Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-08-19
The War With the Apaches.

COL. EMERSON On THE DIFFICULTIES OF AN
INDIAN CAMPAIGN; THE TROUBLE AT THE MES
CALERo AGENCY, ETC.
In his report to the adjutant general giving
an account Of the dtSarming OF the Indians at
the Mescalero agency, New Mexico last Spring,
Col. B. 81. Grierson, 10th cavalry. says:-"This
agency had for long time been simply a sort OF
hospital for Old infirm Indians and commtSsary
for Indian women and children. and safe refuge
and convenient place for the younger and more
active Indians to obtain supplies to enable them
to continue their raiding and depredationS In
Texas and elsewhere. The agency, too. had be-
come virtually supply camp for VIctOria's
band, who. In addition to such means of SUBJ
s1stence, were by most remarkable manifesto
tiOn OF generosity on the part OF the Indian de-
partment having their families fed and kindly
cared ter at the San Carlos agency. The troops
were required 10 pursue, hunt up and fight Vic.
tofia and his band OF marauderS that kept on
the war path, strengthened and reinforced and
doubly supplied by the indirect and direct aid
OF the government. IL was evident that Gen.
Hatch had mace up his mind to avoid as far as
pt ss1ble any serious trouble with the agent or
interior department, and at the risk OF adding
and possibly for the sake of peace, harmony
and humanity, relied too much on the agents
ability to bring In and control the Indians and
In quiet way accomplish what might be diff
cult to effect by the use OF force without having
the blow fall TOO heavily on those who were
innocent" Several parties OF the Indians
were intercepted by the scouts while running
OH stock, and Mascalero Indians were found
among them. The agent claimed that the
Indians were sent out after the animals that
Gad gone astray. and that they were attacked
by the scouts when driving the stock In towards
the agency.
The Mascalercs who were to be disarmed
except small number 10 be retained as an
Indian police, came into the agency Monday.
A close count, April 18th, showed 800 In all The
next day was fixed for the disarmament. The
Indians. In Col. Griersons opinion, were allowed
TO camp too far from the Soldiers, with boggy
hptLSppn
he'd no fears but that the disarmament would
be conducted without difficulty. at the
hour for disarming the Indians began
TO move their horses and ponies rapidly
up the mountain. There were great commotion
In their camp. The flight increased. The cav
ally was moved quickly across the river the
infantry was also on the move. The firing BE-
tween the troops and Indians was for time
quite lively. Several Indians were killed. About
$50 Indians and about 400 horses, ponies and
mules We're rounded up and brought back to the
agency and placed under guard. About one
half the Indians who escaped joined Victoria.
or in small parties continued to raid into Texas
or elsewhere as before. In regard TO Gen. Hatch
Col. Grterson says: Those who are so quick to
ceDsure, viltfy and abuse Gen. Hatch and his
hard-worked troops, officers and men, for not at
once capturing or destroying Victoria and his
band OF marauderS do not stop to consider the
great difficulties to be encountered In conSum-
mating this desired result. They seem to forget
or are not aware OF the nature or extent OF the
high, dry table lands Of New Mexico Is broken
here and there by rough and almost 1naccessi-
BILE mountains, and the Indians, with their
minute and thorough knowledge OF the coun-
try. throughout which there is great scarcity
OF water, place the troops at great disadvantage
When hard pressed they quickly pass from one
mountain range to another, where hidden
from view, they can watch the.movements and
approach OF the troops attack small parties and
readily evade any conflict with large and suoe-
rfor force" Col. Grlerson also says ''rhe Indians
nA 10 lyy fpfn
the country. There are many other persons In
the vicinity of the MeScalero Apache reserva-
tion who make business OF stealing stock,
alike from citizens and the Indians; and Others
who are always ready to purchase stolen stock
and other stolen property from the Indians,
giving them in exchange either whisky, guns
pistols or ammunition. 1t is not surprising,
therefore. that the Indians with all their savage
proclivitieS and propensity to steal should uIl-
der such circumstances, continue to engage in
the business" In addition to the work per-
formed at the MeScalero agency, Col GrIersOn
did much scouting and pursuing OF depredattng
Indians His expedition Travelled 500 miles.