The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-07
From the St. Louis New Era July 70.
FROM the Plains.

Iiaibs-
The following letter. which has been handed to us by
friend, TO whom ii was addressed by an officer OF
Lieut.. Loves command. gives particular account
than any have yet of Lieut. Loves engagement
with the Indians and the difficulties that have beset his
march
CAMP on BATTLE GROUND,
Arkansas River, LIST July, 1s47,
DEAR SIR: Previous 10 your receiving this, you will
doubt have heard OF engagement with the Indians
the Goth ult, and OF my being engaged that
slon and from the very severe wound received from
ball in the side, which is lodged backwards and cannot
be extracted LETT me IN very weak and uncertain state
however feel now much easier and being anxious that
you should have in part least the particulars avail my
self OF an opportunity OF writing by traders who are going
to the States. On the 23d we arrived at the Pawnee
Fork and there met two government trains of provision
wagons destined for Santa Fe and learned from them that
the day previous the Indians charged on them as their
cattle grazing, woundiDg three menone severely
and driving of from traders and return tram OF govern
ment wagons under Mr. Bell some 10 yoke OF oxen,
leaving twenty wagons and a considerable Quantity OF
provisions and other property without the means OF
transportation The wagons and property were burned 10
prevent their falling into the hands OF the Indians Next
day uhe 2ih) we travelled up to the Fork and encampcd,
and the 25th TO this place, which day was in charge
of the guard and the night passed without any alarm
although every vigilance and precauton was used Next
morning, the 26th, Immediately after revellle Haydens
train which encamped about five hundred yards due
west from the guard tent drove their oxen from the core
TO Craze All were scarcely out when large band OF
Cumanches and Mexicans emerged from a ravne called
coon creek about TWO hundred yards west, anu
furiousy the teamsers and hersmcn wounding three
and driving of one hundred and thirty yoke OF govern
ment oxen and thirty yoke belonging TO trader who
accompanying them. One conspicuous Indian rode
within carbne range-I fired and killed the horse from
under him, and, far could be ascertaned, wounded
himself however, he was soon behind another INDIAN
In the meantime the camp was armed, and some eighteen
or nineteen mounted dragons were ordered out under
my command, Tor the purpose OF retakng the cattle.
When my command reached within one hundred and fiji
ty yards OF the enemy, halted and foned in extended
line. rally a body of teamsters who
out foomen then charged the Indians, and forced
them TO retreat AS they just retreaing,a large
body of wellnouned Indians crossed the river between
me and the camp my left, and charged in the rear
with great fury, and preventing US from rauyng but to
cut our way through them; About this time was shot,
and charged on BY several Indians | made my sabre,
however, drink blood having killed one and wounded
another Every man in my little command fought brave
y and manluly and FIVE OF my poor fellows were killed
defending themselves to the last, and selling Their lives
at a dear rate, and six wounded-three more besides
myself severely wounded The killed were Ar
lidge Deckhart, Short Gaskll and Blake: The wound
ed, myself, lancaster, Lovelace and Ward, severely
and Burl and Wilson slightly. The severe loss we
met with attribute to the almost unmanageable state OF
the horses, all being new in the service, and to the In
dans being permitted to charge from behlhd The
enemy took off the cattle, scalped three mems and took of
the horses, equipments, and ammunition, and the
clothes of the dead The Indians, when in body, mum
bered about 500 make comments merely give
you the facts they occurred before The Indians
all armed with ances measuring from twelve to III
teen feet in length, bows and arrows and great many
among them. Several of men saw them as well as
myself. The air actually as dark as if flight OF
birds lowering us from the balls ances, and
arrows that flying through the air. Twelve or fiji
teen of the enemy known to have fallen-pcrhaps
more--but Immediately carried oil. -Four of their
horses left dead the ground. Since them
main here merely changing positions, for the purpose OF
pasme. Tomorrow, | understand, will proceed
again route, arrangements being made to take
all the trains along, with somewhat less team, however.
The Indians have attacked every train that has gene
come in this year, and bound to attack every
train that will follow. These Internal Cumanches, Paw
nees and Arapahoes deserve castigation that would
after keep them quiet and which they some
daV tn receive.
Lieut. Love in a most distressing situation. Never
has, man suffered, believe, more in one day than he
suffered Here were twelve wagons with six mules to
eachprovsons, and all the specie that he could not by
any possible means abandon, another large force were
ready to attack the camp if he 60 out with large
force and yet he the awful situation in which we
were placed and could not give the slightest aid OF
assistance am convinced that he acted prudently and
wisely for il has been his special to take all the
precautions that experienced officer could take to
his and animals ever since he commenced his march
Yours, respectfully.