Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-05-08
THE SAD STORY OF oOoHITA.
FROM the Fort worth eazetto.


of ono Of the cable road in Kansas
City. Mo. and the conversation turned
upon the receut heavy floods OF the
Gila and Colorado Rivers. One Of the
mon, who had soldierly appearance,
was a deeply interested listener to the
conversation, and he began 20 shift
measily as the talk proceeded, as If
he. too, had story to tell, lie was
John Lawler, and was formerly a
trooper in the Sixth Cavalry, having
served several years in the district of
Arizona. At last he told ehc follwing
story:
"YOur reference to Yuma aud the
troubles in the Southwest has
reminded me Of a very singular and
romantic incident of the war with
the renegade bands that led from the
agencies, and, for a long time,
subsistcd on The cattle of the defence
less settlers, in spite of all our efforts
to subdue them. My troop, part of
the Sixth Cavalry, under Col. Eugene
A. Carr, was then stationed at Fort
Thomas, a post on the Gila 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 good position to obtain
immediate and reliable information of
the Indians. Yet, in spite OF our
diligence, they stole away and began
the terrible depredations that cost so
many lives and such a vast amoRht of
property.
"Under the skilful guidance Of Jhu
and Geronimo they scattered all over
the Territory and laid waste many
well-stocked ranches, killing every
thing that life and burning the rest.
We were sent out after them, and for
many weeks experienced all the horrors
and hardships of predatory warfare
Col. Carr at the head of his regiment
followed one band across the Territory
into the forests, over the swoller
streams, and to the lava beds OF the
northwestern portion Of that broker
country. where the volcanic rock.
formed almost impregrable forts fol
the savagcs.
"The incident I mentioned arose
from one OF the fights we had in the
heart Of the volcanic country, the In
dams having taken to the hillsto avoid
our persistent pursuit. One day We
learned from our scouts that a small
baud Of 100 bucks were encamped at
tho cutter edge Of the forest, and that
we might possibly take them by sur
J prise, a,thing very diaicult to do. \
detachment under Capt. Whiteside,
consisting of three troops, was detailed
to make the attempt, and, if possible,
get in the rear, while the main com
manG, under the Colonel, would ad-
vance from the front. We got away
about daybreak, and for the first day
saw no trace Of the enemy, bat as VIC
were about to go into camp on the
evening Of the second, the advance
gard came in and reported a body OF
Indians at no great distance. OF
course all idea of rest for the troopers
was abandoned, and steps taken al
once to ascertain the exact location
and strength Of the band.
- l was assigned to duty with Il small
detachment, who were instructed tC
develop the position OF the Indians, il
no case bring on an engagement unit
it was definitely known how man!
there were OF them. We were unde
the immediate command of Lieut.
Curtis, one of the most daring and ac
complished officers of the service
lie disposed his little band, and, will
the night fast coming on, stole upoI
the Indians, who were yet unaware o
our approach.
owe were marching under tn,
shadows of the woods when we sudden
ly came to the extreme edge, and a
suddenly drew back when we dis
covered the Indians sitting arounC
their camp fires only short distano,
away. We had accomplished the fea
of reaching the very limits Of thei
encampment without disclosing GU
presence. Our commander at. onc'
determind to attack them believing
that in the fast approaching darkness
our lnferiority Of numbers woult
not be noticed. The little de
: tachment was accordingly drawn up Il
line just within the cover of the trees
and, at the word, rifles were unslune
pistols loosened, sabres drawn, and
with a wild hurrah, we charged upoi
them firing as we rode madly fol
ward.
"In the first shock Of their surpris
the Indians tumbled over each othe
trying to escape from the rain 0
bullets we sent into their midst
but as we charged through the cam
they rallied, and, under the leader
ship Of a young chief, made a d'
termined stand, forcing us to use tn
steel as we returned. AS we cut on