low zero in the winter time, wood was an object of prime necessity. The alamo furnished the whole supply of this material, and the extent of the Bosque Redondo, or Round Woods, was only sixteen miles long by half a mile wide in the widest place, and for several miles affording only a few scattered trees, which were by no means thick even in the densest portions. When we arrived the weather was very cold, with eight inches of snow upon the ground, and the first duty was to "hut in" the command. This was accomplished in a short time, after which rude but serviceable stables were put up, a hospital, quartermaster's and commissary's stores built, and the other requisite shelters erected.
Scarcely had these precautions been taken before we received an invoice of five hundred Apaches, including the leading warriors of the Mescalero tribe, their women and children, and a few of the chief Jicarillas. These were the savages who had so long held Dog Cañon, and defied all attempts to force a passage through that renowned stronghold. Capt. McCleave, of company A, First Cavalry California Volunteers, determined to "give it a try;" and having obtained permission, soon succeeded in routing and completely demoralizing the savages, who fled to Fort Stanton for shelter and protection, closely pursued by McCleave and his company—so closely, in fact, that the Apaches saw no other means of escape from certain destruction except to deliver themselves up as prisoners of war to Col. "Kit" Carson, at that time in charge of Fort Stanton, with four companies of infantry and one of native New Mexican cavalry. Carson informed McCleave that the Indians had placed themselves under his protection, subject to the disposal of the General commanding; upon which McCleave withdrew, not over-pleased with the result, although he had whipped them handsomely in Dog Cañon.
