The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-19
REDS ON THE WARPATH.
A Fight with Horse Thieving Apaches
in New Mexico.
Sancha, a VIGOROUSLY Bad
Indian.
Resistance OF the Tribe 10 His Arrest and Their
Flight TO the Mountains.

WASHINGTON August IS, 1874
captain George W. Gibson, OF the Eighth cavalry
reports to the War Department from Fort Selden.
New Mexico, that on the 9th Of July he went in
pursuit Of party OF Indians who had stolen horses
from shedd's Rancho, and after following them
TOUR days they were overhauled in a CANYON
tributary from the southwest OF the Canada Ala.
mosa, where an engagement took place. Three
Indians were killed and the stolen horses re.
covered. One man, Corporal Frank Brattllng. OF
Captain Chilson's command, was Killed.
letter received at the War Department. rom
B. NJ Thomas, United States Agent for the South.
ern Apache Agency, dated Tulerosa. New Mexico.
July "a. addressed to General John Pope, says:-
have the honor to state that on yesterday I
requested OF the chiefs OF this tribe OF Indians per.
mission to arrest Sancha,
A NOTORIOUS THIEF AND MURDERER,
who had lately returned to the reservation from
one Of his thieving expeditions. On thus last trip
been overtaSen by Captain Gibson irpops and and
two Of them killed. The principal chiefs had often
expressed desire to have the bad Indians pun.
in arresting this notorious thief; but, instead
Of Of that that, they said they would not allow ono
they took up arms for his protection, anu told me
that If ] wanted to fight they were ready Tue
food and clothing and Of keeping large NUMBER
OF troops IN this country all Tor tie purpose prac
tlcaliy OF allowing the Indians TO steal and XIII
almost as freely as they did when on the warpath.
They have been allowed to do this of the reserva-
tlon so long that lately they have felt at liberty
agency TO serve them. In view Of all these things
Respectfully request that you counsel with the n-
dlans and make arrests by iorce II necessary.
Major william II. Price, OF the Eighth cavalry In
accordance with the foregoing request OF Indian
Agent Thomas was
DETAILED TO ARREST sANcuA
at the agency.
In his report Major Price says
Or. Thomas, the United States indian Agent
informed me that he had just allied In an attempted
arrest Sancha, notorious chief and leader in the
party, whom Captain Chilson had attacked, &C.
DR.. Thomas lnrther stated that he supposed he
could rely upon the support Of Victoria and some OF
the principal men, but this council had proved them
all unreliabe that they had all counselel thevlng
and harbored thieves upon this reservation. When
the agent proceeded to make the arrest, upon
signal from Victoria thirty or forty armed Indians
surrounded the agent, and that the chief said
OF his men should be arrested for anything they
had done. They
DARED THE SOLDIERS TO FIGHT
or make any attempt to arrest any one Major
Price arrived about half an nour after the council
had been held, when the Indians seemed alarmed,
and 1t was reported that they sending their
families to the mountains. He says:-
Irode down from the post to the agency, mile
Victoria and sancha on the way. They seemed
much alarmed at the presence OF the soldiers and
to counsel in the house A council viii be held
with them Immediately outside Of the agency,
seven men being present and the same number OF
armed Indians. Thirty or forty Immediately came
down to the council from the bill lsides, posting
sentnels TO watch every movementAol the troops.
They were
TNsOLENr IN THEIR TALK,
and suddenly broke up the council. announcing
that their "tisroyn" was ready and they were going
to drink 1t, and that they would talk TO me the
next day at such place as they would designate.
During the night the military guard at the agency
was increased, and the next morning it was dis
covered that the Indian women were moving their
property to the mountains ana that the camp was
destroyed, the bucks being tn In q canyoa AS
no further talk could be secured with the Indians,
at the request OF the agent MAJOR Price arrested
three men, two boys aud about thirty women and
carried them back to the reservation. Other bucks
were allowed to escape, as Major Price desired to
do no injury TO them.
In conclusion he says:-
am In perfect accord with the agent DR..
Thomas who Is very efficient and reliable man.
General Pope notifies the Department that he hal
approved OF the action OF Major Price, and troops
are held In readiness to move In case he requires
them.
DR.. Thomas, in another letter. says AS result
to-day, the rest OF the tribe have ned to the noun
tains. respectfully request that you follow them
and make every effort to open communication with
the chiefs and induce them to return to the
ton peacefully, II they can do 50, with the purpose
to fulfil at least part Of their obligation to the gov
ernment but If they insolently reject every
able proposition, have to request that you take
steps to protect the settlers adjacent to the old
n these In diana