The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-10
4 BATTLE ON THE BORDER
Mexican Troops Mistake United
States Force for Indians.
Both Commanders Killed Before the
Error was Discovered.

CAPTAIN Emmett Crawford, of the Third
regiment of United States cavalry, one OF
the most prominent officers in tho regular
army, has just terminated with his life the
most obstinate pursuit of hostile savages ever
made in the history Of the American army.
Since May II last, when Geronimo
broke out from Camp Apache in Arizona,
until January 10, when Crawford attacked
and captured the whole camp, that pursuit
has been kept up, showing the curious specta-
| Gle of the wiliest savages on earth being
tracked down by kinsmen no less savage and
no less willy.
1t is stated on the authority Of a courier
from Crawford's camp, who brought the
news of his unfortunate death, that for fifty
two hours his command followed without halt
or rest the trail of the renegade, the last
hours of the journey being night march over
lava bed Of the greatest roughness.
Crawford broke down, but was carried along
the trail by scouts on each side. He re-
marked to a subordinate that this would be
his last scout, as he had broken down and
could do no more, but something told him
that Success would crown his efforts on the
present march.
4 two hours running fight took place, and
q number of Indians were wounded, but all
escaped. The hoStileS sent word that they
wished to hold conference. While the
troops were in camp awaiting the time fixed
for the conference, they were attacked by
154 Mexican soldiers. Efforts were made to
let them know that the troops were Ameri-
Lieutenant P Maus advanced to talk with
them.
A volley was fired and Captain Crawford
was shot in the head and Mr.. Horn, the in
terpreter, was slightly wounded in the left
arm The Mexican fire was returned by
the scouts of Captain Crawford's COM
mand, but was only sufficient to keep
the Mexicans at distance The
firing lasted half an hour, when Lieutenant
Maus succeeded in having talk with the Off
Ger in command Of the Mexicans their cap
tain having been killed. He was told the
Americans were taken for hostiles, owing to
the darkness Captain Crawford was mortally
wounded
The Chiracahuas are said to be suffering
The winter is severe in the Sierra Madre, and
they lost all their rhorSes-sixty-seven in num-
ber-all extra clothing and much ammuni
tion.
The Apache scouts are bitterly depressed
at the death of Crawford, whom they loved
as u SId"lOIu udu SeCu
lots of the hardest kind of
service during the civil war; He made a
great name for himself in the campaigns
against the hostile Indians in Montana,
Dakota, Idaho, Nebraska and Colorado. He
took part in the campaigns againstthe Sioux,
Utes and CheyenneS in Arizona and against
the hostile Apaches He accompanied Gen
eral Crook in his expedition to the
Sierra Madre in 1888. He was in
charge of tie Apache reservation until 1885.
He Volunteered for this present expedition.
He was native of Philadelphia, unmarried,
temperate, honest just and true. He was al
ways pointed outs as model for young soldiers
to copy. He enlisted as a private in
the Seventy-frst Pennsylvania volunteers
in 1861, and for gallant service in the war
rose to the rank Of brevet-major. After the
war he was appointed second lieutenant in
the regular army, and was assigned to the
Third cavalry in January, 1871, and was
made captain in March. 1879.