The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-25

IHIIaT8
Il IL matter Of well authenticated his
tory that there was a time, within the
memory Of men still living. when a sim
pie order from this extraordinary man was
sufficient to make the lercest faqui chief
tsins lay down their arms and beg for
peace.
The count. says Brazos In the St Louis
Globe Democrat was doubtless the only
military leader who ever thoroughly con-
quered these merciless savages and forced
them 10 sue for a cessation Of hOstilittes,
only asking that their lives should be
spared. Very little is known of this
strange character and OF the successful
campaign that he made al a soldier OF for
tune IN the employ Of the Mexican gov
eminent against the hitherto unconquer-
able Yaquis. in 1852, from the fact that
the little war In that day of limited tele-
graphic communication attracted but
slight attention in the states. though the
San Francisco papers were full of II.
After returning 10 France. Gen. Count
BouIbon published history OF his cam
paign in Mexico. but. curiously enough.
the particulars OF the peculiar affair es-
capped the grasp OF nearly all American
chroniclers OF events. and was re-
ferred to but once by an official Of any
importance in the United States. though
the California papers frequently pro-
claimed that an army OF hlibusters was
operating in Sonora, led by Frenchman
and almost wholly composed OF French
men.
Senator Bell. OF Tennessee, thought the
matter worthy OF the attention of the
United States government. and he called
the attention OF his colleagues to the fact
that French adventurer. at the head of
n considerable armed force, was operat-
Ing In the western part Of Mexico and he
denounced the actions OF these foreigners
as Jealous attempt the part Of France,
inspired by tho ambitious Napoleon. to
At- 4l.
that part OF the world. with a view of
setting up for themselves a colonial power
which might eventually absorb the rest
of Mexico. and, perhaps. Central America
For once. at least. the patriotic senator
was badly Informed. and his fears were
wholly Rroundess for 1t was well known
In California. though certain newspapers
affected 10 be ignorant OF the fact. that
Count Boubon was really soldier OF for
tune in the employ OF The Mexican gov
eminent, without the knowledge or con-
sent of hts emperor. Many people In San
Francisco and many others IN the mining
camps eagerly scanned the latest news
from Mexico about the Yaqui war from
the fact that they knew the general who
was leading the troops against the In
dians Tho counts scheme for lettering
his fortunes had been unfoided to more
than one Of his friends In a burst OF con-
hdence at a time when he was IN great
Distress, and while many had discussed 1t
and advised with him seriously, others
treated II with unconeealed ridicule. II
was said that a noted gambler, who be-
lieved that the count was a real military
genius and an honorable young man OF
great promise, advanced him the money
Go buy sword and a fine horse when he
ret out Tor Mexico to lay his plan for con
querins tho iaquis before the Mexican
minister OF war. There was certainly some
thing very strange about the success OF
n evil ffA n vn4 a
with which the war minister accepted his
service.
liz commenced his campaign by issuing
proclamation to the Yaqul Indians In |
forming them that he had been sent /
against them by the Mexican government |
and that he intended 10 pursue them to
their mountain dens and shoot every war
rior found In arms. He promised protec- |
ton and food 10 all who presented them /
solves I'm his camp In good faith within 4
ten days. IL is said that Count Boulbon !
never had over 300 men IN his army About /
leo OF these were Frenchmen, whom no 1
claimed TO have quietly and secretly re- I
crulted In California. Never was "A war 1
prosecuted with such restless vgor nor !
did any leader of men ever convince both /
his army and his enemy OF his mastery b
military ability quicker than this strange I
character. He swept over tho Yauui wall (
ley like a cyclone OF war. During the first 7
ten days " the campaign seven battles /
were fought and as many victories won. (
nt't'h Nh'1AvS NeIe burned more IMAM /
=" prisoners were taken and "a large num- I
Der Of horses ard cattle were captured I
Not one moment was granted the enemy /
Tor rcpnse. When the Indians were forced !
60 rs from the battlefield tho terrible /
horsomen pursued thcm along their paths /
Of retreat with the swiftursB 1T rho wind /
and cut them down without wcrCy. Tho /
merchants and rarchorH 20 Sonora who I
had for years suffered from the deprc4A- I
lions 81 the saVakos were greatly pleased I
with the successes achieved hy tbe foreign I
general and whvn Count Boulbrn APP J
peRisd 60 them Tor horses ans supplies Tor {
his army they promptly responded and I
assisted hiea Va every way within their Z
power The Naqas re,tyAtri 90 She moan.
taipH. ara thc rugnt FGt ryVts around the !
neckH ~ his prisoners ard to,d Thorn "a !
lead hts TROOPS e. thr camps - the save
ar. or he vsstd hams +h.o, D., th.. ...,r Z
est tree. lie divided his army lat- n.fa,r-
Gus small bodies ana boldly chas.l tho /