The Arizona Miner
Prescott, Arizona Territory
July 19th, 1873
Crook’s Men and Tactics
Again Triumphant.
Surrender of 200 More Red Imps.
That success and good luck still go hand in hand with General
Crook, his officers and soldiers, will be seen by the following.
We, some time since stated that Captain James Burns had started
from Camp Date Creek, with some of his Company C, of the Fifth
Cavalry, some Wallapai soldiers and Mr. Clarke as guide, and we
are now enabled to give the following account of the very hard
but eminently successful scout of the command:
Left Tyson’s Well June 30, at sunset, with twenty-four soldiers,
eleven of whom were Wallapais. Made for Castle Dome Mountains.
An hour before daylight, the command had marched forty miles. On
reaching the mountains, white and red soldiers were sent into
the hills to hunt for Apaches. The main command under Capt.
Burns, moved along the base of the mountain, through a canyon.
About 10 a.m. on the morning of July first, Indian sign was
observed. Soon a trail was discovered, which was followed until
sunset. The horses having been without water for twenty-four
hours, the Captain took some soldiers and started for New Water,
when, by digging a little, water was found. This was in the
night, and having marched seventy miles without rest, the
command was nearly worn out. Yet, the Captain believing there
were Indians near by, sent some Wallapais to find and “locate”
them. The Wallapais succumbed to sleep and did not find any. No
fires were built. Daylight came, and four more Wallapais were
sent out. Soon, thereafter, one of these returned, and reported
firing about two miles off. Sergeant Hanlon (by order) took
twelve mounted men; the Captain and eight men ran, on foot, in
the direction of the firing. After a short run, two of the
Wallapais who had been sent out, were discovered chasing four
Indians. The other troops joined in the chase, firing as they
went, killing one Indian and wounding several others, as was
divined by the blood seen on the lava rocks, over which the
barbarians had retreated. The rancheria, with all its contents-
blankets, arms, provisions, etc.,- fell into the hands of the
troops, and was, we believe, destroyed. By the time this work
was done, it was dark. The command hunted for the trail all
night and until three o’clock next day, when Sergeant Hanlon and
six soldiers (white and red) were sent in the direction of Hawk
Spring. The Captain and eighteen men went to Laguna Mountain,
but found neither water nor Indians.
Sergeant Hanlon found about four gallons of water in Hawk
Spring; also, sign which satisfied him that the wounded Indians
had been there and washed their wounds. Search was made for
Crook’s Men and Tactics Again Triumphant— Continued.
them, but without success. Rejoining his Captain, the command,
thinking that the Indians might have gone to the Colorado
reserve, the command left camp, on the main road, at four
o’clock p.m., and by marching all night, made sixty miles, and
the reserve, early next morning. While going there, tracks of
Indian Women and children were discovered. Leaving the reserve
on the morning of the 7th, the command struck for the Santa
Maria Mountains, where, early on the morning of the 13th inst.,
it surprised and captured some fifty Indians. This haul was made
about daylight. The Indians were taken by surprise; threw up
their hands and begged for mercy. This capture was made without
firing a shot!
Upon arriving at Date Creek, Capt. Burns found about 150
Indians,- the fellows he had been chasing in the Colorado River
Mountains. They had made a straight shute for the place, and
were quite meek upon seeing their pursuers. Many of these
Indians were armed with guns, which the Captain has already
taken from them. These Apaches will soon be marched to the Verde
reserve.
When we tell our readers that the weather was intensely hot,
water scarce and bad, and country very rough, they will be able
to form a pretty correct opinion of the good, hard work, done by
this gallant command.
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