10139, 10140, 10141. Camp McPherson, Arizona Territory, Nov. 14th 1868, Mr. L.D. Booth (letter)

Camp McPherson Arizona Territory Nov 14th 1868. Mr. L.D. Booth Dear Sir I seat myself to perform a painful duty. it is that of informing you of the untimely death of your Brother Jerome Booth. He was killed by Indians the 2nd day of this month while escorting the mail from Wickenburg to Walnut Grove. The mail party consisted of but three men a citizen mail rider and two soldiers. One of which was your Brother. they were attacked by about 60 who lay in ambush till the mail was within a few feet of them when they raised with a whoop and fired killing Jerome almost instantly, and wounding the mail rider. Jerome fell from his saddle. then raising himself on one knee and raising his Carbine to fire but life was to far gone and he fell dead without a struggle. he was shot three times. twice with bullets in the left side and once with an arrow in the left shoulder. I wish to inform you that you are not the only one to mourn his loss. by his death. I lost a dear and trusty friend he seemed like a Brother to me. he was always willing to assist when others could not. He was truly kind, generous and obliging. and I sympathize with you in the loss of so dear a Brother. There were many sad hearts in this camp when the news reached here. for he was liked by officers and men. perhaps you are not aware that he had left this camp. he and myself both left here at the same time to go to Walnut Grove to escort the mail. and he fell a victim to brutal savages the second trip he made. the escort has since been removed. I am sorry to say I could not go to assist in burying him as I was obliged to go to Prescott the next day to report it to the military authorities. the Corporal in charge of the escort went with some citizens and buried him. and they all say he was buried well as could be expected. The Indians took his cloths from him and a memorandum book some postage stamps and a few letters they are all probably destroyed. there has been nothing seen of them since. He had no money at the time but there is four months pay due him besides some clothing money. which I have no doubt Lieut. Western will attend to as soon as possible. he has some letters from Miss Alice Parsons. and one from you which I enclose with your picture I believe I will send the letters to Miss Parsons as soon as possible. I hope you will excuse my negligence in this matter as I have been moving all of the time since the sad event happened. I sympathize with you in your deep affliction by the loss of so dear a Brother. but we must remember that he fell a true and noble hearted soldier while in the performance of his duty. and thought well of by all who knew him. Should you wish any more particulars I will give them to you if possible. yours truly, Leslie G. Cutter co. H 14th U.S. Infantry. Fort Whipple Prescott Arizona P.S. The Company has gone to Prescott since he was killed. -- L.G. Cutter