Thus it will be seen that the main village of these Apaches and Utahs fell into the hands of the Americans.  It proved to be rich in plunder, for it contained all their stock of dried buffalo meat, besides other provisions.  Also several cart-loads of robes, saddles, weapons, ropes, skins, blankets, trinkets and camp equipage.  Most of this property was collected and destroyed by fire, being of little use to the command, whose means of conveyance was limited to their own actual wants.  The number of Indians killed in this surprise has been variously estimated, as has been also the number of the red men on the ground when the carnage commenced; but all agree that this was the severest blow these savages had ever received.

Among the many other objects of curiosity found by the victors, was a “Medicine lodge,” which had, from appearance, but recently been in full blast.  It was highly (and to Indian eyes it must have been very artistically) decorated, and contained all the emblems and symbols of witchcraft.  If sickness was to be frightened away, or even coaxed to dethrone itself from the afflicted, there was sufficient in this temple of the Indian gods, seemingly, to have answered either purpose.  Some potentate of the magnitude of a great chief had, evidently, but a few hours since, been its occupant; for, in his hurry to desert the premises, on hearing the music of the white man’s rifle, he had forgotten his beautiful head-dress of feathers, and other articles pertaining to his wardrobe, which designated to the captors his high rank.  Perhaps, and the surmise may not be far out of the way, this chief was suffering from a gun-shot wound inflicted in a recent fight by his pale-faced enemy, and having received one of their most dangerous potions of lead, he was not anxious for another, and therefore made his escape with the activity of a well man.

In this expedition, a company of artillery,[11] who have before been described, doing duty as infantry, performed a feat that will compare well with anything of the same kind on record.  These men, under the command of Lieutenant Beall, who shared all the privations of his soldiers, marched on foot through a mixture of mud and snow, nearly ankle deep, over an uneven country, from the Mosco Pass in the Valley of San Luis, to the head-waters of the Arkansas River, a distance which is computed at eighty-five miles, in thirty-six hours, including all their stoppages.  This company had been long celebrated as being expert marksmen, therefore, their services were much needed when the Indian village was discovered.  Although nearly broken down with fatigue, yet as soon as the electrifying news of the enemy being so near at hand reached them, it seemed to inspire them with new vigor.  They dashed ahead, and gallantly led the van in this assault which terminated so favorably to the side of the Americans.

[Footnote 11:  D Company, 2d Regiment U. S. Artillery.]