July 1, 1865; Organ, New Mexico: Lt, James J. Billings, after being promoted from sergeant in the Second California Cavalry, was posted to Company H, First California Cavalry, at Fort Craig, along the Jornada del Muerto in New Mexico Territory. In June Capt. Lewis F. Samburn directed Billings to lead a nine-man detachment on an Indian scout. The determined second lieutenant marched from Fort Craig into the San Andres Mountains. On 1 July, near San Andreas Pass, about twenty miles north of present-day Organ, New Mexico, Billings discovered and attacked an Apache camp. Pvt. Abner H. Lull was severely wounded in the groin, and one army horse was killed, but Billings reported killing ten Indians. The patrol returned to Fort Craig after a march of nearly 600 miles.
