successfully was accomplished under the advice of Kit Carson.  Each man in the pursuing party felt that the simple fact that Kit Carson’s eagle eye and experienced hand watched and guided their movements was a guaranty of certain and ample success.  Hence, the labor of the long chase and the demands upon their personal skill, activity and courage made by the necessities of the fight, were all met with that kind of readiness and determination which seldom fails to make the soldier invincible.  Every man in that party knew well that an Indian chase with Kit Carson for a leader, meant fight and win success or die.

In referring to this adventure Kit Carson, when speaking of the gallant men who accompanied him, said, “They all proved themselves to be men of the very best material.”

Unfortunately, two of this gallant party have since fallen by the hands of these same Apache warriors.  One of these was Sergeant Holbrook, a brave man, a skillful soldier and a noble friend.  He was one who adorned his profession of arms and who was an honor to the country whose uniform he wore.  He was killed at the well known battle of Ceneguilla while bravely fighting against overwhelming odds.  This battle was fought in New Mexico in the year 1854.  In it, a company of United States dragoons were worsted and cut to pieces by a greatly superior force of these Indians who succeeded in drawing them into an ambuscade.

The other person referred to as having been since killed by this tribe of Apaches was a brave and experienced trapper, well known throughout the range of Indian depredations as a fearless and dangerous adversary.  His name was William New.  He was literally murdered at Rayado by these Apaches.  This occurred only a few months after he had formed one of the party to pursue and recover the animals stolen from their ranche.  When he was attacked, New was engaged tilling the soil on his own farm.  The rascally Indians surrounded him before he became aware of their presence.  Having an empty rifle with him, he succeeded, for some time, in keeping his assailants at bay, by pretending that the piece was loaded and pointing it at the foremost warrior as if he intended to fire it.  The savages, however, finally discovered the truth and immediately made a rush upon him.  A most desperate fight ensued, for William New, even thus defenceless, was not one who would yield up his life without a struggle.  He made almost superhuman efforts to effect his escape, using the rifle as a club; wound after wound was given him in rapid succession in return for the desperate blows which he dealt with the rifle.  His efforts, however, proved futile.  Gradually the red blood was gathered from his body and drank up by the soil to which he looked for the sustenance of himself and family, until finally, he sank upon the ground fainting from its loss, literally covered from head to foot with frightful wounds.  Thus died one more of the sparse race of original mountaineers, now fast passing away, bravely meeting the fate that has hitherto usually awaited this band of fearless men.