USA > Arizona > History of Arizona, Vol. V > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
198
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
"NOVEMBER 16 .- At daylight two of the Indians were sent down to the creek to look for Apache signs. They returned in a few hours with information that, on the day before, two horses and one Indian had crossed the creek and gone in the direction of the Sierra Ancha moun- tains. At 1 p. m. saddled up and started on the track of these two horses.
"The Apache had followed no trail, but kept as much as possible in the bushes, evidently hoping to conceal his track. About six (6) p. m. we followed the track on to an old Apache trail, and shortly after came upon the sign of a mule and a burro. About seven (7) p. m. we commenced to cross the Sierra Ancha range, and at ten (10) p. m. had reached the summit. The moon was obscured by clouds a good deal of the night, which rendered tracking a very difficult operation; but the Indians stuck to it with the tenacity of bloodhounds, and about midnight they reported that they were pretty certain we were near a rancheria. After some attempts to get into the canon, we were obliged to give up all thoughts of getting on to it that night. The rocks were so steep that a man could not walk at the mouth of the cañon on foot. At one (1) p. m. we lay down by the horses and waited for daylight. Distance, about thirty (30) miles. This march was a very hard one, as we were continually winding round the moun- tains, and over them, down into deep cañons, and through rocks and boulders. Although the night was very cold, we built no fires, for fear of alarming the Apaches.
199
THE MILITARY.
"NOVEMBER 17 .- At daylight we started right over the mountain, and after traveling up it for about half an hour, we discovered the ran- cheria at the head of the cañon. The men and Indians charged immediately down the rocks and into the rancheria, and, leaping from their horses, pursued the flying Apaches over the hills and across the cañons in the most gallant man- ner. Many of the men got bad falls among the rocks and precipices, but they kept on without any regard for anything but the Apaches. Six (6) were killed, five (5) were taken prisoners, and two (2) horses captured. The mule and burro had been killed, and were being roasted on the fire.
"There was a very large amount of winter stores in this rancheria, which were all de- stroyed and the rancheria burned. Among the articles found were two tin canteens, such as are issued by government, a portion of an English copy of the New Testament, some mail straps and pieces of a saddle, a gun lock and brass plates belonging to a gun, and baskets such as are used for carrying grain, etc., in great num- bers. They had a great abundance of seeds, nuts, acorns, buckskins, serapes, and other arti- cles used by the Indians, and the destruction of these just as winter is setting in will be a great blow to them.
"This was evidently an old established ran- cheria, and one which they considered very safe. Words cannot do justice to the place. It was as nearly inaccessible as possible. The huts were situated just at the head of the cañon, and back of them the rocks rose almost perpendicu-
200
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
larly for several hundred feet. On each side the slope was more gradual, but still it was ter- rific. A little stream issued from the rocks, and flowed through the canon, and some fine oak trees grew along the banks. From this circum- stance I called the place Oak Cañon.
"Mr. Thomas Ewing, (the guide) who has had much experience in Indian fighting, in- forms me that it was the worst place to get into that he ever saw.
"As soon as the fight was over, and the ran- cheria destroyed, we started after some cattle which one of the prisoners (an Apache squaw) informed us were in Greenback valley. Com- ing upon some fresh signs of Indians, we took the gallop again, and charged across Greenback valley, which was about five miles distant. Much to our regret, we found nothing of them. We crossed another range of mountains, and got to within a short distance and in sight of Salt river. Here we struck more fresh tracks, and made another charge, getting very close on to some Indians, who were gathering seeds. They managed to escape us, however, by concealing themselves in the rocks, and our horses were now so badly used up that we could not overtake them. On the last charge we were brought to a stand-still in another cañon, out of which there appeared to be no means of exit whatever for any animal without wings. The Maricopas and Pimas had never seen the place before, and could give no information about it. We accord- ingly turned round and came slowly back to Greenback valley, where we camped about two (2) p. m.
201
THE MILITARY.
"The Apaches in the meantime had put up signal smokes, and alarmed the country.
"We grazed the animals all the rest of the day and during the night. Distance travelled this day, I should think, was about twenty-five (25) miles. As most of the time we were on the run, and travelling backwards and forwards among the rocks, it is rather difficult to esti- mate it.
"NOVEMBER 18 .- Saddled up at daylight, and marched to Tonto creek, where we grazed the animals two (2) hours, and then crossed the North Mazatzal on the old trail, and camped in Sunflower valley. Distance thirty-two (32) miles.
"NOVEMBER 19 .- Saddled up at daylight, and marched to a grazing place on Sycamore creek, where we remained two (2) hours, and then moved on, reaching Fort McDowell about five (5) p. m.
"No man or animal was lost in this expedi- tion. The weather was quite cold at night, but pleasant during the day, and we had no rain.
"I expected when I started that this expedi- tion would be a very hard one, and my expecta- tions were fully realized; but success has amply repaid us.
"To Lieutenant Carr and the enlisted men concerned in this campaign I am exceedingly indebted for the activity and energy they dis- played. The conduct of one and all was gallant in the extreme. Their success in the previous expedition had given them confidence in them- selves, and every man exerted himself to the utmost to make the campaign a success. The
202
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
long preserved reputation of the first cavalry will never suffer in the hands of these men.
"I am also very much indebted to Mr. Thomas Ewing and Mr. Strobel. Mr. Ewing displayed his usual gallantry and energy. His knowledge of the country and of the habits of the Apaches is very extensive, and his services are exceed- ingly valuable.
"Mr. Max Strobel, who is a topographical en- gineer by profession, kindly undertook to make a map of this country, and to him I am indebted for the map which accompanies this report. He exercised the greatest care in taking the dis- tance, directions, etc., and I think he has suc- ceeded in making the most correct map I have seen of that section of the country.
"I cannot close without acknowledging my thanks to the Pimas and Maricopas who accom- panied me. These splendid Indians performed their part in the most admirable manner and were of the greatest service during the whole trip.
"I am sir, very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "GEORGE B. SANFORD,
"Captain 1st. U. S. Cavalry Commanding.
"By command of Brevet General Mc- DOWELL:
"JOHN P. SHERBURNE,
"Assistant Adjutant General.
"Official : "JOHN H. COSTER, A. D. C."
203
THE MILITARY.
Major-General Halleck, Commanding the Division of the Pacific, in his report, dated Sep- tember 18th, 1867, has the following to say con- cerning Arizona :
"As stated in my last annual report, the Apaches and cognate tribes in Arizona and northern Sonora are the natural and hereditary enemies of the whites, of whatsoever nation or character. They have successfully expelled from that territory the Aztecs, the Spaniards, and the Mexicans, and they will yield to our people only when compelled to do so by the rifle and revolver. They probably resemble the African Bedouins more than any other people, and murder and robbery constitute almost the sole occupation of the Apache. These Indians do not fight in masses, like most of the tribes east of the Rocky mountains, but move stealthily in small bands over the greater por- tion of Arizona and the northern parts of Sonora and Chihuahua, waylaying and murder- ing travellers on the roads, and plundering and destroying unprotected agricultural and mining settlements.
"This mode of warfare, combined with the rough and desert character of the country, and the want of practical roads, renders it very difficult to operate successfully against them, or to give adequate protection to the small and scattered settlements in that extensive but sparsely populated Territory. Military opera- tions would probably be more effective in re- ducing these hostile Indians if the troops could be concentrated in larger posts, so as to have available a greater number for active cam-
204
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
paigning in the country where they leave their families and obtain most of their supplies; but for this to be done with the forces at our com- mand, it would be necessary to withdraw all protection to many small settlements which have heretofore been often broken up, but are now in a more flourishing condition. It has, undoubtedly, been an increased expense to the Government, supporting and supplying so many separate and distinct military posts; but this expense has been more than compensated for in the reduced cost of transportation and supplies caused by the increased local agricultural prod- ucts. Thus most of the military supplies last vear were transported from San Francisco to Fort Yuma, and thence to the several posts at from 14 to 21 cents per pound-these high prices of transportation resulting from the cost of forage for teams on the road. This year, forage and commissary stores have been con- tracted for at the several posts and on the roads at greatly reduced rates, and transportation, in many instances, has been obtained at less than one-third of former charges. And the same or a greater reduction in the prices of supplies and transportation has been obtained by private individuals, who have heretofore drawn most of their provisions and other necessaries from the Pacific Coast. It has, therefore, been found that local military protection to the small agri- cultural districts in Arizona has not only re- duced the Government expenses in such dis- tricts, but has had a most beneficial effect upon the Territory generally.
205
THE MILITARY.
"Under these circumstances, I have not felt myself justified in interfering with General McDowell's protective dispositions by ordering a greater concentration of troops. With an additional force of, say, one regiment of cavalry and one or two regiments of infantry in that country, which are really required there, we would be able to accomplish the double object of affording local protection, and, at the same time, of penetrating into the mountain homes of these savages. In giving local protection to settlements, it has not been proposed to guard particular ranches, mines, or mills from Indian depredations. To attempt this would absorb and paralyze our whole force without accom- plishing any result, for it is well known that these Indians will steal stock, even before the eyes of the sentinels who guard it, and pursuit in such cases is seldom successful. The only plan which has given any valuable results, is that of establishing posts in the vicinity of settlements, and from these posts sending secret expeditions of small parties into known Indian haunts. Large parties are not required, and are never successful, for the Indians discover their approach and hide themselves in the mountains. They can be reached only by the utmost secrecy and rapidity of movement.
"On the question of concentrating the troops in that country in a few posts only, I respect- fully refer to the report of Lieutenant Colonel Roger Jones, and the accompanying remarks of Brevet Major General McDowell, transmitted herewith and marked 'B.' "'
206
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
CHAPTER X. THE MILITARY (Continued).
REPORT OF COLONEL JONES, INSPECTOR-REMOTE- NESS OF ARIZONA BAR TO FREQUENT INSPEC- TIONS - RECOMMENDS SEPARATE MILITARY DISTRICT FOR ARIZONA, AND CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS-ALSO RECOMMENDS MORE AND BETTER BUILDINGS-GENERAL MCDOWELL'S REMARKS ON COLONEL JONES' REPORT - STATEMENT OF CONDITIONS.
The report of Colonel Jones, in which he criticised the military operations in Arizona, and made certain recommendations thereto, follows :
"(Confidential.)
"WILMINGTON, CAL., July 15, 1867.
"GENERAL: In reporting that I have com- pleted the duty of inspecting the posts in Ari- zona and Southern California, I respectfully submit for consideration some general remarks and recommendations which I consider should constitute a separate and distinct report.
"In compliance with the order directing me to make this tour, I have from time to time, as occasion offered, forwarded reports of each post visited, and in them have set forth the state of affairs as revealed by my inspections.
"These reports exhibiting an unsatisfactory condition of affairs throughout a considerable portion of Arizona, my duty would be but par- tially discharged if I failed or omitted to show
207
THE MILITARY.
how or in what manner matters may in my judgment be improved, which is my sole object in addressing you this communication.
"Leaving here on the 20th of April, the journey has occupied me eighty-four (84) days from this point, during which time I visited every post within the country designated, and travelled with government transportation over twenty-one hundred (2,100) miles.
"The first and most important change which is deemed absolutely essential to any lasting improvement in the general condition of affairs in Arizona, is the organization of the Territory into a separate military department with a com- mander residing at some central point.
"The distance travelled, and the length of time it has taken me to make this tour, show very clearly that it is not in the power of a com- mander residing in San Francisco to make fre- quent or even annual visits to Arizona. As further evidence on this point, reference is made to the fact that General McDowell has been able to make but one tour through the country in the three years it has been under his command.
"This remoteness of the department com- mander affects everything wherein his action is necessary, and during the past winter, at some of the remote posts, it required three months and upwards to communicate with, and receive answers from, department headquarters. In fact, in point of time, St. Louis is quite as near as San Francisco to Prescott and Tucson, if not nearer ; papers and letters from St. Louis reach- ing those points as a rule in from eighteen to
208
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
twenty-one days. The rains of next winter may produce the like interruptions to the mails as was experienced last winter.
"The following is a case in point illustrating the inconvenience and detriment to the service arising from the department commander being stationed in San Francisco.
"On the 16th of April he ordered two com- panies from camp McDowell to camp Grant, and two from the latter camp to the former. On receiving the order Colonel Ilges applied to his quartermaster for transportation; the latter replying that he had none available. Colonel Ilges forwarded his application to the commanding officer at Fort Yuma, who sent it to Colonel Crittenden at Tucson, nearly three hundred miles distant.
"Not having any wagons at hand, and Colonel Ilges not being at that time under his command, Colonel Crittenden submitted the matter to me; and thus, but for my presence and the authority vested in me by General Halleck, this move would probably not have been made without re- ferring the matter to department headquarters.
"It is immaterial whether these movements required promptness or not; the delay in mak- ing them fairly illustrates the inconvenience and injury the service in Arizona unavoidably sustains in consequence of it not being a mili- tary department per se.
"Another serious injury resulting from this remoteness of the department commander is the length of time soldiers have been kept in the guard house awaiting trial. To remedy this
209
THE MILITARY.
General McDowell has ordered the release of prisoners who had been confined several months. "In San Francisco, without telegraphic com- munication, and with unreliable weekly or semi- weekly mails, it is impossible for the depart- ment commander to know of any particular transaction in Arizona until long after it has transpired, and matters are constantly arising which can neither be foreseen nor provided for, concerning which the best interests of the ser- vice demand prompt if not immediate action.
"The division of the Territory and districts has not and cannot yield results at all satisfac- tory, nor can it atone for the evils which are a necessary accompaniment of Arizona being attached to the department of California.
"In a word, there is scarcely a measure taken in San Francisco in regard to affairs in Arizona that could not be better and more intelligently ordered by a commander residing in the Terri- tory, where he could from personal observation learn its wants, resources, geographical feat- ures, and the wants and condition of the troops and supply departments.
"This change, under a judicious commander, should lead to a reduction of expenses, and to increased efficiency in all branches of the service.
"The public interest, the interest of the Ter- ritory, the credit of the service, and welfare of the soldier, alike require that Arizona be made a separate military department.
"Sacaton, on the Gila, about ninety (90) miles this side of Tucson would be, on account V-14
210
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
of its central position, the most eligible point for department headquarters.
"I come now to the consideration of the policy that has been followed in assigning troops to stations in Arizona.
"The effort has evidently been to cover or occupy a vast extent of country with compara- tively a small number of troops.
"To accomplish this it became necessary to establish a number of posts, garrisoned by one and two companies.
"The evils of these petty commands are too well known to require special enumeration, but among the most prominent is the large number of men rendered non-effective, from the neces- sity of employing them in performing ordinary routine duties, the proportion being much greater in commands of one and two companies than in garrisons of five and six companies strong.
"In this way the efficiency of troops is much impaired, discipline seriously injured, and the non-effective force greatly increased, in conse- quence of the necessity of leaving in camp a large proportion of a command for the protec- tion of public property, etc., whenever it takes the field.
"This policy also multiplies places for incom- petent commanders and disbursing officers, be- sides greatly increasing the expense of the mili- tary establishment.
"As an offset to the grave objections which are incident to, and indeed are part and insepa- rable from, the policy itself, it will be asked
211
THE MILITARY.
what are the results, and is life and property rendered comparatively secure by this scatter- ing of the troops into small commands and detachments ?
"Would that I could reply in the affirmative; but when it is known that men were killed on the road a few miles ahead of and behind me, that animals have been killed and driven off from a corral, not fifty yards distant from a de- tachment of seven men specially designed for their protection, and that the safety of the de- tachment itself is probably due to the timely and accidental arrival of fifteen or twenty soldiers, it will be seen that neither life nor property are very secure at this time in Arizona.
"Indeed, it may well be doubted if they have ever been less so, and certainly, since travelling through the Territory in 1857 and 1859, I have never known the roads so dangerous as they are now.
"The remedy for this condition of things I conceive to be the adoption of the opposite policy from that now in existence in Arizona, viz., in the concentration of troops.
"I do not expect or look for any immediate improvement in the state of affairs in the event of concentration becoming the policy for the future, but its adoption would give at all times a large force for operations against Indians, and from several points. As matters now are and have been this is proved to be impracticable.
"Certainly many of the grave evils of the existing policy, set forth above, which officers on the frontier know, feel, and complain of,
212
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
should and probably would not be found if the troops were concentrated at several large posts.
"In the Prescott district the only change that seems to me necessary is to concentrate the six companies at one post, within from twenty to thirty miles of Prescott, maintaining outposts at the settlements, if necessary.
"South of the Gila, the only point which I think it necessary or advisable to occupy are Camps Goodwin and Bowie and a point adjoin- ing the site of old Fort Buchanan, which is ex- ceedingly favorable for a large force, especially for cavalry.
"If supplies are to be sent to the posts south of the Gila, through Sonora, Buchanan is the point for the depot.
"At Sacaton, one company would be needed if it became the headquarters of the department.
"The third point demanding attention is the want of more mounted men. There seems to me to be but one way of bringing about this result, and that is to mount infantry. This will render them available in the pursuit of Indians, and will be a strong addition to the effective force in the Territory. As footmen they are of but little service in Indian warfare.
"Eight or ten companies of infantry mounted and armed with a carbine, preferably with Spencer's, would be ample.
"This done, the troops concentrated, and the Territory organized into a military department, and it will not be long before a marked improve- ment becomes manifest in the general condition of military affairs in Arizona.
213
THE MILITARY.
"Infantry companies employed mainly on es- cort duty need a carbine and pistol. Men of the company at Camp Cady, which is thus en- gaged, have provided themselves with revolvers at their own expense.
"The introduction of the Spencer carbine throughout the service will more than treble our effective strength.
"Having very recently reported in regard to abandoning El Dorado Canon, it is unnecessary to say more on the subject.
"The subject of providing storehouses, hos- pitals, and quarters for troops in Arizona is one also meriting attention.
"Quarters are promised the recruit when he enlists, money is annually appropriated by Con- gress for this purpose and, I may add, is con- tinually squandered by being placed in the hands of unpractical and incompetent officers for expenditure.
"The contentment, comfort, health, welfare, and efficiency of the soldier are so intimately connected with this subject of quarters when in garrison that they cannot be denied them as a rule without creating discontent with the ser- vice.
"There are to-day many suffering soldiers in Arizona, soldiers who are suffering unneces- sarily, who are exposed to the weather, as the negro of the south or the peasant of Ireland has never been, and this in a climate where the heat is greater and more oppressive than I ever ex- perienced in Texas, the tropics, or elsewhere, where the thermometer ranges every day for
214
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
several months from 95° to 115° and 120° in the coolest places.
"If a large post and depot should be located near old Fort Buchanan or elsewhere, the build- ing of it should be committed to a regular quartermaster, and not to inexperienced young officers, as I found to be the case at Camp Goodwin.
"This is one of the duties of the Quarter- masters' Department that should, as far as pos- sible be discharged by officers of the department. Under their superintendency better and cheaper buildings will, as a rule be erected.
"The views set forth, whether sound or not, are my convictions, and, as I interpret my duty as inspector of the division, I feel bound to ex- press them for the consideration of the major general commanding.
"I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"ROGER JONES,
"Major and Assistant Inspector General,
"Inspector General Military Division Pacific.
"Brevet Major General JAMES B. FRY,
"Adjutant General Middle Division of the Pacific. "San Francisco, California. "Official :
"JAMES B. FRY, A. A. G."
215
THE MILITARY.
Here follow the remarks of General Mc- Dowell on the report of Colonel Jones :
"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA.
"San Francisco, California,
"August 14, 1867.
"Respectfully returned with the following remarks :
"The state of affairs which the assistant in- spector general noticed in Arizona has been well known to me, and has not ceased to engage my attention from the first. But it is not, in my judgment, due to the causes he supposes, and is not to be corrected by the measures be suggests. "His remedy consists mainly in,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.