Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-16
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FROM NEW MEXICO,
IFol From an an Occasional oorrss,pl.ondsns.1


the heat of the almost tropical sun was
tempered by a delightful breeze from
the Northern. mountains, when num-
Der of our officers concluded to make an
excursion on horseback to a hill situate
just on the other side of the Rio Grande,
where the fort was situated of which part
of our regiment composed the garrison.
We had only arrived from the East few
weeks before, and the California troops
which had occupied the fort, had not all
tleft yet the settlers in the vicinity, of
which there is but very limited num-
Der in those remote regions, had predict
ed on our arrival that we would have
trouble with the Indians at once, for ex-
perieflce had taughtto them that these
savages commit depredations whenever
the, command changes at, a fort, in order
| to test the valor or experience OF the new
garrison and adopt their future acts of
hostility to the strength and energy, or
to the slackness and carelessness of
their enemy. We had been told by the
California officers, that we would not be
apt ever to see single Indian, for in
lthose regions they take good care not
Ito show themselves, except when
they have every chance in their
favor and when they mean to destroy
the whole fort and kill every man in it.
We were in hopes, however, to meet
with better success than our predeces-
sors, and an opportunity did not hesitate
to present itself to us for, being unde-
ceived in our sanguine anticipations OF
Furnishing a number of redskins for their
| acts of cruelty, committed on innocent
| victims 1t was about three o'clock of
the above mentioned day, and | was
quietly at work at the Office of Post
Headquarters, when a man rushed in
and in evident excitement asked for the
Colonel. That officer was asleep in the
next room, but saw plainly that some
thing extraordinary had happened and
therefore woke him without hesitation.
1 was informed in the mean time by the
texcited messenger that a small party OF
Indians had attacked two.of his herders
within a mile from the fort, killed them
and taken large number of cattle with
them, he had himself had narrow es-
cape from their clutches and begged that
force should be dispatched at once to
punish the evil doers and restore the
cattle if possible. There was no time
to loose, but the greater number of cav
airy horses were grazing at some distance
and besides the Colonel and the officer
of the day, who could not leave their
posts, thprewas only myself and another
commissioned officer-at the fort; be-
sides, it would take about two hours be-
lore the others could be recalled, A
messenger was, however, dispatched
4 forthwith, and in the meantime Lieut.. b.
put in command of about ten well mount
ed men to pursue the Indians, with the
promise that larger cavalry force would
be forwarded with as little delay as pos
! sible to his assistance. So off he went,
iyentre-a -terre, with his small detachment,
and soon afterwards all the available
horses at the fort We're saddled, and the
other officers returned, having seen from
"a neighboring hill that small squad
was leaving the fort and suspected that
something was wrong. The Colonel, in
j the meantime, had ordered company of
infantry to start for a point, situated this
side of the river, and known to be fa-
.yorite hiding, g,place of the savages. He
thought that the Indians would either
drive the stolen cattle there, or endeavor
ttoerossthe Rio Grande with their booty,
about twenty miles above the fort. In
order, therefore, to intercept them at the
latter point, he ordered twenty we'll
mounted men, commanded by a Cap
tain and voluntarily assisted by three
other officers to cross the river on the
neighboring ferry and go in pursuit
of the redskins. I was member of the
latter expedition and off we started
about A o'clock, P. NJ, we'll provided
with arms and ammunition, though un-
der the impression that few. hours
ride, and perhaps lively fight, would
terminate the whole campaign.
Capt. N, the commander of our small
cavalry squad, was man whom five
4 years military service on the frontiers
: had rendered highly efficient for his
present task.
He ordered the men to ride in single
!, file, himself taking the lead and follow
ing an Indian trail, track invisible to
me, who rode Immediately behind him,
but which his eyes discerned, sometimes
: lost, but always found again, in spite OF
/. our keeping upa pretty sharp trot. He
was, moreover, well acquainted with the
country within fifty miles distance, and
Uniformed of every corner where the saw.
ages might be hidden, or effect an easy
crossing of the river. Thus we rode fol
hours, the words of command being Civ.
en- in a low tone by the Captain to the
man in his rear, and so on until
they reached the end of the file. Sa
!. Ebres had been left behind, for fear thai
Z the noise might call the attention of the
Indians to our whereabouts, but every
: man took care to look out for any sub
!. ject which might arouse his suspicious
Sometimes the Impractical eye woult
discover what he was sure to be a maj
!. standing up straight, or sitting on a sand
hill, but it proved invariably tc be on,
of those quantity shaped Cactus trees o
which the whole Mexican country
abounds Then again our leader woult
J. Hook up towards the dark blue, cloudles
sky to discover some signal which tn
: Indians use by kindling a few dr..
brushes, just enough to issue small col
umn of smoke and give information #
J, their fellow warriors. 1t was about
o'clock P. M. when, after much search
ing for recent Indian tracks, we arrived
at what is called San Diego crossing
without discovering any thing indicat
ing the approach of the enemy or hi
. hiding place. Still we went on abou
\. six miles further up the river. when
was agreed that we should rest ourselve
and our animals until day break ant
!, then continue our expedition. Th