The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09

Texans were quite dexterousa at throwing them
But the weapons were awkward and cumber-
ONE, and some Of our troops who were quick
enough succeeded in disarming many Texans
thus equipped and shooting them with their
pistols. At any rate, the lanees were slower
and less efectual than powder and bullets.
The Rangers soon aScertained this fact, threw
away the lances and depended upon their fire.
arms. They fought desperately; compared
with u.s. they were more than two to one,
but we no doubt best understood the method of
carrying on battle by fighting from ambush.
And besides just north of US were our homes,
which these men
WERE MARCHING TO DESTROY.
Weforgot fear and gave the unhappy Rangers
ample reason TO remember our craftsmanship.
But withal we found that turning back more
than twice our number was likely to be slow
work, so our leaders began to look about for
means TO bring the ARRAY to a close. The plan
adopted was for Maj. Chivington to steal quietly
around through the mountains and attack the
enemy's camp. Accordingly, on the morning
of the second day of the fight the indOmitable
Major, leading part Of q company of Regulars
and detachment from Co. A, of which the
writer was member left the scene of battle,
and, stealing around to the left advanced upon
the doomed camp. The Rangers at the mouth
Of the canyon fought on, believing that the
only possible road from the field to their camp
qUainted with the climbing abilities of the
Colorado troops. We advanced quietly, keep
ing well out of sight until we were ready to
make the descent upon the camp. The hand
full of guards were at dinner within their tents.
An old negro, one of Sibley's body-servants, sat
at the door of one of the tents as we approach
ed.
whats dem air?" he shouted as he caught
sight of US.
whats WHAT" asked the guard.
"Sojers coming" said the old negro.
"Oh, it is just some Of our men coming back"
said the guard.
"No dey amt; dey got blue clothes on"
persisted the negro.
At the mention of blue clothes the guards
fastened to their tent-doors. They realized
the situation at once, but they were too few in
numbers to accomplish anything. They wheel
ed two guns into position, fired few shots at
US without effect and fed. But they did not
get out of sight quickly enough to escape see
ing the flames arising from their camp and
supply train. The wagons contained good
supply of ammunition and a little food, the
Rangers having depended partially upon the
Mexicans for their supplies. 1t was hard for
men who had been upon half rations as long as
we had TO set fire to wagons containing even
! little food, but we couldn't take it with us,
and it was one of the stern necessities OF war
TO take it from the Rangers. We remembered
hunger so well that it seemed a sin to burn
anything which man or beast could eat; but,
concluding that life on half rations was de-
cidedly preferable to
DEATH ON FULL STOMACH,
we burned all that would burn, and broke up
and disabled what arms had been left.
The old negro who had warned the guards of
our approach remained at the camp after its
| destruction and returned with Us as we thread
ed our way back through the mountains to the
scene of battle.
The battle had now become terrific; the
| guards had arrived and the Rangers had heard
of their loss. They had been formidable be-
| fore;
THEY NOW BECAME MADMEN.
| In wild fury they hurled themselves upon our
| batteries. They had brought some kegs of
whisky to the field and after the news of their
| loss reached them we could see them break in
/ the heads OF the kegs and drink the contents
/ from their tin cups. Then the poor fellows
would again leap forward in the vain effort to
take our batteries When the fearful day was
over we found bodies within 10 feet of the
mouths of our guns. Some of the unfortunates
thus found could not have been more than Is
years old.
| The Union troops were kept busy Withstand
ing these furious onsets. One of our artil-
/ lerymen, an ardent Frenchman, became go
| frantic with excitement that he threw away
his ramrod and crowded canister and shells
/ into his howitZer with his bare hand. The
| furious cannonading and excellent marksnian-
ship Of the Colorado troops decided the day.
The Rangers,
BROKEN AND DEsPATRrNG,
at last gave up the battle which bad turned its
tide against them, and retreated through the
canyon. The wind bore back to US their bitter
curses, and / am sure that many a Union
1 trooper who heard them remembered hunger
and hardship well enough TO feel pity-pity
| that would not be stifed even by the shouts of
/ victory. Our prisoners were deeply disap-
/ pointed men. They had expected but little
! opposition, triumphant marches and rich spoils.
/ One of them, when questioned, said: "Tbey
all told we'uns that you'uns wouldn't fight;
that all weuns would have TO do would be just
to march along, make you'uns run, and then
we'uns would get the gold out Of the mines;
but we'd make you'uns dig it for u.s."
After the battle the Rangers retreated to
Santa Fe. We returned TO Fort Union. After
few days Of rest and preparation we again
started in pursuit. We were soon in sight of
them. They turned and gave US battle near
small Mexican town, but being again defeated,
| they continued the retreat. We pursued as far
as Fort Craig. Here the Rangers broke into
small squads, resolving to get back to Texas as
best they could. We might have captured and
held them all prisoners had we had rations to
feed them; but as we had not enough for our
selves, our commanders thought best to drive
them back TO their native State.-Wd. Cox,
Co. a, I'd Colo. Cav, Canyon City, Colo.