The Arizona sentinel., 1895-06-01
A Historic Indian Fight.
The following may be of inters

account of one of the largest anc
 most decisive Indian fights on the
 Pacific coast, writes Captain George
 A. Johnson to the San Diego Union
 It was between the United States
 troops stationed at Fort Mohave
 and Mohave Indians, which ended
 in the complete subjugation of the
 Indians and lasting peace.
 Fort Mohave is on the Colorado
 river, thirty-two miles above The
 Needles; was established in the
 winter of 1858 59, and garrisoned
 by the Sixth United States in fantry. The garrison consisted of three companies under command of Colonel Richard Garnett, famil- iarly known in the army as 'Dick" Garnett. The other officers were Major Louis Armstead, Lieutenant Marshall ("Sandy MarshalI") and Dr. Milho, past surgeon.
 The treaty between the Mohaves and Colonel Hoffman, commanding the regiment, having just been signed, the colonel left for Cali fornia. The Mohaves, like all the river Indians, never respecting 8 treaty without first being thrashed, commenced depredations to test the disposition of the command. Having been successful in molest- ing emigrants on several occasions. they finally concluded to surprise the post.
 I had transported the troops and supplies on the steamer of which 1 was pilot and captain, and had Yuma Indian as 8 valet, very handy and useful, whom I named "Charlie Coohan." Doctor Milho took a fancy to him and I let him have him. Through the boy the Doctor found out that the Mohaves were meditating an attack on the post. They had all their warriors gathered at a point twelve miles below the post, on the east bank, (same side as the fort). and most of their women and children moved to place of safety, leaving enough women in this camp to throw off suspicion, and for use in camp
 Col. Garnett was informed, and after satisfying himself ofthe truth of the report, he determined not to wait but make the attack. Having only about one hundred available men, he ordered Maj Armstead with twenty-five to follow the river bottom to the point, and Lieut.. Marshall with twenty-five to follow the mesa, the march to be made in the night. Both commands left after dark. Maj. ArmStead ar rived before day and pitched his camp and at daybreak sent a ser geant and two men to reconnoiter.
 The sergeant soon found the en- campment of Indians and saw a couple of redskins running toward it. He fired shot at one of them, which alarmed the Indians, and | they came out in a body. The ser geant hardly h Id time to reach his camp before the Indians were swarming there. Maj. Armstead formed his men in fours, the front 1 to fire when the rear were ready. | They were armed with the i'm proved Springfield musket, Mag nard primer, enabling them to load and fire quite rapidly. The In dians were armed with knives and short clubs resembling the pestle of 8 mortar, and with bows and ar rows. They used the latter for the purpose of getting to close quarters and making their fight hand-to- hand one, which with their knives and clubs was not to be despised.
 The troops first twelve shots from the front brought halt from the Indians. The next twelve stopped many of them, but tbere being about 300 Indians they crowded on, notwithstanding the steady firing and good aim. Just at this time Lieut.. Marshall came on the double quick, and formed )n the left flank of Armstead, ask ing him, shall 1 give them 2 vol ley?"
 "What are you loaded with?"
 "Buck and ball"
 "Give them a yoIley."
 This he did. and it had the effect