The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-17
From the ST Louis Union, Sept. TO-
FROM THE PLAINS.

rhOh 4 TIE El-hlNo. ... .. .........
We were highly grati6ed last evening, with half
hours conversation with Messrs. Robert M, Ew-
ing, Of Louisville, and Z. Hewitt, both recently
from the plains. The former Of these two gentle
men passed through this city, some months since,
in company with Messrs. Jacobs and Bryant the
party being In search Of adventure in the far off
plains of the west.
At Independence, it was their intention to attach
themselves TO a company of emigrants, 10 be COM
manded by Governor Boggs. This company, how
ever, iell under the command of Colonel VIM. II.
huSseil, owing to a false report that the MomOns
would sacrifice 1t, If commanded by Gov. Boggs-
ma TO this company the gentlemen referred 10 above
as well as Gov. Boggs himself, eventually became
| attached.
We shall not be able to follow our adventures
through the trials and disappointments which, for
many hundred miles, encountered their path. Suf-
nee II, that enough Of heart burnngs as well as less
ayoidable evils, harassed them until they arrived at
Ash Hollow, on the Blue, about Ave hundred miles
from Independence. Here, Col Russell for the
second time, resigned his command, and the party
struck of into subdivisions. We should have sta
ted that on leaving Indian creek near independence,
the number Of wagons was seventy-6ye, drawn by
oxen. ...". ~ .. -
With twelve or fifteen persons in company,
Messrs. Ewing and Hewitt started off on mules,
from Ash Hollow; Messrs. Jacobs and Bryant, re-
naming with Col. Russell, who in a day or two,
also started on mules-the destination Of both par
lies being Fort Laramie on the south fork Of the
Platte. The party Of Russell, Jacobs, and Bryant,
consisted Of eight men. t'
Al Fort Bernard, near Fort Laramie, our inform
ants fell in with an American who had been trader
long time with the Navsjos, in New Mexico.
The name OF this gentleman was Conn He per-
suaded our Adventures to Join him. as he was about
TO start for his old trading haunts. They assented
On the 4th Of July they had reached Big Timber
creek, near Larame's Peak, and here they cele.
IeI ha.y a.. III
whiskey which Mr. Conn had had eorked for three
years, lending It's aid tc enliyen the occasion. From
Big Timber the party proceeded TO Fort Peubla
and thence to place called Hardscrabble, in New
Mexico. This is a settlement, half Indian, half
white, and here fandango among the means
OF relief and recreation, after long and dangerous
travel AT Hardscrabble the party learned the dan
ger Of penetrating Mexico farther and resolved to
return. They set out, and reached Bents fort,
one hundred and ten miles distant, Just as Capt
Moore had arrived from the United States
Ater remaining at the fort days, they start
ed, IN company with some other gentlemen about
to return to the United States, some wagoners, and
eleven sick volunteers in all about thirty men, with
ten empty provision wagons. On reaching Salt
Marsh, some distance on this side OF Bents fort,
three Of the party, Messrs. Ewing, Hewitt, and
Fay-tho latter an ltaian-dashed of to cross the
marsh, sixteen miles in extent at full speed the
prairie flies were excessively annoying to their
horses. By this means they became separated from
heir party, and Eel in with number Of lodges Of
Cheyennes. These Indians are, at this time, hostile
TO the whites, but occasionally show prudence
enough conceal their hostility Previous to getting
through the marsh, Mr.. Fay had stopped to shoot
wolf, and suddenly found himself beset by two
Cheyennes. They mensced, but did not njure him,
as he was well armed. On the arrival Of the man
company at the Cheyenne village, the utmost good
feeling assumed with regard 10 the visiters and
a trade was immediately struck up for moccasInt
and triDkets. The parties on either side manifested
friendship, and thus parted.
When near Chouteau's island, which lies in the
Arkansas, Mr.. WIN. L. Swan, a gentleman of the
party, discovered that horse belonging to him was
missing. Taking fine animal belonging to Mr.,
Geo. Clark, Of this city, he mounted and went in
pursuit. After returning on their trail some miles,
he came up with the horse, and returned with him
to where the main body was encamped. The
shades Of evening had closed in and he had arrived
within seventy yards Of the camp, when the reports
Of two guns were heard. The persons in camp had
no means Of asoeraining the real state of affairs be-
fore morning, when MIR. Swan was found lying
dead on his back, having been shot through the
heart. The alarmed horse had apparently fed in
the direction he had come, and there were the
foot prints OF four persons in pursuit. The horse
eventually was taken by wagon master, ninety
miles distant, and returned to the party. Mr.. Swan
WIS buried in the plains, The persons who muir
dered him were believed TO be Cheyennes, though
they had attempted by signs to convey the impress
sion that they were Cumanches.
At Cow creek the party were again attacked by
large party, The intention of the assailants seemed
to be the driving off of stock. In this attempt one
lost his life from the rifle Of Mr. Ewing, and it was
thought two others were killed. In this affair three
very fine mules belonging to a gentleman of the com.
pany, were stolen.
For the rest of the route the party met with
little molestation, and arrived at Independence in
safety.