The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-27
Agents for the Union.


/ Hon. X. ID. JOHNSON (of Galveston,) for Texas
CORSELlus GLEN. for the State OF New York
Depredations Of the Indians.
We have been favored by the War Department with
e official accounts OF an attack, which has occasoned
uch attention from the western papers, and excited con-
adorable interest:
/ CAMP ON THE "ARKANsAs," June 81, ls47.
SIR have the honor to report that company "B, LIST
tagoons, marched from Fort Leavenworth on the 7th
,stant, Join the army in New Mexico, escortng some
hree hundred and fifty thousand dollars-governmenl
funds On our arrival at "Pawnee Fork" (about three
hundred miles from Fort Leavenworth) we found two
ains of wagons bound for Santa Re, and one return
g to the United States The day before our arrival one
the trans" for Santa Fe, and the for the United
States (encamped about mile apar were attacked by
be Indians, supposed TO be either Pawnees Osages
leach tribe receiving an annuity All the oxen OF The
lawnee Fork. One man of Mr. Weathered's trading
Sarty severely wounded danced in five six places
at once determined to travel with the strains for Santa
he, and give them all the protection in my power. Our
trst days march from Pawnee Fork brought us on the
arkansas river, where encamped; train quarter
mile from the river; the other nearly the same dis
lance from the river, and three four hundred yards
rom the first. With my company | encamped on the
bank of the river, between the two trains.
On the morning of the 26th-just the oxen OF the
st train turned out of the coral "a pen formed by
wagons the oxen Of the second about turning out to
aze, and the horses OF the company pckeed-the
ndans made their appearance hall mile Distant IN full
after the The herdsmen used every effort to
tve the back into the cora but, unable to do so,
aced themse YES between the and Indians, hoping
prevent their being driven off The Indians charged
boldly amongst the oxen, frightened them and drove
hem INTO the prairie; woundng in the charge two or
ree herdsmen AS soon as saw the Indians, ordered
Ihe company to saddle. Some Indians, seeing my in
nton to pursue, Immediately appeared on the opposite
bank of the river numbering fifty hundred men.
now became necessary for me to protect our own
lamp; | therefore dismounted all but 25 men,, and sta
oned them around the camp. The IS men ordered,
tnder Sergeant Bishop. to pursue the Indians, and re-
lover the oxen. When the sergeant arrived in the
Vicinity OF the oxen, the Indians swarmed in from all
directions, and completely surrounded his platoon he
charged earlessy amongst them, but horses being
Wild and unaccustomed to the yels of the Indians and
haking of blankets, (a done to brighten the horses)
oud not be held by their riders So great the num-
de, and two hundred on the south side OF the river
hat all hope of cutting way through 10 the was
bandoned It is with the deepest regret that have to
report five of our best men killed. prvates Arledge,
ckhat, Gask Short, and Wake; and Sergeant Bishop
fnd FIVE men wounded Sergeant Bishop (who SO gal
anty led the charge and privates LoveIace and YAM
faser are severely Wounded;, Prvates Bush. Wilson,
nd Ward slightly With pride | call your attention to
Pie gallant conduct OF this platoon OF the company as
shown in the list of killed and wounded The number
Pf Indians killed and wounded we have no means OF
fellng, as their dead were carried off the field.
The oxen of train having been driven off, have
tncamped both trains together, and shall remain with
nem until enough trains arrive to take the government
property to Santa Fe would respectfully call your at
nton TO the fact that it is the determination of the In
ans, headed (as have every to believe) by
white and Spanards, TO destroy all the government
property in their power 1t would at first sight
that company of soldiers ought to be enough to
cure any number of and mules from Indians; but,
Er, you must reflect that the animals of train have to
scattered large extent of country for grazing;
that in attack, it is nearly much company OF
|agoons do to prevent their horses from taking
| Stampede that the Indians, thoroughly acquainted
with the country and constantly having spies to watch
pur movements, attack unless every thing is in
her favor that being the most expert horsemen in the
world they are enabled to make an attack, alarm the
nlmas, and be out of sight in incredibly short time.
on Judge, when from the time they were first seen
|yer and out of sight, not more than half an hour
The only way, then, sir, to insure safety to public
property on this road 49, in my opnion to station about
BOO mounted at Pawnee Fork, 300 the crossing
|rng. These troops to have their permanent encamp-
ents at these points, but to scour the country IN all d.
cons, and at least keep the Indians in check, if they
cannot catch them. Scarcely party has crossed the
prairie this spring and summer without being harassed by
Them. | deem it my duty to make this report to you,
believing proper representation has not been made to-
you OF all the ourages committed by the Cumanches and
her Indians during the last six months; and to repre-
BENT the Importance of taking active measures to insure
safety to the provision trains. There was fort or depot
established by the Quaremaster's Department near the
crossing of the Arkansas but this than USE
less the Indians kept the few there penned up,
and have eventually succeeded IN compelling them to
abandon and burn the fort This learn from wagon
master The only way to deal with these Indians is to
station force in their country, pursue and whip them
or any misconduct.
With the highest respect | am, sir, your obedlent
servant, JNO LOVE,
1st Lieut. 1st Dragons, comfg comp. B.
Brigadier General r. JONES,
Adt Gen. U. S. Army, Washington.
Military Precautions.