Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-10-16
BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS
The Responsibility for Failure to Inter
 eept the Chirieahuas.
Charge to Department Commander Wilco1--oei'
 MacKenzie's Direcsons Not Carried Gut.

Special Correspondence of the Cr1-zEN.l
 MAxIsY, A. T., October s.-"Honor to whom honor is due" is an old maxim and good one, but equally good is the caption of this letter. On account of the controversy now going on between yourself and your neighbor of the Star, I will give you version of the Chirica- hua outbreak. and the failure of the troops to intercept them between here and the railroad, as seen from this point of observation.
 During the time Gen. Wilcox re mained up here he sent several detach- ments--vers. small ones-down to the sub-agency for the purpose of intimidat ting Georges band and inducing him to surrender their arms. At the same time he would send pacific mes sages to him, such as tell them l love them all;" Il am their father, etc. George himself came up once or twice and no attempt was made to arrest hIm- On Friday, the 1st inst, Col. Riddle, with about seventy men, was sent down to
 
 Thomas He got to the sub-agency about noon, and Hoag said that after George drew his rations he would come up. In the meantime George seeing such a display of force concluded he would not come and then hid himself.
 The Chiricahuas, who had been watching all the military movements for some time. believing that thenext move would be to arrest them, skipped out be- tween Friday night and Saturday morn ing.
 On Saturday Major Sanford's com mand, consisting of Bernard's and Cars companies of the 1st Cavalry, in all no men, came in with the prisoners from San Carlos; also came in McClellan's company, 40 men; Raiferty, 8 men; OvertOn, 40 men and Glass 9 men-al- together force of 250 men, all cavalry.
 In the meantime a correspondence was going on by telegraph between Wilcox and Mackenzie as to their re- spective powers, which was finally deci- ded that Mackenzie commanded Tn the field.
 Wilcox then concluded to move himself and his numerous statf-in- cluding his correspondents out of MachenZle way. as the laLter Iel- egraphed him that he would start imme- diately for Themas to confer with him, and before Wilcox left he requested that Mckenzie be sent out of his De- partment
 Now, here is the point where the head ing comes in: Mackenzie telegraphed Wilcox to send infantry to guard the prisoners, and let all the cavalry pursue the Chiricahuas. He even gave him the modus operandi: to get fifth chain and when the Indians were handcuifed to pass the chain through the handcuffs, locking it in front and rear, then the Twentieth Infantry could guard them; otherwise to leave them at Thomas.
 Wilcox did not heed this advice, but kept the two stronger companies to guard his precious self and staff and left Sunday morning with his captives @ for Tucson-it is believed here for the purpose of making a big show, and hare the country think the war was over and that Mackenzie is not much needed. Had the lltters advice been taken, and ne then had the right to command, the Chiricahuas would never have reached the railroad Mackenzie has now taken hold and things already begin to wear bright appearance. ARGUs.