New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-03-12
i scout In Pursu,t OF Apache Thieves.


The st. Louis Republican publishes letter of
the 18th from Tubar, Arizona, from which we ex-
tract the following:
Captain Ewell and party reached Tucson on the
lath instant, having returned much sooner than
expected. The party was reinforced by the ar
| rival of ten Mexicans from Tucson, on the day
succeeding their departure which increased the
force under Captain Ewell to fifty-two men. The
Mexcans also brought intelligence that an Indian
woman, of the Pnal tribe, who had been left in
Tucson as spy, had started out to give the alarm
to the tribe, and Captain Eweli pushed on with all
speed in order to surprise the Indians before they
could receive intimation Of the approach of the
troops.
On the evening of the 9th, they struck the trail
Of the party whom they were pursuing, which,
old This they followed fill night, and when no
longer able to see, they biyouacked on the trail
till sunrise, when they again pushed forward reach
ing the ella about II o'clock They found the
stream SO much swollen by the recent freshets
that fordng was impossible, and theirs progress
was retarded till RATS could be constructed. 1t
raned at intervals throughout the day but at dark
men, animals baggage and provisions were safely
landed on the north bank OF the ella.
On the morning of the 10th they started at sun
rise, but the rains Of the preceding day had OBJ
liberated the trail that they experienced some diff
Guilty in following IL; but the traers discov-
cred that it was making for the country inhabited
by the Tonti Apaches. Early in the afternoon the
commander was convinced by indications upon the
trail that the Indians were not far in advance, and
hating his men in rayine, scout was sent for
ward TO reconnoiter the ground. Upon his return
he reported that the Indians were encamped on
hill about two miles distant, and from the commo.
ton in camp it was evident they either had receiy-
ed ntimaton Of the approach Of the troops, were
celebrating some festival of the tribe. Captain ID.
advanced, and found that they were aware Of his
proximity, and that it would be impossible to sur
prise them.
The country WIS mountainous, the Indians had
the advantage in position, and y few were armed
with rifles and guns. of which, at least, were
probably distributed to them by Indian agents, as
Il reward for good behavior, and as an evidence of
confidence in their strong protestations of friend
ship toward the whites. do not kfaol5 that fire.
arms have ever been distributed to this particular
tribe by order Of Government, but II is notorious
TACT that such gifts do sometimes form portion of
the presents distributed to Indians in order to &C.
nent tho bonds of friendship.
Capt. Ewell found it impossible to get near the
enemy to fire with effect He chased them from
bill to hill, but SO adroitly did they manage that
not single shot struck them. Secure in their po-
stlon they assumed defiant air. sneered at the
Americanos,i and in miserable Spanish replied
to Captain Newell's demand for the return of the
stock, that il he wanted It . up to them and
take it." Their spokesman made speech some
thing to this effect:
1.-The Americans are very great people They
are kind 10 the poor Indian. They give him blan-
kets TO keep him warm and food to stay his hum
ger. What have yon come here fora thought
we were good friends. Did we not visit Tucson
and Iubac, and go on an excursion to the Fort to
see you all? We sat by yenr fires in friendship,
and ate of your bread; and now you come to kill
US, our wives and children But ylu can never do
II. Our mountain Businesses are impenetrable.
You must no longer expect us to be friendly, We
have visited yea in your homes, and have counted
your cattle and your people. We are too smart to
be caught. We do not want to be friends. You
slay our people, but forget that we are brave and
Will have our revenge. You go out in pairs, or by
ha
Indian will drive the pale faces from the land of his
fathers, and once more erect his cabin in the fer
tile valley, amid the ruins of your hahitations
We will not bury the Ratchet again. We have
taken your stock and will not give it up. If you
conquer us, the red man must first fall before your
fire.
This was delivered in Spanish, interspersed with
words in his native tongue, and was accompanied
with emphatic gesture, and the utmost vehemence
OF manner. 1t was simply confirmation Of the
settled conviction Of tie citizens Of this region,
that the Apaches could not be circunlseribed by
treaties. The speaker also announced that not
many moons would pass ere they had war-dance
over the scalps OF their pae-face victims.
After chasing them from hill to hill without suc-
cess, as night was closing in, Capt Ewell withdrew
his forces and encamped. Soon after dark the In
dams crawed up and fired several shots into camp.
none of which took effect. The fires were imme.
diatey extingnished and no further disturbance oc.
CURED during the night On the following morn
ing, Captain Ewell decided to return. The MeXi.
cans who had followed them carried no ratons,
and with the necessity of subsisting them while on
the tramp, it was dangerous to penetrate into the
wilderness.
The Indians too, had driven the stock forward
on the first ALARM and there was then little proba.
bity of retaking it in the time which their supply
OF provisions would admit of continuing in the In.
dian country. The Captain is an old frontersman.
and was too familiar with the barren country over
which the trail led to hazard the chances, and
wisely resolved to return.