The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-08-07

upon the fact that a party OF Texans let
Shedd's ranch the same evening the horses
were stolen, but we are glad TO know i was
unjust Immediately after the discovery 81
the loss an express was sent % Capt Chill
son. commanding At Fort Selden, and at
midnight Of the 18th ult-, and two hours
after the arrival Of the express, the captain
and detachment were IN the saddle with
several days rations Between San Angus
tin pass and the Fancli, Indian tracks were
seen, and the captain Immediately deter
mined that his game was Indians instead Of
white men. An examination showed that
the Apaches had approached the ranch
through Bayiors pass.
At the ranch the captain was compelled
10 await the arrival Of a Mexican trailer
named Nicolas, until three o'clock in the
afternoon, and also to prepare more rations
for his men. When the start was made,
the Indians had at least thirty-six hours the
start, and as the track showed but i've
Apaches, the twelve stolen horses and q
mule, this gave them great advantage IN
the change Of animals. The trail led along
the foot hills Of the eastern slope Of the
mountain toward the north watering when
it was possible, the captain followed the
trail above the Alamo, and San Nicholas
Springs, where the trail led to the plain and
/ took an old road. Above San Andreas,
the Indians separated in different directions
and the detachment was compelled to halt
for the rising of the moon. A thorough
search showed where they again united, and
the trail led into the mountain and north
ward through the middle Of the range, and
then struck across tornado del Muerto for
the Rio Grande At this point Doctor Jes-
sup had become so thoroughly exhausted,
and sick from the effects of bad water at the
last watering place, where the soldiers were
compelled to water their horses IN their
hats, that he was unable TO proceed. 1.-THE
Indians were to be overtaken, the Doctor
must be left behind, to which lie willingly
assented, and five cantecns of water and two
soldiers, one of them sick, were left with
DIR. Jessup with instructions to make their
way, as soon as able to proceed, TO the stage
road and thence to Martins Ranch
The captain and the balance of the de-
tachment struck across the .Tornada npon
the trail and when about thirty miles out,
came in sight of cattle. All being unac-
quainted with the portion Of the mountain
they had last left, they were somewhat as
tonished ut tins, but upon examination,
found that the trail was passing only about
mile from Martin ranch. Knowing then
that the doctor aud men were left with in
correct instructions regarding directions,
this gave the captain great uneasiness, and
portion of the picket at the ranch were at
once dispatched with water to find the doc
/ TOR and his party. The doctor and one man
were found in an exhausted and suffering
condition and brought in; the other had
left for help and was found by the buck
/ board driver at the Point Of Rocks and
/ taken back to Martins ranch
AT one o'clock at night the detachment
left Martins ranch, taking with them two
Of the picket guard at that place and sup
plying Mr.. Knight and the two trailers with
fresh horses theirs having given out, and
pursued the trail which crossed the Rio
Grande below Palomas, and thence toward
Canada Alamosa. The captain now became
aware, from the signs, that he was gaining
upon tire Apaches, and after two or three
more stages OF the pursuit, came upon a
camp of the Indians where the Goals of fire
were still hot. Here the captain informed
his men that he intended to overhaul the
Apaches upon the next ride, and saw that
every canteen was filed while he gave the
necessary instructions in case they came
upon the Apachcs. Every soldiers face
frightened at the prospect, and not COM
plant was made by single man during the
/
| guide Nicolas to take the gallop wherever
the ground admitted, the detachment
struck toward the mountain, and bearing
northwardly toward Canada Alamosa.
About two o'clock IN the afternoon, Mr.
Knight, who was riding ahead with the
! trailer, turned and gave notice that the In
dians were seen. Immediately the command
was given to charge with pistols. The
Apaches were taken by surprise, and for
saxing their horses, dashed into the brush
over a hill into and up another cannon.
Here the pistol firing became volleys, re-
turned by the Indians upon their pursuers.
Captain Chilson then ordered his men to
-dismount and use their carbines-at this
moment Corporal Bratling G. Troop while
resting upon his knee in the act of taking
aim, and while Capt. Chilson was caution
! ing him TO cover himself from the aim Of
the Apaches, was shot through the heart
CHANGING toward his captain and covering
the fatal wound with his hnRd, the brave
man sank to the earth and gazed for the last
time upon the bright sur An Indian
dropped, then another further up the can
non, then another still furtherup, while one
thought to be wounded was still climbing a
peak of huge bolders for a hiding place.
Capt. Chilson with two or three men con
tinued the pursuit, but were unable to find
the Indian and returned.
The dead comrade was placed upon a
horse and carried forty miles to Fort
McRae, where military funeral was given
with the usual honors, the whole garrison
turning out for that purpose, Captain Chill
son reading the service.
Corporal Frank Bratling, Sergeant James
L. Morris, Sergeant Leonidas, s. Lyle,
blacksmith, John Sheerin and private
Henry Wills, were complimented in orders
by Captain Chilson, upon his return to his
post, for gallant conduct in the engage
ment All the stock were retaken. One
Apache made his escape upon horse he
had stolen elsewhere, and Is nov undoubt-
edly drawing ations at the Tnlarosa reser-
vation-altogether the scout was the most
severe, yet successful, made in this section
for years, and Captain Chilson and his men
deserve great credit, and viii be remem-
! bered by both whites and Apaches.
The route Of the Apaches was the same
as that taken last year by the Tularosa In
dams with Blanchard's mules, which they
stole from the vicinity of Shedds ranch,
and leads TO the conclusion that it was the
same party of Apachcs. Blanchard mules
were never restored 10 him, although the
agent knew they were there. This time the
tardy action Of the Indian Bureau is not
needed, and il will not be az al surprising
ia peace commission is sent to inform
I Capt. Chilson that he rides his horses too
fast on the trail.
At least three hundred and fifty miles
were ridden in the seven days, overa most
rugged and prccipitous country, where the
trailer was often compelled to dismount
and hunt on foot
no she Democrats Of Texas.