Arizona silver belt., 1881-10-08
The True Story.

The outbreak of George, Bonito and the Chiricahuas,is regarded us directly charge. able to Gen. Wilcox. On Sept. 17th, in an interview with Col Tiffany, at Camp Thomas, Gen. Wilcox said he did not want negotiations opened with the Indians un. til he had fight, or until military move. mcnts were accomplished. Col. Tiffany could not see why peace should not be made as soon as possible. Negotiations were opened by tho Indians, with Col. Tiffany, however. and on Sept. 21st five hostile chiefs came in under safe guard. Col. Tiffany told them they were accused of being at the Cibicu fight, and that some of their men were charged with the mur, ders at Middleton's ranch; that they had their choice, as they were protected by the safeguard, of returning to the mount ans and being considered outlaws, liable to be killed by soldiers or friendly h. dIaps; or they could surrender themselves and men, be turned over to the military, tried for their alleged crimes, and pun. ished if guilty. They consented to this, and on the 23d ult surrendered themselves to Col. Tiffany, and were delivered by him to the custody of Col. Stacey, Post Com. mandcr, representing Gen. Wilcox. The
 five chiefs were closely confined. Their bucks to the number of GO, also came in, submitted to the agreement, and were given by Col Tiffany into the charge of the military. Subsequent arrests were made of hostiles coming into the Agency. Arrests were also made by Ezra Hoag, the Sub.Agent, and the prisoners were delv. cred at Camp Thomas, to Gen. Wilcox, one of whom, George. went alone, bearing note from Sub.Agent Hoag to Gen. Will. COX. All the Indians turned over by Agt Tiffany, and Sub,Agent Hoag, were pa roled by order of Gen. Wilcox. This showed the disposition of the Indians to submit themsclyes for trial, and that there was no necessity for military display. George and Bonito were paroled by Gen. Wilcox. and would have been fortbcom- ing at any tune. Sub-Agent Hoag had been notified that they were wanted at Camp Thomas. Upon learning that troops were going to the Sub Agency to affect the arrest of George and Bonito, Col. Tiffany telegraphed Gen. Wilcox on Sept. 29th
 "Hoag sends me word that he can no doubt have Georges men go to you at Thomas, at any time you desire." On Sept. 30tl he wrote Col. Sanford, com. mander of troops at the Agency, "1 am afraid the movement being made this morning will have the effect of preventing a consummation of what we hoped for, viz: the speedy capture of the hostile scouts and murdcrcrs. who no doubt would have come ID under former arrangement" Notwithstanding all this, the warning f Col. Tiffany was unheeded, and Maj. Bid: dle, in conformity to orders of Gen. Will. COX, appeared with his command at the Sub.Agency, when manifest uneasiness was evident among the Indians, they not knowing what to expect. That night about 10 o'clock, the ChiriCahuas left their camps; and that they are now on the war path is attested by the ghastly remains of murdered citizens and soldiers which have been found on the line of their fleeing footsteps. They are closely followed by the troops, who, it is hoped, will deal out such punishment to them, as will make murder and thieving less attractive pas times to them. t.