20122, 20123. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, September 28th, 1872. Good News from the Santa Maria. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory September 28th, 1872 Good News from the Santa Maria. Col. Mason and Command Surprise Four Camps of Hostile Apache-Mohave Indians--- Kill 40 and Capture 10 Women and Children. Some ten days ago, a friendly Wallapai Indian arrived at Camp Beale Springs, from a run into the Apache-Mohave country, and informed Capt. Thomas Byrne, Commander of the Post, that Auhec he-koara (Ocho-cal-ma) and five other chiefs, with a large force of Indians were camped between two mountain ranges, near the Santa Maria River; that the Chiefs and Indians were very mad, and talked of going to the Colorado River to fight the Mohave Indians for the part their Chief- Irataba- and others of the tribe, had taken in ferreting out the murderers of Loring, Hamel and others. 0 Learning this, by letter from Capt. Byrne, General Crook, Commanding Department, started for Camp Hualpai Saturday last, and, early Sunday morning last, Companies K, B, and C, of the Fifth Cavalry- (J.W. Mason, R.H. Montgomery and Emil Adams)w ith a force of between 80 and 100 friendly Wallapai Indians, started out, under command of Captain Mason who gives the good results of hard marching and harder fighting, in the following concise communication which was received at Department Headq uarters this (Thursday) morning: Headqr’s. Detach’t. Fifth Cavalry; September 24th, 1872. In The Field. General: I have the honor to inform you that my command struck the Apache-Mohave Indians about daybreak this A.M., after a laborious march of eight (8) miles on foot over a country literally cut up with deep cafions. Our surprise was a complete success, having attacked four (4) rancherias simultaneously, killing forty (40) Indians and wounding many more, also capturing eight (8) women and ten (10) children. The rancherias were on the brow of a deep caFion and to surround them was impossible, thus allowing some to escape who otherwise would have not. Officers and men behaved splendidly, and I cannot speak too highly of our Hualpai scouts. Their scouting was excellent, and when the fight came off they were not a bit behind the soldiers. I congratulate the Commanding General and the country in having secured so valuable an auxiliary. They are fully committed now. Guide Seaber did excellent service. Please inform me, as soon as possible, what disposition shall be Good News from the Santa Maria- Continued. made of the captured women and children. Four (4) ponies were captured and turned over to the Indians. I return to Hualpai by easy marches tomorrow. The fearful foot marching has made us all footsore. The Indians were found at the place designated in the accompanying letter, handed me by you while at Hualpai. Very respectfully, Your obd’t. serv’t., J.W. Mason, Capt. 5th Cay., Com’g. Detachment. General George Crook, Commanding Dep’t. of Arizona, A.T.