478
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
believe authentically, that a band of the Hickory Apaches, near Los Vagas, were encamped in that vicinity. An officer of dragoons had command of the garrison at that point. Some Indians had committed depredations upon persons or property not far from there. He sent an angry command to the Indian camp to come into the fort immediately. They became alarmed at the character of the message, and started to make off as fast as possible. Now, had the officer possessed any reflection, a moment's consideration would have taught him that these Indians could not have com- mitted the outrage, else would they never have trusted themselves in his vicinity. But they attempted to fly after the angry man- date was given, and the dragoons were sent after them. The Indians were overtaken and remorselessly cut down-men, women, and children-no regard being paid to age or sex. Eight women were also captured and were taken to the ga1Ji.-ison, where they were detained for some time. In the mean time, in revenge for what seemed to them so wanton an outrage, the Apaches mustered a force, and attacked a party of emigrants. They murdered Mr. White and his companions, and carried his wife and child into captivity. They also attacked the mail carrier, and a party with him, and murdered them. On hearing of these murders by the Indians, the officer in command of the garrison started with his troops to the scene where they were committed, taking with them one of their captives, the daughter of a principal chief of the Apaches. On reaching what they supposed to be the vicinity of the Indian camp, the Indian girl was sent forward to the top of an adjacent hill, with directions to make such signals to her people as would bring them into camp. She went, and waited all night, and in the morning came back. The troops, despairing of success, determined to return; and the girl was ordered to get into one of the wagons. She refused, and sat down, with her head between her hands, for some time. They then attempted to force her in. Enraged at this, she seized a knife, and ran at the fellow who had taken hold of her. The man ran around a mule to save himself; but, in her attempts to get at him, she stabbed two mules, and pursued him until another, who related it boastfully, drew his revolver, and blew her brains out. In the mean time, information of these murders had reached Taos, and a party, consisting of one company of dragoon~ and volunteers, in all amounting to one hundred and twenty, started in pursuit of the Apaches, under the guidance of Kit Carson. After tracking them for ten days, the Indians were overtaken.
Powered by FlippingBook