The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-07-22
Sr. LOUIS, July 4. 1917.

ST. LOUIS July A, ls47.
Indian Massacre-Matters at Fort Leapenacorth-SmaH
Por Among the Recruits-Doings on the Return Of
Dontphans Volunteers-Incfdents of the Battle Of
Sacramento-Death of GENERALIZATION Tricks-Ru.
Of Court Martial on Captain Reed, &c.
Since last wrote you have received no reliable in
formation from the Plains The rumored massacre Of
the teamsters Walnut Creek has neither been
tradcted nor confirmed Some six eight small parties
that have left Santa Fe and Taos at stated peri
od and all of which might have arrived here before this
have not been heard FROM and the suppostion is very
strong one that all communication except for large
ties has beer cut fl by the Indiana who, when last
heard from in large force between the Arkansas
Crossing and Council Grove. The companies Of horse
and foot however that have recently left Fort Leavsn
worth for Santa Fe, will give account of the
situation of affairs along the route.
Great dissatisfaction exists among the recruits In
reference to the shameful manner in which they havs
been treated by the Government. When they arrived
at Fort Leavenworth there adequate subsistence
camp equippage All but one of the companies
clumsy muskets instead of carbnes their appropriate
weapon One company refused to receive them, until
coerced into compliance. Several companies left with
tents and short allowance until teams could be
provided and stores purchased to be sent after them
TO make the matter the small pox has broken out
at the Fort. and some two hundred teamsters have
thrown up their engagements and departed for their
homes.
of receiving the returning volunteers under Doniphan
the details Of which you have no doubt seen In the
city papers. Among the 'lons Of the city James
Kirker, Thomas Forsyth and Antoine Clement, noun
taneers and trappers who performed the most signal
service In carrying out the hazardous duties Of the
expedition Kirker Is lrshman by birth, but for
resident of this CITY, from which he been
in the mountains and plains about thirty years. For
syth is man Of the most daring ntrepidity and ma
tive of this city He carried to Santa Fe accompanied
by the express which conveyed the intelligence
Of the battle Of Bracto fought like tiger at sacramen
to- making center shots at Mexican officers than
any other man, Ut was him who wounded desperately
Col de Leon at the distance of two hundred yards
sitter the taking Of Chihuahua bore express from Col
Donphan to New Orleans at the head of men
through a Camanchs country, having several battles
with the Indians without the loss of member Of
his party. Antoine, by which name Mr.. Clement Is al
most exclusively known born in the mountains his
mother being an Indian woman, his father Frenchman
He was reared In the wilderness, and though ntel
gent man. seems reconced to no other life At Sacra
mento he volunteered cannoneer under Wrightna
and it was by his advice that the artillery planted
within fifty yards Of one the redoubts Eight close
fight close ~ said Antoine, dat Ia de way vip de
Spanish and Indian " and sure enough, 1t was the way
that sacramento won. Every into the
engagement on his hook,n and a host In him.
self Owens, rs 1t has before been stated killed
through his own rashness His is a melancholy tale
Domestic affection made him drunkard On the even.
ing Of the engagement and as the firing
cDg he rode up to one Of his command who
duty guard over the wagon train and said Good
by W Pm going to charge that redoubt yonder ans
expect to be killed; hand your oanteen,' he
lie then much intoxicated, and taking deep drink
waved his hand and dashed of In the direction Of the
reioubt. party at the moment charging the
doubt the right Of the road but Owens rode to the
left and assembled the eminence to within yards OF
the muzzes Of the guns Here he commenced firing his
pistols into the fort and had retained his position about
1--WE minutes, when musketoon ball from battery
the other side of the valley struck him the left knee
and killed his horse. The animal wheeled and fell
on his rider, whose back then towards the
first named redoubt Perceivng that he struggling
todsengage himself another arging party rush
ed to his rescue but before they could reach him,
escopette ball had struck him the back part Of the
head and several ances from the beseged had pierced
his body The second charging party dashed over pa
rapet the first entered the redoubt on the other
side Ovens death Immediately avenged by that
of almost every insn in the redoubt
At the battle of Sacramento Of the best Mexican
troops those of Durango fell down. when holly pressed
and pretended to be dead. number OF these became
prisoners, and were marched to Chihuahua. story
Is told of poor fellow who came near losing his life
by having counterfeted death. With others, he had
fallen among the slain, and passed over by the CON
querors as sure enough done for Mexican At length
however, canteen of muscalle, sluDg on his back at
tracted the attention Of volunteer who stopped to cut
IL loose The poor fellow alarmed at the appearance Of
the knife 80 near his throat prang TO bis feet and at
tempted to make off "Stop, you scoundrel' SAID the
volunteer throw ing his rifle to his cheek At that cr
teal moment the Mexican perceiving the danger fell
on his knees begged for quarter was reluctantly
granted by the volunteer, who swore that the fellow
ought to be killed, at any rate for his cowardice.
understand from Of the heroes Of the Lipan Tight