FORT YUMA. 145 
I was desirous to take the body of Colonel Craig 
to Fort Yuma for burial with military honors; but Dr. 
Webb pronounced this impracticable, owing to its rapid 
decomposition, as it would require two, if not three, 
days to reach that place. A deep grave was, therefore, 
dug in the desert near our camp, and a few rods from 
the margin of the great basin. At sunset, when the 
mules had received their packs, the wagons had been 
loaded, and the party were ready to move, a proces- 
sion was formed, and the mortal remains of our excel- 
lent and much beloved friend, borne upon a cot by 
four soldiers, were consigned to his lonely grave. I 
read on the occasion the burial service of the Church 
of England. There was neither mound, rock, nor tree — 
to mark the spot ; a dreary solitude reigned around us, 
uninterrupted by asingle object, save the animals and 
men belonging to the party. Even the wind had died 
away ; and in the silence that accompanied our sad and 
solitary rites, Wolfe’s beautiful lines on the burial of 
Sir John Moore involuntarily suggested themselves to 
every mind. 
In order that the spot might be identified, a 
Wooden cross was erected at the head of the grave, on 
which was inseribed: 
‘LIEUT. COL. L. 8 CRAIG, U.S A. 
Died June 6, 1852.” «| ais 
dered to Colonel Magruder. After much delay, arising out of the ques- 
tion whether they should be tried by a military court martial or by the 
Civile courts, they were finally tried, condemned, and hanged at San 
Diego, in presence of a yast multitude, among which were many 
Indians. The murderers were both Englishmen, and are said to have 
been deserters from the British army. : 
VOL. 1,—19 
