The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-23


rotary Of the Interior have been detailed for service in
the Indian department TO this interesting portion Of the
- moral vineyard, and snugly ensconoed in the
midst OF grnning sayages, rowning bulls aud bleatng
sheep glsenng epaulets gurgng springs, and smiling
swads This post is ESQ miles west of Santa Nc, which
distance your correspondent although not 10 the man
born travelled horseback at the unusual speed
OF fifty miles day, through burning sun and scorching
sand reclining at night upon the bosom Of mother earth
bathing the ieyered brow in the dews of heaven, and
falling TO sleep under the enchanting music OF singing
frogs. crcets, wolves and stars The luxury of riding
rail Is something that have literally en-
0yed but can approximate in imagination the delightful
sensation from my experience in riding the horses the
distance have, aud under the circumstances. However
/ have had only peep at the elephant-bnt expect
shortly 10 be able 10 give you minute account OF
the whole menagerie, including elephants and Indians.
Fort Defiance is situate in valley, on either
side OF which rise immense hills, rather small noun
tains. The valley Is covered by rich growth of nu-
rous grass, and presents beautiful appearance at this
OF the year On the north side OF the fort
eral hundred yards distant is the celebrated Canon
Bonto, or - Beautiful Gallon 1t is about half mile
in length, and probably is of the grandest and
most majestic sceneres in this country where Nature
to have exerted herself to dsheve her APP
pearance The walls of solid rock either side rise to
height OF near 500 feet, presenting imposingly
grand spectacle and the beautiful geensward beneath
through which dances spryy along stream of pure,
clear cool water combine To present of native
singuarity and beauty rarely Witnessed and only wit
messed to be enjoyed
But 10 Dcblu the beginning. AIld great - noise
and confusion, and imperative commands left Santa
Fe the Gath of August for this place. Learning af
ter reached Albuquerque that Capt George McIanc, of
the rifles intended to depart that evening with small
escort for this place, ignored the idea of luscious
grapes and crimson peaches and set to work procure
substitute for my exhausted seed. We crossed the
Rio Grande at O'clock and proceeded on our route
sJme fifteen or twenty miles. On the Goth reached
Cobera, small Mexican village about fifty five miles dis
tant from Albuquerque. We encamped here until the
middle Of the following day, awaiting the arrival of n
company of Mexican spies, under Captain Bias Luceros
consisting of about fifty men. Thence proceeded to
the head waters of the Gallo river where gurges up
Of the most beautiful springs the eye of ever wit
messed Our next days ride to Bacon Spring, about
fifty miles distant On the morning OF the goth we left
this camp, captain having determined TO make at
tack upon the first party of Indians he met. This de-
termination based upon the following grounds
negro boy of Major Brooks commander at this post had
been killed without provocation by Navajo Indian
The commander had demanded the person of the muir
derer within thirty days from the time of the murder
The Indians at the expiration of the thirty days. (somc
OF the principal men of the nation, asked further time
of ten days This request granted, which time
pired the 10Th of August without the murderer be
ing given up. 1t was believed by Capt. McIane that
blow would be struck Immediately on the expiration Of
the specified time, and not meeting an express on its
way to dquarteTs, he the firmly impressed
with this conviction reasoning that sufficient escort for
the express could not be detailed from the post On the
morning of the 29th about % clock with twenty Mex
lean spies, four soldiers and Capt McIne and myself
proceeded to Bear Spring, leaving the wagon in the road
about half a mile distant from the spring, well guarded.
We discovered large number of Indians and horses
and at galoped rapidly towards them. Thespring is
approached by valley two hundred yards WIDE either
side of which, and in front beyond the spring. rise high
hills thickly covered with pine timber As we APP
preached the Indians received US with voey Of
rows and quickly depoyed of into parties to the left
and right and in front Those in 'front.' which the
fhcst off gave the war-whoop and by gestures invited
us on to the contest while those the sides remained
They fired their which did us
by distance These returned by pistol shot
from Capt MoIane at Indian who seemed 10 be chief
and riding to and fro in front of his The In
dams seemed much amused ut the idea of pistol being
fred Mt them, and set up yell of derison like
devils The Captain then ordered his men to dsmount.
They did SO, and commenced work in earnest with their
rifles bringing the Indians TO the ground at distance
OF three hundred and four hundred yards This some
what dumb foundered the red skins and they took to the
trees After five six fatal shots had been fired Ivy
Capt Mcane and his three disnouned men, (the spies
lighting horseback,) and as he calamity leading
his little band into the conflict rifle shot from one Of
the Indians, who had depoyed to the left brought tho
attack to standstil just he raised his rifle To fire
savage in front, the Indian at his left in ambusce
lovclled his piece at the captain The latter fred brought
down his man, and was turning 10 get another cartridge
when the Indian fired his ball taking effect in the front
part of the right side the fifth rib, and, CHANGING
around about three inches out The stun
and it several minutes before the captain could
himself sufficiently to mount his horse, and by the
assistance of his men, ride to the wagon We at first
considered the wound fatal but after closer examina
ton, found that it only and painful flesh
wound. The Indian had taken deadly aim Mt his heart
and his suddenly turning the only thing that saved
his life. During the whole of the fight, which lasted
about 10 minutes, remained on my horse in the midst
of the contest, 'looler- In Vicnna"'a cc among
EN- taxin' notes., whose proper province under the
circumstances, it not to take hand. From crt
cal observation there appeared to to be about 800
500 Indians about ten of whom were killed. three
four wounded and four captured There also taken
25 Navajo ponies and number of blankets and their
camps destroyed.
The attack sudden, determined, and ehectual
that the Indians hardly knew what t make of it, The
attacking party lost nothing but profusc flow of blood
from the wound Of Capt. McIane
Capt. Mel. is son OF Hon. Louis Mciane late of Ma
ryand and IL as true gentleman and gallant officer
ever smelt gunpowder. have had opportunity to
observe him closely in his capacity citizen and sol
der, and take pleasure in recording my admiration for
him in both. AS we approached the post late in the
evening his company out to meet him. under Capt
Hatch, and gave three hearty wholesoulcd cheers for
the safe delivery of their chvarc captain Such
Capt Mclans deserve the fostering and attention OF
the government for they invaluable in this frontier
country.
Col Miles arrived here o.day after march with in
fintry of 400 miles in l6 days. He will commence his
operations the 8th in good earnest Capt McIanc
having calamity struck the first blow the 29th You
may look out for stirring from This frontier post of
which will keep you regularly advised.
The forces which will 80 out viii be as follows Col.
Miles, commander Lieut. Walker, adiutant; DR. Mckee,
surgeon Capt, Elliot, company mounted rifles Capt
Hatch, ! company mounted rifles; Lieut. Averelle, +
company mounted rifles Lieut. Whpple, u company Sd
inantryI Lieut.. Hildt company Sd infantry; and
Capt Bias Laceros with 80 Mexican spies and guides