, 1861-02-21
Ful1 Accounts Of the Capture or a Coz,
: manche Camp by Col. Cx1ttenden
and his Men. '' F

So. tLNtfeSPol- EuEe VI IuE 81. LOUIE OeNEA21at-J
:: -: - BARc1ATe Fo8r, I, !,
.. ,NEH MEx1co, Jan. 6, 1851 {;
Tile command under. Col: Crittenden, con-
nisting of 100 mounted rinenlen, left Fort
Union Oh The 26th of December, in pursuit Of
the Cornanches, striking for the head Of the
Cln1arune, where they were supposed to be en-
catnped: Fires, were dispensed with at night,
and thermarrhes were rapid and silent, being
determined to surprise the 1ndian camp, it
possible On the morning Of the Cd Of Janu-
ary they left camp ut two O'Clock, hoping to
reach the village by daylight. At seven
o'clock they LETT the Cimarone by a. trail
which led by . nearer route to tie village, and
st the same Ame-kept; them under cover from
tue Eayages; until a at sudden @ bend In the trall
their view. Col. .Crfttenden did not wait for
an opportunity to act on the defensive, until
lie Indians had time to decamp, bag and bag
eage, aod thus afford them the pleasure Of q
lo1g aud frulhess pursuit, but seeing that cav
airy could not act, the men were quickly dis
mounted; part OF the command were left in
charge Of tue horses and packs. and IN few.
t!seiY approach, the rifles were charging their
GIMP in beautiful style The women aud
children, like frightened partridges, fled to the
r',ckv hi!f sides, which seemed To- open to re-
GIVE them, and in moment not one was to be
seen The warriors, raising the Ear-whoop,
dashed boldly forward to meet the command,
u hila one gallant fellow; supposed to he q
chief, rushed tnadly up nearly to the mazzles
Of the rifles, waving his shield and encouraging
lis followers to charge, while his arrows were
sent thick and last into the ranks Of his enemies
lie seemed to court dcath-and he found It.
The rifles Of Lieutenant jackson and two 9TH
ers were leyeled, and he fell, pierced by three
balls at the same moment. At the same in
Instant another brave warrior dashed up, but
oaly to be pierced by shower Of balls, and
horse and rider rolled Ifeles on the ground,
eaycIopcc IN 4 cloud Of dust. In tic mean
lime, the rifles Of the command were playing
n4c1rily On the less daring warriors In the rear.
The Colonel ordered the men to keep cool, and
take deliberate aim, and make every shot tell
satisfied their curiosity. Many q warrior
Ras stretchod On the earth never more to
rise, while the wounded, aud those fortu-
nate enough to escape unhurt, scrambled into
The rocks, which formed stronghold almost
impregnable, from which this swarm ot
warriors poured out 4 CALLING fire on the
gallant little band Of troops that stood exposed
soldiers were soon disabled by this hidden
e1ae1ny, AID it being considered madness Ia
continue the fight under such disadvantages
tllc men were withdrawn, aud commenced
burning the lodges and property Of the say
eyes. The position row occupied by the In
diaus wes very strong one, being very deel
aorxe in tue Mesa table land), the sides d
hinge pieces Of rock which had fallen from
above and formed q safe coyerfor the savases
Tie summit of the Mesa being encircled by {
perpendicular belt Of rock, prevented up
+! roach from aboye, and the lodges stood fairly
'.ut within elot in the valley below. The tirt
from the enemy thus Eafely sheltered finally
proved 80 calling to those occupied III de-
.:royiug the lodges, that the Colonel deter
rlined to disloa9e them 1T I'LL riska, by at
lacking them from above, 80 as to destroy tht
Village more etfactually. -....
A point was finally discovered at which III
uscsnt WIS considered practicable, but as tn,
!,arty asceELcd they were fired on from above
lad Lieut.. jackson and his command were or
/ Asrcd to clear The passes, which was Tarill
| effected, but it was found more difficult tt
6islodge them from the summit rock whic
'arerhung the valley. The men we're deploye
rs skirmishcrs and fought them from rock t
rock until they were finally dispersed, and
..:srty under 1t. Clafan completed the dcstrue
ion Of the village To do this, required Ee,
ira! hours, and the amount Of properly d.
| ktroyet was immense.
;, Tic troops entered the valley at s in til
1norning aud left it at In the evening. Til
number Of men engaged in the action wa
fitty-dye, the rsst were guarding the horse
aud packs. With this insignificant force,
Village Of It's lodges, III g strong position, wa
/ unhesitatingly attacked, and q blow struc
that made tho naughty Ccmanche tremble
his home Ten warriors were counted lyin
:'cad on the prairie, but as tho Colonel doe
s.t fancy killing By superstition, as has bee
% much in vogue here, he takes 10 account
those Killed in the rock, or Of the Wounde'
Three soldiers were wounded, hut none dal
1 eryusly. Nine were killed. 4 goodly nun
;,er Of horses and mules were taken, but tt
uambcr did not learn. Had the comman
been somewhat stronger. not Il warrior wou'
',aye escaped. This action proves cobclusiv
1r that regulars tan catch and chastise Indian
TOO, when commanded by brave and cncrget
| officers. 4 few blows like this struck at Fo
Wise, and the other points where the c
llanches are known is BIZ congregated, wou
soon settle the question, give protection
.,ur frontiers, and q safe passage for the mai