The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-15


In the interim between Fremonts second and third ex
petitions, Carson had settled himself Taos and had
begun to farm, preparing to lead quiet e when he
ceived note iron Fremont written at Bents Fort re,
mDding HIM OF his promise, and telling him he would
wait there for him. On this occasion Carson showed his
strong friendship for his old commander and the gener
Gus and unsehsh nature of his feelings In four days
from receiving the note Carson had joined the party hav
ing sold house and farm for less than half the he had
ust expended upon it. and put his family under the pro-
lection OF his friend the late Governor Bent, until he
should return from certainly long and dangerous Jour
ney Tins protection, unfortunately, was taken IRON
them IN the late massacre at Taos when Carsons brother
Mexieans against all connected with the Americans.
Mrs Carson saved her life by flight leaving them to rob
the house OF everything Kendall and all others who
have written OF their adventures in New Mexico, ascrbe
the highest character to the of that country for
modesty, generosity, quick sympathy and all feminine
virtues To this amiable class belongs the wife OF Car
son. who has paid dearly for her affection for him.
The route OF the third expedition led the party to the
southern and western side of the Great Salt Lake-a re-
gon entirely UNEMPLOYED and filled, according to the
perstons and tales current among the Indians and the
tappers OF the mountains, with all imaginable horrors.
vast desert void of vegetation and fresh water, abound
ing in qucksands and in bracksh pools and rivers, with
only suberranean outlets. This the eputed charac
ter of the country justfyng at least the apprehension of
lack of those ndspensabes TO the voyageu of the will
demess-water and grass. In truth the southern border
of the lake found to be skrted with salt plain OF
about sixty miles IN width. Over this, as elsewhere,
Carson, IN his capacity OF scout, always with the adj
vance party TO search for water and convenient places
for camphe usual signal OF the prares fire, serving,
by its column OF smoke TO point out where the advance
were haltng.
The neighborhool of the Rio Colorado and the Sierra
Nevada of California is infested with Indian tribes OF
Hippophag, Horse Eaters Gas they may well be call
ed) who keep the northern parts OF California IN alarm,
by sweeping down into the settlements and carrying oil
horses and mules, which they for food With these
savages the expedition had several skirmshes but ow-
ing to the perpetual vigilance which exercised, ne
therymen ANIMALS fell into the hands OF the savages
| When Fremonts party, in May, 1916, (not knowing
of the existence of the war with Mexico,) retired from
lake. in Oregon, proposing to explore new route into
| the Willhamelh valley.
that Mr. Gillespie and five endeavoung to over
take him, he took ten and returned 60 miles with the
courier making all haste in order to reach them before
night, and prevent any attack which the Indians might be
tempted to make on small party These Klamath In
dams, by nature brave and warlike have now new
of power in the iron heads and axes furnish
ed them by the British posts in that country Their ar
only be extracted from the flesh by the knife,
they barbed, and OF course are not to be drawn
out. The events OF that night and the days following
illustrate fully the nightly dangers of Indian coun
try, and the teacherous nature OF savages that will
give them, and in Carsons own words
Mr Gillespie had broug t the colonel letters from home
the first he had had since leaving the States the before
and he up and kept large fire burning until after mid
night; the rest OF us were tired out and all went TO eep
This the ody night in all travels except the one
night on the island in tue Salt Lake that we failed to keep
guard and as the tired, and expected no
attack that we had sixteen in party, the colonel didn't
like to ask il of them but sat up late himself Owens
and sleeping together and we walked at the
time by the lcks of the axe that killed our men AT
|
that side, What's the matter there 'what's that
fuss about He never answered, for he dead then,
had been in his sleep the other groaned little as he
died The Delawares Give had four with ns) sleeping
them. One of them caught up gun, which was unload
ed; but although he could do no execution he kept them
at bay lighting like soldier, and did give until he
shot full oil arowsthree entering his heart he died
bravey. As had called out, saw was Indians
in camp, and and Owens together cried indians
There were orders given things went ON too fast and
the colonel had men with him that did mt need to be od
their duly. Tie colonel and l. Maxwell, Owens, Cooley,
and Stepp, Jumped together we six and ran to the assist
didn't but ! think it was Stepp's shot t,at killed the
Tamn'h chief for was at the crack Of steps, g gun tina,
cord, and there forty left in his quyer-the
have been the bravest man among ten from The way ne
armed, and Judging by his cap When the Ilamahs
saw him fall, they but we lay, every man with his
rifle cooked, until daylight expecting another attack.
'In the morning. iound by the tracks that from fifteen
Filled three OF our men, nd wounded the Delawares
who scalped the chief, whom we left where he fell Our
miles, found it impossible TO get them any farther
through the thick timber and, finding secret place. we
grave. 1t only few days before this fight that some
these Indians had come into our camp; and, al
though had only for days, and felt sure that
should have mules for ten or fifteen days come
the colonel divided with them, and had mule UNI
packed to give them some tobacco and knives"
The party then reracel its way into California; and
two days after this rencontre they met large village of
/ Tlamaths-more than hundred warriors. Carson was
ahead with ten men, but one Of them having been dis
covered, he could not follow his orders, which were to
send back word and let Fremont up with the rest
in case they found Indians. But they had been
only remained charge the village which they did
killing many, and putting to flight the rest The women
and children Carson says, eve didn't interfere with :;
but they burnt the village together with their
and ishing-nes. In subsequent encounter, the same
day. Carson's life was mminently exposed AS they
galloped up he rather in advance, when he OBJ
served Indian fixing his to let fly at him. Car
son leveled his rifle, but snapped and in instant the
arrow would have pierced him, had not Fremont, see
ing the danger, dashed his horse the lndian and
Knocked him down. 81 owe my life TO them two, says
Cason-'.the colonel and Sacramento saved me-" Sacr
meno noble Californian horse which Captain Suffer
gave to Col. Fremont in 1914, and which has twice
made the distance between kentucky and his native val
ley, where he earned his name by swimming the river
after which he is called at the close OF a long days
Journey Notwithstanding all his hardshps Qor he has
travelled everywhere with his mastery he is still the Ia
vorite horse of Col Fremont.
The hostile and insulting course OF Castro drew Ere
mont into retaatory measures; and aided by the Amer
can settlers he pursued the Mexicans for time; but
hying before him. the flag of independence raised
at Sonoma on the 5h of July, 1916 Learning soon al
ter of the existence Of the war, the American flag was
promptly substituted and the party proceeded to Monterey,
where they found the fleet under Com Soat already IN pos
session Castro, with his forces had retreated before
Fremon and, to prevent their escape into Sonora COL
Fremont with hundred and sixty men, were offered
the sloop- Of "Cyane To carry them down to Dan
Diego and facilitate the pursuit, as he hoped by that
Then Carson, for the first time the blue ocean, and
the great vessels that, like whe-wnged birds, spread
their sails above its waters The vast prairles, whose
immense green surface has been APPLY kenedo the sea- to-
gether with all objects upon IT, were laiii 10
him but it proved preparation Tor actual SAT- WAFER