20038, 20039, 20040. Camp Date Creek, A.T., November 9th, 1871, Lieutenant F.H.E. Ebstein, 21st Infantry, Post Adjutant (letter)

Camp Date Creek, A.T. November 9th, 1871 Lieutenant F.H.E. Ebstein 21st Infantry Post Adjutant Camp Date Creek, A.T. Sir: In obedience to Special Orders No. 120 Cg. Hd’qrs. Camp Date Creek. I proceeded on the 6th instant to the point on the La Paz road where the mail stage was attacked on the morning of the 5th instant to ascertain the particulars connected with the attack, and by what parties it was made. I submit the following as the result of my investigation: I arrived late on the evening of the 6th, at Wickenburg, where I found in the house of Mr. Sexton proprietor of the Vulture Mine, Mr. Kruger, Clerk of Captain Foster, A.Q.M. Mr. Kruger was slightly wounded. From him I learned that the following passengers were on board the stage: 1st— The driver (whose name has escaped my memory.) 2nd- Miss Sheppard of Prescott. 3rd- Mr. F.W. Loring.j Employees of 4th- P.M. Hamel. j Lieutenant Wheeler, 5th- W.G. Salmon. U.S. Engineers. 6th- Mr. Adams, formerly agent of the Firm of Bichard & Co. 7th- Mr. F.W. Shohoim of Prescott. 8th- Mr. Kruger. At a distance of about eight miles from Wickenburg, and at 8 o’clock AM, on the 5th, the stage was attacked by a party of Indians (10-12 in number.) The party fired into the coach from both sides, killing at the first fire one horse, and all the passengers but himself, Miss Sheppard and Mr. Salmon. The two former were slightly, Mr. Salmon mortally wounded. Mr. Kruger and Miss Sheppard got out of the coach and ran, pursued by some of the Indians, into the bushes on the left side of the road. The pursuit was however, soon abandoned, and Mr. Kruger and the wounded woman walked along the road towards Culling’s ranch until they met the Mail from Ehrenberg. The driver obtained assistance in Wickenburg, and Mr. Kruger and the woman were brought in and taken care of. Mr. Kruger is positive in his assertions that the attacking party were Indians. On the following morning I examined in person the spot where the attack was made. It is at a distance of about eight miles from Wickenburg, at a point where the road turns down a little hill into a dry arroyo; on the right side of the road, and close to Camp Date Creek, A.T. November 9th, 1871 Continued- it, is a large mesquite bush, under which I discovered three or four moccasin tracks, of the pattern used by the Apache Mojaves, on the left side, and at a distance of 20-30 paces from the road, on an eminence which commands the view for a long distance of the road from Wickenburg. I found as many more tracks of the same description, also two tin cans (butter cans, apparently) thrown away at some Military Post, picked up and used by the attacking parties to carry water; a pack of Spanish Cards, rounded at the corners, in a manner I have seen cards in the hands of Indians at this Post. On the right side of the road, and a short distance from the place where three or four had been in ambush, I found the place where some of the party had defecated. The excrements consisted of indigested melon seeds and mesquite beans. On the left side of the road, about sixty yards back towards Wickenburg, is the grave of Mr. Salmon, who, mortally wounded, got out of the coach, and was killed and scalped (the only one scalped) by the attacking party on the spot where he was buried. I then proceeded to ascertain the direction the party had taken after the murder and robbery had been committed. About one half mile from the place of attack, the party divided, three tracks leading in a direction direct to Camp Date Creek; four towards the Hass—ayampa. At a distance of about three miles both tracks joined, pointing towards the Hass-ayampa. I took measure in starting of one unusually large track, re-noticed it five or six times on the trail, and followed the seven plain and distinct tracks for a distance of twenty—two miles until near the Hass—ayampa Cañon, so many tracks crossed, recrossed and followed the trail, that I found it impossible to trace the seven tracks any longer. On the morning of the eighth, I started out along the base of the range of mountains bordering the Date Creek Wickenburg road, in hopes to find the trail of the party in starting for the place where they lay in waiting for the stage. I did not strike it. I then crossed the mountains into Peeples Valley, where I found many Indians quietly working for the settlers. Today I returned to the Post, crossing the mountain range known by the name of Date Creek Mountain. I beg leave to add what I have heard in Wickenburg in regard to the attacking party, whether it consisted of Indians, or Mexicans, or White men. Some suspect the Mexican rancheros of Hass—ayampa Cañon— others assert that such a scheme had been planned for some time; that it was intended to rob the Mail of the bullion generally shipped on, or shortly after the first of every month. Others, and I found them rather in the minority, accuse the Indians living at this Post. The woman Sheppard is under the impression that White men were amongst the robbers, but she had no other reason to advance than that she had heard Camp Date Creek, A.T. November 9th, 1871 Continued- that certain parties in Prescott who disappeared suddenly about the time she left Prescott had made inquiries about the time of her departure, and what amount of money she was likely to carry with her. I ascertained that no horses were stolen not any baggage, that even the persons of the passengers were not searched and robbed except Mr. Adams, whose pockets were found to be turned inside out. Mr. Adams is or has been the Agent of Mr. Bichard, and was likely to be thought carrying a large amount of money. I also noticed that while many letters were not interfered with almost every one addressed to an A.Q.M. or A.C.S. was opened, and that all the letters I saw opened had been opened carefully at one end, and the contents restored in many cases. I am Sir, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Chis. Meinhold, Captain 3rd U.S. Cavalry.