in stealing two horses while Luccro
captured three more Indians and their ponies.
Sandoba and three four of his men came into the
fort the 31st He revealed nothing specific as to the
object Of his visit He said that he would not go out
among the Navaos, and seemed to fear them. On the
Ist inst. Juan Lucero in to see whether Major
Brooks was not satisfied alleging that two Indians had
Brooks informed him that be not satisfied and would
be until the murderer OF his negro delivered up
either dead or alive.
'Col Miles arrived here to-day. He instructed SAM
dobal to call many Of the chiefs together he posi-
bly, could in five days, before which time active demon
strations could not be commenced
al have no idea that any steps towards pacifcation
will bo taken The Indians will not give up the muir
derer although he is satisfied. close at hand. The
friends Of the murderer far numerous than tho
friends OF peace IL is Col Mcss determination TO
mence operations on the 8th inst