Victorio decides to head south after Ojo Caliente.

While traveling down the Animas River, the band encounters a militia made up of miners in between Kingston and Silver City.

Ten of the Americans are killed and about fifty horses captured in another short engagement, Victorio now continues south into Las Animas Canyon, in the Black Range, where he positions his warriors cunningly.

The first significant battle of the conflict is about to be fought.

There are several different accounts of the event but what is known is that on September 18 of 1879, Victorio is encamped at the canyon when two companies of cavalry under Captain Byron Dawson discover them.

About seventy-five men altogether, the Americans are apparently lured into the canyon by either an Apache woman or two warriors who open fire on them as they head down Las Animas Creek near the junction with the canyon.

Victorio's forces, numbering at least sixty men, are positioned atop of a ridge overlooking Las Animas Canyon and the adjoining Massacre Canyon.

When the Americans are inside, the Apaches open fire with their rifles and bows; the soldiers take cover behind boulders and other natural defenses.

Two other companies from the 9th cavalry are in the area and proceed to the battlefield.

When the reinforcements enter the canyon, Victorio's warriors cease firing until the Americans begin a flanking maneuver towards the ridge.

Victorio's men then open fire again and repulse the attack.

Long range skirmishing continues for the remainder of the day, and that night the Americans retreat.

Accounts of casualties differ but at least five soldiers were killed and several wounded.

Navajo Scouts also played a role in the battle; two or three are known to have been killed and are buried among the thirty-two graves at the site.

Thirty-six army horses were also killed, while Victorio's losses were negligible.

Three American soldiers will receive the Medal of Honor for courage under heavy fire: Lieutenant Robert Temple Emmet, Lieutenant Mathias Day and Sergeant John Denny.

Lieutenant Day will receive the medal for disregarding Captain Dawson's order to retreat so as to save wounded soldiers who would have been left behind.

Denny had done the same and carried one man back to friendly lines under accurate fire from the ridgeline.

Dawson will later be relieved of his company by his commander Colonel Edward Hatch.