The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-11-13
The Indian War In New Mexico
Interestsnx Letter


The editor OF the n~a.A rs Gazette. s. N. Yoss
who 10 also Iudiau agent for the Navsos. has bean
on tour Of observation on the ground where the
United States troops are battling with the red men,
and writes letter to his paper, from which We
extract the following:
The principal guide Of the troops 10 q Pueblo
Indian from Zuni. 1t was with some dif3cultv at
nrst that any one Of the Puebios could be obtain.
ed. Finally this one consented. He 10 email.
erect, well formed Indian, and wears his thick ra.
ven nsir hanging down to the middle Of bis back
He now 10 dressed up in citizen costume. iucIu d.
irg hatand shoee, and Il withai Q rather noted
personaze In the scout to Canon de ChelIe one
Of o. the prisoners taken was handed over to the
M Meaiesns m and the guide to be disposed Of 1t was
agreed that Zuni should be the executioner
The Navajo was soon placed at a short distance
on, when Zuni, raised his old flint loct fusee to do
nis duty Navajo appealed, 80 don'e kin me. nv
niena. Znni very sravely responded. "Fbrqus,
PoqN N!-"why not, why not :" This very rational
and reasonable question not being satisfactor;is
answered to Zun,'s notions of the ethics Of war
he took deliberate aim, and sent leadeu measen
ger through Mr.. Navajo brain thus usheriur his
great hunting ground Zuni was much delighted
with the amusement, aud says he will be made
big chief when he returns home.
on the evening Of the day the Indian brought
10 10 the dead body OF what they falsely states was
the murderer, two Navajo women were on the sub
uros e1 garrison, mounted on pouies Zuni and
Jose. Navsjo interpreter at the garrison, espjed
tnemend in great haste captured the horses They
brought them into the garrison much delighted
When asked by Msjor Brooks what they did II
ior they responded that "war existed-war ex.
listed" OF course, they we're made to rs,uru them
20 the sqnaws. There were three Navajo Indians
about sthe garrison until the com me ncement of
hostiiities acting as Interpreters, &C. They have
ell LEFT and Joined their people.
AT canon de Chelle large trees Of soi5ifed wood
were seen by the officers, aud many Others in A
pretrescent state. The silex seemed to be exceed.
iugiy suiphuric, aud freely emitted sparks when
struck with iron or steel. Immense Quantities NJ
proken pottery were also seen, and other evi.
dences OF the existence Of another race of peopIe
st one time in this country, who doubtless were
oes.royea oy volcanic and earthquake actions.
Yesterday an Indian boy rode into the garrison,
doubtIe's in the capacity of spy, and was cap.
tured by Capt Hatch. He gave the number cf the
killed on the Chele scout a. four Ave more than
reported In my last. He says that the Navajos
are taking their stock far west AZ they possibl
can. Two Indians appeared in sight this morning
on one OF the surrounding hills, as spies, no
doubt, but soon made off Scouts were sent ont
after them. without, however, getting another
sight of them.
1t is very evident from the indications now ap-
parent, that j. will be difficult u not an impossi-
bic matter to get q regular fight out of these
Indians. Chelle was supposed to be one of the
places where they would make q stand and resist
VI,
progress of the troops. Hence the whole column
marched there. But comparatively few Indians
not more than 250--were found, and scarcely any
resistance offered. We can therefore arrive at no
tangible conclusion IS TO the result of the con.
templated attacks upon the other two strong holds
Iudians will be congregated.
If the expectations and hopes Of the command
ing ficer, Col Miles, are defeated at thes places
and no regular fight is had. it is reasonable TO
ehnNt nxptI hAE -
i,ary parlsnce, fugitive, aud a rivalry Of cum
ing, endurance, ,stratagem and quickness commence
between the hostile parties. 1t will have to be o
running fight, with ell the advantages on the side
OF the Indians, except the efficiency of arms
and the determined courage and energy of our
soldiers. The country is peculiarly adapted to
the Indian mode of fighting-thsy are familiar with
every pass, ravine, nook and corner, while the
troops are almost totally ignorant of any geograph
ical feature OF the grounds Of operation.
Advices received by ths War Department from
Fort Defiance to the 2Sth of Septembe, state that
the train in charge of Capt. Liudsay, with Govern
ment stores, had arrived ut the Fort on the 24sh
Forty-three days lad been consumed on the rou to
from Fort Union. Msjor Brooks arrived at the
Fort on the oath, having made five days scout
to Coleta and the surrounding country. The In.
dians were seen in large numbers, but could not
be brought to an engagement.
Capt. Hatch, with l company rifles. Lieutenant
Whippe, with company infantry, and Lisus
Dickinson, left the fort on the 9th for Lsguena
Negra. On the 10th Col. Miles, with his entire
except small garrison, left for Chusco
and Tunieha. The force consisted of Col. Miles,
Lieat. W B. Lane, adjutant; DR.. J. G.
Mckee, acting assistant surgeon; A company
mouuted rifles, Capt. Elliott; company moun unted
rifles, Lieut.. Averille; l company mounted rifles,
Captain McLane; ii company mounted rifles. Capt.
Lindsay; Bcompany Sd infantry Lieutenant Whip
ple X company Sth Infantry, Lieut.. Willard
guides aud spies, Captain Bias Lucero. Total, $40
men.
Captain P. Hatch and command arrived at the
fort on the 25th They had had an engagement
with the band under the command of Ear zelios
Lsrgos the principal war chief of the Navsjoes
Eight Indians we're killed, and several horses cap.