By Arnold Franks

PRELUDE - THE BASCOM AFFAIR, APACHE PASS
February 4, 1861

One day in October, 1860, Apache Indians raided the ranch of John Ward on Sonoita Creek, plundered his house, took his son Mickey Free, and ran off all of his stock. John Ward was absent at the time of the raid. Upon his return, Ward immediately rode to Fort Buchanan, twelve miles to the northeast, at the head of the Sonoita Valley, and reported the raid to the Commanding Officer, Lieut. Col. Pitcain Morrison. Nothing was done at this time, the reasons to this day are unknown, but a guess would be due to the lack of troops present for duty. No reason was ever given and the pursuit of the raiders was not undertaken until January 29, 1861, three months later.

On January 29, 1861, Lieut. Col. Morrison ordered Second Lieutenant George N. Bascom, 7th U.S. Infantry, to proceed to Apache Pass, 150 miles to the Northeast to retake the boy, Mickey Free and the stolen stock. Bascom's command, consisted of 54 men mounted on mules. Also accompanying Bascom was Mr. Ward and an interpreter called Antonio. Bascom and his command arrived at the west summit of Apache Pass February 3rd and proceeded over the road two and a half miles to the Overland Mail Station. Bascom halted his command for water, and told the station keeper Mr. Culver that he was on his way to Fort Bliss, Texas. After watering his command, Bascom continued on his way. When he had marched about one mile to one and a half miles, he halted his command in the vicinity of Goodwin Canyon and set up his camp. Bascom's command was camped in Siphon Canyon. Cochise's camp was in Goodwin Canyon, only a short distance away.


Cochise had seen the soldiers at the Overland Mail Station, and in all probability out of curiosity, proceeded to the station and inquire of Mr. Culver, the reason for the soldiers being at Apache Pass. Mr. Culver answered, that they were on their way to Fort Bliss. The same day, Cochise, accompanied by a party of seven in number, a half brother, two nephews, two squaws and a boy, entered Bascom's camp, which was the Apache custom, to greet visitors. Mr. Ward immediately told Lieut. Bascom that Cochise was present in the camp, and pointed him out.

Bascom invited Cochise with his party into his tent for a talk. When inside, Bascom confronted Cochise demanding the return of the boy and the stock. Cochise replied that he did not have them. Bascom again demanded the return, Cochise again replying that he did not have them.. He then went on to say that if given time, he would find out who had taken them, secure them from the raiders and return them to Bascom. Bascom replied no, demanded the immediate return, then told Cochise and his party that they would be held as hostages until the return of the boy and the stock. Prior to this, the soldiers had been instructed to surround Bascom's tent, with arms at the ready and bayonets fixed. Cochise, then produced a knife, slashed the tent and ran up the hill, amid a volley of rifle fire from the surprised soldiers. Cochise escaped unharmed, but the rest of his party was captured. It is not sure, if at this time one of the Indians was bayoneted.

The next day, February 5th, Bascom, broke his camp and retraced his line of march to the Overland Mail Station, and advised Mr. Culver as to what had transpired the previous day, and that he had hostages. At the time of his return, Cochise appeared on a hill above the station and wanted to talk about the release of the captive Indians. Mr. Culver, along with Mr. Wallace and Mr. Welsh, both helpers at the station, went up the hill to talk to Cochise. After a few minutes, Cochise attempted to capture the three white men and succeeded in capturing Mr. Wallace. Culver and Welsh made good their escape, but upon reaching the door of the station, Mr. Culver was shot from behind, and his body drug into the building. Mr. Welsh, while attempting to climb over the corral wall was shot in the head by a soldier, who had thought the Indians were attacking them. Wallace was now a captive of Cochise.


During this period, a wagon train had entered Apache Pass at the west end, and was ambushed by the Indians. The wagons were burned, and two white men were taken captive. These two men were Mr. L.C. Jordan and Mr. Walter Lyons. Eight Mexicans, also part of this wagon train, were chained to the wagon wheels, turned head down, and a fire built under their heads. This was a favorite means of slow death used by Apaches. The fire slowly boiling the brains until the head explodes. A very slow and painful death. Another means of a slow painful death used by the Apaches, was to stake a man out and then build a fire in the middle of his chest. Now Cochise had three white captives for exchange.

About dark, the East bound stage entered Apache Pass's western summit, and was fired upon by Indians lying in ambush. The first volley hit the near lead mule, the stage coming to a halt. The conductor, Mr. Culver, brother of the station keeper, and Mr. Buckley, jumped from the coach and cut out the dead animal. In this ambush, the driver, Mr. King Lyon was wounded in the leg and one passenger was wounded in the chest. The coach stopped where the wagon train massacre had taken place. Buckley and Culver looked the site over, then climbed back aboard the coach and the wounded driver went full speed down hill to the station.

The Indians, prior to this had pulled the planking from a small bridge over a deep gully, and when the coach reached it, the mules jumped over the ravine, and the axles of the coach slid over the center remaining planks and made it into the station. Now the troops, the station helpers, and the passengers of the coach were now at the station, in a state of siege.

On the evening of the 8th, Wallace was brought into sight of the station, gaining the attention of the soldiers. A stick was placed in the ground with a message attached to it. The Indians then departed with Wallace A soldier was sent up the hill, on the south side of Siphon Canyon, returning with the message. This is when Bascom found out about the other two white captives of the Indians.

Late in the evening of the 6th, Buckley sent A.B. Culver to Tucson, to tell Mr. William S. Oury, the station keeper there, to send a coach and help, as there was wounded passengers at Apache Pass. At the same time, Lieut. Bascom sent an escort of soldiers with saddle mules to Fort Buchanan for medical aid. The escort accompanied Culver to Dragoon Spring, and Culver proceeded into Tucson the troops on to Fort Buchanan.

When Culver arrived in Tucson, he gave Buckley's instructions to Oury. Oury sent a messenger from Tucson to Fort Breckenridge informing them of the situation at Apache Pass. The troops reached Buchanan without incident and informed Col. Morrison of the situation at Apache Pass. Colonel Morrison, immediately dispatched Asst. Surg. Bernard J.D. Irwin with an escort of fifteen mounted infantrymen to Apache Pass to help the wounded.

In the meantime, on February 8th, Bascom needed water so he divided his herd of mules, sending one half to the spring for watering. The Apaches ambushed this party, Mr. Moses Lyon, a Butterfield employee was killed, one soldier and one Butterfield man was wounded. Bascom lost half of his animals in this exchange and the situation in Apache Pass was now becoming critical for men and animals.

Upon receiving Oury's message, Lieut. R.S.C. Lord and Lieut. Isiah N. Moore, left Fort Breckenridge with Companies D and F, 1st Dragoons, and proceeded directly to Apache Pass. The route was east down Aravaipa Canyon thence to Ewell's Springs where he would meet with Oury's party. Surgeon Irwin with his command marched the 65 miles to Dragoon Spring in 24 hours After watering animals and men, proceeded out on to the road to Apache Pass. Here after a short march, he encountered Apache's with a herd of horses and cattle, and after a chase of about seven miles and a short fight captured the animals. Irwin then continued on to Apache Pass arriving there February 10th. Irwin had to make the decision to proceed on or await the help that was expected, but decided to continue on into the pass and on to the station, which he did without incident. The Indians were not guarding the west entrance, as they had seen on the old Leach Road, a Company of the 8th Infantry on their way from Fort Breckenridge to Fort Bliss in Texas, therefore there were no Indians present to prevent Irwin in his march to the stage station.

On the 14th of February, Lt. Moore, in command of the Dragoons arrived at Ewell's Station and left a note for Oury to meet him at the tank at the entrance to Apache Pass. They met and all proceeded to the Apache Pass station without incident.


On the 15th of February, the Dragoons had a day of rest, and on the 16th and 17th scouts were sent out but no Indians were found. On the 17th or 18th, Cochise's rancheria was found and it was set afire. About a mile west of the station a short distance from the road, the bodies of the Americans were discovered. The bodies were littered with lance holes, and badly mutilated and were literally unrecognizable. Wallace was identified as one, only because Oury knew about one of his teeth having gold.

After finding the dead Americans, the soldiers wanted to hang the Apache captives (Irwin being the one who wanted to hang the captives). Lieut. Bascom protested, and there began a discussion of what was to be done. Irwin, pointed out that since three of the captives were his, he could do as he pleased, and Lieut. Moore, being the senior officer present concurred with this decision to hang the captives. Lieut. Moore said that he would take full responsibility for this order to hang the Indians.

On February 19th, the captives were marched to the graves of Cochise's victims, and there they were hung from some oak trees close by the graves. These bodies were still hanging in Apache Pass in July 1861, when the withdrawn troops from Ft. Breckinridge and Ft. Buchanan were on the march to New Mexico.

Bascom on his return to Fort Buchanan reported to Morrison and was highly commended in the manner that he had carried out his assignment. Bascom was later promoted to Captain, 16th U.S. Infantry, and was killed in the Battle of Valverde, New Mexico February 21, 1862. Bascom's report has never been found, as it would have probably cleared up a lot of later speculations of what did actually take place at Apache Pass, in those critical few days. His report was either lost, or possibly destroyed when the Union troops were withdrawn to the east and the seat of the war. Assistant Surgeon Irwin was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his pursuit of the Indians on the way to Apache Pass.

The Bascom Affair started a war that lasted until 1872. The Apaches, believing that they had driven the soldiers out of the country, were literally free to do as they pleased. Mines, Ranches and Towns were deserted, all stock stolen, and dozens of citizens were killed. Tucson was only one of three sites that held out against the Indians. The other being the Patagonia Silver Mine, owned by Sylvester Mowry, and the Pete Kitchen Ranch, just north of the U.S. Mexico boundary.

This incident, would have telling effects on coming events during the Civil War in Arizona and New Mexico. The Confederate forces, under Captain Sherod Hunter would suffer losses due to this war. The advancing California Column, on its march from Fort Yuma to the Rio Grande, would also result in numerous affairs and one two day pitched battle with the Apaches under Cochise and Mangas Colorado, July 15-16, 1862. The California Volunteers and fight these Indians until their withdrawal in 1866, and then the Regular Army would continue the fight, until the final surrender.

ARMS, EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS AND TRANSPORTATION

When the Regular Army was ordered to the East in 1861, all arms, equipment, horses, horse equipments and all non essential camp equipage was turned into the appropriate corps, Ordnance and Quartermaster.

At this time Benicia Arsenal refurbished, repaired and fabricated all essential ordnance stores that would be required by the Volunteer forces, then being raised in California.

I will only here write of the troops in the California Column, 1st California Volunteer Infantry (10 companies), 5th California Volunteer Infantry (5 companies), 1st California Volunteer Cavalry (5 companies), 2d California Volunteer Cavalry, Company B, Battery A, 3d United States Artillery, and Thompson's Howitzer Battery, 2,350 officers and men, and also of the Teamsters, horses and mules. This whole command was under the command of Colonel James H. Carleton, promoted to Brigadier General in early 1862 while on the march. The arms and equipment issued to the California Column were specifically requested by Carleton from Capt. McAllister, commander at Benicia Arsenal, and were issued as described hereafter. The First California Volunteer Cavalry (5 companies), A, B, C, D, E were armed with the Model 1859 Sharps Carbine, caliber .54. The Sharps Model 1859 proved to be a very effective and reliable weapon, and was used in dozens of engagements against Apache Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. The Model 1851 Navy Colt Revolver, caliber .36 was issued to the cavalry as requested by Colonel Carleton. Carleton wanted the Navy Colt in lieu of the Colt Dragoon Model 1849, caliber .44. The Navy Colt could be carried on the saber belt, and its weight was considerably less than the Colt Dragoon (4 1/2 lbs.), and had to be carried in pommel holsters. Also, ammunition weight was a factor. The Navy Colt was less powerful and had a shorter range than the Dragoon, but weight was the deciding factor, as well as the Navy Colts pointing ability. The Model 1840 Cavalry Saber (old wristbreaker) was also requested by Carleton and it was issued to the cavalry. Carleton, being the old Dragoon, stated, a razor sharp heavy saber will cut through the clothing of rebel cavalrymen and inflict serious casualties.

All leather goods of the California Cavalry were the same as used by the Dragoons (1st Cavalry) prior to their being turned in. Leather saber belt, saber slings, carbine sling and hook, pistol holster and cartridge boxes and cap pouches. This was the issue of arms and associated equipments to the five companies of the First California Volunteer Cavalry. Company B, Second California Cavalry, being the only company of the 2nd Cavalry to accompany the California Column, was equipped exactly in the same manner as above described for the First California Cavalry. The First California Volunteer Infantry (10 companies) and the Fifth California Volunteer Infantry (5 companies) were issued the Model 1855 Springfield Rifle Musket, Caliber .58. These rifles were the first true rifle musket made by Springfield Armory that was designed to fire the minie ball. The Model 1855 had all brass mountings, patch box, barrel bands, and used the angular bayonet. The Model 1859, the only difference being that all of the mountings were iron instead of brass. The Model 1859 Rifle used the sword bayonet. The Model 1855 Springfield was a very accurate weapon, as Indian casualties in Arizona and New Mexico showed. The standard black leather waist belt was used, and when worn, carried the cap pouch and the bayonet and scabbard. The cartridge box was worn on a wide black shoulder strap, the cartridge box being worn on the right hip. In the center of the shoulder strap was a brass round U.S. Coat of Arms. This was usually removed, as it provided less of a target. The cartridge box had two tin liners that held 20 rounds of paper cartridges each, the capacity of the box being forty rounds. If extra rifle ammunition was readily needed, the soldier usually carried extra rounds in his pockets, for easy access, otherwise he carried them in his haversack. All of the ammunition used for the above mentioned small arms were paper cartridges, or linen cartridges in the case of the Sharps Carbine. There were no metallic breech loading rifles or carbines used by the California troops during the Civil War.

Company A, Third United States Artillery, equipped in late 1861 as a light field battery at Benicia Arsenal, where they received their equipment, horses and all horse harness and all required implements, by Capt. McAllister. This was the only Regular Army unit to accompany the California Column on their march to the Rio Grande. Their guns as issued were two twelve-pounder howitzers and two six-pounder guns. These guns, to the knowledge by this writer, were only fired once, not in anger against an enemy, but as a salute to General Carleton when he entered Tucson (a story of its own) - Carleton had an ego. One thing that Carleton did was to insure that his command was well armed and supplied with a large quantity of small arms ammunition and artillery ammunition, plus all related ordnance equipments and implements. Carleton, planned and equipped his men. One of the major problems not encountered, such as back East, was that all of the ammunition was alike, and this proved to be a asset, especially when supply routes were in excess of hundreds of miles in length.

HORSES

Horses were a problem at first, when trying to mount the California Volunteer Cavalry. Carleton wanted "American Horses", at least fifteen and a half hands high, or Morgan Horses. These were in short supply in California. The cavalry was regulated to used the much smaller but more durable California horses. These horses could not carry the weight of the larger horses, but again, you have to use what is readily available. The large American horses were then given to the artillery and the wagon trains. This created a slight problem, whereas the California horses being in large supply and demand, had to be trained as cavalry mounts, which was again accomplished in due time. The use of the smaller California horse caused another problem in getting the cavalry mounted was the saddles. The Dragoons turned in their Grimsley saddles, and these saddles were too flat for the California horses. There were some Model 1859 McClellan's available, but not nearly enough.

The Ranger Saddle, used extensively in California was adopted for use by the cavalry. These saddles had a horn like a stock saddle, as well as leather accessories such as tapaderos and a mochila. These extra required saddles were produced in San Francisco by Main and Winchester and Charles Mead and other small contractors. The McClellan was used as an alternate for the Range saddle. Thus the cavalry was mounted in an in-ordinary manner, but due to war shortages one has to improvise and Carleton and McAllister met the challenge.

As previously stated, the several cavalry companies who had been equipped with the American horses and Grimsley saddles turned them over to the artillery and wagon trains. In addition the cavalryman was issued one nose bag, one woolen saddle blanket, picket pin, lariats, hobbles or side lines to secure horses, and a set of saddle bags. One pair of hand forged iron shoes, with nails, issued to each man. Carleton did not want the steel shoes, as they would take too much time to fit in the field. Thus, we have the best armed and equipped soldiers in the western United States and equal if not better than many eastern regiments of infantry and cavalry.

UNIFORMS

Carleton was very specific in his requirements of the uniforms to be worn by the troops in the upcoming march.

Shoes were of a particular concern of Carleton's. He wanted sewn instead of pegged soles. Wooden pegs would shrink in the hot desert climate. The pegs would then fall out, and then the sole of the shoe would come off. In desert heats exceeding 100 degrees in the shade, a soldier could not march across the hot, rocky and thorny ground very long.

The mounted men had their choice of the calf high boot or the bootee. Infantry and Artillery had only the bootees. Not all of the shoes had the sewn soles so the soldiers had to take the wooden peg soles. It was a supply and demand situation, you get what is available. Hats prescribed for the march were the broad brimmed, high crowned black felt uniform hat. These hats were to be devoid of all regulation brass trimmings, hat cords and black plumes.

The hats were to be worn with the brim down, so as to better protect the wearer against the hot desert sun.

Fatigue clothing was loose fitting and durable, undergarments and outergarments were of wool. Some cotton was used, but very little. Carleton ordered that only the fatigue uniform be brought with them to Arizona. His interest being only in practical wear and not looks. The other uniform items were packed in a company wagon and left behind in California.

Carleton was very specific in his wants for his soldiers to wear and carry on their march from California to the Rio Grande, a distance of almost 1000 miles, Los Angeles, California to Mesilla, New Mexico.

I. Each soldier will carry one greatcoat, one blanket, one forage cap, one woolen shirt, on pair of drawers, one pair stockings, one towel, two handkerchiefs, one fine and one course comb, one sewing kit, one piece of soap, one toothbrush.

II. Each soldier will wear his uniform hat without trimmings, one blouse, one pair trousers, one pair stockings, one woolen shirt, one pair drawers, and may wear a cravat in lieu of the leather stock.

III. Each soldier, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have one canteen, one haversack, one tin cup. In his haversack he will carry one fork, spoon, and plate. He will wear a good sheath knife.

IV. Each company, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have only enough mess pans and camp kettles (in nests) for absolute requirements; also a few short-handled frying pans, some large tin pans in which to mix bread, one or two strong coffee-mills, a 6-gallon keg of vinegar, a few pounds of black-grained pepper, four axes, four camp hatchets, six spades, six shovels.

V. Officers will not take mess-chests, or trunks, or mattresses on the march. It is suggested that each mess of officers of not less than three be provided with to champagne baskets covered with painted canvas for their mess furniture. These can be packed on a mule. Their necessary clothing can be carried in a small hand-valise, or pair of saddlebags.

The above was published in General Orders No. 3, Headquarters District of Southern California, dated February 11, 1862. As seen by the above Order, General Carleton was well versed in the hardships that would be encountered in the long hard march over hot dry desert climate. Carleton had served a number of years in New Mexico as a Dragoon Indian Campaigning.

Both cavalry and infantry regiments carried a "Green River" sheath knife. Not a regular item of issue, Carleton thought it very necessary. A sheath knife could be used from countless tasks, from butchering beef to digging holes, which all were done in the course of the march.

Teamsters were all Civilians, hired by the Army to support the troops on their march from California to the Rio Grande. Teamsters were issued the Model 1849 Colt Dragoon Revolver and the Mississippi Rifles, or the Model 1817 Common Rifle. All of the rifles having been converted to the percussion system. This was considered more than adequate for the teamsters as they could be carried in the wagons. All wagon trains were escorted either by cavalry or infantry, during the early stage of the march.

TRANSPORTATION

Wagon trains were of the utmost importance for the support and supplying of the column.

All supplies were transported from Yuma to Tucson and then to Mesilla on the Rio Grande, a distance of 600 miles.

When one considers the logistics involved in transporting arms, ammunition, rations, forage, water and other essential items to support the march for this distance, must have been a Quartermaster's nightmare.

The means of supplying Yuma was accomplished by water transportation. Ocean going vessels were dispatched from two main west coast ports, San Francisco and San Pedro, California. Benicia Arsenal was located across San Francisco Bay, and this Arsenal supplied all of the arms, ammunition, guns, harness for teams, and other related ordnance stores that are required to support an army.

The ships would be loaded at San Francisco, or San Pedro, south of Los Angeles, and then sailed around the southern tip of Baja California and thence up the Gulf of California to a point just off of the mouth of the Colorado River. Here the transports would be unloaded, their cargoes going aboard shallow draft barges towed by shallow draft stern wheel river boats, up the Colorado River 150 miles and then unloaded on the Arizona side of the river at the Arizona depot. This operation continued until the departure of the last volunteers in Arizona and New Mexico in 1866. Unfortunately, no soldiers were transported by these ships, the soldiers having to march from Los Angeles to Yuma, a distance of about 250 miles.

From the Arizona Depot, across the river from Fort Yuma, everything was then transported over land to Tucson. The route of the march and the supply route followed the old Overland Mail Route, using their now abandoned stations as watering and stopping points.

These wagon trains were operated by civilian Wagon Masters and teamsters, there being hundreds in number. Each wagon train varied in size from 5 wagons up to 30 wagons.

Size had to be considered due to the scarcity of water, and the trains were planned according to the availability of water along the route. The wagon trains, once the route was established, constantly went back and forth bringing supplies to Tucson, which was established as a depot for Arizona and New Mexico.

When the column reached Mesilla, New Mexico, more wagons were required to keep the troops supplied along the Rio Grande. New Mexico's route of supply was overland from St. Louis, Missouri and following the old Santa Fe Train to Santa Fe and then down Mesilla. Once this route was established the Department of New Mexico was supplied from both ends of the country.

The hot dry desert climate took a telling effect on these wagons. The dry heat shrunk the wheels of the wagons and then the tires came off. This disabled a wagon. Also the wood in the boxes would dry and shrink and warp causing further damage, disabling wagons.

A repair facility for wagons was established in Tucson. Their sole duty was to keep the wagons, wheels, and harness in repair, shoe mules, horses and the many other duties required to support the wagons going east and west. The wagons kept rolling east and west, supplying outlying small military posts such as Fort Bowie, Tubac, Mason, Breckinridge, and all of the points where troops had to be stationed for courier and escort duty. General Carleton, through his foresight and experience as a Dragoon who had campaigned in New Mexico for years against the Apaches, Navajos and plains tribes, put together a plan and executed it in an outstanding manner. Nothing was overlooked, even the smallest detail was planned and executed forthwith. Carleton planned, trained, drilled his men in live rifle fire, close order drill in squad, platoon, company and battalion formations, and were in no doubt equal to any regular or eastern regiment or brigade. In essence, Carleton commanded a brigade, infantry, cavalry and artillery. He was a hard man, soldier of the old school, but well liked by his officers and men, who referred to him as "Uncle Jimmy". As an administrator, he was almost impossible to get along with, but as a soldier he was hard to beat.

In summing up, this portion of the article deals with the equipping, arming, clothing and transportation of the California Column, in their March from Southern California, to Fort Yuma, thence to Tucson and onward to Mesilla, New Mexico. The next part of this article, will deal with the Confederate Invasion of Arizona and their expulsion from Arizona Territory in mid 1862.

THE ADVANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN TO ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO.

In early 1862, Colonel James H. Carleton, commander of the District of Southern California and the First California Volunteer Infantry, was ordered by Brigadier-General George Wright, commander of the Department of the Pacific, to organize, equip and lead an expedition from Southern California through Arizona, into New Mexico to reinforce the Department of New Mexico and aid in the expelling of the Confederate forces then in New Mexico.

The Confederate Army of the Southwest, was then advancing up the Rio Grande in its conquest of New Mexico. The Army of the Southwest was under the command of Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley, formerly a major who had served in New Mexico. Sibley had been to Richmond, talked to President Davis, and convinced him to take New Mexico, then California, and then the South would have control of the southern route, and eventually have the Pacific Coast. By mid 1861, all of the regular troops with the following exceptions, had been withdrawn to the East and the seat of the rebellion. The troops remaining in the southwest and the Pacific Coast were as follows:

9th U.S. Infantry in Department of the Pacific.
3rd U.S. Artillery in Department of the Pacific
5th U.S. Infantry in Department of New Mexico.

These regulars were to remain in their respective Departments until the end of the war. The exception is, several batteries of the 3rd Artillery were ordered east in 1863. By then the Department of the Pacific had more than adequate soldiers to defend the Pacific Coast.

The California Volunteers who were involved with the march from California to the Rio Grande and into western Texas were as follows:
1st California Volunteer Infantry

Colonel James H. Carleton, Lieut. Col. Joseph R. West; Colonel Joseph R. West
Company A, Capt. Edward B. Willis
Company B, Capt. Valentine Drescher
Company C, Capt. William McMullen
Company D, Capt. Hugh A. Gorley
Company E, Capt. Thomas L. Roberts
Company F, Capt. Washington L. Parrin
Company G, Capt. Henry A. Green
Company H, Capt. Bernard J. McMahon
Company I, Capt. William P. Calloway
Company K, Capt. William Moore

5th California Volunteer Infantry

Colonel George W. Bowie
Company A, Capt. Joseph Smith
Company B, Capt. Charles A. Smith
Company C, Capt. John S. Thayer
Company D, Capt. William ffrench
Company E, Capt. Benjamin F. Harrover
Company F, Capt. James H. Whitlock
Company G, Capt. Hugh L. Hinds
Company H, Capt. Sylvester Soper
Company I, Capt. Joseph Tuttle
Company K, Capt. Thomas Theo. Tidball

1st California Volunteer Cavalry

Lieut. Col. Edward E. Eyrie; Maj. David Fergusson Company A, Capt. William McCleave
Company B, Capt. Emil Fritz
Company C, Capt. Edward D. Shirland
Company D, Capt. Nathaniel J. Pishon
Company E, Capt. William C. Mead

2nd California Volunteer Cavalry

Company B, Capt. John C. Cremony

3rd United States Artillery

Light Battery A, First Lieut. John B. Shinn

Thompson's Howitzer Battery

First Lieut. William A. Thompson, Company E, 1st California Volunteer Infantry

This command was composed of men from various companies and were assigned to duty under Lieut. Thompson. This Unit was composed of 2 12-pounder Mountain Howitzers mounted on Prairie Carriages, drawn by mules. This battery is referred to by some as the "Jackass Battery".

Due to an extremely wet rainy season in the winter of 1861 and 1862, in Southern California, getting transportation ready and waiting for roads to dry out, getting required stores to support the advancing 2,300 men devolved upon Colonel Carleton. By February 1862, he had his advance units at Fort Yuma, on the Colorado River.

After the muster in of additional California Volunteers, Colonel Carleton, in a series of troops replacements to outlying Southern California posts had concentrated his troops, and in a series of slow movements by detachments, marched them from Los Angeles to Fort Yuma, 250 miles to the east and south.

The troops were now concentrated, supply lines were established by sea from San Francisco, San Pedro, and a base of deembarking in the Gulf of California was established. Also, a Supply Depot on the Arizona side of the Colorado was established -- all was ready for the march of the Column from California.

Carleton's orders and directives prescribed a precise line and method of march, to be accomplished by detachments along the now abandoned Overland Mail Route -- using their Stations and watering facilities as his line of march. The men on the march, as ordered by Colonel Carleton, would carry their knapsacks and all of their equipments on their person. This was hard, but Carleton wanted his men hardened for the hardships that were to come. These detachments, from one to two companies, would march with an interval of twenty-four hours between them. They were to march at night, to keep them out of the hot sun of the day. The cavalry for the most part, walked their horses over half the distance to Tucson, so that they would be fresh when needed.

The first detachments, 24 hours in advance, were to clean out and enlarge the water holes, clean and enlarge the springs so that the water capacity would be larger so that the next detachment would have enough water. The following detachments would clean and enlarge if the leading detachment did not get it accomplished. But due to a extra hot and dry spring in Arizona and a very extremely hot summer, reaching 115 degrees in the shade at Fort Yuma, this did not completely work out as planned. Some watering holes were drying up, which necessitated the troops having to make an extra small march to the Gila River for water.

The distance from Fort Yuma to Tucson, which followed the abandoned Overland Mail Route, along the Gila River, was 273 miles. This route varied from almost on the river to at some points 10 miles south of the river. The hardest part was the Gila Bend cut off, which was a 40 miles stretch with little or no water.

The main march commenced in February 1862, and the last units of the column were in Tucson by August 1862, and the advance were already well into New Mexico and into western Texas.

At the Pima Villages, Mr. Amni White had established a Flour Mill and purchased wheat and other crops from the Pima and Maricopa Indians who were friendly with the Americans. These Indians were farmers, and with an almost continual flow of the Gila River, provided water and their farms flourished. They grew melons, fruits and some vegetables, and wheat, which was used for flour. Thus, the Column would have amply supply along the line of march. Hay was stacked at the Stage Stations along the Gila for the animals of the command.

The Confederate troops, in February, 1862, under Captain Sherod Hunter, occupied Tucson, and then sent his scouts out along the road to California. As they passed the stacked hay, the stockpiles were destroyed, thus creating a forage supply for the column. Mr. Amni White was captured, and all stocks at his mill were confiscated by the Confederates. Being unable to take this flour and other supplies with them, gave them to the Indians.

A brief list of affairs, are here listed concerning the various encounters with the forces of the Confederate States and the Apache Indians during their march to the Rio Grande.

Stanwix Station, Capture of Captain McCleave, Battle of Picacho Pass, Eyrie's Affair in Apache Pass, and the Battle of Apache Pass. All of these affairs happened from April to July 1862 in Arizona during the march. These will all be addressed in later articles.

The advance for the most part went as planned, but had a few minor setbacks, due to Confederate troops, Apache Indians, an extremely hot spring and summer, and a scarcity of water, as the desert heated up. Also including the destruction of much needed forage and supplies by Hunter's command.

Going back to late 1861, Lieut. Col. John R. Baylor upon his advancement into Mesilla, New Mexico, created the Confederate Territory of Arizona, the northern boundary being the the 34 degree of latitude, the southern boundary the boundary of Mexico, the eastern boundary the Rio Grande River and the western boundary the Colorado River. Mesilla was designated as the Capitol of the Territory, and Baylor proclaimed himself governor of the new territory. This was all later confirmed by the Congress of the Confederate States, keeping the same boundaries and governor.

The 1st California Cavalry was the first unit to start the advance into Arizona. Captain William McCleave, Company A led the advance. Captain McCleave taking a escort of 9 men, rode in advance of his company for a juncture with Mr. Amni White at the Pima Villages. Capt. McCleave left his escort at a water hole and went forward with two men to White's Mill. Here he was surprised and captured by Capt. Hunter, on March 6, 1862. The remainder of Captain McCleave's escort was also captured and taken captive. They were paroled the next day, March 7, 1862. These paroled troops retreated back westward and informed Col. Eyrie of the capture of McCleave. The capture of Captain McCleave will be dealt with in a later article.

In the meanwhile, Hunter's men destroyed the stockpiles of hay that had been gathered along the line of march, this was done at six of the stations to the westward of the Pima Villages. This was again a cause of delay for Carleton. So far, his stocks of hay had been destroyed, his favorite Captain captured, and the pile of accumulated supplies at Pima Villages was either destroyed or given back to the Indians by Captain Hunter.

The advance again moved forward, this time under Captain William Calloway, with his command, Company I. 1st California Infantry, Capt. Calloway, 97 rank and file; Company A, First Lieut. James Barrett, 83 rank and file; Company D, 1st California Cavalry, Capt. Nathaniel Pishon, 92 rank and file; Lieut. Phelan's "Jackass Battery" 2 12-pounder Mountain Howitzers, which carried on pack mules, a total of 274 rank and file. The command advanced to Stanwix Station, 80 miles west of Fort Yuma. Here, two Confederate soldiers while scouting to the west, surprised two of the pickets of the command. Shots were exchanged and one man was wounded. The two Confederate scouts retreated eastward to inform Hunter that there was a general advance into Arizona by the Union forces. This incident occurred in late March.

Calloway advanced forward to the Pima Villages, and there was informed again of Capt.McCleaves capture, and also that there was Confederate force at Picacho Pass Station, on his line of march. Calloway, when a day and a half march out of Pima Villages, planned a pincer movement, sending two lieutenants with a small force each, to encircle the Confederates from the south and he would continue along the main road and take them in front. Due to delays, and an impulsive Lieutenant Barrett, who was well ahead of the others, encountered the Confederates and a fight ensued resulting in Barrett's death. Three Confederates were captured and three Union soldiers killed. The Battle of Picacho Pass was fought April 15, 1862. This Battle will also be addressed in a later article. Calloway, then heard that there was a very strong force in Tucson, of some 500 men who were well entrenched. He decided upon a retreat, believing that he was badly outnumbered. He retired back to the Pima Villages, and continued westward until meeting Lieut. Col. West, First California Infantry who was moving forward. Calloway then again advanced, now with sufficient reinforcements towards Tucson. The plan that was visioned by Carleton, was to capture Tucson and Hunter's command intact, but after Picacho Pass fight, surprise was now out of the question.

The advance of the troops towards Tucson continued. On May 20, 1862, Captain Emil Fritz, Company B, 1st California Cavalry charged into the town from the west, while another company charged in from the east. But, the Confederate forces had previously evacuated the Post of Tucson, May 14, 1862. The Confederates were gone.

The command that entered Tucson, came not by the direct route from the Pima Villages, but by another route through Fort Breckenridge, on the junction of the San Pedro River and Arivaipa Creek. The Stars and Stripes were raised over Fort Breckenridge, and the post was renamed Fort Sanford, in honor of the governor of California. West then continued his advance to Tucson, leaving a garrison at Fort Sanford, where he arrived May 21, 1862.

Lieutenant Shinn, accompanied by two companies of infantry, advanced by the direct road, leaving the Pima Villages on June 1, 1862 and arriving at Tucson, June 5th, 1862 Two days later, June 7th, 1862, General Carleton arrived on June 7th, 1862 to be greeted by a four gun salute from Shinn's Battery A.

Thus, the first half of the advancement was now accomplished with its many setbacks and delays, plus two encounters with Confederate forces during the march which commenced in February and ending with Carleton's arrival in Tucson. This advancement took almost four months. By all means not the fastest march ever conducted in military annals, but one has to consider the logistics involved, hot desert climate, lack of water, and unforeseen delays that impeded the first stage of the march. When one takes into the account, from the very inception of the plan, the implementation of the plan, the gathering of forces, supplies, setting up the supply lines, from beginning to end, 6 months, then it would be considered a remarkable achievement.

General Carleton after seeing the the miserable conditions in Tucson, declared Martial Law, and on his own, created the Territory of Arizona, naming himself as governor and his adjutant Benjamin C. Cutler, Military Secretary of State. With this order was established, apprehending brigands, murders, southern sympathizers, trying them before a Military Tribunal, and either sentencing them to imprisonment at Fort Yuma or expelling them from the territory.

All of the rolling equipment was in a very sad state, and required extensive repairs. The wheels of the wagons were shrunk, wagon boxes badly deteriorating, and all harness was in a stage of drying out and breaking. All of these necessary repairs, including shoeing of mules and horses would be required before further advancement to the Rio Grande could be continued.

Two depots were established, the Quartermaster Depot at the Plaza de las Arman, and the Overhail Depot at the Plaza De La Mesilla., where the Overland Mail Company had its repair facilities located. Once these depots were established the repair of the rolling stock was begun almost immediately.

Tucson then was established as the major depot between Arizona Depot on the Colorado River and Mesilla, New Mexico. From this point, all repairs and transfer of supplies occurred. Tucson had become supplier to many of the outlying smaller posts, picket stations, etc. in southern Arizona. This was to remain so until the final departure of the California Volunteers in 1866.

After all affairs were in order, within a short period of time, Carleton continued his advance to the Rio Grande.

The first unit pushed forward, under the command of Lieut. Col. Edward E. Eyrie, First California Cavalry, with Companies A, B, and C. Eyrie's march was uneventful until he reached Apache Pass, June 29, 1862, 125 miles east of Tucson on the Overland Mail Route. Here, while watering his horses and men, there occurred an affair with the Apache Indians, which resulted in the death of three of his men. A short pursuit was given but there were no results. This affair will also be dealt with in a later article. Eyrie then proceeded out of the pass and when out in the flat country encamped for the night. During the night, shots were fired in to the camp, slightly wounding the Assistant Surgeon and killing a horse.

The next day, Eyrie continued his march along the mail route, and on July 4, 1862, raised the Stars and Stripes over abandoned Fort Thorn on the Rio Grande River.

Lieut. Col. Eyrie established contact with Colonel Chivington, First Colorado Volunteers at Fort Craig, New Mexico, and commanding the District of Southern New Mexico. Eyrie wanted to continue his advancement on to Mesilla, but was overruled by Colonel Chivington, and then later Colonel Howe, who superceded Col. Chivington in the command of the district. Eyrie, after all being a guest in this district and department, followed the orders of the District Commanders.

At this time, July 6, 1862, Captain William McCleave was exchanged for two Confederate Lieutenants who were prisoners of the Union forces. Mr. Jones, the expressman, sent by General Carleton, who had been captured, also was returned. These men were held as prisoners in Mesilla, by Colonel William Steele, 7th Texas Mounted Volunteers, whose force numbered from 400 to 600 men, exact figures are unknown. 400 and 600 men.

The next command to make the march from Tucson to the Rio Grande, was Captain Thomas Roberts, Company E, 1st California Infantry. Robert's command, consisted of the following troops, Company E, 1st California Infantry, Company B, 2nd California Cavalry, Capt. John C. Cremony, Lieut. William A. Thompson's Howitzer Battery, consisting of two 12-pounder Mountain Howitzers on Prairie Carriages, his small battery was organized from the companies of the 1st California Infantry. Also accompanying this command, was a Wagon Train consisting of twenty-two wagons, under Wagon Master Mr. Jesse Allen. Roberts force consisted of 126 men including the teamsters.

His line of march was along the Overland Mail Route, from Cieneiga, San Pedro Crossing, Dragoon Spring, thence to Ewell's Springs and into Apache Pass and then to the Station at San Simon, where he was to set up a forward supply point, for the other advancing detachments of the California Column. Roberts' march went well until he entered Apache Pass, July 15, 1862, when the rear of his command was attacked by Apaches. Roberts fought his way to the Station, and there deployed his small force and fought the Indians for about six hours, finally driving them off, after using the howitzers. Roberts had previously divided his command, leaving Captain Cremony with the cavalry who were advancing to Ewell's Spring. Roberts, after getting water, retired to the western summit of the pass, and left a small detachment there. He then retired to Ewell's Springs to insure the safety of the wagon train. Roberts had dispatched a small cavalry detachment from the pass to warn Cremony of the fight with the Indians. This detachment was attacked by about 50 Apaches when it was out of the pass and into the flat country.

A running fight ensued, and several horses were killed, one private wounded, and one private cut off and driven to the south. This last private made a one man stand against about fifteen Apaches. Private Teal's story will be related later in another article.

After getting the command reorganized, Captain Roberts again advanced into Apache Pass July 16th, and again a fight ensued with the Apaches over the spring. After a short fight, the Apaches, when again fired upon by the howitzers of Thompson's Battery, retreated in haste over the ridge. Watering was then accomplished and Roberts left the pass and passed out into the flat country and on to San Simon Station, where he established a small forward supply point as ordered. The Battle of Apache Pass, July 15 and 16, 1862, will be covered in another article, dealing with the affairs, battles, skirmishes, encountered during the march. Also, to make mention of a mascot involved in the fight, Old Butch and his story, will also be covered in an article about Old Butch.

Captain Cremony, with his company, was to escort the empty wagons back to Tucson. Cremony did not use the Pass Road, as his command was not large enough, and the safety of the wagons was paramount. Cremony's return was uneventful and the wagons all arrived safely back at the Tucson Depot. Roberts sent dispatches with Captain Cremony, and in them he highly recommended the establishment of a post in the pass, as that each advancing detachment would also have to fight for water.

The next detachment sent forward, was accompanied by General Carleton. When in the Apache Pass, Carleton wrote General Order No. 25, July 27, 1862 establishing the post in the pass to be named Fort Bowie, in honor of Colonel George W. Bowie, commanding officer of the Fifth California Infantry. Carleton's order was quite explicit, in him he wanted the post supplied and armed, who was to be the garrison and also the post commander.

Carleton then moved on to the Rio Grande, and arrived there August 7, 1862, at a point three miles of Fort Thorn. Following on Carleton's heels were the remainder of the California Column. Carleton, whose command numbered 1493 officers and men, was concentrated on the Rio Grande, and ready to do battle. The California troops were not engaged with the Confederate forces, as they had all retired into Texas.

The California troops now manned posts from Fort Yuma to Mesilla, New Mexico. A major supply and repair facility at Tucson, a garrison at Fort Bowie, at El Reventon, Tubac, San Pedro Crossing, and even abandoned Fort Buchanan. The California troops occupied posts in west Texas, Fort Davis, Fort Quitman, Fort Bliss, and Franklin, Texas, as well as several posts along the Rio Grande. Now ensued not fighting Confederates as was the original intentions of the War Department and the Department Commander General Wright, but a three year constant warfare with the hostile Indians of Arizona and New Mexico, the Apaches and the Navajos of northern New Mexico.

The Territory of Arizona was now divided into two Military Districts, the District of Western Arizona, headquarters at Tucson, Major David Ferguson, 1st California Cavalry as the commander, and the District of Arizona, headquarters at Mesilla, New Mexico, commanded by Colonel Joseph R. West. In October 1862, Carleton was ordered to the command of the Department of New Mexico, but through his insistence, he retained the California Column under his command until the end of the war.

In summing up the march of the California Column, from January to August, 1862, when the volunteers were gathered at Fort Yuma, 2,350 rank and file, marched from Yuma to the Rio Grande and into Texas, a distance of over 1,000 miles, establishing and manning depots, forts and other points, under the harshest of conditions in itself is a remarkable feat due to the planning and foresight of General Carleton. Also, the fortitude and resolve of the Volunteer Soldiers who accomplished this feat, who died and suffered extreme hardships to serve their country in her time of need.

CONFEDERATE INVASION OF ARIZONA

With the establishment of the Confederate Territory of Arizona, first by Lieut. Col. John R. Baylor, 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles, August 1, 1861 and then the signing and confirmation by President Jefferson Davis on January 8, 1862, the southern half of the Federal Territory of New Mexico, all of the area south of the 34th parallel, the Colorado River to the west, the Rio Grande River to the east, which included only two counties, Dona Ana and Arizona, constituted the new Confederate Territory of Arizona, the capitol being designated as Mesilla.

General Sibley then planned to take his army, The Army of New Mexico, north and capture New Mexico and procure all supplies, arms and ammunition at Fort Union, the main Ordnance and Quartermaster Depot for the southwest. He would send Colonel Reily, into Sonora to open negotiations with Governor Pesqueria for purchase of needed supplies from that sector, and also hopefully gain access to Sonoran seaports and routes for a supply line. The third part was to send Captain Sherod Hunter, Company A, Baylor's Regiment westward to Tucson, to establish his headquarters there. He was also on this march to escort Colonel Reily to Tucson. Sibley outlined in detailed instructions, the tasks that he required of Captain Hunter.

The instructions set forth by Sibley, as given to Hunter, were numerous. He was instructed to establish his headquarters at or near Tucson. Also included was the scouting to the west as far as Fort Yuma and get reliable information from this sector and to forward it to the east. He was to establish contact with the Chief's of the Pima and Papago Indians and make a peace treaty with them. Maintain law and order and assist the local Civil Authorities in maintaining order when called upon. He was also instructed to appoint a Customs and Duty Inspector, to collect customs, this money to be used to procure clothing, arms and other necessary items to sustain his command while in Arizona. A large order for such a remote and small command, that was to receive no assistance from Mesilla.

Captain Sherrod Hunter, with Company A, Baylor's Regiment, three lieutenants and not more than 65 enlisted men, departed Mesilla, Arizona and arrived at Tucson, February 28, 1862. His march was accompanied by Colonel Reily and his small escort to Tucson. Hunter's march was under the most severe and trying conditions imaginable.

The winter of 1861-1862 was one of the most severe in nearly a century. The command encountered hard bone chilling wind, rain, sleet and even snow on this march.. At San Simon and Apache Pass, it snowed on Hunter's command. At San Simon, Private Benjamin Mays died and was buried there. To this day there is no knowledge as to where Mays lies buried, one of the many who are buried along this desolate stretch of the Overland Mail Road, to remain unknown until eternity.

Hunter and his men upon their arrival at Tucson was hailed by a majority. Tucson and many of the outlying areas, ones that were still left with inhabitants, had a large number of southern sympathizers. Tucson being one of the last holdouts against Apache depredations, was then under threat of an Indian attack. Hunter's soldiers were a god send to the citizens, who now had military protection.

Once in Tucson, Colonel Reily with his escort under Lieutenant Tevis departed for Sonora, Mexico on March 3, 1862. Now Hunter went about his instructions, sending out in all directions, to gather much needed supplies to sustain his command. From the Patagonia Silver Mine, owned by Sylvester Mowry, formerly a 3rd Artillery officers, where he obtained 3000 percussion caps. Mowry was a southern sympathizer and he rendered full courtesies to Hunter's men when they were at his mine, some 60 miles south of Tucson. Hunter's men even went to Santa Cruz, Sonora to procure needed supplies, which is about 10 miles south of the International Boundary.

Hunter's command were attired in civilian clothing, which they had when they enlisted in the Confederate Army. His men did not have uniforms of any description, no gray clothing at all. Also his men were armed with a wide variety of weapons, from shotguns, to military muskets, percussion and flintlock, a variety of Colt Army and Navy revolvers, and also included single shot pistols. Each man was responsible for his own ammunition, and had to procure what was available. These men were quartered where their was available space, and one can be assured that some of the poor peons of Tucson were displaced. The animals of Hunter's command were probably quartered in the old Overland Mail Station repair facility located at the Plaza de las Mesilla. After weather improved these men slept outside, using the "Tucson Bed", lay on your stomach and cover that with your back-anywhere.

After getting his command settled in Hunter threw his scouts out to the west, along the Overland Mail Road toward Fort Yuma. Hunter then with thirty men advanced westward to the Pima Villages arriving there about March 5th. Hunter immediately arrested Mr. Ammi White, the owner of a very productive flour mill.

Mr. White had been stockpiling much needed supplies for the advance of the California Column. He purchased wheat, hay, fruits, melons, beans and other supplies from the friendly Pima and Maricopa Indians of this region. The Pimas and Maricopas were very successful farmer along the Gila River, which flowed year around during this period of history. They in tun sold their products to White, who in turn ground the wheat into flour. The stockpile of wheat that White had accumulated for the California troops was 1500 bushels.

Hunter while at the Pima Villages, heard rumors that a wagon train consisting of some 50 wagons was approaching. Hunter laid his plans to capture this wagon train. As it would result, there was no wagon train advancing, but Captain William McCleave was enroute to negotiate with White about the supplies.

McCleave, rode in advance of his cavalry with a small detachment of 9 men. As McCleave drew near the Pima Villages, he left 7 men at a water hole, with two of his men rode to White's residence. Here, Hunter captured McCleave with his two men, and learned of the men at the water hole, sent some men out to capture them. This was done very successfully without any shots being fired. Hunter now knew for certain that the California Troops were advancing into Arizona. Hunter, not having the means of taking back any of the accumulated stores that were on hand at the Pima Villages, gave the wheat back to the Indians, took what could be carried on their mounts. What could not be moved was destroyed. Hunter also damaged White's Flour Mill, but not to the extent that it could be later repaired. Hunter now lingered at the Pima Villages, awaiting further developments. He then sent scouts out to the west along the Overland Mail Road. These scouts destroyed accumulated stockpiles of hay at six of the abandoned stations. After several days of lingering at the Pima Villages, Hunter decided to return to Tucson and their await further developments.

Unknown to Hunter at this time, General Sibley's Army of New Mexico was in full retreat from New Mexico. At the Battle of Glorietta Pass, Sibley's wagon train park had been destroyed by Major John R. Chivington with some of the Colorado troops. Sibley troops had stopped the advance of the Colorado troops, and had gained a victory, but with no supplies, arms or ammunition, Sibley was compelled to retire back down the Rio Grande. This retreat was closely followed by the Union forces but there were no major confrontations between the two forces. Upon reaching Peralta, Sibley crossed to the west side of the Rio Grande, and thus began a very disastrous retreat to Mesilla. These soldiers endured starvation, extremely inclimate weather conditions plus brushes with the Apaches. Sibley's route was strewn with deserted wagons, dead and dying men and animals. This disaster I contribute to the total incompetence of General Sibley, who no doubt rode in a wagon and had john barleycorn for a companion. Upon reaching Mesilla, and making the decision to continue his retreat to San Antionio, Texas, Sibley assigned Col. Frederick Steele, 7th Texas Mounted Rifles, with about 400 men to stay at Mesilla to await further developments. Steele had knowledge of the advancement of the California Column, as he had previously captured a federal courier Mr. Jones bearing dispatches from General Carleton to General Canby, commanding Department of New Mexico.

All of this Hunter was not aware of. He continued to follow the instructions given to him by Sibley and Baylor. Hunter and his men went about the task assigned, gathering what supplies that he could, including much needed horses and mules. Beef cattle were also gathered up, and what else could be gathered to keep his command functional. Clothing was in much demand by Hunter's men, as their clothing was in tatters. He purchased what he could, confiscated if he could not purchase needed items.

After returning to Tucson, arriving there April 4, 1862. On April 6, 1862, Hunter had the nine Union soldiers sign paroles then released them to return to Fort Yuma. Captain McCleave and Mr. Ammi White were kept as prisoners. Hunter sent McLeave, White, and his report, dated April 5, 1862, back to Mesilla under an escort commanded by Lieutenant Jack Swilling.

Lieut. Col. Eyrie under orders from Colonel Carleton, ordered Captain William Calloway with his Company I, 1st California Infantry, Company A, 1st California Cavalry under Lieut. James Barrett, Company D, 1st California Cavalry, Captain Nathaniel Pishon, and a "Jackass Battery" under Lieutenant Phelan, Company B, 1st California Infantry to start the march to the Pima Villages. Calloway's command consisted of 274 officers and men, plus the two 12-pounder guns carried on pack mules.

Calloway advanced to Stanwix Station, and there encamped his command for the night. Captain Pishon was trailing the main command a short distance. Stanwix Station had a wind driven well and a fairly nice station. Calloway then posted his pickets and prepared for the night. The Confederate scouts, reported to be about 30 men, came upon these posted pickets, both sides exchanging shots. One man, Private William Semmilragge, Company A, 1st California Cavalry, was slightly wounded. The pickets retreated to the camp sounding the alarm that Confederate Forces were approaching from the east. Calloway ordered a pursuit, Company A, while saddling their mounts, Captain Pishon arrived and was ordered in pursuit of the Confederate force. After a short pursuit, Pishon's horses were tired and the pursuit had to be abandoned. This is the extreme western encounter between Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War where there was a armed confrontation. This affair or meeting, is not mentioned by many of the historians. Picacho Pass is always mentioned as the most extreme Battle of the Civil War, and then Picacho Pass at the least could be termed as a Skirmish. This writer considers this an armed encounter, shorts fired, resulting in one man being wounded, the most western affair of the Civil War.

The Confederate then retired back eastward to Tucson. At Picacho Pass, 10 men were stationed as a picket guard to keep an eye to the west. With the news of the advancement, Hunter who had less that 65 men, made the decision, that he would soon have to retire from Tucson back to Mesilla. Hunter in his final effort, started gathering what stores that he could, and getting ready for a fast retirement if need be.

Captain Calloway, now also with Company B, 1st California Cavalry, Capt. Emil Fritz, advanced to the Pima Villages. Here Calloway learned of the Confederate pickets at Picacho Pass. Calloway, decided then on a pincer movement, with the intention of capturing the pickets so that none would escape to Tucson and warn Hunter of his approach. On April 15, 1862, he sent two Lieutenants, one to the east and one to the west on a march that would bring them behind the Confederates while he continued on the main road to take them in the front. As is subject to all well devised plans, they are subject to going wrong, and Calloway's plan did just that. Lieutenant James Barrett, got ahead of the other lieutenant, and struck ahead of all others. This resulted in the death of three Union soldiers, the capture of three Confederate soldiers, and the escape of the seven remaining Confederates to Tucson. The dead soldiers were buried during the night, and the next day Calloway retired back to the Pima Villages under protest of his officers. Calloway had heard rumors of there being in Tucson, 500 to 1000 Confederate Troops, and the town was well baricaded, and they were awaiting the Union advance. Picacho Pass, termed the western most battle of the Civil War, but hardly much more than a heavy skirmish, will be addressed in a later article, Battle of Picacho Pass.

One detachment, while out to the south and east of Tucson, had gathered a herd of about 40 horses and mules, and were on their return to Tucson, when at Dragoon Spring, a adandoned Mail Station, the Apaches ambushed this force. There resulted a fight, in which three men were killed, Sergeant Ford, a Mexican named Ricardo, and the third was John Donaldson. All three were buried at Dragoon Spring, where they died. Today Ford's grave is marked by a rock with an inscription chiseled into it, S. Ford, May 5, 1862. The Apaches succeeded in running of the entire herd, 30 mules and 25 horses. There are no Confederate Reports on this minor affair and the number of men involved is unknown. Supposidly there were three Union prisoners present. These men were given firearms to assist in the fight against the Apaches, as the Apaches cared not less if the men were Union or Confederate. All white men were their enemies. There are no names of these men, and all of McCleaves men who had been captured at the Pima Villages were paroled. There are no records of any desertions at this time from Company A, 1st California Cavalry. This is one of the little unsolved mysteries of Captain Hunter's period while at Tucson. Upon their return to Tucson, the affair was reported to Hunter.

Captain Hunter again sent out Lieutenant Robert Swope, with about 30 men to recapture the stolen stock. On May 9, 1862, Swope and his men surprised the Apaches and a fight then ensued. Lieutenant Swope charged the Apaches and 5 of the Indians were killed, one of them personally by Swope, who shot the Apache as the warrior was aiming is bow with a ditted arrow at Swope. There were no Confederate losses reported. After regaining the herd Swope and his men returned to Tucson with the much needed stock.

At this time, seeing that there was no possible way that he could no longer impede the advance of the California men, Hunter decided to withdraw from Tucson to the Rio Grande to Mesilla.

On May 14, 1862, Captain Hunter abandoned the Post of Tucson and headed eastward along the same route that he had traveled westward almost three months before. Lieutenant James Tevis, with a small detachment was left in Tucson to keep an eye on the advancing Union forces. On May 20, 1862, Captain Emil Fritz with Company B, 1st California Cavalry entered Tucson and almost capturing Tevis and his small detachment. Tevis was watching the main road westward for advancing Ynion troops, and was totally surprised when Fritz entered Tucson from the north, the Canada del Oro road, which was the route from Breckenridge. Tevis and his small command barely escaped from Tucson in a hasty retirement. Tucson was now occupied by the Union and to remain so until the end of the war.

Hunter upon reaching Mesilla, discovered that only Colonel Steele and his command and the Arizona Company were there. That the Confederate forces under Sibley had retreated much earlier. Colonel Steele, aware of the advancing Union forces when about gathering what he could in stock, arms and ammunition and anyother much needed supplies to sustain his command.

During this period, the Mexican population became very hostile toward the Texans due to their very high handed methods, including murderer and theft of private property. The people did not want Confederate script as it was totally worthless in this far flung area of war. Numerous affairs ensued, with the Mexicans who fought the Texans. Ambushes, Confederate Troops were killed, and in retaliation Mexicans were killed. The country was becoming very inhospitable and with the arrival of Lieut. Colonel Eyrie on the Rio Grande July 4, 1862, Steele decided to abandon the Post of Mesilla as he knew that it would be impossible to hold in check the vastly superior numbers of Union troops. On July 8, 1862, Colonel Steele pulled out of Fort Fillmore, New Mexico, and rode to Franklin, Texas and eventually to San Antonio. The forces under Steele's command were in a miserable condition, and as they rode south from Fillmore, they took what they needed and wanted.

This is a sad end to what only 7 months before, with the creation of the Territory of Arizona by Baylor, the advancement of General Sibley into New Mexico, with visions of conquering New Mexico and possibly even Denver, advancement through Arizona and into Southern California and gaining valuable seacoast ports. The proposed negotiations with the Governors of Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico also fell by the side. A shattered dream never to be realized by the Confederacy. The vast mining, agriculture resources, seaports, and the possibility also on the conquest of northern Mexican states to again much additional resources, to sustain the Confederacy were forever lost.

Captain Hunter, under trying circumstances, with his small command, and to the best of his ability completed most of his assigned instructions. He delayed the Union advancement by 5 weeks, destroying much needed supplies gathered for the advancing Union forces, and keeping the Union forces in a turmoil. Hunter's men encountered the Union forces on two occasions, resulting in the capture of three of his men who were prisoners at Fort Yuma. Hunter and his men had numerous encounters with the Apaches in which he lost men.

Hunter and his men later formed part of the Arizona Brigade, fought in western Louisiana bringing upon themselves many laurels. These hard bitten Arizonians in Gray are a tribute to all who fought in the war. They were equal to any Confederate soldier who fought.
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Attached to this narrative are the only two known documents at the present, of the activities of Captain Sherod Hunter, one dated April 5, 1862, from Hunter to Baylor, attachment 1,and the other dated April 20, 1862, from Colonel Steele to Adjutant General Cooper, attachment 2.

ATTACHMENT 1

TUCSON, ARIZ., April 5, 1862.
Col. JOHN R. BAYLOR:

SIR: After a march made as speedily as practicable from the Rio Grande, attended by some violently-stormy weather, but without any accident or misfortune save the loss of one of my men (Benjamin Mays), who died at the San Simon, I have the honor of reporting to you my arrival at this place on February 28. My timely arrival with my command was hailed by a majority, I may say the entire population, of the town of Tucson. I found rumors here to the effect that the town was about being attacked by a large body of Indians; that military stores of the Federal Army to a large amount had been landed at Guaymas, and that troops from California were on the march up the Gila River for this place; and these reports were so well accredited that a few of the citizens more ultra in their Southern feelings than the rest were about [leaving] rather than fall into the hands of their Northern foes, to sacrifice all of their interests in this place, and look for safety among their Southern brethren on the Rio Grande.

Immediately after the departure of Colonel Reily, on March 3, for Sonora, accompanied by an escort of 20 men, under Lieutenant Tevis, I started with the rest of my command for the Pima Villages, where after the my arrival I negotiated friendly relations with the Indians; arrested A.M. White, who was trading with them, purchasing wheat, &c., for the Northern troops, and confiscated the property found in his possession; a list of which I send you. Among the articles confiscated were 1,500 sacks of wheat, accumulated by Mr. White, and intended for the Northern Army. This I distributed among the Indians, as I had no means of transportation, and deemed this a better policy of disposing of it than to destroy or leave it for the benefit (should it fall into their hands) of the enemy.

While delaying at the Pima Villages, awaiting the arrival of a train of 50 wagons which was reported to be en route for that place for said wheat (which report, however, turned out to be untrue), my pickets discovered the approach of a detachment of cavalry, and which detachment, I am happy to say to you, we succeeded in capturing without firing a gun. This detachment consisted of Captain McCleave and 9 of his men, First California Cavalry. The captain and Mr. White I sent in charge of Lieutenant swilling to the Rio Grande.

I learned also while at Pimo Villages that at every station, formerly Overland, between that place and Fort Yuma hay had been provided for the use of the Federal Government, which hay I have destroyed at six of the stations thus provided. My pickets on yesterday reported troops at Stanwix's Ranch, which is on this side of Fort Yuma 80 miles.

Allow me to say, in conclusion, that I have no opinion to offer in relation to all of these rumors that are afloat, but give them to you as I received them, knowing that your judgement and experience will dictate the proper course to pursue.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

S. HUNTER,
Captain, Company A.

ATTACHMENT 2

HDQRS. SEVENTH REGIMENT TEXAS MOUNTED MEN,
Camp above Dona Ana, April 20, 1862.

General S. COOPER,
Adjutat and Inspector General:
GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose to you the written letter from Captain Hunter, C.S.
Army, now at Tucson, N. Mex.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. STEELE,
Colonel Seventh Texas Mounted Men.

O.R. Series I Volume 9, pages 707-708

April 15, 1862

Captain William P. Calloway, 1st California Volunteer Infantry, with his battalion, consisting of his own Company I, 1st California Volunteer Infantry, Company A, 1st California Volunteer Cavalry, First Lieutenant Benjamin F. Harvey, (Capt. William McCleave, Prisoner at Tucson), Company B. 1st California Volunteer Cavalry, Captain Emil Fritz, Company D, 1st California Volunteer Cavalry, Captain Nathaniel J. Pishon, the Jackass Battery, with two 12-pounder mountain howitzers on pack mules, a total of 276 rank and file.

Captain Calloway continued the march unmolested by Confederate Troops or Indians from Stanwix Station to the Pima Villages, (also referred to as the Casa Blanca (White House) the headquarters of Ammi White. Previous to this Mr. Ammi White, Captain William McCleave along along with ten men of Company A, 1st California Volunteer Cavalry had been captured by Captain Sherod Hunter, Company A, Baylor's Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifles.

Upon his arrival at the Pima Villages, Captain Calloway determined that there was a picket guard at the Picacho Pass Stage Station of the Overland Mail Line (discontinued at the outbreak of the war) consisting of 10 men. This information had been gathered from the Pima Indians who were loyal to the Federal Government.

Captain Calloway, with his battalion, continued their march to the south and east, passing through Sacaton Station, Oneida Station and then onward to Blue Water Station. A total of 43 miles.

At Blue Water Station, 14.9 miles from the Picacho Station, Captain Calloway planned his next move, the vital move which if properly conducted by two of his subordinates, would cut off the line of retreat of the Confederate pickets posted at the Picacho Pass Station, capturing the pickets by surprise, thus being able to march to Tucson surprise the Confederate Garrison there and capture them intact. Picacho Station was located 14.9 miles south and west from Blue Water Station.

Captain Calloway outlined his plan for encircling the enemy at Picacho Pass Station, as follows. Second Lieutenant James Barrett, Company A, 1st California Cavalry commanding a detachment of 12 men, selected from among the three cavalry companies present, to go on an easterly route through a low point on the eastern end of the Picacho Mountains. Lieutenant Ephriam Baldwin, Company D, 1st California Cavalry, commanding a detachment of 10 men, selected also from the three cavalry companies present, leading them in a westerly route.

The plan called for Barrett, coming from the east, and Baldwin, coming from the west to gain the rear of the Confederate pickets at Picacho Pass. These two forces were to unite on the main road south of the station, that lead to Tucson. Captain Calloway with the remainder of the Battalion was to march along the main road toward Picacho Pass Station, surrounding the Confederates and cutting off their line of retreat, would be compelled to surrender as they would be facing a combined force of 276 men, their line of retreat effectively cut off. It was a very good plan, if it would have worked. But in planning and executing a plan of this nature, something can go wrong, as it did, and resulting in unwarranted deaths.

Upon leaving Blue Water Station going in a southerly direction to the low point of the Picacho Pass, Lieutenant Barrett rode and was eight miles in advance of Lieutenant Baldwin who was circling from the west. Barrett arrived well in advance of the other two units. Lieutenant Barrett had a guide with him, Mr. John W. Jones who was a resident of Yuma, Arizona.

When in proximity and the south of the Picacho Pass Station, guide Jones dismounted crawling in close proximity of the Confederate pickets who were in a relaxed posture not expecting any Union troops to be close at hand. Sergeant Holmes had earlier posted a man on a high point forward and to the west with a glass to keep vigilance, but when nothing was seen he returned to the station. One guise used on the advance by the Union troops, was to remove the white covers from their wagons so that they could not be distinguished at a distance. This obviously worked very well. Mr. Jones then returned to Lieutenant Barrett and advised him to dismount and engaged the enemy from the rear, which would have been a total surprise, as the Confederate Pickets, under command of Sergeant Holmes could be taken and in all probability captured without a shot being fired. Barrett disregarded Jones advise to dismount, but Jones again asked Barrett to dismount his men and fight on foot. Again Barrett refused, then led a charge, his men in single file, firing as they advanced. The Confederates reacted and returned fire, and at this point several saddles were emptied. The shots being fired, and maybe at this point one or two were wounded, but also the fact that the California Horses, unused to being around shots and in a mad rush, excited some of the horses, possibly threw a rider or two. This will never be ascertained, as there are no reports or records of any known source at the present to ascertain exactly what transpired.

The Confederates scattered and a general skirmish ensued, lasting between one hour and one hour and half. The Union men mounted and dismounted fought over a general area in thick underbrush, thickets of mesquite, greasewood, cresote brush, cactus and other desert growth, which was heavy and thick in many places along the arroyos and washes. This offered very good concealment and cover for the dismounted Confederates as they have been cut off from their horses which were picketed in the corral of the station. As the fight developed, the pickets retired in a northern direction, firing and keeping concealed in the heavy undergrowth.

At a distance of about 1 mile, 13.9 miles from the Blue Water Station, three Confederates surrendered, 4th Sergeant Henry Holmes, detachment commander, Private William Dwyer and Private John W. Hill Lieutenant Barrett dismounted assisting in tying up the prisoners, and when this was accomplished, remounted, at this time another shot rang out, the ball striking Lieutenant Barrett in the neck and killing him instantly. The fight then continued and at the end of the approximately 1 1/2 hours the fight was over.

The Confederates were completely cut off from their horses, which were picketed at the Picacho Pass Station, a mile to the rear, made their way back to the station to their horses. Barrett had not left anyone to guard the horses, mounted and rode for Tucson to warn Captain Hunter of the skirmish and the advancement of the Union troops.

Lieutenant Baldwin arrived after the fight had ceased, and shortly thereafter Captain Calloway arrived with the remainder of the battalion, to find his plan had not gone as he had hoped. If the Confederate picket would have surrendered as predicted, then Captain Hunter in Tucson would have been taken by surprise as he was unaware that the Union Forces had advanced this far, only 45 miles north and west of Tucson.

The casualties of the fight, Lieutenant Barrett, Company A, 1st California Cavalry, shot in the neck, breaking his neck and dying instantly, Private George Johnson, Company A, 1st California, shot in the region of the heart, died within a few minutes, were killed on the site (referred to as the Battle Site) and their bodies were lying where they fell. Private William S. Leonard, (in Reports spelled Denerd) , Company D, 1st California Cavalry was mortally wounded, shot in the back, the ball passing upwards and exited his mouth. He died early the next morning. The wounded of Lieutenant Barrett's Detachment were as follows, Private William C. Tobin, Company D, 1st California Cavalry, was shot in the forehead, but the brasses of his hat deflected the bullet and left an ugly but not fatal wound, Corporal James Botsford, Co,pany A, wounded, and Private Peter Glenn, Company, were shot in the arm and shoulder, but either wounds were fatal. Reports does state which man was shot in the arm or the shoulder.

Captain Calloway informed of the circumstances, and now knowing that the Confederate troops in Tucson were aware of their advance, set up a defensive position for the night. He deployed his Infantry and Cavalry, unlimbered (unpacked) his two mountain howitzers and set them up in a defensive line ready to meet any enemy advancement.

The troops were then rested and permitted to eat their dinner, to await the enemy. Private Leonard who was mortally wounded suffered, moaning in pain during the night keeping most of the men awake. Private Johnson in the early hours of the morning died, and all men we turned out to dig graves for their three fallen comrades who had perished in battle.

Graves were dug side by side and the three, Lieutenant James Barrett, Company A, 1st California Cavalry, Private Johnson, Company A, 1st California Cavalry, and Private Leonard, Company D, 1st California Cavalry were laid to rest. The graves were hastily dug, not very deep as the ground was very hard in the area. The graves were then covered and on top was laid cactus so as to keep the wolves from digging them up. The wolves were a word used for the coyote.

At this point, Captain Calloway, decided to retire back to the Pima Villages, his point of origin in this narrative. The reasons given by Captain Calloway was that he had only three days rations remaining, and uncertain of the number of Confederate troops in Tucson, his information was that there were some five hundred Confederate Troops in Tucson, and the Pima Villages, which offered a much better place for defense again the enemy.

General Carleton ordered Colonel West to have an inquiry about the actions of the officers concerning the fight at Picacho Pass. After due examination of the facts, Colonel West came to the conclusion that Captain Calloway was not guilty of any misdoings, and from all evidence presented, Lieutenant Barrett, far exceeding his orders, well in front of the other two forces, acted in a rash manner and thus was responsible for the loss and death of the men and the fight.

The Confederate Pickets, 7 in number who retreated from the skirmish, reported to Captain Hunter of the fight. Hunter then dispatched Lieutenant James Tevis, with a detachment to proceed to the Picacho Pass Station to see what had happened to the three men who had not returned. Tevis arrived in the morning and found the Union troops retiring to the Pima Villages to the north and west.

The three Confederate Prisoners were sent to Fort Yuma under escort and on their way, met Lieut. Col. James R. West, with the next advancing force. Being informed of the Battle, West proceeded to the Pima Villages and set up a well fortified position along with Calloway's Battalion, to await further developments.

The above narrative are all of the known facts of the fight gathered from Official Records, Newspaper Articles, and files contained in the Library of the Arizona Historical Society at Tucson, Arizona. From all evidence gathered, Barrett overstepped the bounds of his orders in not awaiting the arrival of Lieutenant Baldwin with his detachment of 10 men before commencing the fight. In so doing, Barrett's rash actions resulted in the escape of the remaining pickets, and Captain Hunter being fore warned of the Union advancement, which eliminated Carleton's and Calloway's plans of capturing the Confederate forces in Tucson. Also this caused the needless death and wounding of his comrades. Lieutenant James Barrett exceeded his orders, acted in a rash manner without proper support is the conclusion and findings of this writer. Although Barrett was a veteran Dragoon Private and Acting Corporal with five years experience, I can only surmise that Barrett may have wanted this fight and victory on his record, for future advancement. There seems to be no other explainable reason for his actions on April 15, 1862.

MYTHS AND FALLACIES OF THE FIGHT AT PICACHO PASS

This part of the narrative of the Battle of Picacho Pass, Arizona, April 15, 1862, between U.S. Forces and C.S. Forces, will undertake to try and straighten out certain myths and fallacy's that have arisen concerning the fight 138 years ago. It is hoped by this writer, to attempt to bring out the incorrect stories of the fight and present the know facts to the reader, so that they may come to a sensible understanding of what happened 138 years ago.

The ground itself, 138 years after the fight, is still and isolated site, situated on State Land, 45 miles north of Tucson, and still in a pristine condition except for modern day trash which was discarded by hunters who have thrown a lot of trash along the old Overland Mail Route which passes through Picacho Pass, midway between the Picacho Mountains on the East and the Picacho Peak a high volcanic spire rising to the west. One interesting thing, is the entirely different composition of the two high points. I am no geologist so will not venture to say what the Picacho Mountains consist of, but the Picacho Peak is volcanic, being dark in color as to light in color of the Picacho Mountains. Just to the east of the old Picacho Pass Station rises a small volcanic outcropping which is a prominent marker for the area. This small barren prominence which is just to the south and east of where the Picacho Pass Station is about halfway between the peak and the mountains. Interstate 10 and the Southern Pacific Rail Line are about one half mile to the West running parallel to the old Overland Mail Route which is just about in the center of the pass. From the location of the old station one can see the State Park on the slope of the peak on the West side of the highway. One can hear the rumble of the passing trains, and also the sound of passing vehicles as they pass the site, looking to the west to see where the battle took place. Not knowing that they are looking in the wrong direction, but only seeing the park and a rest stop for refreshment, gas and food.

Extensive research, done by five people, who I will list at the end of this article, have come primarily to the same conclusions as this writer has, only differing in small things. The findings we have come to are again I repeat, due to extensive research, traveling the routes on foot and by automobile, using old and outdated maps, modern maps, GPS positioning, aerial photographs, and numerous hours of discussing pro's and cons of the fight. As one passes by the Battle site now one will look to the Picacho Peak and exclaim, there is where the fight took place, not knowing they are looking in the wrong direction as so many myths and fallacy's have been written and told about the fight. It is the sole intention by this writer, to present the facts as they appeared to me and others and let them decided for themselves. Below are the facts as we have uncovered them and are presenting to the reader:

The Battle of Picacho Pass, as it is termed here in Arizona, was no more than a Skirmish by military standards. There was a total of 22 men who were involved in the fight But in Official Records, and all subsequent correspondence, reports, Newspaper Articles, and countless years of telling and retelling it is widely known and accepted as a battle instead of a skirmish.

There are many myths about the fight at the Picacho Pass, that have arose the last 138 years. Very little research has been done concerning Picacho Pass, termed by many as the most western battle of the Civil War between Union and Confederate troops. The main fight itself was very brief, estimated from 1 hour to one and a half hours, more of a Apache Indian type of fighting, and what I term as a general melee. Men running around seeking advantageous cover to fire upon one another, then to reload and seek a new point of concealment to again fire. Nothing was organized, but was a total disorganized fight.

There are numerous claims as to Confederate soldiers being killed and wounded, and there is a claim by a descendent from Texas that she had a relative killed in the fight, including a photograph of the soldier. After very extensive research, this claim proved false, as the named soldier was in New Mexico at the time if the Picacho Pass fight.

The so called wounded, numbering anywhere between 3 to 6 has also been not proven beyond any reasonable doubt. If there would have been wounded Captain Hunter would have said so in his report, as during his advancement from the Rio Grande to Tucson, he listed the name of one man who died at the San Simon Station. One Newspaper article, which will be attached to this article, lists Confederate losses, but again this is a Newspaper article probably to appease the readers, of such a one sided affair. Captain Calloway or others surely would have noted if there we any Confederates left wounded and dead in the vicinity, and it was not mentioned at all. Captain Calloway mentioned in his report did not know if there were any dead Confederates, but lists the items captured and the prisoners taken. If there were any dead or wounded left on the site, they would have been seen by the soldiers and the dead buried. There is no mention of his anywhere that we have found. The Confederates in their hasty retirement from the pass would not have taken any dead back to Tucson, or wounded, as this would have slowed the flight, and Captain Hunter or others would have noted it.

About one half mile to the west of the old station runs the Southern Pacific Railroad Line, and just beyond that is modern day Interstate 10. The Railroad when they built the line through the pass in 1880 supposedly ran parallel to the mail line of the 1858 thru the 1880 period. In the 1920's a railroad signalmen found and old wooden cross, supposedly having the inscription for the burial of Lieut. James Barrett and his fellow companions. When the graves were excavated, they hit a piece of wood which proved to be a crude coffin. One man reached inside, and removed an old piece of blanket and some bones. These were examined and in later years, proved to be the bones of a female, about 25 years of age, and upon examination of the blanket, it proved not to be an army blanket. The one thing here is that Lieutenant Barrett, Privates Johnson and Leonard were not buried in coffins, as there were not any coffins available. Generally, a soldier killed in battle in this part of the country, was normally rolled in his blankets and then buried, as numerous writing have described this. We have also come to the same conclusion. The three dead soldiers were rolled in their blankets and buried where they fell.

The cross for the graves is now in the collection of the Arizona Historical Society, and I have examined it along with other people and have come to the conclusion, that the carvings of the names on the cross are just to sharp at the edges for being out to the elements for 60 years prior to discovery. The wood that the cross is made of also does not correspond with wood boards as they would have been cut and sawed in the 1860 period, much larger dimensions than those used today. Also the last is where would Calloway or one of his men come up with the boards for the cross. The last and most deciding factor on the cross, is the weathering of the wood. One has to look at the climatic weather conditions in the area. Picacho Pass usually had a daytime temperature in the summer months in excess of 100 degrees, the wind blows very hard through the pass and the wind driven sand will erode wood and adobe very badly. Then consider the rainy season. When the wind blows the rain in torrents, eroding wood to a certain extent. The very bottom of the cross, shows signs of being in the ground only for a few inches, and one side is kind of weather broken and the other side is still square. How could something buried so shallow stand for 60 years. The last true clincher, was that the cross arms has finishing nails holding it to the upwright led. Only square cut nails were used in the 1860's. These are the facts as presented for the reader to make up his own mind in the evidence presented.

In later years, after the war, dates cannot be ascertained at this time, but somewhere between 1866 and 1874, two of the bodies were disinterred from the battle site and reinterned in the Government Cemetery in Tucson, then located at the Corner of Alemada Street and Stone Avenue. This Cemetery was closed in 1873 to any further burials. The Post Return for Camp Lowell, and Fort Barrett at the Pima Villages, have no record of the movements of the bodies.

Privates Johnson and Leonard in 1874, with the establishment of Fort Lowell, 7 miles to the east of Tucson, Johnson and Leonard were again disentered and reintered in the Fort Lowell Cemetery. Their grave numbers in the Fort lowell Cemetery were 24 and 25. In 1892, the Army Quartermaster ordered all soldiers buried in now abandoned army posts, to be reinterned in the National Cemetery at San Francisco. Johnson and Leonard made their final move to the National Cemetery in San Francisco where they now lay in final rest. Johnson is buried in grave 1366 Section West Side, and Leonard grave 1291 Section West Side. The above is all proved from research by myself and others as to who was buried and reburied from Picacho Pass, to Tucson and thence to San Francisco.

Now the real mystery is the whereabouts of Lieutenant James Barrett, also buried at Picacho Pass, April, 16, 1862. Where is James Barrett? There is some people who think that Capt. McCleave, had Barrett's body reburied somewhere else. That the two were old Dragoon friends from pre civil war days. This has been researched, and Capt. McCleave, then a private and ending up 1st Sergeant in Captain Carleton's Dragoon Company was stationed in either California or New Mexico. Barrett also a old 1st Dragoon soldier was stationed in Oregon and discharged there and then went to San Francisco. So far no connection has been determined that they knew each other. Captain McCleave was captured prior to Barrett's death, and would not have learned of it until July 1862, when he was released. From that point on McCleave was in New Mexico and never returned to Arizona. After the Civil War, Major McCleave was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 8th Cavalry, and did not serve in southern Arizona until his death in 1879. There is no evidence at the present time to link the two as being old buddies and McCleave having his body reburied. There is no evidence that Barrett was buried in Tucson Government Cemetery, Fort Lowell Cemetery or the National Cemetery in San Francisco. This writer received a letter from the Department of the Army, Arlington National Cemetery, from the office of the Administrator, and there is no record of Lieutenant James Barrett buried at Arlington National Cemetery. So where is Barrett? After all I have researched I have come to the conclusion that Second Lieutenant James Barrett, Company A, First California Volunteer Cavalry, lies in a lonely unmarked grave where he fell at the Picacho Pass Battle Site. I have given all the evidence great thought, and I have come to know this man and referred to him as Jimmy my lost Lieutenant. In the past I know I have been by his grave, but there is nothing to show a mound, a depression.

________________________________________________________

Every year on the anniversary date or as close as possible, there in a re enactment of the Battle of Picacho Pass, and each passing year it gets larger and larger. Now they have both Union and Confederates in opposing battle lines, and noted celebrities such as General Grant. There are monuments to the fallen Confederates and the Confederate Daughters are involved due to the myth that a Confederate soldier was killed at the site. The battle is fought in the State Park on the slopes of Picacho Peak, almost a mile from the original battle site.

There has been so many untruths, myths, and improper conducting, and misrepresentation of the battle of Picacho Pass, and probably in the future will get even more embedded and even more myths shall rise. But I guess that is the way people want it, not a group of 22 American Men fighting for their lives and beliefs on a barren desolate piece of desert, but a glorious colorful pageant.

In concluding I have tried with diligent research, reading, and walking the site, to present the Battle as it actually occurred, the myths and stories, and wrongs that have come from something so simple a straight forward and present them to the reader to come to their own conclusions of the real truth. I shall continue my research and hopefully uncover more facts and myths and present them as they unfold for the readers.

At this time there is underway, a project to get the Picacho Pass Battle Site and Picacho Pass Overland Mail on the National Register of Historical Places. The paper work is being written up and will be presented from the above article and hopefully in the future, we may strive to get a Proper US Government Gravestone placed on the site of Lieutenant Barrett's burial.

These goals are being very earnestly pursued and we will succeed.

OLD BUTCH
MASCOT, INDIAN FIGHTER AND MARCHER

Old Butch was originally the Mascot of Company I, 4th United States Infantry, posted at San Diego, California, in June 1861. The Fourth U.S. Infantry was ordered back to the seat of the war, in 1861, and Company G, 1st California Volunteer Infantry replacing them prior to their departure.

Old Butch, then at about 10 years of age, was given to Company G, and they took on the responsibility of his care. For the remainder of his life, Old Butch was cared for by the men of Company G.

When Company G, First California Infantry, was ordered to Fort Yuma, to be a part of the Union forces then being formed and readied for their march to the Rio Grande, Old Butch was part of this movement and made his first march with Company G.

How many marches had Old Butch made with Company I, prior to his first march with Company G, no one knows, but seeing the way that the regular companies moved about, one can be assured that Old Butch marched many a mile on those old pads, never whimpering, but always following the men where their travels might take them.

Old Butch, now at Fort Yuma, California was a part of the California Column and ready for the march of his life. On May 8, 1862, several men of Company G, were selected to be part of Lieutenant William A. Thompson's Howitzer Battery. The following men of Company G, were selected to be part of this unit: Privates Charles M. O'Brien, Frederick Winnel, Christian Pape, and John H. Fleming and of course Old Butch. There is no record of who was Butch's caretaker, but it had to be one of the above mention. Old Butch was now an Artillerist.

The march commenced from Yuma to Tucson, and one can imagine running, yapping, yipping, chasing quail, jackrabbits, cotton trail rabbits and probably nipping he heels of the mules, along the line of march. He was cared for and loved by the men.

Once in Tucson, Old Butch, had a little rest and relaxation, and I am sure he did a little socializing with the ladies of his kind in Tucson, and probably now there are still a few descendents still carrying Old Butch's blood line.

Thompson's Howitzer Battery now made up the second detachment to march to the Rio Grande from Tucson, along with Company E, 1st California Infantry, Company B, 2d California Cavalry and the wagon train. Old Butch was now part of a mini brigade, and on his way eastward to the Rio Grande. Again, one can see a happy running and yipping dog along the line of march to the east.

When this detachment reached Apache Pass there ensued a fight there. Soldiers vs. the Apaches and of course Old Butch, maybe for his first combat. There he ran about, sniffing out Indians, and keeping track of his fellow Company G comrades, but one of his comrades was not destined to survive the battle, Private Charles M. O'Brien, would be killed in the first fire -- an attack on the rear of the column.

The next day the fight was again commenced, again the soldiers fought and in the end with the aid of the howitzers drove off the Apaches. During the Battle Old Butch was wounded, losing a toe. Now for sure he was a true veteran, having marched about 750 miles from Yuma to Apache Pass and now had his first combat under his collar. Old Butch accompanied the detachment to San Simon Station where a forward supply was set up under Captain Roberts, with some Cavalry, and of course the Howitzer Battery. Here Old Butch had a chance to lick his wound, and get the tender loving care that only a soldier can give to their Mascot who was wounded.

Then again on the march to the Rio Grande, here goes Old Butch, sure to have missed Charlie O'Brien, who remained behind, giving his fullest for his country, in a grave in a godforsaken wilderness, a place called Apache Pass.

Once on the Rio Grande at Mesilla, Old Butch now returned to his Company along with the soldiers who had been detached, except for O'Brien. He was probably a very happy dog to see his fellow Company members again.

One can close their eyes, and see a dog, wagging his tail, smelling, licking, giving nits and slurps, and the men saying Hi Old Butch. How is your wound, are you feeling okay after the long hard march and fight. Yes a happy dog again amongst his companions.

Company G, then was transferred to Las Cruces, March 27, 1862, a dirty dusty hamlet also on the Rio Grande River. Old Butch marched right along, though this time only a short distance and to a new post.

On April 20, 1862, Old Butch and Company G took up the line of march to Franklin, Texas, present day El Paso, and into a Confederate State. Old Butch along with his Company reached Franklin April 21st, a march of 55 miles. Now Old Butch was the worlds premier war dog, San Diego, California, to Franklin, Texas, over 1,000 miles on those march worn pads, but a proud and happy dog he was. A true War Dog.

The above is my narrative of Old Butch a true War Dog, who had marched 1,000 miles, seen combat, losing a toe in combat.

The following is a abstract from the Diary of First Sergeant George Hand, Company G, First California Infantry.

May 1, 1863, Our old dog Butch was found by Lieut. Smith shot through the kidneys. It was a pity. He was such a good old dog, an old soldier brought up in the army. He was ten years of age. Always at musters, guard mounts and all parades. He had his regular post at all reviews and seemed very proud of it. He was kindly treated by all soldiers but some damned villain of an officer shot him. He was given to us by the regulars at San Diego, when they were leaving for the states. He followed us through thick & thin ever since, on guard every night. His post was always no. 1 and bad luck to the man who had no business there. No officers could come by him who had no business there. No officers could come to him without the countersign. He was at the Battle of Apache Pass, member of Jimmy's [James H. Carleton's] Jackass Battery, and if running around in the brush & chaparral barking and hunting Indians was doing good, the old Butch is entitled to no very small amount of honor. He was wounded in that fight -- one of his toes was shot off. He was a true soldier and had many a hard fight -- an ugly scar will bear testimony of the same. But the poor old fellow was found in company of officers dogs (bad company) and notwithstanding all the good services in the field, he was shot like a common cur by a damned villain who now wears the badge of the rank which he disgraces. May he never get out of this country.

Thus ends the story of old Butch, a true soldier whether on the march, in camp, or in the midst of battle, he served his country, his company, and died at the hands of a villainous cur.

Now Old Butch is reunited with Company I, 4th U.S. Infantry, Company G, First California Volunteer Infantry, his mother, sisters, brothers on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, well and happy. God always looks after his creations.

OFFICIAL REPORTS

No. 3.--Reports of Lieut. Col. Edward E. Eyre,
First California Cavalry

HDQRS. FORT BARRETT,
Pima Villages, Ariz. Ter., May 14, 1862.

MAJOR: I have the honor to inform you of the death of Second Lieut. James Barrett, late of the First Cavalry California Volunteers, who was shot in a skirmish with rebel picket at Picacho Pass, Ariz. Ter. (about thirty miles from Tucson), on the 15th of April, 1862. The only relative of the deceased is Mrs. Ellen Brady, who when last heard from by deceased, four years ago, resided in Albany, N.Y.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. E. EYRE,
Lieutenant-Colonel, First Cavalry California Volunteers.

Maj. R. C. DRUM,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.

------------

HDQRS. FIRST CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Fort Thorn, Ariz., July 6, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders received from the colonel commanding, dated June 17, 1862, I have the honor to make the following report:

June 21, left Tucson at 3 a.m. with Captain Fritz, Lieutenants Haden and Baldwin, First California Volunteer Cavalry, and 140 men; marched thirty-five miles to Cienega de los Pinos, and encamped at 12.30 p.m.; water and grazing abundant. The road to-day is very good, with the exception of two or three hills. At a distance of about twenty eight miles the road descends into the Cienega, then seven miles to water near the burned station, which stood on the hill to the right of the road. Course, southeast; thirty-five miles. June 22, left Cienega at 6 a.m.; marched over a high rolling country, but good wagon road, and splendid grazing all the way for a distance of about twenty-two miles, when the roads descends through a canyon for one mile, and then opens on the San Pedro Valley. Two miles farther the river is reached at the Overland Mail Station; strong bridge over the river; water and grass abundant; wood very scarce. Course, northeast; twenty-five miles. There found the name of Jones, the expressman. June 23, left camp at crossing of the San Pedro at 7.30 a.m. The road at once leaves the river and enters a valley about one mile wide and four miles long, when it terminates at the foot of the mesa, which is gained through a narrow canon in which is a long but very steep hill. The canon is about one mile and a half, when the top of the mesa is reached; then about fourteen miles to Overland Mail Station at Dragoon Spring, at which place we arrived at 12.30 p.m. and en-camped; found water sufficient by digging, up the canyon two miles, the trail to which is difficult in some places to lead animals over. Course. northeast; nineteen miles and a half. June 24, left Dragoon Spring at 10.30 a.m.; was detained in consequence of scarcity of water. Marched twenty-five miles over an excellent road to Ewell's Station, arriving there at 5.30 p.m.; sent Captain Fritz and six men with spades to examine the spring in the mountain north of station. He had returned to station by the time the command arrived and reported only enough water for the men. Encamped at 6 p.m. Course, northeast; twenty-five miles. June 25, left Ewell's Station at 1 a.m.; marched fifteen miles over a very hilly and in places a very rocky road to station in Apache Pass, and encamped at 6 a.m.; water scarce; no grass. Course, northeast; fifteen miles.

About 12 m.--I being engaged at the spring superintending the watering of animals, it being necessary to dip it with tin cups-four shots were heard in the vicinity of where the horses that had been watered were being grazed under a strong guard. Immediately thereafter it was reported that Indians were in sight and that the guard had fired to give the alarm. Almost immediately thereafter it was reported to me that the Indians were waving a white flag. I at once started for them, taking with me a white flag, and Mr. Newcomb as interpreter. At the end of about one hour I succeeded in getting sufficiently near one of them to be understood. I explained to him what I desired and asked for the chief. At this time at least 75 to 100 indians were in sight, many of them mounted on good-looking horses and all of them armed with fire-arms, some with rifles and six-shooting pistols. Of the latter I observed a great number and occasionally single-barrel shotguns. When the chief came forward I told him we were Americans, and that our Great Captain lived at Washington, that we wished to be friends of the Apaches; that at present I was only traveling through their country, and desired he would not interfere with my men or animals; that a great captain was at Tucson with a large number of soldiers; that he wished to have a talk with all the Apache chiefs and to make peace with them and make them presents. He professed a great desire to be friendly with the Americans, and assured me that neither my men nor animals should be molested. He asked for tobacco and something to eat. I gave him all that could possibly be spared and we parted, with a request on his part that I would meet him again at the same place at sunset. On my return it was reported to me that three of the men were missing.
A party of thirty were at once sent out in the vicinity of where the firing was heard, and after an hour's search the bodies of the missing men were found stripped of all their clothing and two of them scalped. Each was shot through the chest with fire-arms and lanced through the neck. They were victims of their own imprudence, the entire command having been repeatedly warned by me not to wander from camp. It appears they had started, leading their horses from the spring where the watering was being done, over the ridge into another gulch, when they came upon the Indians and were murdered. The Indians succeeded in getting one horse. When the bodies of our murdered men were found instant pursuit of the Indians was made, some of whom were seen on a hill half a mile distant; but being unable to come up with them a return to camp was ordered, carrying in the dead bodies, which were buried, the entire command being present. The animals now being all watered, or as much as could be obtained for them, and there being very little grass in the pass, at 6 p.m. left camp; marched out and made a dry camp on the plain two miles beyond the canon. Course, east by northeast; four miles.

At 11 p.m. a volley of six or eight shots was fired into camp, wounding Acting Assistant Surgeon Kittridge in the head and killing one horse at the picket-line. June 26, left Dry Camp, No. 1, at 3.30 a.m.; marched fifteen miles over an excellent road to San Simon Station, then turned square to the right and marched thirteen miles up the dry bed to a large cienega and encamped at 2 p.m. Course, east, northeast, and southeast; twenty-eight miles. This is a splendid camping place--water and grass in the greatest abundance. The proper road to the cienega turns to the right from the stage road about six miles from Apache Pass and around the point of the mountain. It comes on the San Simon one mile below the water. Ar 12, midnight, camp was alarmed by a shot fired by one of the guard. On examination it was found to be a coyote, which he mistook in the dark for an Indian crawling through the scattered bushes, but which he instantly killed. This was a very hard day's march on men and animals, being obliged to leave Dry Camp without breakfast owing to the scarcity of water, having but eight five-gallon kegs in which to carry water for the men, and not being able to get at the pass as much water as the animals required. June 27, laid over. June 28, left camp at Cienega of San Simon at 4 p.m.; marched five miles north-northeast to the pass in the mountains; road heavy. On arriving at the pass, found the road through it very good and the pass wide. Marched fifteen miles from San Simon and made dry Camp No. 2, at 10.15 p.m. Course, north-northeast; fifteen miles. June 29, left Dry Camp at 4 a.m.; marched nine miles to Lightendorffer's Well, in Round Mountain Canyon; good road; well on right of and close to the road. It is about eight feet square and seven feet deep; rock bottom. Halted at well one hour and obtained a very limited supply of water for my command. This is a tolerably good camping place for three companies of infantry. By care they could obtain sufficient water, which is good. Left Lightendorffer's Well at 8 a.m.; marched twenty-two miles to Densmore's Station (Soldiers Farwell) and halted at 5 p.m. Discovered here a small spring about two or three miles up the arroyo, north of station, and a hole of bad water 800 yards south of station. Left Densmore's Station at 8 p.m.; marched fourteen miles to Cow Springs, and encamped at 12, midnight; water and grazing abundant. The road from the Cienega of San Simon to this place is good for loaded teams, excepting four or five miles to the pass. Course, northeast; forty-six miles.

Soon after leaving Densmore's Station found two men on the side of the road under rather suspicious circumstances; took these letters from them, one directed to the commander of Federal forces at Tucson or en route; put the men in charge of guard and brought them back. (Letters herewith enclosed, marked Nos. 1,2, and 3.(*)) There discovered nine men encamped, who proved to be a party sent by Colonel Chivington, commanding Southern Military District of New Mexico, at Fort Craig, with a letter to Colonel Carleton, with verbal orders to deliver it to the commander of the advance of his column when met with, and return to Fort Craig. Read the communication, and returned Mr. Milligan and one of his party with the answer to Fort Craig at 3 p.m. on the 30th instant, at which place he would arrive on the evening of the 2d proximo. Letter of Colonel Chivington and my answer thereto herewith inclosed. (*) From Mr. Milligan I learned of the capture of Jones, the expressman, by the secessionists at the Picacho, near Mesilla, his two companions having been killed by Indians at Apache Pass and himself chased by them for a great many miles. This information was brought to Fort Craig by a friendly Mexican, who was present at the capture of Jones. June 30, laid over.

July 1. This morning a number of men were discovered by the lookout approaching from the direction of the Pine Alto gold mines; sent out a party and brought them into camp. They proved to be a party of thirty Mexican miners, returning to Sonora in consequence of the almost total absence of provisions at the mines; allowed them to proceed on their journey. Left Cow Springs at 8 a.m.; arrived at the Rio Miembres at 1 p.m. and encamped two miles above the station; water and grazing abundant and the best quality; road good. Course, northeast; sixteen miles. July 2, laid over. At 1 o'clock this morning one of the pickets discovered persons approaching camp. They were arrested and brought in--twelve men and two women, one a German, the others Mexicans. They also were from the mines en route for Mesilla. Ordered them confined, in order to secure the secrecy of my movements. At 9 a.m. sent out party of twenty men to examine Cooke's Canon, with orders to arrest, if possible, all persons they may meet with, and remain at Cooke's Spring until the command came up. July 3, left Miembres River at 6.30 a.; marched twelve miles over a good road to Cooke's Pass. From here to summit road hilly. A long, rocky, but not very steep, hill brings you to the top of the pass; from there the descent to the spring is good; distance from pass to spring six miles. Course, north-northeast and northeast; eighteen miles. There came up with the party sent in advance yesterday; they reported no person in sight and no fresh traces. July 4, left Cooke's Spring at 6.30 a.m.; took Fort Thorn road, which keeps a north-northeast course, while the Mesilla road turns to the right immediately at the springs and bears east-northeast. passing the Overland Mail Station, which is seen on the hill about half a mile distant. Marched thirteen miles to Mule Spring; good road, Here no water could be found even by digging, having sent a party in advance with spades for that purpose. Left Mule Spring at 12 a.m.; marched twenty-two miles to the Rio Grande, and encamped at 7 p.m. near Fort Thorn. Course, north-northeast; thirty-five miles. The road for about eight miles after leaving Mule Spring is very good, when it enters a rolling country, the hills becoming more and more abrupt for a distance of about six miles, when it descends into a broad canyon, which is followed on a good road to the river. Immediately on making camp the national colors were raised amid the loud and continued cheers of the assembled command. This was the first time the Stars and Stripes floated on the Rio Grande below Fort Craig since the occupation of the country by the Confederate troops, and it being the anniversary of our National Independence, was not calculated to dampen the ardor of the command. We are now within thirty-five miles of the enemy, which the prisoners whom I have taken variously estimated from 200 to 800 strong. As soon as the horses have a little recruited (they being considerably reduced on a march of about 300 miles through a broiling sun and over a country utterly destitute of water for distances ranging from thirty-five to sixty miles) will reconnoiter his position and endeavor to ascertain his strength, which I have little doubt of accomplishing, and in case he does not greatly outnumber me will give him a fight. July 5, moved three miles down the river to and reoccupied Fort Thorn; three miles.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. E. EYRE,
Lieut. Col., First California Volunteer Cavalry, Commanding.

Lieut. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Column from California, Tucson, Ariz.

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HDQRS. FIRST CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Fort Thorn, Ariz., July 8, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the reoccupation of Fort Thorn, by the squadron of First California Volunteer Cavalry, under my command, on the evening of the 5th instant. Immediately thereafter the national colors were run up and the old flag once more floated over the garrison. On the morning of the 6th instant an express arrived from Fort Craig, with a communication from Colonel Chivington, First Colorado Volunteers, commanding Southern Military District of New Mexico, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. (*) He also sent a communication addressed to Colonel Steele, C.S. Army, empowering me to negotiate an exchange for Captain McCleve and the men who were made prisoners with him. Soon after the express from Colonel Chivington arrived a party of men were seen approaching from the direction of Mesilla. One of them proved to be Captain McCleve, on his way to Fort Craig, bringing with him a proposition for an exchange of Captain Gardner, C.S. Army. Having learned from the expressman just arrived that Captain Gardner died a few days since, I at once sent Captain Fritz, First California Volunteer Cavalry, to Fort Fillmore, with a report to Colonel Steele to name any other Captain General Candy hade made prisoner in exchange for CaptainMcCleave; also proposing an exchange for the men taken with him, as well as an exchange for our expressman (Jones) and a Mr. John Lemon, of Mesilla, who was extremely kind to Captain McCleave during his confinement, and who had horses ready saddled and laid out for Jones' escape. He was ordered to be hung, and was taken to a tree for that purpose, but after hanging a Mr. Marshall, who was taken out with him, his execution was postponed. Captain Fritz will probably be back to-night, when I will at once send Captain McCleave with a party of twenty five men through to Tucson. It is not safe for a less number to travel that road on account of the Indians, and even then with the utmost caution.

If it is the desire of the colonel commanding to keep open communication between Tucson and the Rio Grande I would respectfully recommend that a company of infantry be stationed at Dragoon Spring and two companies at the Apache Pass. That corps would be far more effective against the Indians in the rugged mountains at the points above named than cavalry; besides, horses could not be kept in flesh on the dry grass alone; they would be utterly useless in two weeks' riding. At this season of the year sufficient water and of a good quality can be obtained for two companies of infantry at the foot of the mountains, four miles north of Ewell's Station. The spring is prominently marked by a large, white spot on the mountain, which is directly over the water. The Rio Grande has been unusually high this summer, almost the entire bottom between Fort Craig and Mesilla being still overflowed. It is impossible at this time to approach Mesilla on the west side of the river, and a new channel having been washed out on that side of the town, through which the largest portion of the water flows; besides the bottom for a long distance is overflowed, and, the soil being of a loose nature, animals mire down in attempting to get through it. This morning I sent Captain McCleave with a small party to examine the San Diego Crossing, eighteen miles below here, to ascertain if the river can be forded at that point. The moment a crossing can be effected it is my intentions, unless otherwise ordered by General Canby, to move on Mesilla and reoccupy Forts Fillmore and Bliss. When that is done that portion of the proclamation of the colonel commanding will not only have been carried out, but the sacred soil of Texas will have been invaded. Captain McCleave reports Colonel Steele with the rear of Sibley's brigade making hurried exertions to get away from Texas. He is pressing every team, both mule and oxen, he can find into service, compelling the owners (generally Mexicans) to take Confederate script in payment therefor. The same mode is resorted to by him in regard to provisions. Captain Howland, Third U.S. Cavalry, in advance of his squadron, has just arrived; his command (100 men) will probably be here this evening. His horses are in shocking condition. Should we come up with Colonel Steele and a mounted charge made, it must be done by the squadron of my regiment. On the capture of Jones greatly increased exertions were made by Colonel Steele to get away. Mesilla was evacuated, and Captain McCleave, who was at the time on parole to the limits of the town, immediately confined under a strong guard. Mr. White, of the Pima Villages, had been released, and will probably be here with the return of Captain Fritz.

The horses are out grazing (under a strong guard) from daybreak until dark, then tied up to the picket-line, with as much grass as they can eat during the night. They are doing very well, but have not yet recovered from the effects of the very distressing march from Tucson here. Captain McCleave has just returned, and reports the road down the river almost impassable for loaded wagons and the river swimming at the crossing. July 9 [7?], sent Captain McCleave, with an escort and two wagons, to Fort Craig for supplies. The squadron of the Third U.S. Cavalry (100 strong) arrived and gone into quarters at this post. Captain Fritz returned this evening, having effected an exchange for Captain McCleave and the others named in my communication to Colonel Steele, a copy(*) of which is herewith inclosed. Two lieutenants were given in exchange for Captain McCleave, as Colonel Steele affected to know of no captains of theirs for that purpose, although there are a number. His real object was to exchange for officers of his own regiment only. About 6 o'clock this evening and express arrived from Captain McCleave, informing me of an attack on his party, as they were moving up the river, by the Navajoes, sixty or seventy strong; that he had made camp, but was being surrounded by them. I immediately sent Captain Howland, with Lieutenant Baldwin and forty men, to his relief. I forward herewith, for the information of the colonel commanding, all communications (*) received or written by me since my arrival on the Rio Grande.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. E. EYRE,
Lieutenant-Colonel-First California Volunteer Cavalry, Comdg.

Lieut. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Column from California, Tucson, Ariz.

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HDQRS. FIRST CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Fort Thorn, Ariz., July 14, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the arrival here on yesterday of another express from General Canby, the second one alluded to in Colonel Chivington's communication of the 7th instant.

* * * * *

I leave here to-morrow morning with my command for Mesilla. On examination found the road from here to Rough and Ready Station impracticable, and have determined to make a road to the San Diego Crossing, and then pass the river on a raft, which I am now having made for that purpose, and which will be floated down to the crossing. The road on the east side of the river from San Diego to Mesilla is good. It is my determination, unless otherwise ordered, to hoist the national colors over Mesilla and Forts Fillmore and Bliss before the end of the present month.

* * * * *

I neglected in my report, of the march to this place to give the names of the men killed by the Indians at Apache Pass. Their names are Privates James F. Keith, Peter Maloney, and Albert Schmidt, of Company B, First California Volunteer Cavalry.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. E. EYRE,
Lieutenant-Colonel First California Volunteer Cavalry, Comdg.

Lieut. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Column from California, Tucson, Az.

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HDQRS. FIRST CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Las Cruces, Ariz., August 30, 1862.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with verbal orders received from the general commanding the column, I have the honor to report that immediately after my arrival on the Rio Grande, July 4, I sent a scouting party down the river as far as San Diego Crossing, for the double purpose of ascertaining of the enemy had pickets within that distance of my camp, and also whether the high stage of water in the river rendered it impracticable to move my command that far for the purpose of crossing, it being my intention to follow and, if possible, overtake the retreating Texans under Colonel Steele. On their return they reported it impracticable to get to the crossing with wagons, but that the river was falling fast, and that in a short time--say one week--I would be able to accomplish my purpose of moving on Fort Fillmore, where a portion of the Texans were then quartered. I therefore determined to remain at Fort Thorn for a short time longer, to recruit the men and animals and to receive re-enforcements from Fort Craig, which I had asked for from Cow Springs, having sent an express from that point on June 28. On the 8th ultimo Captain Howland, Third U.S. Cavalry, with 100 men, arrived at Fort Thorn and reported to me for duty. I was now still more anxious to pursue the enemy, being confident of my ability to successfully cope with his disorganized and disheartened troops, although they outnumbered me more than two to one. On the morning of the 10th ultimo I received a communication from Colonel Chivington, commanding Southern Military District of New Mexico, of which the following is an extract:

You will do all you can to learn the enemy's strength, and purpose, but General Canby does not design an advance from where you are until no can go in force. I am under orders to advance to Santa Barbara or thereabouts with sixteen companies of infantry and a battery of four 6-pounder guns and two 24-pounder howitzers and an additional cavalry force, to support the advance of General Carleton and to co-operate with the forces under him in the reoccupation of the valley of Mesilla.

Although this was not a positive order to remain where I was, yet it intimated too clearly the desire of the district commander to lead the advance on Mesilla and Fort Fillmore, that I felt exceedingly embarrassed as to whether I would be authorized in leaving Fort Thorn until the arrival there of Colonel Chivington; but on consultation with Captains Howland, Tilford, and Fritz, I determined, unless more positively ordered, to remain, and to move down to the San Diego Crossing as soon as the water would permit. Accordingly, on the 13th ultimo, I sent Wagon Master Black, with a party, to the crossing, to ascertain if it was yet practicable to get the train of thirteen wagons to that point. On his return the same day he reported favorably, and on the 15th ultimo I left with my command and arrived at the crossing on the 16th ultimo, a distance of eighteen miles. On the 17th ultimo I had succeeded in crossing successfully my command in a small boat, which I caused to be made for that purpose before leaving Fort Thorn. On the 19th ultimo I received from Lieut. F. Van Vliet, acting assistant adjutant-general, the following communication:

I am instructed by the colonel commanding the district to inform you that your troops will not cross the river until further orders.

This was from Colonel Howe's acting assistant adjutant-general, he then being in command of the Southern Military District of New Mexico; but having crossed the river before its receipt, and there awaited his further orders, and so wrote him. But on my arrival at the latter place I found neither forage nor grazing for the animals, and pushed on to Las Cruces, where quarters were found for the command in unoccupied houses belonging to notorious secessionists. On my arrival at Las Cruces I at once made inquiry as to the whereabouts of the Texans, and learned from reliable authority that a portion of them were yet at Franklin, Tex.; that they were collecting at that point a large amount of Government property which had been by them secreted at different places on their march up the river and that they designed selling it to a citizen of El Paso, Tex. This property I could undoubtedly have taken, and in all probability have captured the Texans then at Franklin, had I at once pushed on to that point; but the strong intimation not to leave Fort Thorn which I received from Colonel Chivington, and the positive order not to cross the river which I received from Colonel Howe, and my letter to him that I would await his further orders at Las Cruces, compelled me to remain at the latter place. Indeed, by moving farther down the river I would have run counter to the expressed wishes of the district commander of the Southern Military District of New Mexico, if not against their positive orders. On the 28th ultimo I received a positive order from Colonel Howe not to leave Las cruces until further orders. Subsequently, while accompanying the general commanding on his march to Fort Quitman, I learned that Colonel Steele greatly feared he would be overtaken by the California troops, and in his hurried retreat burned a number of his wagons and destroyed a large amount of ammunition. I also learned that so much were his men disheartened and so thoroughly disorganized, their had they been attacked by even a small force they would have at once surrendered. Certain it is an opportunity would have been given them to do so had it not been for the orders received from Fort Craig, for I should certainly have followed and as certainly overtaken them before they left the river at Fort Quitman.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. E. EYRE,
Lieutenant-Colonel First California Volunteer Cavalry.

Lieut. BENJAMIN C. CUTLER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Column from California, Franklin, Tex.

Vol. 50 Pt. 1 p. 120

OFFICER OBERLY, OF BROOKLYN, TELLS WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT IT.

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It was all owing, he declares, to the Bad Faith and Blundering Ignorance and cruelty of a young West Point Cadet - An illustration of Duplicity Which the Indians Were Not Slow to follow.

Few of the residents of Brooklyn who frequent Carroll Park are unacquainted with Park Officer Oberly, or "Obe," as he is generally called, but few have heard of his adventurous life. He is a modest man, who takes particular care of the erratic youngsters while the pretty nursemaids indulge in a slight flirtation; but the way he bounces a somnolent tramp is a caution.

A few evenings since a World reporter rambled into the Park and happening to mention something about the Apache war, Oberly's brown eyes flashed with indignation as he exclaimed:

"Sir, if it were not for the insensate folly and drunken stupidity of a young West Point cadet there would never have been an Apache war, I was at the first outbreak, and I have seen it."

"How is that, Obe?" said the reporter. "What do you know about it?"

"I enlisted at the age of thirteen, on the 25th of May, 1840, and served five years in the Fourth Artillery, Company A. I was discharged in 1846 and returned to New York. I did not care for business and reenlisted in the Seventh Infantry, and joined at Corpus Christi, in Texas, under General Taylor. We went from there to the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras. After the battle of Monterey, when we joined General Scott at Tampico, and thence to Vera Cruz; left Mexico in 1848 and returned to St. Louis. After that I was sent to Florida on the Seminole or Billy Bowlegs campaign; left there in 1849, and was sent to the Indian Nation. In 1858 went to Utah under General Sydney Johnston; thence to Santa Fe, and afterwards to Fort Buchanan, Arizona, in 1860, and was there when the Apache war broke out, so I presume to know of what I speak when I say that outbreak was the result of the outrageous brutality with which the Indians were treated by men who should have known better. When we arrived there in 1860 the Apaches were as well behaved and friendly a tribe of Indians as any in the United states.

They were then guarding the Butterfield mail route against the attacks of roving bands, and acted in good faith. Ka Kreese, their head chief, was a splendid-looking man. He stood about six feet two, and was powerfully built. His men were in detachments at each station on the route from Texas to the confines of California. They would guard the coach from one station to the next, where they would meet the return and escort it back to their own station, as so long the entire route."

"At this time I held the rank of Color-Sergeant. Lieut. Col. Morrison, of the Seventh, commanded the department, and one day a Mexican ranch-owner, who lived nearby, came to Fort Buchanan and complained that some Indians had stolen a herd of ponies and the boy who minded them. He ordered Second Lieutenant Bascom to take sixty men and go to Ka Kreese's headquarters, at Apache Pass, and have a talk with him and see if he would be able to get the ponies and the boy back. He had confidence in him as a friendly Indian and knew he could do better than the troops could do."

"Bascom was fresh from West Point and totally unfit to deal with the Apaches. He was well supplied with commissary whiskey, which he used liberally, and when the Butterfield station in Apache Pass was reached, he sent out poor Station-Master Wallace, I'll never forget his name, to the Indian village as an interpreter, to invite the head chief and three or four subordinate chiefs to come to camp and talk the matter over. Shortly after Ka Kreese, his brother, four other chiefs, a women and two little boys came into camp. He had dinner prepared for them, but he had ordered Sergeant Robinson to surround the tent and capture the Indians as soon as they had sat down, in violation of every law of honor and hospitality. When the Indians saw the armed soldiers, with a wild yell Ka Kreese and his brother and another chief cut their way through with their scalping knives. "Shoot them down", yelled Bascom, but only the chief's brother was shot through the leg, and, with the rest in the tent, was taken prisoner. Now bear in mind, these men had done nothing absolutely wrong, and came into camp on a friendly invitation from Bascom and without fear of molestation."

"About an hour afterwards Ka Kreese rode up to the top of a peak hard by and ask to only show his brother and all would be well. Bascom's answer was another volley. Ka Kreese raised his hand and swore to be revenged. Wallace remonstrated and pointed out the wrong and said he would be held responsible. Next day Bascom became scared and said to Wallace he had better go see the chief and have matters fixed up. Much against his better judgment, Wallace went, but was never seen again; his actual fate was never discovered and most probably never will be now. His life probably was the first lost in the Apache war."

"Bascom became thoroughly unnerved and refused to permit the men to go for water to a spring one hundred and fifty yards from the corral. All day they lay there, parching with thirst; at last Robinson, who was a brave man, said: "Lieutenant, one may better be shot than die of thirst; I will go to the spring." So he did, and brought back a half a dozen canteens filled with the precious fluid. Then he took down a mountain burro, or donkey, and brought back two kegs full. Then Bascom's craven fears were stilled and he ordered the now thirst maddened animals to be led out to water, and they rushed furiously down to drink. Like a flash the entire place was filled with Indians. They seemed to spring from the earth. In a second they had wounded three men and captured every one of the mules, while the air was rent with their yells, the shouts of the soldiers, the crack of their rifles as they rushed to the rescue of their comrades. Robinson was one of the wounded. Sixteen mules only remained. The wounded were suffering dreadfully, so sixteen men volunteered to return to the Fort for the Doctor. Next night they muffled the mules' feet in blankets and stole out of the fatal pass and arrived at Fort Buchanan next afternoon.

The colonel in command sent an express to Fort Breckenridge, where there were troops of dragoons, which were at once ordered to succor Bascom at Apache Pass. "The doctor-Irwin was his name-was an Irishman and a splendid fellow, and at once said his place was with the wounded, and the same sixteen men started back with him to the pass.

On their way they captured three Indians and a herd of ponies and brought them to the pass. The dragoons arrived next morning under the command of Lieuts. Moore and Lord and raised the siege of the corral. They then had as prisoners the chief's brother, two other chiefs and the three Indians captured with the ponies. After leaving the pass there is a prairie known as the Round Prairie, in the center of which stands four oak trees as large as any in Carroll Park. It is a favorite camping place and the troops stopped to rest. Bascom wanted to hang the prisoners. Irwin objected and wanted to bring them to the Fort. Finally a pack of cards was borrowed from a soldier and the fate of the poor wretches hung on a game of Seven-up, in which the side for mercy was beaten and the death sentence pronounced. When the prisoners were made aware of their fate they asked to be shot. This was denied and then they asked for "fire water," which was also refused. Men mounted the trees and fastened short-noosed ropes to the branches. While this was going on the Indians sang their death-song and died gamely."

"About three months afterwards I started with a train of six wagon-loads of provisions for Fort McLean with and escort of twenty-four men, a wagonmaster and eight teamsters, thirty-three in all. When we reached the Round Prairie I saw where a train of Texas emigrants had been completely destroyed. How many were killed I know not, but all that remained was the iron-work of the wagons. I afterwards heard there were about two hundred slain. We got through Apache Pass without molestation, and camped by Sansamoan Creek, between Apache Pass and Stein's Peak, about twenty-five miles from Sonora. We stayed there next day to recruit the mules before crossing a desert of sixty miles without water. About sundown I was lying under a wagon reading a novel when I was startled by the well-known Indian yell. The men were resting and the teamsters guarding the mules. I hallooed to the men, who jumped to their arms. The prairie was literally alive with Indians. They ran off twenty of my mules and wounded two teamsters. Several of them fell from our fire, but were carried off by their comrades and in a short time had disappeared, leaving us to stare at each other in blank dismay. Next morning I unloaded three of the heaviest wagons and built a small fort. I asked for eight volunteers to stay and guard the property, and left them a box of ammunition. There would be at least four days elapse before relief could be sent to them, and with a heavy heart I started with three wagons, four mules to each, for Stein's Peak. I left the wounded Mexicans in camp. We met some troops from Fort McLean, commanded by Lieutenant Plympton, of the Seventh Infantry. He had under escort a train of fifty two horse wagons of Texan emigrants on the trail to California. He had orders to escort them through Apache Pass and then return. I told him how my men were situated. He said he would leave ten men with them at Sansamoan until his return. I told the Captain of the Texan train, a lank individual with long hair and a big hat, of the dangers of the Pass; that the warpath, and he had better return to the fort. He looked at me superciliously and said, or rather drawled out: "Stranger, how many men did you come through with?' I told him but reminded him they were disciplined men, and we had neither women nor children with us. "Wall, stranger, we have fifty men that fight besides the youngsters, and if I am put on the other side of Apache Pass I will get to California in spite of h--l.' Further remonstrance was useless and so we parted. Clinton remained a night with them on the camping ground on the Round Prairie and then left for Sansamoan Creek to relieve my men. The Texans remained there until the next day to recruit their teams-and they never left it. That night the Apaches attacked the camp and not a soul to tell the fate of over two hundred men, women and children that composed the train. This occurred within a short distance of where the formed train had been destroyed."

"The Butterfield mail route was broken up, thousands of lives lost and millions of dollars spent to remedy the error of a hair-brained cadet of West Point, The Indians became so bold that three weeks afterwards they drove off forty mules within sight of Fort McLean and killed the herders, and it is my firm belief that the Apache War with all it's evils was the direct outcome of Lieutenant Bascom's outrage. I have always wished that the American public could know the real cause of the Apache war.

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The above is a typed copy of an interview by Colonel M.L. Crimmins, Ret. Box 63, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This was obtained from the Manuscript collection of the Arizona Historical Society, Tucson, Arizona.

BERNARD J.D. IRWIN

(Lieut. Col. and Ass't. Med. Purveyor Bvt. Col). Born in Ireland, June 28, 1830. Retiring year 1894. Appointed from New York-Civil Life. Actual rank-Ass't Surg. August 28, 1856; accepted November 7, 1856; Captain and Ass't. Surgeon August 28, 1861; Major and Surgeon September 16, 1862; Lieut. Col. and Ass't. Med. Purveyor September 16, 1885. Brevet Rank-Bvt. Lieut. Col. and Col. U.S.A. for faithful and meriterious services during the war. Honorably mentioned- In an engagement with Chiricahua Indians near Apache Pass, Ariz., February 1861, and complimented in Department General Orders for distinguished services on that occasion:

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Field Of Shiloh, April 12, 1862.

Col. J.B. FRY, Ass't. Adjt. Gen'l., Chief of Staff.

Sir: I desire to call the especial attention of the general commanding this Army to the admiral hospital accommodations adopted by Dr. Irwin, U.S.A., Medical Inspector of the Division, during the battle of the 7th inst. They will be found as nearly perfect as the circumstances would allow. The wounded in the Division did not suffer from the inclement weather; they were all promptly sheltered and cared for. I beg to recommend Dr. Irwin to the favorable consideration of his superiors.

Very respectfully,
(signed) W. Nelson, Brigadier-General.

Honorably mentioned in "Records of the rebellion," Vol. X. Series I, part I, pp. 325-326;
Vol. XVI p. 915:-

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA,
WHIPPLE BARRACKS, PRESCOTT, October 17, 1885.

General Orders No. 21.
In compliance with Paragraph 2, Special Orders No. 233, current series, Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's office, Lieutenant Colonel Bernard J.D. Irwin, Assistant Medical Purveyor, is relieved from duty as Medical Director of this department.

In relieving Lieutenant Colonel Irwin the department Commander is pleased to recognize the able and satisfactory performances of his duties as Medical Director, and congratulates him on his deserved promotion.

By order of Brigadier General Crook.

W.F. DRUM,
Major 14th Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

Service-Acting Assistant Surgeon, 1855; Fort Columbus, Corpus Chrisit, Texas; in New Mexico and Arizona to October, 1861; served with expeditions against hostile Navajoe and Apache Indians; Post Surgeon Fort Union, N.M., from Jan. to May, 1856; Post Surgeon, Fort Defiance, N.M., May 1856 to Dec. 1857; Post Surgeon Fort Buchanan, Dec. 1857 to Aug. 1861; in the field Feb. 1861; accompanied troops evacuating Arizona to New Mexico; Post Surgeon Fort Craig, N.M.; with troops en route from Fort Union, N.M. to Fort Leavenworth, Kans., Sept. 1861; Post Surgeon Jefferson Barracks, Mo., Nov. 1861; Med. Director, Dept. of W. Va., Dec. 1861; order rescinded and assigned to Army of the Ohio; Med. Director, Gen. Boyle's Brigade, Jan. 1862; Div. Med. Inspector 4th Div.-Nelson's-March, 1862; Med. Director, Army of Kentucky, 1862; Med. Director Army of the Southwest Oct. 1862; with White River expedition, co-operating in the capture of Fort Hindman, Ark., Jan. 1863; organizing Army General Hospitals St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 1863; Superintendent U.S. Army General Hospitals-ten hospitals, with 4,600 beds-Memphis, Tenn., March 1863 to July1865, during which some 60,000 sick and wounded soldiers were successfully provided for in those hospitals; Executive officer to and Acting Asst. Surgeon General U.S. Army, Louisville, Ky., Aug. 1865; Attending Surgeon St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 1865; Post Surgeon Fort Riley, Kans., March 1866 to Aug. 1866; Post Surgeon Fort Leavenworth, Kans., Aug. 1866 to July 1867; Post Surgeon Fort Riley, Kan., July 1867 to Sept. 1867; Post Surgeon Fort Wayne, Mich., Seot. 1867 to April 1871; Post Surgeon Fort Riley, Kan., May 1871 to Oct. 1873; Post Surgeon U.S. Mil. Acad., West Point, N.Y., Oct. 1873 to Sept. 1878; on leave of absence in Europe, Sept. 1878 to Sept. 1879, during which visited Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, switzerland, France, Belgium and Great Britian; in Dept. of Dakota Oct. 1879; Post Surgeon, Fort Meade, Dak., Oct. 1879 to June 1880; Act. Med. Director, Dept. of Dak. July to Aug. 1880; Post Surgeon, Fort Snelling, Minn., Aug. 1880; Attending Surgeon, Headquarters Military Division of Missouri, Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1880 to Oct. 1882; Medical Director Department of Arizona Oct. 1882 to Oct. 1885. In charge of Army Medical Purveying Depot, New York City, Oct. 1885 to Dec. 1886; in charge of Army Medical Purveying Depot, San Francisco, Cal., Dec. 1886 to--Battles, Skirmishes, etc.-Commanded detachment from Companies C and H, 7th U.S. Inf., in an engagement with Chiricahua Indians near Apache Pass, Arizona, Feb. 1861; present at battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6 and 7, 1862, and specially commended for distinguished services on the field; present at Siege of Cornith, Miss.; campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee; participated in battle of Richmond, Ky., Aug. 31, 1862, on which occasion was taken prisoner.

History-Companion of the Military Order Loyal Legion U.S., New York Commandery, Dec., 1867; member of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, 1868; member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, 1868; companion of Detroit Commandery, Knights Templar, 1869.

Source RECORDS OF LIVING OFFICERS OF THE U.S. ARMY, pages 306-307

U.S. ARMY HEADQUARTERS TUCSON, ARIZONA MAY 1862

On May 20th 1862, Captain Emil Fritz with his Company B, 1st California Volunteer Cavalry entered Tucson, Arizona Territory, not approaching from the west as expected, but from the north and east via the Canada Del Oro Road. Captain Fritz with part of the company entered from the east side of the town, while Lieutenant Juan Guirado with the remainder of the company entered from the north and west close to the Calle Real Tucson’s main road to Yuma. (Present day Main Avenue.)

Lieutenant James Tevis, with a small detachment from Captain Sherod Hunter’s Company A, having been ordered to remain, so as to keep a watchful eye on the advancing Union troops. Lieutenant Tevis, who had been watching the western approach, the Main Road from Yuma, was completely surprised by Lieutenant Guiardo’s sudden appearance from the north on the Canada Del Oro Road, almost capturing his detachment. Tevis and his men narrowly evaded capture by the Union forces. Tevis beat a hasty retreat to the south and east along the Overland Mail Route to Mesilla. Fortunately for Tevis and unfortunately for Guiardo Tevis escaped. Without a single shot being fired the Union forces again occupied Tucson., after an absence of 10 months.

On May 21st, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph R. West, 1st California Volunteer Infantry, commanding the remainder of the Advance Guard entered Tucson with five companies of Infantry and Lieutenant Jeremiah Phelan’s “Jackass Battery” consisting of two mountain howitzers on pack mules. The garrison of Tucson now established their headquarters to await the advancement of the remainder of the Union troops who were now rapidly advancing towards Tucson. The next detachment of the column, Battery A, 3rd U.S. Artillery, under command of Lieutenant John B. Shinn arrived June 2d, 1862. Colonel Carleton with his escort entered Tucson, June 6th. with a salute by the guns of Battery A, 3rd U.S. Artillery in the Main Plaza of Tucson.

The Main Plaza or Plaza de las Armas was the center of Tucson during the Spanish and Mexican Period, but after the Gadsden Treaty, and opening of the Overland Mail line in 1858, Main Street, Calle Real became the focal point of early Tucson business and also the location of the Overland Mail Station.

Colonel Carleton now entered upon the business of establishing some order in Tucson, and ordered the confiscation of property of known or suspected Southern Sympathizers. One of the first pieces of property confiscated was that the Mr. Palatine Robinson an ardent Southern Sympathizer, who had been very active in confiscating property of Union Sympathizers when the US Army abandoned southern Arizona in July 1861. Also the property of Mr. Alfred Fryer, Granville Oury, Frederick Neville, Charles Lauer and Elias Brevoort.

The property and house of Palatine Robinson, located on the east side of the Main Plaza was to become Army Headquarters in Tucson, and to remain so until 1866. Mr. Alfred Friar’s property and home located on the Calle Real (Main Street) was confiscated and it became the first Army Quartermaster Store House in Tucson. The Property of Mr. Frederick Neville, located on the road to the cultivated fields Calle de las Mission, which had on it, a Blacksmith Shop and a Carpenter Shop, which were also used by the Federal Forces as repair shops. Also during this same period, Carleton ordered the arrest of the suspected Southern sympathizers and all who remained were taken into custody. Mr. James Douglass, who had been arrested by Colonel West, tried in vain to appeal his arrest to Carleton, but to no avail. Mr. James Douglas, a Union Sympathizer, who during the time of Captain Hunters’s occupation, was harassed and even threatened to be sent to the Rio Grande in irons. Mr. Douglas hosted Captain William McCleave during his time in Tucson. McCleave had been captured at White’s Mill earlier. Also Mr. Douglas helped the nine Union Soldiers who stayed in Tucson after being paroled, to aid and comfort them in every way possible. Still Carleton had Douglass sent to Fort Yuma as a prisoner and Southern Sympathizer. Douglas wrote a letter of appeal to General Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific and Douglas was released from confinement at Fort Yuma in July 1862 and he returned to Tucson a free man.

During this time General Carleton, promoted June 22d , ordered Lieutenant Colonel Edward E. Eyre and two companies of Cavalry, Captain Fritz’s and Capt. Edward Willis to proceed to the Mowry Silver Mine and arrest Mr. Sylvester Mowry of that place. Mowry was captured without any problems, and also along with Mowry, Mr. Palatine Robinson, who happened to be visiting the Mine was also captures. After a inventory of the property and mine was completed, Capt. Fritz returned to Tucson on June 16th with 21 prisoners from the Mowry Silver Mine.

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