Edited by Bob Mason
This is one in a series of rare patrol reports written by the officer in charge immediately after the return to McDowell. They offer a first-hand look at a soldier’s life at that location in the 1860s.The exact grammar and punctuation are reproduced. Parenthetical remarks are by the author for clarity.
Camp McDowell, A.T. (Arizona Territory
March 30th, 1870
To The
Post Adjutant
Camp McDowell, A.T.
Sir:
I have the honor to report that in compliance with P.O. No. 41 dated Camp McDowell, A.T. March 14, 1870, I left this Post on the same day with thirty men of “E” Troop 1st Cavalry, and about two hundred and fifty Pima and Maricopa Indians.
The party reached Camp Reno on the 16th inst., and were immediately discovered by the Apaches, who had put up signals on the Mazatzal and Sierra Ancha, which were quickly answered by smokes (smoke signals) from the Salt River range and the Pinal Mountains.
A party were immediately sent in the direction of the nearest smoke, but on reaching it the Apaches were found to have escaped.
On the morning of the 17th, a party of soldiers and Pimas exchanged a number of shots into the Apaches who were patroled on a high mountain, and made their escape as soon as the men advanced on them.
On the evening of the 18th the command came across fresh signs of Apaches in the valley of the Tonto Creek. The Pack train was left behind in a secure place under a Guard, and the command followed the trail, which led to the summit of the four peaks.
About midnight an extremely severe storm of snow, rain and hail, set in, lasting all that night and the next day until night. The wind blew with the force of a hurricane, and at times it was utterly impossible to make headway against it. The command however succeeded in struggling on, and reached the summit about 3 A.M. Discovered two Rancherias (Apache camping and crop sites), which had been lately abandoned. The Indians whose track we were following, evidently being spies to report our approach.
At daylight we descended the mountains again; but, on reaching the valley discovered a smoke on the top of the mountains near the canyon of Salt River. We again traveled up the mountain with all possible speed; but were unable to reach the Apaches, and about 2 P.M. descended and encamped near the mouth of Tonto Creek (present Roosevelt Dam location), having been in the saddle twenty hours, during one of the severest storms I ever experienced in this Territory.
The ground was now a perfect bog, and traveling nearly impossible, but all that could be done in searching the canyons, was thoroughly performed. The Apaches however succeeded in keeping constant watch of our movements, and by signal fires, gave notice of our direction.
On the 22nd we returned to Camp McDowell. The Indians, during the scout, exerted themselves to the utmost to reach the Apaches, but by crossing the mountains to Camp Reno in the daytime, gave notice of their presence, after which the Apaches were continually on their Guard.
This was done in opposition to my wishes and advice, and also that of Antonio Aziel – Chief of the Pima.
The Indians however crossed the mountains without waiting for orders.
The total distance traveled during the Expedition, was about two hundred miles.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Geo. B. Sanford
Captain 1st Cavalry and Bvt. Lt. Col. U.S.A.
Commanding “E” Troop, and Expedition
Bob Mason is the author of “MORE Verde Valley Lore,” a collection of stories about historical events and personalities of this area and “The Burning,” a novel based on the lives of a pioneer family on the banks of the Verde River. His book is available at the Cave Creek Museum and the River of Time Museum in Fountain Hills.
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