It is within my province fully to attest to the earnestness, the savageness and the brutality with which these Indians commenced this contest.  I was then stationed in their country and came very near being one of their first victims.  The circumstances of this narrow escape happened as follows.  For a considerable length of time the post to which I was then attached, was kept in a constant state of excitement by receiving authentic accounts, daily, of murders and robberies committed by the Indians.  While these events were transpiring, the officers and soldiers were anxious to take the field in order that they might punish the perpetrators of the crimes; but, as the force of the Indians was, numerically speaking, very strong, therefore it required, in order to insure success, a well organized command to match them and checkmate their plans at once.  It required time and much labor for the officers in charge of the military district to arrange and complete their plans.  Every man who left our post ran the risk of losing his life; for, the enemy kept an eye on the road which led away from it to the principal towns of New Mexico, as often there was rich booty, for them to obtain, passing over it.  Notwithstanding this critical state of affairs, express duty had to be performed, and it required brave men for the task.  There were present, however, those who stood ready to volunteer to execute all express orders.  Before proceeding with our own case, we will illustrate these critical times.  It was necessary to dispatch an expressman to Fort Union.  This post, from Fort Massachusetts, was one hundred and fifty miles distant.  The ever faithful Mexican, Armador Sanchez, was then attached to Fort Massachusetts as a hunter and interpreter.  On account of extensive experience with the habits and customs of the hostile Indians, Armador was selected to perform this dangerous mission.  In his usually quiet manner, this noble hunter soon prepared himself for the undertaking.  By using every precaution, he reached his point of destination in safety.  Having finished up his business, he instantly began his homeward-bound journey.  While on the rough trail which leads from Fort Union to Taos, he came near being surprised and captured by the enemy, under the following circumstances.  Armador had selected the night as the safest time to travel; and, as it was quite dark, in order to pick out his way and prevent his growing sleepy by riding, he traveled on foot and led his animal.  He had made good progress on his journey when suddenly his hunter-trained ear detected a noise on ahead of him which sounded like the rolling of stones down the side of the hills, over which the trail ran.  He stopped and listened more attentively.  This time he was certain that he was not deceived, and thought that he could hear voices singing Indian war songs.  This was convincing proof to him that danger was near at hand; therefore he turned off from the trail and led his animal as high up the steep