Hide Article Text (OCR)
ward Col. Rynerson and threat- surprise nearly the whole comened to kill him on sight. Col-Rvnerson who had a splendid record as a soldier being told of this went to the Fonda then the greatest hotel between Kansas City and the Pacific coast where he met Judge Slough, and demanded that he retract what he had said, fudge Slough refused, and put his hand behind him, whereupon Col. Rynerson drew his pistol and killed him instantly. Arcoroner’s jury investigated the affair and completely exonerated Col. RynersonUpon the arrival of the column on the Rio Grande, Gen. James H. Carleton relieved Gen.Uanbv of the command of the department, and Col. J. R. West, who was in command of the FirstCali* fornia Infantry, was put in aom-niand of the southern district of New Mexico, with headquarters at La McsdU. The different companies were soon distri Iasi ted throughout the district. Col. West retaining companies K and D of the first infantry, and A company of the fifth infantry, at his headquarters. It can be readily imagined that after tne long march of nearly a thousand miles, the troops enjoyed their rest, having only drills and other light duty to perform. At Mesiila were a. number of persons chief of whom* was Col. Sam Jones of Lecomp-ton fame, who were outspoken i» their love for the confederacy. Jones was arrested, almost weekly and then released ; and every week one of the outspoken treasonable remarks, and locked up in the 'guard house. There had been several escapes of this class of persons from the guard, until finally, Col. West issued verbal orders that when another of these rebels was allowed to escape that he would imprison the whole guard who were on duty at fhe time of the escape. Matters moved along as usual, everybody enjoying themselves, until the morning of the 26th of November,when at reveille roll call I was informed by First Sergeant Ldmundson that one of the rebel prisoners had escaped during the night, and that the entire detail forpatiy stepped to the front, and on examination I found three privates who had not stepped U» the front, and upon questionir-th«?ni found that they propoted to do their duty. I ordered the men to £0 into tbeir quarters, to take off Jheir arms, and p!*eed the three i.nen who proposed to do their du'V. ** sentinels over the men, and Jo allow nobody to enter the qtinkers, and not to allow any mem ber of the company to leave the /quarters until I returned.I went up to the* quarters and reported the matter Jo Col. West, giving him all the fact*. and was told to take a seat. scot forthe officer of the da.v, Jo whom he issued orders that ill tb* guard %vith their prisoners shottid b brought into the gutard houre; tk hie he ordered that 1 -hould feud for all the men of my company, at the post, on c.vtra or dailv duty, and .have tluem report to me at the company quarter!. As soon as the “long roil’* w«as sounded, my company fell in, without amis, and we proceeded t0 *bc parade ground at double squj'ck, and formed line of battle* with D. companv on the right a.sd A company on the left, but tllese two companies were fully armed and in marching order. In a few minutes after the formation of line, Col. West came onto the ground mounted. Col. West knew every man by name in his regiment, and, riding down in front of my company, said: “ Corporal Smith step two paces to the / front.” The corporal did as he / was ordered, when the colonel/ asked in a loud tone of voice: Corporal,will you do yourduty”/ The corporal, saluting, said: “will, sir, when the irons are takd off of Sergeant Miller,” T/ colonel immediately ordered tf if a man in K company moved fire into the companv as ’ stood in line. He then ord Capt, Mitchell to wheel his pany to the right, and also •d them to load. lie the back to Corporal Smith / dered him out in frontraf
Newspaper Details
Las Cruces Rio Grande Republican
Las Cruces, New Mexico, US
Sat, Jan 09, 1909
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Texas A.
TX, USA 11 Sep 2023
Other Publications Near Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces Daily News
Rio Grande Republican
Thirty Four
Rio Grande Farmer
Mesilla Valley Democrat
