New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-12-28
The Horrible Massacre OF indians by the
santa Fe Battalion.


Corespo 5ence OF the st. Louis Reyeiils.
Fosr MAsS. Arkansas River, Sov. %. 1871.
We had quite a melee out here on the Afternoon
OF the l6ch the particuiarsoi which are as ioNo"S
About 8 O'Clock Ia the afternoon, some vi our men
deserted party OF Indians coming down The Nights
opposite the tort, on the other side OF the nser.
Not knowing what their intention might be, Capt.
Peltxer, then Ia command, ordered the troops %
beat "to arms" BY this time the Indians bad
crossed the river, ard encamped about nile DC
low the fort. They were over one hundred In mum
Der. Their chief and three Others advanced toward
us with y white flag when they were met oy Capt.
Psltzer. company &, and Lieut.. futile, company L
and embraced in the warmest manner, when they
all returned u the fort alternately smoking the
pipe OF peace Capt Peltzer alone smoking with
them Captain Peltzcr took them around outside
the quarters showing them one thing or another ia
the meantime firing oil ono OF the brass pieces,
which appeared not 10 dIscOncert them IN the least
AT the report about sixty came up--a council Of
the officers had been held, 10 decide upon some
measures to be taken. the conclusion Of which was
70 take them all prisoners. After stroling about
outside for some time, they induced them 10 enter
the fort which they readily consented 70, and
seated themselves in a circle inside The guard
was then ordered to bring in few who had re
NAMED outside but they became alarmed at this
movement, and one OF them, who had oeen taken
In by the guard. as he approached the cucic,
harapeued for few moments, when they all rush
ed simultaneously for the gate. We were now
ordered To fire on them--those Who had their guns
loaded did 80, and the balance commenced loading
and firing. A number OF our men we're outside Of
the fort at the time and without their guns and Ia
their hurry 10 reach these they rushed into the
fort exposing themselves to the fire Of our own
men, and it seems almost miraculous that not one
OF them was hurt.
The Indians were pursued some two miles from
the fort when returned Three were shot down
the first volley we tired-one killed, the other two
wounded. Three were In Capt Pelizers quarters
ut the time, one OF them however, endeavorod I"
effect his escape by rushing out OF the room through
the gate, and had SO far succeeded as TO get about
ffty yards from the fort, when he was shot down
Amid this confusion and excitement shot was
fred by one Of the remaining Indians III the room
but without doing any damage. Inc guard then
commenced firing ia them from the door and
window OF the room where they were concealed
and the Indians to prevent being too plainly SEEN
commenced throwing on the hire such materials ms
came Ia their way such as officers cloaks, coats
uniforms. &c. TO smother 1t. One OF them had en-
cased himself in arterymans uniform, hoping
by this mt ans to effect his escape but to no effect
they were perfectly rddled with balls, as also were
the clothing and effects OF the officers who occo'
pied the quarters. There were IN all Jour Killed,
two taken prisoners, and some hiteen or twenty
wounded. They were party ct Pawnees' sup
posed to be the same that has troubled our trains
90 much this last Summer. 1t might be well here
To state that Capt Koscisowski and Lieut. Tuitle,
who were opposed to bringing them into he Tort
did not participate In any Of the proceedings
otherwise than obeying positive orders OF Captain
Psltxer who then in command
Gen. Price, Maj. Beall, Lieut. Prince aud escort
arrived here on the 10th. and were received with
military donors. They remained here but few
hours, being en- route for Santa Fe Col Giipin
with two mounted com panies LEFT here on the 9th
for the Big Timber, about one hundred miles from
here Yours truly Nc. X
The 81. LOUIS Nee Era publishes an account Of
this atrocious massacre similar to the above, and
adds:
We have other letters and accounts IN addition
10 and confirmatory Of the above We are satisfied
that whatever blame attaches TO anybody rests on
Capt Peltzer. We have reason TO believe that he
was strongly advised to refuse the Indians adms-
sion into the fort bat he utterly disregar'ed such
counsel AS one writer suggests "Only think OF 10
An officer advancing toward the Chieis-acknowl-
edging the white hsg-smoking the pipe Of peace
exchanging embrsces-and not two hours after fall.
ing upon aud sls, ing bis guestsw
A letter before US says -" w have two Indian
prisoners In confinement one has entirely re
covered from his wounds the others leg is severe.
" broken below the knee, and probably will have
To be anputated. Col Gilpin is expected Ia eight
or ten days with an interpreter from the Indians
We may get Information of the whereabouts OF
their comrades when probably we shall puriue
them they being Pswneesl and have brush with
them