The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-06
CAMPS DISCOVERED.

On the 18th Of May scouts discovered
camps and Indians, which were afterwsrd
found to be those OF Chato and Banito.
In accordance with my careful instructions
they would have been surrounded, but Tor
the fact that some scouts incautiously fred
upon buck and squaw. The surprise was
complete, and in u subsequent fight, which
lasted several hours, the Indians were
thoroughly beaten, the camps and their
contents captured, and five half.grown
girls and boys taken prisoners. Nine dead
Indians were found afterward, that had
been killed in the fight. The extremely
rugged nature Of the country, the camps
being situated halfway up The face Of the
PERCEPTIONS mountain, gashed With rayines
and arroyos, preventing any exact count
being made without extreme dang,r from
the Indians, who might be wounded or
hidden In the rocks, and who could have
killed at their will without exposing them
selves.
There was considerable property, stolen
from Americans and Mexicans, found in
the camp, and about forty horses and mules.
Early on the 18th Chiracahua entered my
camp. He is not q chief, but one Of the
most prominent men In his tribe, noted for
intelligence and bravery. He said the
country 10 which we had penetrated was
looked upon as impregnable; that Mexican
troops had never succeeded in getting into
II, but had always been met and driven
back with rocks, as well as bullets, soon as
they had passed the foot oil the hills. He
explained that the sense Of security was so
great that large number of men werethen
absent on raids in Sonora and chihuahua.
He told me where the different chiefs were
residing. 1t was also stated that with
Chato's band was q small white boy, cap.
tured in New Mexico, ahd corresponding
so closely in description to Charles Nc
comb that have no doubt it was ne.
lsyss SCATTERED LIKE QUAIL.
He said in consequence Of tn. attack the
Chiricahuas had scattered to the mountains
like so many quail, and that he would 20
back and ga ther them togetherand return"
"but," said he, lyon have Apache soldiers
with you, and my people will not respond
to my smoke signals, because thej will be
sure your scouts have made them" He
went on to say that the captive boy was
alive and in good spirits, but had gone of
with the squaws who had broken away
from the camp, upon discovering that eur
scouts were closing in upon them. From
that on Chiricahuas came in rapidly from
all points OF the compass, men, women
and children. All the chiefs surrendered
themselves up. all the chiefs at last flirly
begged to be taken back to San Carlos. ]
replied that they were asking a great deali
that had no power TO put them on the
reservation, and that could not close my
ewes to the atrocities Of which they had
been guilty. Many of the Americans want.
ed their band rooted out, and that II l took
them to San Carlos no doubt cry would
be raised for their blood. They had not
only to face Americana, but MeFiosps also,
whose people they bad murdered in so
cruel manner. They could not expect
me TO fight their battles or pslliate their
yilIainous conduct. The chiefs then said,
eve give ourselves up; do with as as you
please" " -
They begged me to remain where i WIS
for q few days longer, and explained ghat
scarcely needed explanation, that the
country was % leariulIy rough they could
not gather up all their people at once, as
they were so much scattered. To this !
could not assent, the supply OF rations for
! the command making such delay impos-
sible. We had by this time Ssi Chiricahna
Indians and six Mexican captiyes to feed,
and IL was.about sc much as we could do
| 10 get back to our base without danger oi
starvation. Hieronym9 then said Il we
would 20 slowly towards the boundary
they could send their runneEs ont to warn
all those who had not yet come In, and
they would Try and oyertake US at San
Bernardino, or, II not succeesiul in! that,
woutd move along tile mountains until they
reached San Carlos. - w