10181, 10182, 10183. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, July 31st, 1869, Full Graphic and Reliable Account of Lieutenant McCleave's Recent Fight with Apaches.

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory July 31st, 1869 Full, Graphic and Reliable Account of Lieutenant McCleave's Recent Fight with Apaches. Vulture Mine, Arizona, July 12th, '69. Editor Arizonå Miner: — In accordance with promise, I send you a sketch of our recent scout under Lieut. Wm. McCleave, 8th U.S. Cavalry: We left Kenyon's Station, Gila River, at 2 PM on the 3rd inst., crossed the river 6 miles below; marched 20 miles a little west of north, and camped until daylight. July 4th. — Started at sunrise, travel led 2 miles and found living water; encamped until dark, then started train for Eagle Tail Tanks. Scout was ordered to Forked Mountain. July 5th. — Arrived at the mountain at early dawn; found neither water nor Indians; joined the train at Eagle Tail Tanks, found a little water ( only two quarts for each animal) and some Apache sign. Started, after dark, for Hoc—qua—hala Springs , in Pen—hatch—I—pet Mountains , distant about 35 miles in a north—easterly direction; travel led all night. July 6th. Saw, at sunrise, 3 Indians, who fled for the adjacent hills, but were soon overtaken and dispatched to the happy hunting grounds. We here saw the sign of about 50 Indians, but owing to the famished condition of our animals, were compelled to push on to the water, where we arrived at 9 AM. We found plenty of water and sufficient grass for our purpose, and what pleased us most, plenty of Apache sign, which indicated, to us, that our fondest hopes would be realized. So, for the purpose of bringing on the fight, our daring commander ordered our camp to be pitched on the site of an old Indian village on the south side of the canyon, one—half mile from the entrance to the canyon, knowing, full well, that we could have marched and camped on the open plains until doomsday without getting a fight. The calculation was— whether we got a fight or to go out on the plain, camp for the night, and then not— maneuver around the point until our rations gave out, or until we got a fight. They did not keep us in suspense long, for they soon had the country black with smokes, and at 3 PM, began to make their appearance on hugh granite bluffs south of and above our position. By 4 0'clock, we were completely surrounded, but it was plain that, except on the south, they had only a thin line of skirmishers , who contented themselves with yelling , building large fires, and shooting, at long range. But, those on the south, and above us, meant business. Up to 2 0 'clock, not a shot had been fired by the enemy's main force; nor had we. Our veteran commander was busily engaged posting and encouraging his men for the approaching struggle, which, all knew, must end in death or victory. At a few minutes past 4, a tall, powerful— looking Indian appeared on a high point, overlooking our camp, waved his gun high in the air, and sounded the war—whoop, all of which was the signal for battle. Then opened one of the most The McCleave Fight— Continued. terrific Indian fights I ever had the pleasure of witnessing . The yells of the Indians, the shouts of the soldiers, whiz zing made up a scene hard to imagine, and singing of bullets, impossible to describe. After the first half hour, it was plain that we could drive them at will, but the old man, (as the boys call McCleave,) thought it best to keep them close to us until we wanted to retire to the plain below. Our men fought Indian— every man from behind a rock. Had they been exposed fashion , they would not have lasted five minutes. At 6 0 1 clock, orders were given to saddle and pack up. The Indians saw the move, and, sure of victory, rushed furiously to the charge. It was a dear charge for them, as, during the few seconds it lasted, we hurt more Indians than we had in the previous two hours' fighting. Numbers fell and were dragged back into the rocks, and three lay when our men withdrew. We had one man dead, in full view, wounded, severely, in the head. We forced a passage to the plain and encamped for the night. At intervals during the below , night, the enemy fired both bullets and arrows into camp, but fortunately, did no damage. The Apaches evidently thought they as we were leaving the caåon, the had won the fight, for , evening before, they yelled and whooped at a terrible rate. July 7th. — At daylight, the cliffs at the entrance of the canyon, and below the water, were black with the red devils, apparently busy fortifying. Knowing that we were compelled to have water, they were using every exertion to prevent us from getting it. At 8 o ' clock AM, after having grazed our horses and breakfasted, orders were given to saddle, pack, and fall in. After detailing a rear guard, and every fourth man to hold or lead horses, we had only 13 soldiers and 2 citizens to face the enemy. This small band was drawn up in line, and, after a few stirring words from our chief, we deployed as skirmishers, on foot. The Apaches welcomed us with loud shouts, waving of bright lances and guns in the morning sun. They had evidently been reinforced during the night, and being now well fortified, were eager for the contest. We marched directly towards the fortified hill, until when within 500 yards of it, we diverged to the right, crossed the canyon and gained the high ground on the north side. This move was executed in full view of the enemy, who appeared to be completely stupefied. As soon as we faced about and bore down towards the water, they sullenly left their fort, hurried around and crawled into the rocks overhanging the water. As they were shifting from the fortified hill, we had an opportuni_ty of approximating their number, and I think that at least 60 left the hill and passed into the rocks, where, also, were others. Our train was halted within 400 yards of the water, and we were ordered to advance. Our advance was a succession of charges or rushes, from one cluster of rocks to another— one half our force covering, while the other half charged. In about an hour, the water was cleared, and about one—half our fighting force had crossed the canyon and occupied the rocks lately in possession of the savages. The train and horses were now ordered to the water. The Indians rallied and made a desperate attempt to The McCleave Fight— Continued. regain their lost ground, but failed signally, losing one of their chiefs, quite a number of warriors, and leaving us masters of the field. Thus ended two of the hardest contested Indian fights I have ever witnessed. I think they outnumbered us, the last day, 5 to 1. The fighting was almost entirely done by the soldiers, as besides myself, there was but one citizen, Wm. Four r, in the fight. Our leader proved himself well worthy of the great reputation he bears. He was everywhere, and always at the right place. I am unable to state the correct number of Indians killed. We got three, ten miles from the water, and during the two fights in the canyon, six were seen to fall, and their bodies lay in full view for some time; besides, I think there were a great many wounded. One thing is certain: they were the worst whipped Indians I have ever seen, for, when we left the canyon, an hour after the fight, not an Indian was to be seen or heard. We proceeded to Culling's well, lay over a day, left our wounded and sick and started for Wickenburg. Arrived there in due rested our animals and started for the Vulture mine , season ; with the design of surprising an Indian rancher ia said to be about 20 miles southwest of the mine. Left, at night, for the place indicated; arrived there and found no Indians. We then returned to the mine, from which place Lieut. McCleave and command started, at 4 0'clock on the morning of the 12th, having accomplished more, in the last eight days, considering the force engaged, than has ever before been done in this Territory by the same number of men, in the same length of time. I shall leave, this evening, for Agua Caliente. King S. Woolsey.