Broadside Announcing The Killing Of Victorio And His Warriors By Mexican Troops.

S. P. CARPENTER

Publication: S P Carpenter, October 23, 1880, Mesilla, NM

Original Printed Broadside. 6.75"x9.5". HERALD EXTRA. Special Dispatch to THE HERALD. Under this Headline and sub-Headline, the broadside reads as follows: "Mesilla, N. M., Oct. 23rd. Editor Herald, Silver City; Gen. Buell has just received the following information from Col. Terrasses, officially. On the afternoon of the 14th inst., attacked Victorio's band in the Costillo Mountains, Mexico. He fortified himself, I surrounded him. Next morning by simultaneous attack took his position, leaving Victorio and 60 warriors and 18 women and children dead; 68 women and children and 2 captives, prisoners. Recovered 180 animals. All the arms and plunder also left in our possession. My loss 3 killed and 12 wounded. (Signed) TERRASSES. Gen. Buell withdrew his troops from Mexican soil at request of Col. Terrasses, on the 11th inst. S. P. Carpenter." Taken from Victorio, Apache Warrior And Chief, by Kathleen P. Chamberlain, the following provides an excellent overview of the events announced in the Broadside: "By September, Terrazas realized Victorio was heading deeper into Chihuahua. The general stopped in the village of Boracho for supplies, and there he encountered Colonel Buell and a regiment of Ninth Cavalry under Charles Schaeffer. Buell had the(Victorio's) route back to the United States sealed tight. Now, however, Terrazas decided to finish the pursuit himself. He thanked the Americans for their efforts, but informed them brusquely that further intrusion into Chihuahua was not desired. He bid them a safe journey home. The general also sent Baylor's Texas Rangers packing, much to their disappointment. Reluctantly, Buell and Baylor gave up the chase and made an about-face. Afterward, Terrazas loaded up on supplies and picked up Victorio's trail again. According to historian Joseph A. Stout, Terrazas knew approximately where the hostiles were and how many warriors Victorio had in his arsenal. That he did not intend to permit the Americans to purloin his glory largely agrees with Buell's contemporary assessment of the situation. To kill the notorious Victorio would give the middle-aged military officer considerable popularity in Chihuahua City. Combined with his already remarkable military reputation, such accolades could readily translate into political influence and wealth....Terrazas lost three men at Tres Castillos. The Apaches lost seventy-eight people, sixty-two of them warriors and the rest women and children. The two recovered Mexican boys--Felix Carrillo and Felipe Padilla, both from New Mexico--were eventually returned to the United States. The civilian militia members and soldiers scalped all seventy-eight Apaches for the bounties--Victorio's brought 2,000 pesos--and captured sixty-eight women and children to sell into slavery." A rare and important, early announcement of the killing of the famous Apache chief, Victorio. Fragile, with some chipping to blank edges, not affecting text. Top edge reinforced with tape on verso. Very good-near fine.

Inventory Number: 53168