July 2020
Reported by Edited by Bob Mason
These are two others in a series of rare patrol reports written by the officer in charge immediately after the return to Fort McDowell. They offer a first-hand look at a soldier’s life at that location. The exact grammar and punctuation are reproduced. Parenthetical remarks are by the reporter for clarity. Some extraneous comments are omitted and indicated by “…”
Officers & Wives, Officers Quarters, Fort McDowell, 1878. Courtesy George Rothrock Collection.
H’d Qrs. Camp McDowell, A.T. (Arizona Territory)
August 22, 1870
Bvt. Lt. Col. E.W. Stone
Assistant Adjutant General
H’d Qrs Dep’t of Arizona
Colonel:
I have the honor to report that I left this Post yesterday, accompanied by Lieuts Duncan Sherman and A. Sidney Smith, and twenty (20) enlisted men of “E” Troop, First Cavalry, in pursuit of hostile Apache Indians.
I took a circuit of twenty (20) miles, in an easterly direction, and succeeded in killing one (1) Apache.
The Indians have been about the Post for several nights, and have been getting very bold.
On the night of the 20th inst., they fired arrows into several quarters in the row devoted to the Laundresses, and stole canvas and clothing, from the same places.
I think the result of this little Expedition, will have the effect of making them more cautious in coming about here.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Geo. B. Sanford
Captain 1st Cavalry, and Bvt. Lt. Col. USA
******
H’d Qr’s Camp Dowell, A. T.
December 25th, 1870
Lieut. E.W.Stone
A.Assistant Adjutant General
Department of Arizona
Sir:
I have the honor to report that pursuant to Post Order No. 202, dated Camp McDowell, A.T. Dec. 7th, 1870, I left this Post on the morning of the 8th of December, 1870, with forty (40) men of “E” Troop, 1st Cavalry, and forty (40) men of “C” Troop, 1st Cavalry and the following Officers; viz.
Captain H Moulton “C” Troop 1st Cavalry
2nd Lieut. E.H.Shelton “E” “ “ “
and A.A. Surgeon D.J.Evans U.S. Army
Encamped on the Desert twelve (12) miles north of Salt River.
Next day marched to the Gila River, where I expected to secure the services of some men who had been in the Pinal Country, to show me the supposed site of the rancheria.
Messrs. Thos. Ewing, E. Catherner, and J. R. Chambers, volunteered to accompany me, and throughout the expedition rendered every assistance in their power.
Marched from the Gila at sundown and just at daylight camped in a valley in the western slope of the Pinals.
At nightfall started again leaving the Pack train in camp with a strong guard. Marched to the summit of the mountains and about twelve (12) o’clock came to a Mescal pit which had been lately used by the Apaches.
The country being impassable for mounted men I left my horses under a guard and proceeded to explore the canyon on foot, with the remainder of the command. The rest of the night was consumed in this duty, but no rancheria was discovered, and no fresh signs of Apaches. In my opinion, they had never lived permanently in the vicinity; but had probably been hunting in that part of the country, and burning Mescal at the time when surprised by the party of citizens, in regard to whom I wrote you some weeks since. They then undoubtedly left for some warmer section; as it would hardly be possible for them to remain in so cold a place, without building permanent winter huts.
The next evening I crossed the canyon of Mineral Creek, and camped in Mason’s Valley at Capt. Netterville’s post.The next day – Dec. 14th – I left camp with about seventy (70) of the command, leaving most of the Pack mules behind, as they were very weak, owing to the severity of the weather, and the rough trail they had been traveling.
Captain Netterville, 21st Infantry, volunteered to accompany the command.
Marched through an extremely rough mountainous country, crossed several bad canyons, the worst of which was that on the head of the Rio Pinto. Discovered no fresh signs of Indians, except in one canyon, where an Apache had built a small fire at sometime previous. Struck Pinal Creek, and camped.
A very heavy rain and snow storm had now set in rendering the traveling extremely bad.
Marched through the Pinal Range during the next day, and the day after, making poor progress on account of the snow storm, which was blinding in the extreme, – the men and animals suffering terribly form its effects.
No signs of Apaches were seen; in fact, no Apaches could live in such a country, at this season of the year. Not even the nearest mountain peaks were visible, and it was extremely difficult to travel at all, as the country was so cut up with canyons.
Reached Captain Netterville’s camp on the evening of the 17th of December.
From there, I had expected to return by way of Pinal and Tonto Creeks; but the snow rendered it impossible. Not a mule or horse in the command would have survived it. I therefore explored the Mineral Creek Canyon to near the mouth of Shady River, where the Grant trail strikes Mineral Creek, and then proceeded towards the Gila, where I rested my horses over night and reached Camp McDowell, Dec. 23rd, 1870.
I am satisfied that the Apaches have all left the country through which I traveled, for the winter. They are probably in the San Carlos country, which is of a much milder climate.
Both the men and animals attached to this Expedition suffered very severely, and all worked hard to secure success.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant,
Geo. B. Sanford
Captain, 1st Cavalry
Commanding Expedition and Post
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