Fight in Dog Canyon cost Fort Bliss 3 troopers

Back during the early days, when Fort Bliss was Downtown, word arrived that Apaches had stolen several head of cattle plus three mules from San Elizario. So on Jan. 31, 1859, Lt. Henry M. Lazelle and 30 men from Company D left Fort Bliss. After riding 20 miles to San Elizario, they were joined by a guide and an interpreter. The Indians now had a three-day start, heading north on what was known during those days as the "Old Salt Trail." But riding hard, they covered 165 miles in seven days, finally arriving at the entrance of Dog Canyon, 12 miles south of present-day Ala mo gordo. Here the soldiers cocked their wea pons, spurred their horses, and rode a little quicker. For 2 miles, Company D followed a winding, rock-strewn trail, a narrow and treacherous pathway oftentimes forcing the soldiers to dismount, and at other times to squeeze by single file while remaining on horseback. Before long, every man at the ready, the troopers emerged onto a broad plain surrounded by high mountains. Facing them were 30 armed Apaches, the Indians raising a white flag and asking to talk. All discussions were fruitless, however, so later that night Lazelle led 22 men to where he could see the Indian encampment, and perhaps devise a strategy for attack. That was the good news. The bad news was that the Apaches not only outnumbered the troopers 3-1, they also had control of the high ground...read more