Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-05-28
NAVAJO
EXPEDITION
Report Made by Colonel Christie.
pner Carson Of the First
New Mexico Cavalry.
A SUCCESSFUL
CAMPAIGN
Major Jose D. Sena Of Santa Fe a
Partlcipant.--The Gallant Sergeant
Andres Herrera.

The following account of the expe-
dition of Colonel Christopher Carson
against the Navahos in 1863 and 1864
l. Of especial interest
Headquarters Navajo Expedition. Ft.
Candy. New Mexico, January %,
1864
Captain have the honor to report,
for the Information OF the general
commanding, that on the sixth instant
left this post for Canon de Chelle
with commissioned officers IA, and en-
listed men 3l5.
Owing to the depth of the snow on
the mountains which divides the val
ley of this section. with those OF the
Pueblo Colorado it took my command
three days to reach that place-a dis
tance heretofore accomplished in one
day While en- route on the Sth. my
escort killed one warrior. On my ar
rival at Pueblo, Colorado, was Joined
by the OK team and its escort, under
Major Jose d. Sena. which | had sent
forward on the third, with the eXpe
Idition. that he would have had time
to recuperate his animals before the
arrival of my command. In this | was
disappointed. as it took his command
five days to make 25 miles with a loss
of q oxen. This made it necessary for
me to tighten the loads and leave one
wagon to enable me to accomplish my
object. which | did. leaving ten days
rations for my command and 20 men
as a guard On the 18th. ! arrived al
1.-THE west opening OF the Canon de
Chele. In the morning, | made de-
tour to the right OF the line OF march,
with my staff and escort and struck the
canon about six miles from the mouth.
l Wishing to recOnnOter little, pre-
vious to commencing operations, pre-
ceeded up the canon on the south side
some four or five miles further. but
could find no possible means OF de-
scending TO the bottom of the canon.
the height of the sides averaging 1000
feet and nearly perpendicular. | saw
several Indians on the opposite side or
north side of the canon. but ouJ or
range OF our small arms. Shortly al
! ter my return to camp. Sergeant An
dreas Herrera of Company c. whom
sent out with so men the previous
} night. returned bringing in two Wo-
, men and two children prisoners. and
. 13O sheep and goats, having killed
e eleven Indians AS | expected. at day
!. light. he discovered a fresh trail and
: following it rapidly overlook the In
|, dians as they were about to enter the
!. canon. when he Immediately attacked
0 them with the result above stated
}, This is the second occasion which
:. have had to record my sense of the en-
|. ergy and ability displayed by the ser
geant in the successful carrying out OF
:. my orders and respectfully commend
J, him to the favorable notice OF the
l. general commanding.
a On the morning of the 18th. sent
J, out two commands to operate on either
side of the canon, with three days ra-
tions in haversacks, the first, consist
ing of companies B. and e.. First cav
: alry. New Mexico volunteers, under
the command of Captain A. B. Carey
e Thirteenth United States Infantry on
the south. and the second composed OF
COMPANIES c.. and D. under the com
mand of Captain Joseph Berney, First
a Cavalry. New Mexico Volunteers, on
. the north side | accompanied the
L former party. being very anxious about
: CAPTAIN Pheiffers command. which
l. had sent from Fort Candy to operate
t from the east opening. and wishing to
r gain a knowledge of topography OF the
/ canon with view to operations within
o it. This day | discovered the place
e where Sergeant Herrera had the fight
n the day previous. | found eleven
p dead bodies and five wounded ttWp
ii mortality The other three, though
X badly wounded will probably recover
IL owing to the skill and care bestowed
r upon them by Dr.. Shout. On the 14tt
s. the command continued its march t.
n point whence the view up the canor
y was unObstructed to near its eastern
Of outlet and being unable to discove
2 any signs of Captain Pheiffs comman'
p or any fresh sign of Indians, and ther'
e. being no fresh grass for the animal
of my escort. determined to return
also satisfied myself of the feast
!. bility of flanking the south side of tn
IL, canon from west to east without mucl
ry trouble. there being no intersectini
canons Of any extent. On my returl
~ to the main camp on the evening o
f' this day found to my great surprise
so Captain Pheiffer and his party in camE
an having accomplished an undertaken
&c never before accomplished in wa
time-that of passing through tn
a. Cancn de Chelle from east to west an
this without having had a single ca
uality in his command. He kille
Continued on Page Three.