[Inclosure in No. 152.]
Mr. Jackson to Mr.
Mariscal.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, February 15,
1886.
Sir: Under instruction from my Government, I
have the honor to submit to your excellency the following statement of
facts: On the 10th ultimo a detachment of troops from the Army of the
United States, operating in Mexico against the hostile Chiricahua
Indians, under command of Captain Crawford, of the Third Cavalry, after
attacking and routing the enemy, who had been found in position about 50
miles to the southwest of Nacori and 1 mile north of the Ara River, or
Rio Grande, went into camp. At daylight the next morning they were
attacked by a large force of Mexican soldiers from Chihuahua, and
although every effort was made by the waving of handkerchiefs and by the
calling out in Spanish that the camp was occupied by American troops, a
sharp fire was continued tor about fifteen minutes, when Captain
Crawford with two or three other officers, fully uniformed, advanced
into the open, bearing a flag of truce. They were met by a party of the
Mexicans, and in open field and in clear view of both camps a conference
was held, in which Captain Crawford announced his nationality, name, and
rank, and gave and received assurance that the firing should cease.
Despite of this assurance, however, and immediately thereafter, fire was
reopened by the Mexicans on Captain Crawford and his little group of
officers, which resulted in the death of the former and the wounding of
Mr. Horn. By this time the uniformed officers were distinctly visible,
it being broad daylight.
Lieutenant Mans, who was left in command of the detachment after the
death of Captain Crawford, in making an official report of this
unfortunate affair, uses the following strong language:
“There can be no mistake; these men knew they were firing at American
soldiers at this time * * * Lieutenant Ship and Mr. Horn were shouting,
telling who we were; that all was right. Mr. Horn speaks Spanish very
well. * * * I am sure they knew who we were perfectly well at this time.
* * * When I turned again I saw the Captain (Crawford) lying on the
rocks with a wound in his head and some of his brains upon the rocks. *
* * He was said to be waving his handkerchief when shot. * * * The
result of this unfortunate affair was a loss to us of Captain Crawford,
Third Cavalry, mortally wounded Mr. Horn, chief of scouts, slightly, two
Indian scouts slightly, and one seriously.”
From the report of Lieutenant Maus, it would seem that the second volley
fired by the Mexicans in broad daylight, after the conference had been
held in the open, field, when the nationality and friendly mission of
Captain Crawford’s party had been plainly announced, and the white
signal of a parley had been displayed, was not simply inexcusable, but
was an act of grievous wrong.
I am therefore instructed to ask of your excellency that a searching
examination be made into the facts of this deplorable occurrence, with a
view to locating the responsibility therefor.
I beg to renew to your excellency the assurance, &c.
