Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-30
CamyOm de E,hog7o.


the death of Capt George McLane, IT, S.
A., in skirmish with the Navajoe Indians
Since then we have seen it stated that he
was killed near the mouth of the Canyon de
Chelle-a place that is remarkable phe-
nomenon in nature. This Canyon is about
40 miles long, between thirty and fifty yards
wide, and ranging at different points between
800 and 1900 feet high. The walls on
either side, Of solid stone, rise perpendicu-
larry, conveying the impression of a
great sink having been effected in the noun
talns by volcanic eruption, or an earthquake.
At the bottom Of this Canyon, beautiful
stream winds along, gladdening the eye and
the heart of the almost famished huntsman
or soldier. The soil is exceeding y prolific
and there are grown by the Indians
melons, corn, beans and few peaches. It
is the strong hold of the Navaioes, and a
place of security whittier they, years ago,
were in the habit of driving their stock and
taking their women and children in time of
war. In 1858 Col Miles entered this deep
defle and frightful aperture in the noun
talns by bride path, about its centre =
The descent was so steep that the horsemen
had to dismount and travel in single file, to
secure safe entrance. He had between
200 and 300 men. Having gotten to the
bottom of the Canyon, he struck out to reach
the mouth of it before night, with view of
sweeping the place. After travelling about
20 miles, killing several Indians, and cap
turing five or six more, he concluded to
camp for the night He was, however, in a
very dangerous predicament. The heights
on either side were covered with hostile
Indians, who we're tossing rocks, (some Of
which broke into pieces from the resistance
Of the air, the elevation whence they were
thrown being so great,) and shooting ar
rows. Occasionally something would buzz
by the ear, and after awhile the crack of the
rifle would be heard. Fortunately for the
troops one of the captives happened to be
the father Of the war chief of the band who
occupied the Canyon. Learning this, Col.
Miles informed him through the Interpreter
that ifhe did not have all hostile demonstra-
tons instantly stopped he would hang him
to the first tree. The old fellow became
very much alarmed. and going to the side of
the wall. by peculiar meditation of his
voice, conveyed sound to those on the
heights, secured the attendance of his son,
and commenced conversation with him, the
result OF which was an armistce for that
night. The army, however, did not light
their fires, or raise their tents, fearful OF
treachery on the part of the Indians, and
hence that the fires and white tents would
be marks at which to direct their aims. In
the morning, bright and early, the men
were in motion, and there was not heart in
that party that was not truly rejoiced when
the army emerged from this terrific Canyon.
The least sagacity or concentration of ac-
ton on the part of the Indians would have
enabled them to have mastered nearly the
entire force under Col. Miles. AS it was,
they escaped from the Canyon unframed,
having captured about 5000 sheep, took
several prisoners and killed several Indians.
In the vicinity Of this Canyon, there are
trees as large in circumference So the body
of an ordinary man, which have become ST.
llcl6ed, and freely emit sparks of fire when
struck with any metallic substance. There
are also all through the country the beds of
immense craters, large quantities of lava,
and the ruins Of towns, evidencing that the
country at some previous period was inhabi
ted by superior race to the Indi,ns, who
were doubtless destroyed by volcanoes and
earthquakes.
The Indians, in fact, who now iuhabit
the country are far in advance of the noma-
die tribes of the West There are traces
among them Of the benefcent hand of civili-
cation, in the fact that they till the soil, rails
ing wheat, corn, melons, beans, peaches,
&c, knit stockings, dye and manufacture
the prettiest and best blanket in the world
Ia some of them is discernable, also vein
of castilian blood, which gives to their COM
| plexlon refined texture, and their general
appearance an air of superiority over the
genuine Indian; at the same time it adds 10
their cunning, treachery and ingenuity.
Rev. Mr.. Wheelwright, known 10 many of
our readers, in some remarks recently made
before the Virginia Conference at Alexan~
dria, said, His loyalty to Southern DIetho-
dism had been questioned. True his blood
flowed from Puritan fountains, and had been
poured out for liberty. But he was Viz
ginlan-born on q spot overlooking the
birth place of Washington-educated by the
Common wealth, Che was educated at the
Va. Military Institute and fed by her
bounty, and cared for in sickness by her
kindness. He had sworn allegiance to her,
and as she had taught him the use of other
arms than those he held aloft, he was ready
to use them when she demanded them
This will be regarded as spunky talk for a
minister, but nothing but the true Virginia
fire that burns in the breast of every one of
her loyal sons. 1t is the right spirit. It is
the spirit of rs.
Gov. Wise, in letter to q gentleman in
New Orleans. written On the 21st of October
last, says: Il am Disguised throughout
with the conduct of this campaign It has
been a petty, partizan affair, with no patri
otto or comprehensive scheme or policy