The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-06-15

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12.--The following
dispatch from General Crook was received ut
military headquarters this afternoon:
SILVER CREEK, Arizona, Twelve miles
north Of boundary, ria Tombstone.--I left
here May LIST with 1876 Apache scouts under
Crawford, Gatewoed, and Macksy, with
Chaffee's company Of forty-two men Of the
Sixth cavalry, rations for two months on
mules, and followed the hostiles into the
Chiricahuas country, which Is indescribable
for roughness. A number Of mules lost
their footing and, slipping from the trail, fell
down the precipices and were killed. The
Apache stronghold In the Chiricahuas Is in
the very heart of the Sierra Madres noun
tains. Their position is finely watered, is
covered with dense growth Of timber, and
plenty of grass. They had been camped for
weeks near the head of Bavispe, occupying
the prominent elevated peaks, affording fine
lookout for miles, and rendering surprise al
most impossible, and making retreats secure
through rough adjacent calons. Captain
Crawford, with Indian scouts, early on the
morning of May 18th surprised the village
of Chato Chief, who led the recent raid into
Arizona and New Mexico. The fight lasted
all day, the village was wiped out, and the
damage done cannot be estimated. A num-
Der of dead bodies were found, but the In
describable roughness of the country pre-
vented count being made. The entire
camp, with stock aud everything belonging
to it, was captured. 1t was learned from
prisoners taken that the Chiricahuas were
unanimous for peace, and had already two
messengers to try TO reach San Carlos. On
the 18th they began to surrender; they said
their people were much frightened by our
sudden appearance In their Businesses, and
had scattered like quail. They asked me to
remain until they could gather all their
bands together, when they would go back to
the reservation. by the terms of the treaty
my operations were limited to time of fight.
told the Chiricahuas to gather up their
women and children without delay. They
answered that they could not get them to
respond to signals, the fugitiyes fearing they
might be beset by cur Apache scouts, who
would entrap them, They told us they had
q white boy, who was in village jumped by
our scouts, and that he had run off with the
squaws who had escaped, and who had not
yet been heard from. They assured me
every one Of the bsnG should come in if /
would remain a short time. The terms of
the treaty embarrassed me gre atty, and being
in that rough region, with rations rapidly
disappearing, and there being between
800 and 400 Chiricahuas to feed, was COM
PEELED to return with the Chiricahuas. We
found six Mexican captiv es, five women and
one child, taken early in May; they are now
with the command. These women say they
were captured near the Mexican Central
railroad, at place called Carmen. They
farther state that when the Chiricahuas dis
covered that the Apache scouts were in the
country they became greatly alarmed and
abandoned on the trail the 300 head of cattle
they were driving away from points in west
ern Chihuahua. These cattle were after
ward picked up and driven of by body of
Mexicans.
We maiSuSu oaSA 40 iaPiuiy 40 thC Sohut
ton of the stock and the strength of the
women and children would permit, and
found the country depopulated for the dis
lance of hundred miles from the Apache
| stronghold.
The Chircahuas insist that they lived in
the Sierra Msdres; that even when the main
body went on the reservation some remained
| behind in the mountains. or these now
| with us there are some who state that they
| have never been on the reservation. have
strong hopes Of being able TO clear the
mountains of the last of these. Among
those now with us are Chiefs Loco and
Nones, SO often reported killed, and the
families Of other prominent chiefs.
saw NO Mexican troops, and after leaving
the settlements in northern Sonora did not
see Mexican other than the captives res
cued. l have such assurances from the In
dams that the white boy will be brought
back alive that am looking for him every
moment, and will inform you by courier as
| soon as he arrives.