Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1889-09-25
q Msmerahls Indian Elsht.

Some time since, the editor of this paper received a letter from Captain Williams, formerly stationed at Whip pie, asking for information in regard to two Indian children, captured by his command in memorable Indian fight in 1867, near the Verde river. The letter was turned over to Mayor How ard to answer. In acknowledging the receipt of Mayor Towards letter, Cap tain Williams gives the following graphic account of the engagement;
 2lS w. FIRST ST, TRINIDAD. CoL.,)
 September lst, 1889. Hon. John Howard, Mayor of Prescott,
 Arizona:
 SIR Your letter of date 26th ult. was duly received, and l thank you for the information therein contained.
 The fight my command had on the Rio Verde, April 18th, 1867, produced some incidents which will never be efaced from my memory whilst recol- lection lasts. and among them the incl dents connected with the capture of those two children.
 Alter hard march we came upon the Indians about o'clock D. n of that day, and immediately the fight oommenced-the IndiAns fleeing up . rough canyon to the rocky bluffs on the north bank of the Rio Verde, my command on either flank, Company l on the left, and Company B on the right. By the time we had got up with the lndianf they were among the rocks, whoopinC and yelling, the bucks shoot. ing, and the squaws throwing rocks at us. still going as fast as they could to the summit of the rocky cliff. my com msnd all the time firing upon then, with their rifles. A few of the Indians gained the top of the cliff and escaped. though none got away without being being badly wounded. When the fight closed it was nearly night, and I mounted ny men and started back to the Rio Verde to encamp. In psssing down the mountain I passed the ground where the fight first com- menced, and among the dead there lying, were two squaws, lying on their faces, and these two little pappooses strapped to their backs. These little ones. who had been lying there in the hot sua for at least two hours, as we rode up, raised their little hands and, with smiling faces, begged us to take them up. To leave them there was simply to leave them as bait for the bear and wolf, for it was certain that none of those who escaped could get back te aid them. l halted my con- mand and had them taken from the backs of their deal mothers and taken to cnmp. That night l sent detach- ment to Fort Whipple with the dead body of private Drummond, of Com pany B. Sth Cavalry, who was killed in the action, and with the detachment sent these two little csptives, with . letter to Captain Blake, to find homes for them if he could The Captain afterwards told ne he s-unt .hn-- home, bu; As ] was soon afterwards wounded, and sent to SAn Francisco and never afterwards pcrior med say duty sa that part of Arizona. I never knew uaGl got your letter whs. be. came oi them.
 The kindness of nsy braee soldiers who but half hour bsiora had been engaged iR mortal combat wlth gheii parents, Tn caring for aa3 !,edlng thcss little wsi:s, has always beoa Go me oua oi tke most ri--=-- .---s-l l' --' 2
 5ss-i-sI Is,y lsIeu tsJIs aT ny army life, and the strongest evidence that tae truly brave aad gallant soldier is aevss brEtisn, but always eeatle and kind when not 10 aotion
 At any time y0S may be passing this way ! should be pleased 70 sec you Very truly, your eheSieat servant,
 J. ". WILLIAMS.