The Diaries of John Gregory Bourke Volume 1: November 20, 1872--July 28, 1876

Chapter 2 • Meeting Cochise

55 January 1st 1873. New Year’s. Remained in Camp McDowell January 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, D[itt]o. Genl. Crook arrived January 2d. Remained until January 5th when he returned to Grant. He was accompanied by Mason McCoy, his chief of scouts for Southern Arizona. January 3d Adam and Montgomery came in with their commands and were ordered, January 4th to report to Maj Brown for duty. January 5th Indian captives sent to Grant. January 6th An expedition under command of Maj Brown, left McDowell at 4 P.M. Consisting of Maj W.H. Brown 5th Cav. “C” 5th Cav Capt Adams “B” 5th Cav “ Montgomery “H” 5th Cav “ Hamilton “L” 5th Cav “ Taylor “G” 5th Cav “ Burns “M” 5th Cav 1st Lieut Almy 1st Lieut C.H. Rockwell with Co “L” 2 Lieut W.S. Schuyler with Co “B” Chapter 2 ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Meeting Cochise 56 ARIZONA: 1872–1875 2 Lieut E.L. Keys with Co. “C” 2 Lieut W.J. Ross, A.D.C. 2 Lieut John G. Bourke, A.D.C. James Dailey went as Volunteer Bacon Chawers. A. McIntosh Guide Jos. Felmer Guide Antonio Besias Interpreter 30 Apache Indians under Esqui-mas-quin or “Bocon.” Messers Bartlett, Frank Monach and Chenowith in charge of packtrains . Assist Surgeon J.B. Girard U.S.A. Surgeon twenty days’ Rations. Left Camp McDowell, A.T., Monday, January 6th 1873 travelled South South East x South for 2 miles, South South East x East for half a mile, crossed Rio Verde, flowing at this point South South East, passed down the river and camped on its right bank in an open flat. Country passed through to-day was an open plain, covered with brush. We brought with us some Indian captives to act as guides. Weather charming. Distance 3 1/2 miles Captain Montgomery of the Rear Guard brought in news that the Eastern papers contain an account of the death of Capt F. Stanwood, 3rd Cavalry. Thursday Jan 7th 1873. Broke Camp 8.30 a.m. Marched South East 1 1/2 mile, passing at end of one mile the South East corner post of the U.S. Mil. Reservation of McDowell. Rio Verde still running South South East. Weather fine. Sky cloudless. Turned South, marched 5 miles, crossed the Rio Salado, here flowing East North East and West South West, turned East North East moving along left Bank of River 2 miles and camped. Distance to day 8 or 9 miles. The Command stretches along over a great distance, being 46 minutes passing a given point. Location of camp, a bottom land, with rolling country in close proximity. Wednesday, January 8th 1873. Broke camp 7.45 Marched East South East 2 miles, marched [in a] South East/North East [line] 1/2 mile. MEETING COCHISE 57 Entered an arroyo, which we followed going about due South (East about 5º or 6º) for 2 miles, sides growing higher, turned East about 3/4 miles. Marched around high Peak on our left turned South East again & went about 2 or 3 miles with a little if any inclination to East South East. Made a total distance of about 10 miles or perhaps 11 miles, the last mile being over rolling grass land (the arroyo having terminated). Halted to allow packs to close up. Passed some tanks in rock, about 8 miles from last night’s camp. Weather fine. Marched North North East about 3 miles and in a general northerly direction about as many more. Came down into a little arroyo, surrounded by high hills, with a feeble stream of water flowing North. Camped. Wood, water and Grass. Distance to day about 15 miles Two men deserted early this morning taking with them arms & horses. Thursday, January 9th 1873. Broke camp 9 am, march down cañon, going north one and half-mile, came to junction of another cañon flowing from South East. Water in tanks at Junction. Went South East about 300 yds then East, over a little divide, one mile turned North, country now quite rugged. [W]ent in the new direction 2 miles, [k]eeping to right of a little red sandstone butte. Marched across little mountain, turn East, went one mile turned North, went about half mile, then a nearly East course (by North) for a distance of 2 miles. Halted on a bend of Rio Salado, which here flows South and makes an abrupt...