The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-07-28

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From the 81. Luis Ne,o Era, Julyl.
Late from California;.
Battle IN Santa E-Condition of affairs on
The Pt@ins-I%ree engagements aoith the
Indians, &c. S'c
This morning we had an interview with
Mr. Murphy, who has just arrived from San
ta Fe. He came in with Major w. H.
Russell, bearer of dispatches from Colonel
Fremont, in California, to our Government
Major Russell; it will be reeollected, was
Secretary of State in California under Col.
Fremont. He left California on the 25th
of March, with fifteen men as an escort, and
was sixty-ive days on the route through to
Santa Fc; thirty-fvc of which they were
driven by hunger to subsist upon the flesh
of their mules, in the absensc of other food
to sustain life. Maj. Russell has not yet
reached this city. having stopped at Young's
Landing, OH the Missouri River, to see his
family. We learn from Mr.. Murphy, that
he brings no news Of importance from Cali
fornia' every thing being quiet there up to
the time Of his departure, and the health of
the American forces remarkably good. On
the road, between California and Santa Fc.
fatigue and want of proper nurishmcnt.
The tri p was one of severe hardship, but
the party met with no difficulty from either
Mcxicans or Indians.
Our informant left Santa Fc on the Goth
cf May. Two days previous (thc 27th,)
Major Edmundson, having force of some
$50 men; being detached portions of the
different companies Of Colonel Prices Re-
gimcnt, was attacked OH Rcd River, some
l2S miles southeast OF Santa Ec, By par
ty OF from three 10 four hundred Mcxicans
and Indians, principally the latter,) and
after an obstinate battle was forced to re-
treat with the loss of two hundred killed,
one wounded and left on the field, and the
entire capture of his horses, the clothing
and ammunition of his men, &c. The
engagement was brought Oh by the enemy
just as our forces were crossing a deep ra-
vine, and when they were least prepared to
to repel an attack. Lieut.. Elliott was in
this engagement, and is said to have distin-
guished himself by the taking of an emf
nence which commanded the cnemys posi-
ton, and which alone saved the live of ma
ny of our men.
On the receipt of this news at headquar-
ters, Lieutenant Col. Wilcox was despatch
ed with body of lis men in pursuit OF
the enemy and was seen on the 3rd of May
by MIR. Murphy, some distance this side o.
Santa Fe, on the waters of Red River, in
hot pursuit, with every prospect of soon
overtaking and chastising them.
The names of the persons killed in the
battle above mentioned were not made pu
bic, but one of them was said to be from
this city.
The health of the troops in Santa Fe is
t5eayeaeatsd u as being much better; !;, The he
troops or teamsters from this citv beino q
Mr. Shepherd, who was formerly in the
employ, OF the American Fur Company
and who left this city with Armstrong;
train.
The condition of affairs on the Plains is
represented as being desperate in the ex.
treme. Scarcely q train crosses without
beng attacked by the Indians. The party
to which Mr.. Murphy belonged was attack.
ed three times. First few miles below
Fort Marin or Defiance, on the Arkansas.
by party of Mexicans and Camanche
Indians: The Americans, being the strono.
er, drove of their assailants with tho loss of
several of their party.
Ihe second attack was made soon after
wards near Cow Creek, on the Arkansas.
At this time Maj. Russell and small party
were near mile in advance of the main
body, and the Indians, seeing this from the
sand hills, dashed down between them with
the intention of cutting the smaller partv
OFT. They were repulsed, however, with
out loss on either side.
The third and last attack was made on
the Pawnec Fork by party of some seven
.y-hve fawnee Indians. The strength of
the American train at this time was near
iour hundred men, but so unexpected was
the assault that before the Indians couldbe
driven OFT, they succeeded in killing about
IL, a1o head OF cattle belonging to the tran.-
This, our informant states, was the most de-
terfnlned and desperate charge he ever
witnessed. The Indians dashed down in
their midst and commenced the butcherv
OF theirshorses and cattle without the least
apparent fear of being molested. There