Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-08-22


Of Navajos on the 22d ultimo at tho Caurhas
springs, about IL miles s. Il, Of Chaparita. The
party consisting Of Sergeant Jose Lucero, and
privates Juan, +. Ortiz and Jose Barreras- fought
the Indians very brayvly, from about Ii o'clock
A. NJ. until long after sun down, killing and
woundng considerable number of them The
Indians, however in great numbers as they WERE
and under cover of night succeeded in surround
ing the little party and in killing Sergt. Lucero
and Private Ortiz. Bareras on seeing bis critical
position, being severely wounded by eight arrow
shots, and being out OF ammunition gathered up
the pistols and nuskets Of his dead ComraGes, US
well as bis own, threw these articles into the
springs; and laid himself flat on the ground under
the body Of Segt Lucero, so as to make the Indians
believe he was also killed; but the Indians when
stripping the corpses Of their habimonts found
out that there was still lie in Barreras. They
now fractured bis skull with heavy rocks; bruised
his whole body terribly end lett hin for dead
Bareras, however, recovered towards morning and
made his way back to Uhaparita, where he is now
slowly recovering from the injuries received.
The remains of Scrgt. Lucero (frightfuly mutt
lated were taken TO Chaparita and buried there
by The people Of that town The body Of Ortiz
was found and buried by 1t. MOntoya some days
after the occurrence, who had been sent to find
out, what had become Of these men and the Ex-
press from Union as they did not arrive here at
tho given time. This sad news reached here on
the 29th utimo about o'clock P. NJ, with the
Express from Union, and also the report that the
Navaloes had stolen some 10000 head Of sheep.
Hardly an hour after The arrival of the news, was
on the road with 80 we'll mounted men, yeayng
1t. Montoya in COmliand of the Camp, and en-.
deavOured to intercept the Indians from crossing
the Pecos. Marching in south western direc-
ton across the Lauo Estacado struck lnext day
the Fort Sumner road little above the Alamo
GordO--hayng found no signs, Iprocoeded up the
Pecos river, keeping my spies well detached
crossed tho old Fort Smith road and then
marched north, towards tho Conchas springs
without having been able to discover any trail
although some ormy men are excellent hands ia
that business. Ntarthe Conchns springs learn
ed that tho Nayajos were still in tho Cahons neal
ChapaTlia. Ny plan was now to secure my horses
in corral al Chaparta, " march my men on foot
ahd take the indians, lfpossiblo by surprise in The
night. But for this purpose ! needed the assist
ance ola guide, acquainted with those CanOns
and as money could not hire one, had to give u
the idea. Next morning at sunrise found tn,
Indian camp, which they had left as soon as the,
had discovered my party, but being determined tt
overtake the Indians followed their trail, which
lead up and down ever the steep and rocky noun
tails After some 10 bours hard and incessan
travelling my trailers reported the Indians to b
upon another mountain, separated from US BY
very long, steep and rocky Canon. Seeing here
that my exeltions in pursuing were useless AM
knowing that the Indians would closely watcl
my movements concluded to leave Corpora
and Il men on the top Of the mountain (well hid
den) with orders to sneak around the Indians an
if possible to drive them down. Meanwhile dc
descended with tho rest Of my men into the prairi
and went into camp, thus showing the Indian
that was falling back This manoeuver was
lucky one while the indians were watching in from
Corporal Martinez came close to their rear, an
had running 6ght with thom killing two, wount
ing several, besides this, the Corporal destroyed
considerable amount oil their camp utensils whic
they were obliged to abandon and captured thre
beeves which they tried to drive along A fright
ful rain, the darkness Of tho night and hs tire
men compelled the Corporal to fall buck to CAM
where he and his party arrived after midnight,
At sunrise next morning had my men agai
on the ridge and in search of the trail, this how
ever, was difficult task as the heavyrains duriD
the whole night had washed them entirely ava,
At length became satisfied that the Indians ha
left for the Canon Largo and | Immediately di
eeted my march for that place. Here, | had N
trailers and spies pretty hard at work, but the
returned without having observed any signs Of Ii
dians. returned again to the CahOns near CHI
parita aud on finding there no more indications,
was evident that tho Indians had fed from thi
part Of the country, aud as my presence at tn
place was very much required | thought it be
to return, and arrived here on last night about
o'clock with my command in good order, indir
here nothing Of Importance which could be r.
ported .,.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Il. NJ. BERGMAN,
CaDiain lst Cav. N. NJ. Vol.