, 1859-09-23

The Los angeles Star publishes the fol-
lowing extra:
Fort MoHAvE, n. NJ, Aug. 6, 1859.
Major Armistead left here with % men
late in the evening of the 4th instant, for
the lagoon, Is miles below this Fort, the
headquarters of the Mohave Indians
Lieut.. Marshall was directed to follow
with a reinforcement of 25 men early next
morning, by the main trail. Major Arm
stead succeeded in gaining the head Of the
lagoon by circuitous route unObserved
by the Indians, during the cover of night.
At about o'clock, on the morning of the
.5th, he commenced to reconnoitre down
the left bank of the lagoon. The trails
leading down showed heavy signs Of lndi-
ans; he had not proceeded more than a
quarter of a mile when three Indians were
espied on the opposite side Of the lagoon
planting beans; three men crawled up to
bank and fired upon them and killed one ;
the others fled and gave the yell, which
soon the whole country about seemed to
Ireverberate. After proceeding about a
half mile further through heavy thickets
of arrow wood, the Major thought it pru-
dent to return to the head of the lagoon,
as the Indians apparently were gathering
in large force. Here at the head of the
lagoon on the right bank, be took a posi-
ton, the men deployed in groups of four
each, at about twenty PAGES interval, oc-
cupying the high grounds on the edge of
the lagoon. The lagoon here is about 20
yards wide. On the opposite side of the
lagoon from this position, is dense thick
ct of arrow wood; along the bank of the
lagoon a few scattering cotton wood. To
the rear Of the position, and close up, is a
grove Of mes9peit, the ground open and
clear underneath. Here they awaited the
Indians, which was not more than twenty
minutes, when they commenced to show
themselves in1arge FORGE, surrounding the
position, andNclosing iG on all sides, within
short range of the rifle mnskets, which
we're soon brought into play with deadly
effect. Major Armstead thus fought them
for three-quarterS of an hour, against over
whelming numbers, which were Increased
every moment by the arrivil Of fresh war.
riors from the more distant places, when
Lieut.. Marshall arrived with the reinforce,
ment Of 25 men. The Lieut.. had heard
the firing when yet some four miles from
the scene, and hurried his men up at double
quick time. The Indians upon the extreme
right were taken very Unexpectedly by the
arrival of the party in their rear, which
Lieut.. Marshall Immediately charged, driv-
ing them from their position.
Major Armstead, learning the proximity
of the second party, Immediately ordered
a sergeant and eight men to cross the la
goon and charge the Indians in front in
the arrow wood, which was successful, and
drove the Indians beyond gun shot. Maj.
Armstead, recalling these men from the
opposite side, ordered Lieut., Marshall to
cross and take position on that side.
Tho Indians, though forced to retreat, were
not beaten; they soon rallied and returned
to the fight, attacking the party of Lieut..
Marshall with great pertinacity; this con
tinued for some ten or fifteen minutes,
when he was ordered to fall back, re-cross
the lagoon, and take position facing to
the rear parallel to the first party, as the
Indians were showing a disposition to
charge the position on all sides at the
same time. Not liking this maneurer,
they withdrew themselves out of reach of
gun-shot giving occasionally a few yells.
The men, finding nothing more to do,
crowded under the shade of the mesqueit
trees, as the sun was very hot, they re-
maned for about two hours without being
disturbed ... .'.
Major Armstead, believing the Indians
to have giving up the fight, ordered the
command to fall in, and commenced the
march back to the Fort. The command
had not proceeded far, when tue Indians
again rallied, crossed the lagoon at the
position just left in great number, Major
Armstead, anticipating the attack, halted
the command, faced by ths rear rank and
deployed them on the bank of the lagoon,
which was here wide and deed The whole
body OF Indians came running up yelling
and whooping, and charged fearlessly upon
! the command, the bravest Of them coming
up to within ten and fifteen yards of the
muzzels of the rifles; these, however, paid
dearly for their temerity, the steady and
well directed fire of the men held them in
check, when after thirty minutes hard
fighting, Major Armstead ordered the com
mand to charge them, which was done
fearlessly The Indians raised and broke
in every direction, perfectly discomforted
not yell or sound of any kind was to bC
heard from them after this the victory
was complete Twcnty-three Indians were
found dead, close to the position the
ground further off was reconnotered. Ii
fact, many were seen carrying the dead ant
wounded from the field. 1t is supposed
that some fifty or sixty have been killed
Of the command, three men were slightly
wounded. The command returned to The
Fort on the evening of the 9th inst. X.