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Vli MMW NAMVa IBP ID *MV VUUI IBWVt l«V«V VI • MVmajority of the Plains rtvera at thts season, one chan-At tuc UUir, OB IB Mil? tuuiattci ouu W IUCKwae perfectly dry and the other had but a narrow uni of water but a few Inches in depth runningIn It. The position, however, had the advantage an open spaoe for some distance around it, and vinder any circumstances of stealth the savages could not get within twenty rods of the position Without being seen.There was but one thing to be done and that was for the scouts to abandon their dangerous and exposed ground and retire to the Island. The ordergiven, so closely had the savages pushed their advance line and so hurriedly was it necessarily ex-ecuted In order to avoid being overpowered or cut off, that the few rations the men had were left onthe ground of the old c also about thirty pounds of bacon and twenty pounds of aalt. At the time the Indians appeared these few supplies, the last that wese on hand, were about to be distributed, and the Intention was to push on regardless of this threatening scarcity of food, not wishing to return without aooompliahing something. Too Indians captured these supplies and also one panier containing all the medical supplies with the party.PRKI* A RATIONS FOR THB FIGHT.Upon reaching tho island the acouts tied their horses to s few stunted trees on the Island. The moo dismounted and were stationed about theisland, while a few to positions along its edge.discovered themselves foiled inWhen the savagesng upon their lt;were dismounted to act asSghtiupon their own ground 260 young warriorsSharpshooters, while at least 600 veteran warriors under the direction of one of their bravest chiefs made preparations to attack the Island. The mounted savages, their faces daubed with war paint, disrobed themselves of all useless trappings; their bodies were bare to the waist, anelr leggings and a clout about their loins alone covering their nakedness; shields and arrows and quiver! were fhstened to their persons; and, their rifles In hand, they formed for a novel experiment In their system of warfare—a ‘direct charge. The oldhaat their bead turned to address the savage the old men urged the yohng todeeds of valor; the big held the tribe under he had the power to charm the (laid, beating hts druiWhiteman’s bullets*wouldconfident wore the eaaured band that th igut down to see the conflict and began their chants of victory. Home danced hideously upon the surrounding hills; others crowded closely upon tbe rear of the warriors, ready to follow them In Uie work of blood sad spoils.These were breathless moments on the island. Themedicine man, who the tafatnatioa that their lives, rode about l exclaimlug that “the melt before them.*1 So of the capture of the be* women and children wereday was bright and cheerful. More than 700 savages,dmounted and on foot, waited upon the plain the slg nsl to launch themselves upon the sturdy forty-six men whom they confronted. The anticipation of the streams of blood about to run and the scalps to attest their heroism stirred the savage breast to fury. A few Isolated shots were flred. Thewomen chanted victory; the old men repeated thelotdays of their youth to excite the emulation of the young; the medicine man. frantic with excitement, shouted sod beat his drum; the chief, with the-ral days.The same night two more messengers were sent to seek relief. These men were Donovan aud Plyly.While the scouts were preparing against an enemy more powerful than the red man, the death wall of a few lndlaa women was again heard, home otht*r warrior dying of tils wounds had gone to the happy hunting ground.SCFTKRINGS OF THR RAND.Four days had passed. A few shots were exobanged with a party left to watch the movements of the soouts. The main body of the Indians had now retired, The well meu having now some respite In thetd been surrounded turneddangers by which they had their attention to the care of tbe wounded men. The wounds, which bad become very painful from neglect, were rudely dressed. Soup was made for them and the little coffee still left was also served. A shelter was constructed which protected them from the wluda. On the 21st two Indians were seen at a distance. The scouts occupied themselves In collecting saddles and bridles so as to have them ready for transportation when relief came.On the 22d the wounds of the men commenced to show signs of protracted neglect. Maggots infested them and premonitory slims of mortlhcatiou set in. To render the situation of Uie party still worse, tho presence of the dead animals about the island was growu intolerable. The sixth day had come, and still no relief. The jerked horse meat was well nigh exhausted, ruder this trying situation the commanding officer called his men around him. He told them they knew their situation; that there were those who were helpless, but they must not expect aid too soon. It might be difficult to get to the roft, or there might be some mistake in finding the way. The men were as true as when they started, and they resolved upon remaining together and await relief or starve.On the seventh day tne Jerked horse meat was out.The animals from which they had taken their supply were now a mass of corruption. There was no alternative, Wlist is not preferable to the insidious march of such a death. Hunger is a great sharpenerilon has no bounds to theof appottte, but starvatlimits of its cravings. From the remains of the horsestrips of putrid meat were taken and eaten. The affbet of Uils offensive diet was nauseating. An effort was made to improve the flavor by pouring gunpowder upon It, but with no resulk The meu allayed hunger as far as possible in this reverting way. and trusted with a last nope for sucoor before their last strength was gone.On the morning of Bejrtember 26 ths son rose withunusual brightness, and the solitary plain, receding lu ail directions, seemed to possess unusual Interest.Across Us dim distances the eyes of the little hand wandered, wondering what the next moment mightbring to view. Towards nine o’clock several dark9ovmg objects were discernible on tbe horizon. Thequestion was, were they savages or the messengersof relief*Rfl.ltr AT HAND.As time wore on Brevet Lieutenant Colonel L. 11.Carpenter, Assistant Burgeon FlUgereid, United State* army, accompanied by the second scont-Don-ovan—who was sent out for relief and thirty men.could bo seen approaching, aud as they discoveredth* lit Ha hurt* fluMtind ahead at the t/mnnAAd nf theirand children bo held as slaves, or as peons, need the friendly assistance of the officers of our govern* ment.I am not lawyer enough to say how far thesteps to carry ont this act of Congress, approved by uiy “judgment” and executed bj my military subordinates, should override the local laws and customs of New Mexico; but inasmuch as New Mexico and Colorado are Territories of the United States, and Congress has the constitutional power to make “all needful rules andregulations respecting the Territory or other property of the United States,” 1 infer that myy power is snffl cient, and that you may proceed to execute the Instructions herein set forth, and should resistanceay cu if atclai consideration.occur In any case consult the United Staten District Attorney, if at hand, or report the case fory HpeIn the first place convey to the NavsJoe* tliem-of this law, and of our purpose to execute it In a spirit of fairness to themselves the substanceand In Justice to the women and children affected. If they as a tribe, or any of them in their private capacities, wish to search for missing women or children supposed to be held lu bondage, you may permit them to make search and provide for it out of the moneys held by you on account of the Navajo nation.In like manner if yon know or learn of the whereabouts of such women or children, or If any officer of your command obtain such knowledge, you or they may act In the nature of guardian to such women or children till they make election to remain where they are or to rqjoui their tribe, in which case you may provide for tbelr removal out of the money held by you as described.If any woman be married away from her tribe, she should be permitted to have free lt;hoice of action. If unmarried and held as a servant, the officer should explain to her her rights under the lawirtand leave her free to choose, satisfying himself that she receives wages and understands her true position. »If children, male or female, under the usual ages of manhood or womanhood, be held as slaves, peons or servants, they should be deal: with according io their age and Intelligence. If old enough to form a reasonable judgment of their own Interests, they should be allowed to choose tlioir own course; but If too young or too obtuse the officer should himself Judge of their true Interests, if on inquiry their parents ran be found and if they claim rhc restitution of their children, such restitution must bo made without iurther question.When children are hckl not as slaves, peons or servants, but at school or In good families with the ruin si care of other children, with reasonable certainly of being unproved tn tbelr condition, the case sboukl be specially reported to you, and you may take from tbe person or persons io charge of sult;m child or children an obligation to educate and rear;them to maturity, with tne right then to rejoin theirtribe If so Inclined. In this case you should furnish the parlgr or parties so holding the child or children a written permit to be their warrant for so holding the child, and should report the case to the agent of the Navajoes, that the knowledge thereof may reach the parents and chiefs of the tribe aud their consent ifI
Newspaper Details
New York Herald
New York, New York, US
Mon, Oct 12, 1868
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
KS, USA 09 Jan 2021
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