Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-09
sAnrA FrN-M Anril 20 1ss2

SANTA FE, N. NJ, April 80, 1882.
EDITOR LEDGER:-When we feel
most secure, then it is that we are in
the greatest danger. | stated in my
first letter that we anticipated no
trouble from the red man this season,
and as far as New Mexico is concerned
the statement is yet true. The recent
outbreak was in Arizona, and so far
all the depredations have been com
mitted in that Territory. 1t is still
questionable whether or not New
Mexico will have to suffer likewise.
But we hope that ere this the blood
thirsty marauders have been checked
and punished as they deserve. We
are assured that the troops new 0per-
ating against them, will do their ut
most to this end, as the details of the
fight which occurred the other day IN
STEMS Peak range Of mountains
proves. The details received at head
quarters yesterday may be relied upon
as correct in all important points.
AS soon as Colonel Forsythe became
satisfied that the Indians would pass
south via. Stevens Peak, en- route to
chihuahua, he FASTENED to Lordsburg,
the railroad station nearest the Peak,
to intercept and engage them. He
had with him FIVE companies of the
Fourth Cavalry, having contemplated
enoountering a good body Of Indians,
and being determined to make the
campaign as vigorous as possible for
the obstreperous red skins. Arriving
at his destination, and having watered
a portion Of the stock, he sent Lieu
tenant Mcdonald out with party Of
six enlisted men and six Indian
scouts to seek trails going southeast.
Lieutenant Mcdonald set out imme-
diately, and shortly afterwards Colonel
Forsythe started with his command.
M'DoNALD AMBUsHED.
| On the morning ofthe 23d inst; at
6 o'clock, he left Steine's Pass and pro-
ceeded to cross the ella Plains. While
making the march an Indian scout
ran rapidly up, and announced that
the party sent out under Lieutenant
| Mcdonald had been ambushed while
on the trail of hostile Indians by a
body OF the tribe. This occurred at
the base of Stevins' Peak range of
mountains, about twenty miles nOrlh
Of Stevins' Pass, the railroad station
from which the troops had started in
the morning. The scout said further
that Lieutenant Mcdonald and his
members were still defending them
Selvesagainst the Indians, which we're
said to be Chiracahas.
TO THE RESCUE.
| Without the loss of moment,
Colonel Forsythe altered his course
and started off at brisk gallop to.
ward the point indicated. His course
lay across the plains and the position
of the Indians was in the mountains
from which point the approach of the
troops could be observed, while yet a
great way off. The scene Of the con
flict is represented as being an exces.
sively wild and ragged place, the cliffs
and huge boulders with which it is
studded, affording the Indians fast
nesses from which it would seem
| impossible to discharge them. At
this disadvantage the small party
under Lieutenant Mcdonald were
held during the time consumed by the
scout, in reaching the command, and
by the latter in reaching the scene of
action. As the troops approached, the
Indians, who OF course had seen
them coming, retreated into the hills
and sntrenched themselves in Horse
shoe Canyon, in positions which were
elevated and difficult of access.
Colonel Forsythe dismounted his
command to fight on foot, it being too
rough to charge them mounted, and at
once attacked the enemy, with Com
pany K in the center, Companies NJ
and Fl on the right, and Companies f
and @ on the left, forming skirmish
line. They fanked the hOstiles cut of
two strong positions, the latter giving
way first on the left and retreating
into the canyon. Thence they were
driven back into the rocks, retreating
from cover to cover as rapidly as pos
sible. The troops proved better
marksmen than the Indians, which is
inferred from the fact that the loss on
the part of the soldiers was no greater
than it turned out to be, the latter
being exposed to the fire Of the In.
dams, who, in turn, were concealed
behind the rocks. In fact, the
hostiles generally shot several times
from behind a shelter before the men
knew from whence the shots came.
Upon asoertaining this important
point, the soldiers were not long in
dislodging their troublesome onpo-
nents. AS the Indians were thus
driven back they became more and
more scattered, until it was found
iIupracticable TO follow them further.
The men were completely exhausted.
by the exertion required in climbing
the mountain sides, and riding during
the entire forenoon. The fight COM
menoee at pm, and last until about
$3.50 pm. During their retreat the
Indians left their mounts behind,
and they were captured by the troops,
THE LOSS OF THE TROOPS
in the general action was one man
killed and two severely wounded.
Lieutenant Martin, in command of
Company G, was slightly wounded in
the right forearm.
In the encounter between the scouts
and the Indians, when the former
ambushed the latter, four Of Melon
AIDS scouts were killed. 1t Is certain
now that fifteen Indians were killed,
and very probabls that many others
we're wounded, much blood and many
bsndages being found behind the