Indians. The route is also shorter. Sergeant Harshaw's report was forwarded to department headquarters. July 18, wrote to Governor Goodwin, Governor of Arizona, in reply to his communication of 9th of June, informing him of the operations of troops from this command. Forwarded Colonel Woolsey's report to department headquarters; also Captain Kennedy's and Captain Nichols', First Cavalry California Volunteers, reports in detail. The report of the latter refers to the valley of the San Pedro and Arivaypa, and is full of interest in view of opening communication by that route to Tucson and Port Lobos, on the Gulf of California. Major Blakeney's command were inspected and marched from Fort Goodwin at 5 p. m. The barrels of the men's muskets were blacked and every precaution taken to get the command to where the Indians were that could be. Major Blakeney was also furnished with good guides, who knew just where to go to find Indians. July 19, it rained to-day nearly all day, which cannot be other than beneficial to the grass in this vicinity, which will also be of great service to our animals. July 20, sent express to meet subsistence train and bring it up, the acting commissary of subsistence being out of the important parts of the ration, and troops expected in from the field. For want of transportation the quantity of stores on hand could not be increased so as to keep troops out as long as was desirable. July 21, with two or three men thoroughly examined the vicinity for six or eight miles for grass. Was successful in finding more than I expected, but not in sufficient quantity to afford grazing for any great length of time for the post herd and furnish hay for cavalry horses. Rain would help grass here very much. July 22, weather warm aud showery during the day. July 23, inspected the troops at the post. During the day express arrived in charge of mail. Received Captain Plympton's report of scout made by Captain Pfeiffer, First Cavalry New Mexico Volunteers; also report of one train (subsistence) being within one day's march of Fort Goodwin. This relieved my anxiety about subsistence. July 24, the usual routine of garrison duty here, cutting timber and completing quarters and store-rooms. July 25, Maj. Joseph Smith, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, returned from his scout on the headwaters of Prieto, Negrito, and San Francisco Rivers yesterday. He found but five Indians, they having left that section of country. The party he found hoisted the white flag and desired to have a talk with Lieutenant Martin, First Infantry California Volunteers. Major Smith met them. They said that they were desirous for peace and would come in and bring their families, and would go then with him to camp, but moved off in another direction, when Major Smith opened fire on them. Out of eighteen he could count but fourteen who reached the cañon leading to the mountain. Major Smith reports that the region of country has all the appearance of being a gold-bearing country. Copper can be found in inexhaustible quantities. Major Smith's report in detail was forwarded through district headquarters to department headquarters. July 26, verbally notified Major Smith that on the 28th he would be required to take the field again. July 27, having heard that Major Blakeney, First Cavalry California Volunteers, was not successful in accomplishing what he was sent to do, I ordered Maj. Joseph Smith, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, with all the men for duty in Company A, Fifth Infantry, and H, First Infantry California Volunteers, and E, First Cavalry California Volunteers, to proceed to the San Carlos on the 28th and join Major Blakeney's command, then at Pinal Creek. Major Smith was to take command of the whole; his detachment to be rationed for thirty days. Although he had, with Company A, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, only returned from a twenty days' scout on the 24th, every one went to work with alacrity to get off promptly. I also furnished Major Smith with a copy of Captain Plympton's letter and route of Captain Pfeiffer, First Cavalry of New Mexico, against the Apaches from Fort Canby to the Sierra Blanca. With department commander's indorsement thereon instructed him to make a depot on the San Carlos and fit out an expedition as the general commanding directed. Also to have the force left in charge of depot collect the grain found there and stored in wagons to be sent to Fort Goodwin. Copies of orders and instructions were forwarded through district headquarters for the information of the department commander. I also transmitted through district headquarters sketch of the valley of the Tulerosa, in which Fort Goodwin is located. This sketch was made from the then unfinished survey of Lieutenant Lambert, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, together with a plan for a four-company post. This valley is certainly a beautiful one, and with care all the land north of the spring to the Gila can be made to produce crops which will add to (about 600 acres) the lands now fit for growing crops and for gardens. Aside from this, in a strategical point of view, in case of foreign war, the site is a fine one. There is but one pass into this valley or the valley of the Gila within many miles that artillery could be brought through, and that can be easily so fortified that it would require a large force to force it. The water is abundant, yet the volume of it can be increased, and is as pure as any mountain stream I have ever seen. I directed Lieutenant Lambert to survey a reserve for the post, which survey has been forwarded to department headquarters. Near the post a deposit of fine salt was found, the extent of which I had not time to examine at the time. Reports of Major Smith with sub-reports of Captain Frink, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers; Lieutenant Martin, First Infantry California Volunteers, with a journal of his route, were all forwarded to-day to department headquarters. Captain Thayer's report of operations on the San Carlos was forwarded yesterday, and I would take this occasion to say that for energy and perseverance but few officers surpass him. July 28 and 29, nothing of interest. July 30, for several days we have had showers, accompanied by high wind. August 1, I directed Captain Thompson, First Infantry California Volunteers, to take twelve men of his company and one non-commissioned officer and scout for five days through Mount San Marcial for Indians, the men to carry their rations. Captain Thompson was also directed to report on mineral indications. Captain Thompson's report forwarded to department headquarters. August 2, special express arrived ordering me to send into Las Cruces, N. Mex., in time to be mustered out of service on the 31st instant, Companies D and H, First Infantry California Volunteers; Companies E and C, First Cavalry Cal ifornia Volunteers, and to repair in person to Fort Craig, N. Mex., to muster out commissioned and non-commissioned staff of my regiment. To do this, troops in the field had to be recalled, which I regret, for the reason that they had become acquainted with the country, and guides had been procured that knew where to find Indians. Another month in the field would have resulted in clearing the Indians from the Prieto to Big Rump. As it is, the Indians have for a time (except in small parties) left for Big Rump Valley, the Mogollon, and Sierra Blanca. Major Blakeney's report will show for itself. I cannot help but state that he at least exercised bad judgment. This is my opinion, that if 24 R R-VOL L, PT I Major Smith or Colonel Woolsey had arrived in time, from 200 to 500 Apaches would have come in. His zeal for an Indian boy resulted in stampeding the whole rancheria. Maj. Joseph Smith is an excellent officer, possesses energy, and exercises good judgment in handling his men, and at all times ready for any duty. The men under my command did their whole duty cheerfully. No better men could be found in any department. As directed, I turned over the command to Major Smith, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, and started for Las Cruces on the 11th of August, where I arrived on the 21st. Visited Franklin, Tex., district headquarters, on the 22d; returned on the 24th to Las Cruces and continued on that night to Fort Craig, where I arrived on the 27th. For three or four days we had to haul our wagons by hand, and one day made but three-quarters of a mile. The unusual rains had so softened the ground that animals and wagons mired down at every step. It, however, has done much good to the grass. The Gila, San Simon de Sauz, and, in fact, the whole country from Fort Goodwin to Fort Craig, resembles our eastern meadows. The San Simon or Rio de Sauz Í found quite a stream, and for many years, this I believe is the first that a running stream has run through this valley emptying into the Gila River. I was obliged to hug the mesas up to and near Whitlock's Cienega to cross it. I had in charge an Apache boy taken by Major Blakeney's command. He seemed to be well contented, and showed no disposition to get away, and was apparently much attached to my servant, but on the fourth or fifth night, near where Whitlock had his last fight, he escaped. No doubt he recognized the locality, and perhaps some of his people were in that vicinity. The results of the expedition are not barren. The Gila Valley and the sources of all the tributaries of the Gila have been thoroughly explored. The Apaches have been run out of that country, and with a few good troops stationed at Fort Goodwin, with a co-operation from the various posts north, this tribe will soon be compelled to surrender. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. B. C. CUTLER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Santa Fé, N. Mex. MAY 25-JULY 13, 1864.-Expedition from Fort Wingate, N. Mex., to the Gila and San Carlos Rivers, Ariz. Ter., with skirmishes (June 7 and 8) on the San Carlos River. Report of Capt. Julius C. Shaw, First New Mexico Cavalry. FORT WINGATE, N. MEX., July 14, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 25th day of May last, in obedience to Post General Orders, No. 18, dated headquarters Fort Wingate, N. Mex., May 20, 1864, I left this post with a command consisting of First Lieut. José Maria Sanches, forty enlisted men of Com. pany F, twenty enlisted men of Company B, First Cavalry New Mexico Volunteers, one citizen (a guide), and myself (total, sixty-three men), with rations (on pack animals) for sixty days, to scout against the Apache Indians in the direction of the Sierra Blanca and the head of the Rio Gila. Consulting the guide I found that I could the most readily reach the Sierra Blanca via the Pueblo of Zuñi. Accordingly I proceeded in that direction and camped first night at the Jara, distance eighteen miles from this post. May 26, this morning whilst packing up preparatory to leaving camp one of the mules (being loaded) suddenly ran off, which, whilst the men were endeavoring to force it to return to the train, leaped down a precipice, injuring itself to such an extent that I was obliged to abandon it. Reaching the Gallinas, owing to the feeble condition of the mules, there being excellent pasturage at this place, I determined to encamp until the morrow; distance, eight miles. May 27, marched eighteen miles this day and camped at the Tanate [Tinaja?]. May 28, marched eighteen miles this day and camped at the Ojo Pescado. Experienced a heavy rain-storm to-day. May 29, marched sixteen miles and camped at the Pueblo of Zuñi. More rain to-day. Here I determined if possible to hire an interpreter to accompany the expedition, but could not induce one to go. By these Indians I was informed that five days previous to my arrival ten or twelve Apache Indians from the Sierra Blanca met Captain Pfeiffer at this place, and they asserted that the captain made a treaty of peace with the Apaches, and that the Governor of Zuñi himself had taken copies of the articles of agreement to the commandant of Fort Canby. Not choosing to believe this report I determined to continue my journey without changing my course. To me it was clear that the Zuñi Indians were anxious to screen the Apaches of the Sierra Blanca, and if they knew it would probably try to get information to them of my intended invasion of their mountains. May 30, leaving Zuñi at an early hour this morning I marched about eighteen miles and camped on an arroyo. Roads have been very heavy to-day. One of the pack animals gave out and was abandoned, with a possible chance of its falling into the hands of the Zuñi Indians and perhaps thereby being saved to the Government. May 31, marched eight miles and camped at Deer Spring. Owing to the heavy fall of rain last night, which thorougly saturated the men's blankets and other articles, I concluded to remain here the balance of the day and dry our equipage. June 1, marched eighteen miles and camped at the Arroyo Colorado. Roads very heavy, and with much difficulty I got some of my mules into camp. June 2, marched sixteen miles and camped on the south bank of the Rio Colorado Chiquito. Roads to-day have been nearly impassable. I had to cut timber and construct a bridge before crossing one arroyo. June 3, reached Ojo del Mal Pais, eighteen miles from Colorado Chiquito. June 4, reached Ojo del Oso, nineteen miles from last camp. This spring is situated on northern slope of the_Sierra Blanca, and here we found the first indications of Apaches. June 5, marched ten miles and camped at a spring in the mountains, and sent out small parties in all directions to search for recent trails or any other indications of our near proximity to Indians. These parties returned without finding any very recent signs. June 6, marched nineteen miles and camped at Apache Spring, which is situated in the heart of the Sierra. Had parties (acting as flankers) out during the march to day looking for Indian signs, &c. June 7, at 6 o'clock last evening, leaving twenty men in charge of my pack animals and provisions, with orders to follow after at the break of day, I started from camp with the balance of my commaud for the head of the Rio San Carlos, which stream we reached after traveling probably twenty-five miles, when, judging ourselves in the vicinity of Indians, concluded to wait for daylight to reveal to us their precise locality, at which time we found the rancherias all deserted, apparently not having been occupied for several days. Continuing our route down the western bank of river until about an hour after sunrise, our attention was attracted by the barking of a dog somewhat to our right rear. Immediately deploying my men as skirmishers, we advanced in that direction at the doublequick, and soon a brisk fire was opened from the center of the line. Hurrying to that point I discovered an Indian rancheria. The men (of which there were several), owing to the dense growth of low timber (cedar) which covered the entire slope of the high ridge on that side, succeeded in making good their escape. Finally, returning from the pursuit, I found at the rancheria one woman and one child (the latter probably ten years old) mortally wounded, both of whom subsequently died. Under the circumstances, and from the long distance from which the men fired, and their being partially concealed, it was impossible to distinguish male from female, or old from young. This will account for the killing of the woman and child, for the men had received orders not to fire knowingly upon any such. Two other children were also found at this place. The woman, who spoke Spanish (and even claimed to be a Mexican, the truth of which I very much doubt), told me that at a short distance from that point I would find a large band of Indians. I at once started in the direction indicated, but after traveling several miles and finding all the rancherias deserted, and my men much fatigued and needing rest, I was obliged to call a halt and await the arrival of my packs, which came up all safe at 1.15 p. m. During my temporary absence from the camp, owing to the neglect of one of the men the largest of the captured Indian children escaped and could not afterward be found. At quite a late hour several warriors bearing a white flag made their appearanee on a high ridge not far off and requested permission to come into camp. This I finally granted. They stated that they had for several days been aware of my approach and professed to believe us to be a party of Mexican traders; that they wished very much to purchase powder, lead, &c., telling me that on the morrow a great many Apaches would come in to trade with me. It now being some time past sunset, I thought it best not to undeceive them until the following day, but insisted upon their retiring to their own camp for the night, which they did, sleeping within a mile of my own camp. June 8, same camp as yesterday. Daylight discovered to me a large increase in the numbers of the Indians, I immediately issued orders to my men to hold themselves in readiness for action at a moment's notice, and was sorely tempted to march and attack them at once, but finally concluded that perhaps by waiting I might get them at a greater advantage, when finally they sent a messenger requesting permission to move their camp closer to the water. I indicated to them a point on the river, distant about 250 yards from my camp, to which they might come, informing them that they must not attempt to cross the stream. Toward this place they soon marched in single file, advancing with a large white flag at their head. Their numbers I ascertained to be (by actual count) seventy-six warriors and four old women, about one-half of which were armed with rifles and other fire-arms. The balance carried lances and bows and arrows, and some also carried slung-shots. In a few minutes more I had summoned them to a parley, when some fifteen of their chief men advanced to within a short distance of my camp, bearing with them their white flag, which they planted in the ground and placed themselves in a semicircle around it, when I advanced, accompanied by Lieutenant Sanches. When all were seated they opened the conversation through their interpreter (one Francisco), a Mexican, who has been with them for many years, by asking what I had to sell, &c. I now told them that my business with them was not |