The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-14

y=ER%HLE A@A-AA A~ ~. - A~AN 49,
pended. With ateady nerve and quick eye
he turned in his saddle and discharged the
piece. and the chief, with u aloud yell. reeled
III his saddle, 4 moment later falling dead
to the earth, The rest of tho band. panic
stricken, beat a hasty retreat. After aunt
ing up his packers and mules the party re-
sumed their Journey, arriving the follow
IND day at their destination. The fame Of
this exploit quickly spread through the
neighborhood, and thu colonel became the
hero OF tho hour. He remained At this
place some time, soon becoming y favorits
with the officers OF the Seventh Mexican
infantry and the chihuahua lancers, who
were stationed there, and frequently graft
flying his love Of adventure by taklns part
in their scouting expeditions.
Becoming weary OF life at the Presidio,
Col. de Lacy returned to San Antonio, aud
soon after Joined q party Of United states
Typographical engineers under l-iout.
Whiting, who were to undertake an expedi-
ton across the staked plains OF Texas.
The object Of tho expedition was to dis
cover a feasible route for the Third United
States infantry, to locate placea where
water could be obtained, ana select s'gh.s
for military posts which the troops we're to
garrison. The contem plated line OF camps
was to extend along the Texas frontier, and
into New Mexiao: She final destination Of
the expedition being Ell Paso. All for a
time went we'll, but this country not having
been explored they missed the Pecos river.
which was to have been a stopping .placs,
and for five days wandered over the prnl-
ries without water. After the first forty
eight hours of the fearful experience, they
remained i'll camp by day. travelling only AZ
night. The sutferings endured no words
can describe. The men became partially
insane, and only the long habit OF strict
obedience to superior orders. enabled Lieut..
Whiting to control them. On the night OF
the fifth day when hope had almost fled,
when the last point of endurance was
reached, the mules scented water, and led
fine stream was discovered. With one &C
cord both men and animals rushed into the
water md appeased the fiery thirst that
seemed to be consuming both body and
soul.
Continuing their journey, the party
reached the Rio Grande. where they ons
day met a band of Apaches 800 in number,
who were disposed to indulge the luxury OF
d massacre. which could have been very
easily accomplished. But among the In
dams were some Of Col. De Lacy's friends,
whom he had visited in the mountains Of
Mexico. Through their intercession it was
decided to hold a council on the day fol
lowing and then decide upon what
action should be taken. The respite
was improved, and the little party Of thir-
teen silently withdrew during the night and
succeeded in making good their escape.
After visiting various points ~ New Me1lco
the party returned to San Antonio. It may
in this connection be interesting to state
that Lieut.. Whiting afserward became q
general in the rebel army, was command
ant at Fort Fisher when it capitulated. and
died from the effects OF three bayonet
wounds received in the breast.
In 1850 Col. de Lacy went 70 New Orleans
to visit friends, and while there was ap-
pointed photographic engineer, to serve
on a party that was to survey a railroad
route across the isthmus Of Tehauntepec:
and make surveys for q seaport at each end
of the proposed line. The party was COM
manded by Capt. Barnard, who during the
civil war became chief engineer Of the army
Of the Potomac. Seven months were oc-
cupied in making the survey. During q
portion of this time the colonel was de-
tailed to visit the adjacent mountains. for
the purpose of gathering information re-
garding it's mineral and other resources.
To this end he Travelled quite extensively
and one day witnessed a Mexican revolt.
The native Indians, displeased with q tax
levied upon them, rose and attacked the
town of Juachitan, in which he was stop
ping, and where a body of troop were
stationed. The battle was bloody and des-
perate, the streets strewn with dead n
the town partially burned. When on the
point Of winning the day the Indians dis
covered a quantity Of whisky. became in
toxicated and were finally driven back to
the mountains. Having completed his
duties the colonel reioined his party. which
disbanded. The chief Of the photographic
survey on the expedition was Midshipman
Temple. United States navy, afterward
Admiral T~emple-now deceased. For a
period of three years afterward Col. de
Lacy was employed on the New Orleans d
i ,.J,a .a,J.~oL -,ho~o hn WIT Rorio ~ in
Fl. Green, also an engineer on that line,
who afterward became surveyor general of
Montana. and died q short time since in
Helena.
In 1854 Col. de Lacy was appointed one
of a party to survey the thirty-second par
allel of latitude from San Antonio. Tex, to
San Diego, Cal. The work occupied six
months. At that time Arizona, or the
Gadsden purchase, formed a part of 30
nora, Mexico. though rumOrs of Its pur-
chase reached them while they were Cross
ing its deserts. The work completed the
colonel proceeded to San Francisco, where
he found his old friend. Jack Hayes, for
merly of the Texas rangers, occupying the
position of surveyor general. Having made
some surveys of Mohave river. he was sent
to do similar work in Puget sound in 1855.
Soon afterward occurred the Yakima In
dian war. Two companies of volunteers
were called for, the colonel promptly re-
l SpJIlulIR W euo Cll AoA IL o 49, III
following his company operated between
Seattle and Steilaooom and had over q
dozen combats with their enamies. On the
arrival of Gov. Stevens he was commls-
stoned adjutant of the Second battalion
Washington Territory volunteers. This
cavalry command made frequent raids into
the Indian country. captured many prison
ers and hanged several. Peace with these
tribes was at length declared in 1856.
Col. de lacy's next enterprise was in
making q trail from Whatcom to Thomp-
son river, during the Frazier river excite
ment. Tine task was q heavy one and occu-
pied three months. His only companions
were Indians, and provisions giving out
they were for four days compelled to sub
sist on the inner bark of pine trees. Upon
returning to Whatcom the colonel found
himself Famous. During his absence the
population had grown from 600 to 5000.
He was welcomed with a salute of 100 guns
and a public dinner. This was all the
compensation he received for his services.
as the mines proved q failure. Al that
time old Fort Whatcom was commanded by
Capt. Pickett, who afterwards led the des.
, perate rebel charge at Gettysburg.
In May, 1859, he was attached to the
command of Lieut.. Mnllan, who was or
ganizing an expedition into Montana
After making surveys of Columbia ane
Snake rivers, he joined the command a
b Cuur d'Alene mission. 1t was then lat,
N the season and after crossing the range
| the party went into winter quarters on tn,
, St. Regis Borgia. The spring following tn
eastward march was resumed. and he wa
required to make surveys that might b
utilized should a railroad ever be bull
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