WEEKLY NEW MEXICAN
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1870, Page 2
LETTER FROM C.E.COOLEY
TIERRA AMARILLA, N.M. Feb. 21, 1870.
EDITORS NEW MEXICAN:
     Wilking Micawiser is defunct. "Richard is himself again." I did not go under, by the Apaches on the Gila, as reported by you last summer, but to the contrary I still live and have my hair and hope, con el favor de dios, to enjoy many bailes at Peter's before shutiling off this mortal soul. On my leaving Socorro last spring I promised to give you some items in regard to my trip to the Apache country, with Miguel, the one-eyed chief or the bloody scalper of the Carriso, which I will in a few days, but at present I will confine myself to matters of more importance to New Mexico. I have just arrived at this place from the Rio Dolores and Las Animas, and as I have learned that there is considerable excitement in Santa Fe in regard to that country. I thought perhaps, that it might be interesting to some of your readers to hear from that district. I am in company with a party from White Pine and Montana. We came here to get provisions and will return as soon as the Ute question is settled and the snow will permit us. On our arrival at Dolores, we found that the Defiance party had pulled out for Defiance for provisions. While at this place, or within fifteen miles of their cabins, the snow compelled us to fall back to the valley of the Mances. The party alluded to, have a big thing, a perfect Comstock in dimension, and I think in richness. There are many lodes in this vicinity that show very fine. We found gold in all the streams and I can Safely say that good paying placers do exist, and will be developed this summer, or as soon as the snow melts and admit prospecting.
   The party that accompanies me think the Dolores and La Plata, are destined to be one of the richest mining camps discovered for many years, and join with me in advising all who intend coming to this country, not to start with less than six months provisions, as nothing can be done until the first of May or later. We left the Las Animas the 1st inst., the valley being entirely free of snow, but the mountains were impassable. On crossing from La Plata we were caught in a terffic storm, the snow falling several feet deep, and we had to shovel out the road for many miles to get into Las Animas valley, from Las Animas to this place we had no snow. We all feel anxious about the treaty with the Utes, and hope that the 3d article of the treaty made at Conejos in 63 or 64 he inserted; if it is not done, the Utes will not allow us to go into their country.
It strikes me that Colorado has attempted to play a lone hand in this treaty, and is about to make it. And if the citizens of New Mexico stand by with their boca cerrada, I think ire had better turn things over to Brigham Young at once. Do what you can for us, and we will show you good mines muy pronto.
     I followed in on the French and Dunn party, and think they have good diggings on La Plata. They are here making preparations to return. I assume command of Camp Lowell to-morrow, and I will await the peace commission. Regards to all amigos.
Yours Truly,
C.E.COOLEY.
Note from Jack Becker: Cooley, always a favorite of the Santa Fe New Mexican, leaves us an insight into his exuberant personality, education, opportunism and genuine sincerity toward his fellow human beings.
WEEKLY NEW MEXICAN
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1870, Page 1 ARIZONA ITEMS
     We have received the ARIZONAN of the 12th inst., from which we glean the following items:
On Wednesday night, the 2d inst. a party of Indians visited Blue Water Station, broke open a passage through the wall of the corral and took away with them three mules belonging to Mr. Platte of this town, and two horses belonging to the station keepers, Messrs. Wise and Suiflin. This has been an usually daring trick, and leads some to think that these Indians have accured the services of a Mexican or American renegade who engineered the destruction of the wall.
     The establishing of a military post at the White Mountains has been settled upon, and troops are now under orders to proceed thither. The Post will be established with a force of four companies, and four additional companies will be sent as soon as practiable. Col. Green, 1st Cavaly, who was the first to recommend that a military post be established at this point, and whose subsequent representations gave the project practical importance, will be placed in command. The Colonel has given many proofs of his ability to sucessfully conduct a military movement against Indians, and here in the very heart of Apachedom, he will prove himself the right man in the right place, or we are mistaken.
WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
Saturday Morning, April 9, 1870
NEW MILITARY POST
     Captain Preston, of Gen. Ord's staff, arrived at Fort Whipple, recently, from Southern Arizona, and from him we learn that a new site for a new post, to be built near the Sierra Blanca, or White Mountains, had been selected previous to his departure from Camp Goodwin, several weeks ago. This is, certainly, a move in the right direction. Many villainous Apaches dwell in the White Mountain country and the establishment of a strong post in their midst will, most assuredly, check and have a depressing influence upon them, and also open the country to settlement.
     The new post will be about sixty-five miles northwest of Camp Goodwin, which is about one and a-half miles east of the Gila; about 200 miles southeast from Prescott, and 160 miles north of Tucson. Having pioneered it through the region of country in which it is located, we will bore our readers with a short description of it; After crossing the Gila and the valley through which it runs, the country rises gradually for about twenty miles, and a more God¬forsaken country than is passed over in these twenty miles, is not to he found in Eastern Arizona. Upon gaining the summit of the first slope from the river, and looking either north, west or south, a different country presents itself. To the north are high, grassy mesas, dotted here and there with oak and juniper trees, and, far in the distance, the pine-clad mountains in which the Prieta, the Francisco and other rivers rise. These grassy, timbered mesas extend south a considerable distance, and while following them in that direction, the eye comes in contact with the Pinal mountains, which stand between the Gila and Salt rivers, and prevent them from uniting. But, the best, most magnificent country, is to the west and northwest, in which direction vast forests of pine, and huge mountain peaks are seen. As the traveler pursues his way from the top of the first bench overlooking the Gila to the summit of the snowy Sierra Blanca Grande, as the Indians call the highest peak of the White Mountain, new beauties are seen at almost every step. The soil is exceedingly fertile, and the entire face of the country is covered with luxuriant grasses. Through it meander large streams of clear, sparkling water. Timber-pine, oak, etc.--is plenty, and the trees are large. Portions of this country may contain rich mineral deposits, but, in our travels through it, we saw but few indications to warrant that assumption. As an agricutural and grazing country, it cannot be surpassed. What is true of it is equally true of almost all the wild region lying between it and the settlements in the vicinity of Prescott. The climate is similar to that of this part of Arizona, with the difference, that the summer rains are heavier than here. The establishment of a chain of posts from the Gila to the Verde, or the building of a railroad on the route of the 35th parallel, would soon fill this fine country with industrious farmers and stock-raisers.

Note from Jack Becker: This is an extremely rare letter. It is important to remember that Fort Apache was called
Camp Ord ----------May 16, 1870
Camp Mogollon------August 1, 1870
Camp Thomas -------September 12, 1870
Camp Apache -------February 2, 1871
Fort Apache -------April 5, 1879 and thereafter
WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
August 20, 1870 THE ARMY OF ARIZONA
     Brevet-Lieutenant Colonel E.W. Stone, A.A.A.G. has placed us in possession of a copy of a neatly printed pamphlet, dated Headquarters, Prescott, August 1, 1870, and entitled "Roster of Troops serving in the Department of Arizona," most of which we copy below, for the benefit of our Territorial readers:
COMMANDER
BREVET       MAJOR-GEN.      GEO. STONEMAN
ROSTER OF TROOPS
POSTS           COMMANDING OFFICERS             TROOPS
CAMP MOGOLLON   BVT. LIEUT. JOHN GREEN L,     1st Cav.
                Maj.   1st Cavalry H, 3rd Cav. B, 21st Inf.
WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER   PRESCOTT, ARIZONA    OCTOBER 1, 1870
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE
FORT MOGOLLON, ARIZONA                September 10th, 1870
     DEAR MINER:--Here I am, at Fort Mogollon, Arizona, which is rather pleasantly situated on a fine stream of water running west, from the Sierra Blanco Mountain. Our party arrived about one o'clock to-day, after a long journey over mountains, valleys and mesas, through immense forests of pine, oak and cedar. The distance traveled will, I think, not exceed 280 miles, but, although it was not "over Jordan", it was, nevertheless, in many respects, a hard road to travel. Yet, we met with no obstacle too great to be conquered, and you may rest assuried that several obstacles were conquered. As the mail is to leave here for the white settlements, in less than an hour, I dare not undertake the task of writing a detailed account of the trip, thus far, and will forgo that "pleasure" until my arrival in Prescott.
     As you may recollect, we started from Fort Whipple, Monday, August 29th, about 11 o'clock, so you will see that we have consumed 12 days in making the trip. Until reaching this post, we saw no Indians. Here, the woods are literally filled with them, as high as fourteen hundred Reds receive rations of beef--only that and nothing more. They are said to be peaceble, bidable, traceable devils,--of all ages, and of both sexes. Have never depredated upon the post or its property,--don't even steal tobacco,--which is passing strange, for Coyotero Apaches. I have been looking around among them, in hopes of seeing some of my old 1866 chums, but have not yet succeeded in finding one, although I am told that Eskelthesela(ESH-KEL-DAH-SILAH), the head chief is here. Fort Mogollon is garrisoned by three companies of troops,--as follows: B of the 21st Infantry, and L and M, of the 1st Cavalry. The post is commanded by Col. John Green, officers and men are living in tents, and appear contented. Col. Cogswell will do his inspecting tomorrow, and so will General Stoneman and Dr. Wirtz, and we will get off, Tuesday, for Camp Goodwin, distant about 80 miles east.
     Not an accident happened to a man or an animal on the trip, and the light ambulances have stoof the jolting well; not so the two heavy wagons, parts of which broke, several times, but the broken parts were always mended by Gen. Stoneman, who understands, and knows how to do everything. Upon starting, I was a little fearful that the trip would be an unpleasant one, but I have been agreeably disappointed, and would like to make it over again. Heretofore, I have had occasion to speak well of Gen. Stoneman, Col. Cogswell and Dr. Wirtz, and my close connection with these officers on the long trip, but confirms my previously conceived opinion, that they were good officers, pleasant, humane gentleman. Mr. Kimball, of Date Creek, who made the trip with us, is well. He has proven an agreeable companion.
     The country passed over is a delightful one, in regard to climate and scenery; is well wooded, watered and grassed. But more of this hereafter. Give my respects to friends, and expect to hear from me soon again.

From Jack Becker's Collection