Arizona citizen., 1871-05-20
Lieutenant Cushing's Last Fight.

April 20, It. H. B. Cushing was ordered to move with small detach- ment of F Troop, along the Southern border of Arizona between the Sonoita and San Pedro valleys, and ascertain the general direction of the trails made by any large parties of Indians. Af- ter marching some days without note worthy occurrence, he moved May ,, to the site of old Fort Wallen, but was unable to go into camp because the Indians fired all the country in that vicinity. Therefore, he deter mined to move on to Bear Spring, in Whetstone Mts., north of the post. When a few miles on the way, a squaw's track was observed passing across the trail. Sergeant Mott, with three men, was ordered to follow the track, and soon found that 1t led into deep arroyo, apparently intended to m1slead the pursuers from the main body. Ascending a small hill, he at once discovered large body of Apa- ches moving down upon him. One man was sent to advise the Lieut. enat, and the others defended the posi- tion with great gallantry, until the res of the command arrived. A desperate fight, almost hand to hand, then oc- cured, in which the Indians were badly whipped and retreated, leaving thirteen dead on the battle ground. Our losses were the wounding of Mir. Simpson, privates Green and Pierce, and some animals killed and wounded. The Lieutenant then ord cred a forward movement after the Indians, who being by this time large ly reinforced, returned and renewed the firing from all sides, killing Lieut.. Cushing, MT. Simpson and Private Green. A slow retreat was then made out of the canyon to rising ground, where the enemy was awaited, but he made no demonstration. The great superiority of number and secure position of the Indians, were sound reasons why the command should re- tire to some post, and Crittenden was reached at midnight of May ,.
 Sergeant Mott's conduct Is spoken of in the highest terms by the men. The parties under Captains Moore and Stanwood which visited the scene of conflict few days thereafter, found the position of the Indians admirably adapted for defense, and by few resolute men could have been held againsta vastly superior force Cachees had retired towards the Puerta de las Mulas, on the east side of San Pedro everywhere burning the country to hide his trail.
 Private Martin Green, the soldier killed, was @ native of Germany, had served a long time in F Troop, Sd Cavalry, and was noted among his comrades for his steady habits and quiet manner. He had but three more months to serve, and was preparing to visit his relatives. At the time of his death, over $7OO were found on his person.
 W. H. Simpson was first shot thro the mouth and back of he neck, and while stubbornly fighting, was again shot in the body and also in the hand. Private Green was first shot in the leg and afterwards through the head.
 It. Cushing's wound was through the lungs, the bullet passing from breast to back As he was being car ried off between the Sergeant and a private, a second bullet pierced his brain, passing from the back of his neck through and knocking out his right eye.
 The bodies were buried where they fell. It. c. in the middle, MT. $. on the right and Private Green on the left.
 As soon as possible, they will be taken up, broughtto Tucson and buried with military honors.