Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-06-06
TIE STORY or COCnIrA.


roads in Kansas City, Mo, and the CON
yersation turned upon the recent heavy
fl DDS of the ella and Colorado rivers
One of the men, who had q soldierly 7p-
pearauce, was a deeply interested listener
to the conversation, and hebegan to shift
uneasily as the talk proceeded, las If he, too.
had story to tell He was John Lawler,
and was formerly a trooper in the Sixth
Cavalry, having served several years IN the
district of Arizona. A last he told the
following story:
Your reference to Yuma and the trou-
bles in the southwest has reminded me of
a very singular and romantic incident ct
the war with the renegade bands that fled
from the agencie, and, for a long time,
suhsisted on the cattle IF the defenseless
settlers in spite of all our efforts to subdue
them. My troop, part of the Sixth Cayal-
r., under Colonel Eugene A. Carr, was
then stationed at Fort Thomas, post on
the ella river, the stream which has been
doing so much damage of late. We were
within the limits of the great San Carlos
agency, and in a good position to obtain
immediate and reliable information OF the
Indians. Yet in spite or our diligence,
they stole away and began the terrible
depredationo that COST 50 many lives and
such a vast amount of property.
Under the skillfu guidance of Juh
and Geronimo they scattered all over the
territory and laid waste many wel-stoek-
ed ranches, killing everything that hau
life and burning tko rest. We were sent
out after them, and for many weeks ex-
perienced all the horrors and hardships
of predatory warfare. Col Carr, at the
head of bis regiment followed one band
across the territory in the forests over the
swollen streams to the lava beds Of the
northwestern portion of that broken
country where the volcanic rocks form
almost impresnable forts for the sayages.
The incident / mentioned arose from
one of the fights we had in the heart of
the volcanic country, the Indians having
taken to the hills to avoid our persistent
pursuits. One day we leaned from our
scouts that small band of 100 bucks
were encamped at the outer edge of the
forest and that we might possibly take
them by surprise, thing very diff
| fcult to do.
A detachment under Captain White
! side. consisting of three troops was de-
| tailed to make the attempt, and if possible
yet in the rear, while the main command
under the colonel would advance from the
front. We got away about day break aud
I for the first day saw no trace of the enemy,
but as we were about to 90 into camp on
] the evening of the second the advance
guard rame in and reported body of In
/ dams at no great distance. or course all
idea of rest for the troopers was abandon
ed and stepts taken at once to ascertain
the exact location and strength OF the
band.
Il was assigned to duty with a small
detachment. who were instructed to de
yelop the position of the Indians, but IN
no case bringing on an engagement until 1t
was definitely known how many there
were of them. We were under the i'm,
mediate command of Lieutenant Curtis,
one of the most daring and accomplished
officers of the seryicee He disposed his
/ little hand and with the night fast com
ing on, stole upon the Indians, who were
vet unaware of our approach.
I'VE were marching under shodOws OF
the woods when we suddenly came 70 the
extreme edge, and as suddenly drew brck
when we discovered the Indians sitting
around their camphres only a short dis
lance away. We had accomplished the
feat of reaching the very limits OF their
encampment without disclosing our pres
ence. Our commander at once determin-
ed to attack them, believing that IN the
fast approaching rkness our lnterlorltg
of number would not be noticed. The
little detachment was accordingly drawn
no In line lust within the cover oil the
tree, and. at the word. rifles we're uasung,
pistols oosencd sabres drawn, and with a
wild hurrah we charged upon them, mr.
ing a. we rode madly forward.
In the first shock Of their surprise the
Indians tumbled over each other trying to
escape from the rain Of bullets we sent INTO
their mids,, but as we charged through
the camp they rallied, and under the lead
ership of young chief, made determln-
ed stand, forcing us 10 use the steel as we
returned As we cut our way back ] saw
the chief rn towards the woods, throw
up his hands, and fall TO the ground. The
warriors, when the leader fell, took to TIE
bills, and, crouchiug behind the rocks,
commenced a damaging ire. Our fellows
took to the woods and made preparations
to retreat upon the main column, when we
were startled at @ shot that was fired al
most in our faces. Lieutenant Curtis
cap was sent flying into the air cut IN two
pieces.
las / sprang from my horse, / saw q
girl standing astride the body Of the deal
chief, armed with "a winchester, which she
was in the act Of firing again. ] threw
tine rife aside and grasped the girl, who
fought with great fury. ultering q strange
cry. Finally she was bound and taken up
bv one of the men and carried to the rear.
I We were successful IL reJOining the main
body. and in the great struggle OF the lava
beds ! lost sight of our prisoner. After
I the conclusion of the campdIgnl was ent to
Fort Yuma. whore the concluding Incl
dents of my story took place The stran 81
history and still stranger emf Of the beau
ifnl Cochita-fcr hat was the name she
was known by-Iands q very romantic coli
orjngfo the desperate fight she made over
the remains Of the dead chief al the battle
at tie foot Of the lava beds.
.locnita was not an Indian girl Jut
va The child IF a Spanish family Of Sna'
l9a tie Northwestern state Of Mexico.
shs was exceptionally pretty. Of a small
bur vary trim and graceful form, clear
olire complexion. and bright black eyes
thas have The soft Andulusian ioyelines- IN
them. When captured she was only IL
v.at.s old and her native beauty was bat