The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-06-27
AMBUSBING THE APACHES.
THE SURPRISE by MEXICAN TROOPS
IN TIE CASA aRANDE.

To-day the most admired military
man in Northern Mexico is Colonel
Garcia, and his popularity rests on a
single success, known as the "Surprise
of the Casa Grande" No full account
of this affair has been published in
the North, and in view of the recent
excitement a circumstantial one cannot
but have interest. Within four weeks
last past the writer had the good for
tune to travel one hundred miles
from the town of Oposura TO the heart
OF the Sierra Madre mountains-with
Colonel Garcia, commanding about 500
men, and on his way to the Rio Aros
| country, where he hoped to surprise
some Indian villages. 1t was after a
long days march over thirty-fve miles
of a mountain trail, along which the
slow, serpentine file of the troops in
tbe1I white, Turcolooking costumes
could be seen circling and winding in
graceful curves for n mile or more.
The bugle had at last sounded the
grateful halt for the night, and the
men stacked their arms and camped
on a rolling hillock, where the country
could be seen for miles around On
each corner Of the square in which
the troops camped was lighted fire.
and in the center stood the solitary
tent Of the colonel. Here, thanks
to Mexican hospitality, were
grouped our party of two
Americans, the commanding officer
and the captains The bright fires
showed the Mexican women engaged
in making the tortillas" and cooking
"frijoles for the scanty meal. The
soldiers, forgetful of the days fatigue
and regardless of to-morrow's danger,
were some arguing over the triAes that
among them always can provoke ar
dent discussion, and others chanting
with great display and little musical
effect some fervent love song. At in
tervals the rhythmical "Uno," "Dos,"
"TreS," "Quartro," of the tireless
picket sentinel rang out clearly. The
conversation Jagged around the fire,
and the moment seemed opportune to
get an account from the actors them
selves of the Mexican victory at Casa
Grande.
To our request Colonel Garcia said
that he had been witness to only part
of the engagement. "But you, cap
tain," he said, turning round, "were
in the midst of it." The officer spoken
to was tall, slim young man, with
the beautiful eyes and delicate, girl !
like features so often seen among our
tropical neghbors. He, courteously |
drawing his "serape" a little closer,
and lighting fresh cigarette, began:
You must know that not long since
we were scouting with four companies
near the "dead line" between Chihua-
hua and New Mexico. The heat for |
days had been excessive, and our
search after the willy Apache fruit
less. The men were dspirited. |
and, their provisions being eX-
hausted, the colonel demanded |
our return to the mountains and the |
nearest town. 1t was typical tropi-
cal day, and the men moved silently |
under the scorching sun. The ground .
itself, shad d by the scanty mesquite
seemed to suffer from the heat. We |
had Travelled since daylight, and about
soon reached where the tail began to
climb the mountains through narrow
canon. Here one of our Babispe .
scouts, who had been riding in the .
rear of the file, spurred his Indian
pony along the train, and reaching the
colonel pointed to cloud of red dust |
on the horizon, saying: "The
Apaches !" The column Of dust was
ten miles off, but our scout was a
faithful one, and we trusted to his .
warning. Entering the pass the men
were directed to climb the sides of the .
canon and hide themselves How I.
quietly they lay, almost cleft to the .
rocks, fearing almost to stir in the
dread that the cunning Indian nature
would scent the trap and balk the am
bush. Almost every man had some
murder to avenge some outrage to re-
pay. In two hours the Apaches came
hurrying along to the number of l6O /
warriors, and the squaws following.
driving the stolen stock. To us the
haste of the Indians was mystery.
but looking again we saw, about two
hours behind, the American troops in
hot pursuit. But the pursued imag-
ined themselves safe, as they had
reached the mountains. Unsuspect-
ingly they crowded through the pass
until our bugle gave the signal for
the first yolley. For one moment
the Indians stood astounded, but then
their wild nature came to the rescue.
With one accord each man sprung
to the nearest cover. rock or
stump. 1t was useless. Our men
were perched above them, and for four
hours every Apache head that showed .
itself below was a target for a dozen
rides. To US it was a day of reckon
ing for years of violence, and each
mans aim became s.eadier as he
thought of some murdered brother or
friend. Gradually the fire from the
bed of the canon ceased except from /
one spot There, sheltered and in