The Tucson citizen., 1902-06-13
An Authentic Account Of the
Bloody Engagement Near
MlndS Pri6tdS.
Most OF the ydQui Warriors 6s.
capped but OId Men, Women and
Children Suffered.

ing man who was an eye witness to the
engagement on the 10th instant He
gives graphic description OF the en-
counter. which turned out 10 be a
Bloody massacre.
Couriers arrived at Minas Prietas on
June bearing the intelligence that a
band of 600 Yaquis had been seen en-
tering the Mazatlan mountains. some
forty miles northeast OF that point.
The Indians proceeded some distance
into the Interior and pitched camp in
box canyon which practically had but
one entrance.
Word was dispatched to General
Luis Torres. at Hermosillo immedi-
ately. With 500 infantry and two
troops OF cavalry under his command,
he started In pursuit of the YaQuis
Geneal Torres has been anxious 10
strike death blow at the present out
break, and thus retrieve the laurels
which he lost In the bloody repulse OF
80. He seized upon this opportunity
eagerly
Jose Fimbres, an aged Mexican
scout. who was familiar with all the
trails and recesses Ia the Mazatlan
range. volunteered TO lead the SOL
diers to the Yaqui stronghold. His
services were accepted by General
Torres at once. The guide described
the situation minuteiy. The indians
occupied a very strong position in an
isloated box canyon. the sides Of whicn
were almost perpendicular. The place
had but one entrance OF easy access
OF mountains lowered above the head
of the canyon. making the approach
from this direction extremely hazard
oIs.
With these facts In mind. General
Torres laid trap for the laquI band.
The two troops OF cavalry, under com
mand OF Colonel Hernosa, made a de-
tour of the hills to the south and took
up their position at the mouth Of the
canyon. General Torres skirted the
high mountains on the north with is
infantry. and under the cover of dark
ness assembled TO the head on the can
yon. II was a most difficult under
taking The ascent began at II 80 D.
N. Monday, and they got into position
the next morning at O'Clock. There
lay the Yaquis far below them
the women and children with the men
They were camped about n spring. and
sheltered by dense growth of pine
trees. The Indians were obliyious NJ
impending danger.
The command vas given and from
their point of vantage the fede"al
troops poured down shower of deadly
missiles upon the camp. A wild shrek
came from below The Indians were
taken completely by surprise. Panic
reigned In the camp. and but slight re-
sistance was offered The Yaquis re-
turned the fire of the troops inter
mittentiy for several hours, and finally
ceased altogether The government
forces sent volley after volley into the
canyon below. but received no re-
sponse.
Shortly after noon General Torres
ordered a detachment 10 descend ana
reconnoter. To their utter surprise
they discovered band Of unarn1ed old
men and helpless women and children,
The ground was strewn with the dead
women and i2 children many of whom
were infants. KILLED in the encounter.
were taken prisoners of war and es-
corted TO Hermosillo under heavy
guard.
General Torres was at loss to ac-
count for the hot fire returned at the
Iopenina of the engagement and the alb
sence OF arms In the camp. He was
chagrined, and opened communication
with Colonel Hermosa to ascetain the
Indians avenue of escape. The cav
airy officer discovered bend In the
!canyon between his position and the
r"aoui camp. where Soma 29a armed
warriors scaled the preeipitous sides
and eluded his vigilance.
Scouts who were dispatched in all
directions returned with the intelli-
gnnce that the Yaquis had turned 10
the south and taken up strong pos
tion in the Vatoka range. Colonel
Hermosa started In pursuit of the flee
ing Indians with 900 men under his
command. Colonel Morales. who was
stationed at Ortiz. to the south OF tie
VotoEa range. was ordered to Inter
cent the Indians should they attempt
ito descend on Guaymas. The Yaq1is
are in a strong position and 1t IS
thought that they will make desper-
ate defense Word OF a bloody en-
counter is hourly expected
General Torres returned to Hermo-
sillo and is directing all movements.
Arrangements are being made by the
Mexican government TO deport all
Yaoui prisoners to Yucatan. The ru-
rales have received orders to kill all
Indians found rowing over the country
and their intense jealousy OF the va
oui prompts them to carry out orders
with keen relish.
Americans throughout Sonora are In
sympathy with the YaQus Mining
men have found the Indian laborers to
be more reliable and better worIimen
than the Mexicans, and have displaced
the latter whenever possible. This
has aroused the jealousy Of the Mext-
can laborers. and they are determined
to exterminate the Yaquis or drive
them from the country. The present
activity of the Mexican troops can be
laid directly to the death of Ricardo
Johnson. the American who was mur-
dered by a Yaqui band under Chief
Guillermo,