The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-13
Fight with the MOhave Indians.
OUR SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENCE.

San FRANCISCO, August 20, 1889
Major Aymiseads Troops in Collision acih the Salugs-
Be,oeen Fifty and sirty Of the Aohaues Ka1ed-B,a
Three Soldiers Wounded DC
By the overland mail which arrived this morning we
have received the following important news from the Mo
have country. The correspondent of the Star Los
An~cc' writing from Fer. Aohave Angus, g. furnishes
the intelligence $50
Major Armistead left Fort Mohave with twenty five
late the evening Of the 4th inst for the lagoon fifteen
miles below this fort the headquarters Of the Mohaye
Indians lieutenant Marshall was directed to follow
with reinforcement of twcnty-fv early next
ing by the main trail. Major Armistcad succeeded in
gaining the head Of the lagoon by circutous route
observed by the Indians, during the cover of night
At about six O'Clock the morning of the 9Th he com
mcnced reconno,re down the left bank Of the lagoon
The trails leading down showed heavy signs of Ind ans
He had not proceeded more than quarter of mile when
three Indians csped the opposite side Of the la
COON planting beans three crawled up to the bank
and fired upon them and killed one; the others fed and
gave the YELL which the whole country about seem
cd to reverberate After proceeding about half mile
further through heavy ,hickets Of wood the Major
thought prudent to return to the head of the lagoon
the Indians apparently gathering in large force
Here at the head Of the lagoon the right bank he
position the men deployed in groups of four each
about twenty PAGES interval occupying the high grounds
the edge Of the lagoon The lagoon here is about TWEEN
y-hye yards wide On the opposite side Of the lagoon
from this position dense theket OF arrow wood; along
the bank Of the lagoon few scattering cotton wood
To the rear Of the position, and close up is grove
Of mesquit, the ground open and clear underneath
Here they awaited the Indians which than
twenty minutes, when they commenced ~ show them
selves in large force surrounding the position and closing
in on all sides within short range Of the rifle muskets
which brought into play with deadly effect
Major Amstead thus fought them for Of
hour, against overwhelming numbers, which we're in
creased every moment by the arrival Of fresh warriors
from the more distant places, when Lieutenant Marshall
arrived with the reinforcement Of twenty five The
lieutenant had heard the firing when yet four miles
from the scene, and hurried his up double quick
The Indians upon the extreme right taken very
expectedly by the arrival of the party their which
Lieutenant Marshall Immediately charged driving them
from their position.
Major Armistead, learning the proximity of the
second party, Immediately ordered d sergeant and
eight men TO cross the lagoon and charge the In
dams in front in the arrow wood which was
successful, and drove the Indians beyond gansho
Major Armstead recalling these the opposite
side ordered Lieut. Marshall TO and take position
on that side The Indians though forced retreat
not beaten they rallied and returned the fight
attacking the party Of Lieut. Marshall with great pcrna
city this continued for some ten fifteen minutes, when
he was ordered to fall back the lagoon and take
position facing to the parallel to the first party
the Indians we're showing disposition TO charge the posi-
all sides at the same time Not liking this ma
nGnvre, they withdrew themselves out Of reach Of gun
shot giving occasionally few random yells. The men,
finding nothing more TO do crowded under the shade Of
the mesqnit trees, as the very hot; they
manned for about two hours without being disturbed.
Major Armistcad, believing the Indians 10 have given
up the fight, ordered the command 70 fall in and com
menced the march back 10 the fort The command had
not proceeded far when the Indians again rallied crossed
the lagoon al the position just left in great numbers.
MAJOR Armstead, anticipating the attack halted the
command faced by the rank and depoyea them on
the bank Of the lagoon which here wide and deep
Tho whole body Of Indians came running up yelling and
whoopng and charged fearcssly upon the command the
brares 81 them coming up TO within fifteen yards
Of the muzzes Of the rifles these however, paid dearly
for their tcmeriy the steady and well directed FIRE Of the
held them in check when after thirty minutes hard
lighting Major Armstead ordered the command 10 charge
them, which done fearlessly. The Indians raised
and broke in every direction perfectly discounted; not
yell sound Of any kind 10 be heard from them
after this the victory complete. Tweniythree In
dams found dead close the POSITION the ground
further of not reconnoered. In fact, many were
carrying the dead and wounded from the field, Is
supposed that fifty sixty have been killed. OF
the command three slightly wounded. The
command returned 10 the fort the evening Of the 9Th
instant