, 1872-12-24
CACHISE.

Governor Snf1ord's Account Of Els EI.-
tcrviexg with the Apache CIaicf-1the
Career of Cachise from the First E1os-
ti1ities-EHis Present Desire is for
Peace.
Tucson {you 3o] Correspondence Of the San Francisco
Aua.
Having recently visited Cachise, the Apache
war Chief, who has for the past twelve years
been the leader OF the most desperate and de-
structiyo band of Apaehes in Arizona, and who,
during that time, has seldom been seen except
as he sprang from an ambush, who has been re-
ported here, there, and everywhere at the saufe
time, and whose deeds OF blood have drenched
the soil Of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and
chihuahua, and whose very name caused o thrill
Of horror, thought it might be Of some interest
to those who have noted or observed these horrid
| scenes, to be informed of what saw and heard.
In order TO properly understand the true con-
dition Of Cochise and his band, will eay that he
is the Chief Of q band Of Apaches who in o1den
times inhabited the country from the Gila on the
and from San Pedro on the west to the Mem
bres, in New Mexico, on the east They have, rs
| far back as the memory Of man here runs, been
at war with tho people Of Mexico, aud their liy-
ing has been principally obtained by robbery.
When AIizona Was first possessed bV the United
States, for reasons best known to himself CO.
ohiae sought and evidently desired pence with
! our people and Government and this relation
e1iRted until 15G0. During the time, however,
he constantly raided npon the neghboring
States in Mexico, and brought back herds Of
horses and cattle. Occasionally stock was taken
in Arizona by his Indians at points distant from
his country, but it is understood that when COM
plants we're made in such cases he made an
| effort to restore the property.
During tho gear 1860, boy was made captive
while herding stock on the Sonoita, and some
believed that CachiEe had taken him hence
Lieutenant Bascom, with o company Of soldiers,
marched to Apache Pass, near his headquarters,
and camped at the overland mail station. The
Lieutenant told the station keeper that le was
on the way to New Mexico, and that lie desired
to zee Caehise and induced him to go and in
vito him in. When asked by Cachise what was
wanted Of him, he was informed thst he desired
to extend the hospitalitieB Of his tent, he WAS
on his way out Of the country. Cachise, With
four Of his friends &nd relatives, came in. and
when seated in Bascom's tent it IVES suddenly
surrounded by soldiers. He desired to know the
cause, and vas informed that he and his friends
were prisoners, and would be kept as such until
the boy believed to be- with his band was given
up. Cachise protested against such treachery,
and declared that he could not give him up. as
he knew nothing Of him. Watching his oppor~
tunity he drew his knife and cut hole through
the tent aad escaped.
He Immediately called his warriors together
and came in force near the station and desired to
have talk. One Of tho station-keepers went to
him to hear what he had to say, but as soon as
he lad reached Cachises lines, he WAS seized and
and made prisoner. 4 da; or two was spent
afterward in endeayors to effect an exchange Of
prisoners, Caohise Offering to give up his pris-
onor if the Lieutenant would release his (Cach-
isa's) friends. The Lieutenant declined to CT
change only man for man unless Cachiso would
surrender the bog, but Cachise steadily affirmed
that he know nothing about him. Finally he
came for last talk, leading his statlon-keeper
prisoner, with q rope around his neck tied to tho
horn Of his saddle. Ha again offered to aurren-
der him If his four friends Wero Eet free. The
station-keopor begged to have the exchange
made as his life would be forfeited II it WAS not
done but the Lieutenant again refused and
Cachise s. roweld his horse and dashed off at
hghtnipg speed draggng his poor victim II at fu
the four prisoners, and Cachise took the road.
The people not being apprised that hostihtles
had broken out, fell easy victims and the horrl-
bio murders and torturcs that followed for the
next few days are sickening to relate and from
that time to the 1st Of last September, scarcely
week passed without the commission OF bloody
deeds by his band. His attacks were made from
ambush, and invariably successful Sometimes
and again had but few followers He was often
reported to be at different. points at tho Same
time, frequently. reported dead, and generally
believed to be crippled for Life. His force WAS
often reported to have dwindled to mere
nothing. whilo he would, when occasion ro-
quired, make stand with force sufficient to
successfully resist all attempts to take him.
No matter what Impressions we're entertained
regarding him and his force, one thing was cor
tain, that he had for twelve years successfully
resisted all the power OF the friendly tribes and
what the Gorernments Of the United States and
Mexico brought to bear against him and also,
that siuce the lat OF last April he had been as
successful in taking life md property as at any
other period aince he commenced hostilitles.
Having been in the midst OF his field Of bloody
work for nearly four years. and having at times
endeavored to find him after the commission Of
his dire crimes, but generally being compelled
to travel in snch condition that be was the last
man desired to meet, it will not be 8 subject Of
wonder that had o curiosity to meet him and
see who aud what he is. Accordingly lcona-
municated ny desire to the agent. Captain
Thomas J. Jer1elds. ana Fas informed by him
tth.t he you'd bo happy to accompany me to bis
camp.
I left Tucson in company will, Dr.; r. 4. Wid-
bur, Agent Of the Papagos, on the 9ad instant,
for Sulphur Springs, where WAS to meet lap
tain Jeiferdz but, upon arrival. 7 found tho
Captain had gono 70 another part Of the Reser;
vasloa supply 1 nsnd o1 81 apaeas en wsa
thero delayed one dav for his return. He told
me DO hg4 been absent from tina camp Of caeh-