The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-02
Correspondence Of the 81. Louis Republican,
Later from the Plains.

LOWER SEMIRoSE SPRINGS, August 30, 1Si7.
The first detachment of the first regiment Of Illinois
volunteers, consisting OF company b. Captain Cunning
han company e, Captain Turner and company +, Cap.
tam Hook under command of Lieutenant Colonel Boya
KIN, lett rort LeaNenworth July 7th with train of thirty
wagons and forty Transfers Our march for fifteen days
was very pleasant having excellent roads and most
delicious water. The country through which the road
passes upto Council Grove" is remarkable for the
beauty OF It's surface and the fertility of its soil mound
after mound, with here and there small grove running
streams OF clear water with strips of timber on their
borders all SO arranged as to render it most beautiful
country The TIMBER, however, is insufficient to permit
this becoming an agricultural country. Our camp was
frequently visited by the Shawnees and other Indians,
who seemed very friendly and some OF them quite m
telligent, having been learned TO read and write. We
rested three days at Council Grove, having wagons
repaired at the government shop placed here for that
purpose Here we came up with another train OF thirty
wagons, which were placed under the protection OF our
detachment There is small trading house here, estab
lshed last spring, which carries profitable trafc
with the Indians, most OF whom, though, sand to be
poor depending alone the chase for subsistence
was told by the gentleman who keeps the store, that
many OF them would turn their attention to agriculture
the next
On the 25th we proceeded on our march, considering
ourselves among hostile Indians for, after leaving Coun
Gil Grove, considered safe of shot OF
his company-frequent depredatons having been COM
this point BY order of Colonel Boy n. one of our
companies marched in 'front.' in the centre, and the
other in the OF the train of wagons and when we en-
camp strong guard is placed in different directions from
the eDcampment prominent points, protect the
while grazing The sty Tor this precauton is
indicated by the frequent losses OF cattle and mules from
the trains ahead OF US, and those almost daily
meeting, and Colonel Boyak seemed determined to leave
nothing undone which would insure the safety of his
command and the public property placed under his pro-
lection How far his ceaseess vigilance may be reward.
ed the result will prove We had manifestations of
trouble from the Indians until came to the Arkansas
river and the day after first encaped upon its banks
right; they soon withdrew. In few miles passed
Walnut creek, noted point of danger. Here saw
the grave of William Tharp, the trader, who scaped
last spring within about three hundred yards of his camp,
while attempting to kill buffalo The Indians, conceal
ed in the grass near him. rushed upon him he
fired his gum and killed him before help could reach
him.
About four miles from here encamped again the
bank of the Arkansas We found the river about two
feet average Depth, although it is quarter OF mile
wide. The water is far turbid than that OF the
Missouri. About - o'clock at night fire made its APP
pearance to the sennels the direction of the road
had passed. supposed to be back at Walnut creek OBJ
About O'Clock disappeared By those acquainted with
Indian usages, this pronounced savage dance.
and such it undoubtedly was Perhaps those barbarian
hends revelng the graves of the unfortunate
The night august 4th) encamped Ash creek,
where, three days before, about two hundred Indians
attacked company of mounted volunteers from Missouri,
wounding two The Indians did their work SO
quietly that they escaped without apparent damage.
They depend entirely for their upon frightening
the stock they take, then flying like away from
danger They are well mounted, extremely cunning and
rdexterous, but miserable towards We saw nothing of
them until the next night at Pawnee Fork, near the
place where Lieut. Love had his battle with them in June.
Two horses appeared to the sentinels apparently gra-
zing near the wagons. In moment they off like
lightning awakng many in camp by clatter of hoofs and
the Jingle of the huge spurs which their warriors wear
and which they said 10 have obtained from the Next
cans They at least similar to the Mexican spur,
and can be heard considerable distance, when their
horses in full speed said 'po horses appeared
for these wretches lie flat their horses when there
is danger about, that it is almost impossible to discern
them, in daylight Nothing but the leg next to you
is exposed to sight shot Two of our senlines fired at
them, but their distance and velocity saved them 1t is
old Indian trick to up during the night 10 inform
themselves OF the situation of affairs and ascertain the
state OF protection, the degree of watchuness, &c. be-
fore making their attack in the mornng-the time they
always choose to attack trains They fit to let us
alone, perhaps hearing rather sharply the musket balls
sent after them.
On the 10th passed Mann's fort found no person
there II is situated the Arkansas, at small grove,
and is built of logs On the 18th reached the crossings
rested day. and crossed without difficulty in short time
1t fifty miles to the next water grass,
were told; but fortunately found water enough, ii
having raned heavily We travelled two entire nights in
order that we might get possible TO grass for
CATTLE which we found at Sand creek and the Semi
rome, where encamped, waiting for Col
Newly and his detachment express having overaken
us the evening arrived here, with orders for to
stop until he came up L. b. L.