The Arkansas banner., 1848-03-28
CoF. PremoHt's LstteK.
R. W. JOHNSON
Washington Ci.y, NJ

Washington Ciy, March lst, lS4S.
 DEaxSR: received your letter of yesterday, last night, and reply immediately with what infsr. matisn posses, regreitng that this only goes te confirm ihe reported death of Col. Leavitt.
 Early in the spsing of last yeas Mfr. Niles trap per oi the mountains who in 1916 had settlsd on the shorcs of the Salt Lake, came into California with quantity of skins to exchange for cattle which he proposed driving to his farm. His Iouie led him along the old Spanish trail, which travelled on my journey home in 154-and my familiarity with which enabled inc to recognize the places referred to by him in the following narrative.
 Shortly after reaching the trace, he came upon the trail of Col. Leaviit and his little party. Yoa will see.on the map accompanying my last report, a watering place, called St. Joseph's Spring Here enough for security in desert country, separated into psrties of three and four Further along on the trail, yeu may remark li,tle stream where travel. srs necessarily encamp before reaching the Vegas of SaRta Clara. which are one days march beyond- Both of the little attachments reached this place in safety In the first part of ,he next days journey, and few miles before reaching the Ftgas, the yail leasls through small wood of csdars the branches of which grow thick and low to the ground The party of four who were ahead passed safely on but the three Mho were behind were way!aid and kill ed a, this place.
 Mir. Miles told me that here there were. no books. or papers. or anything to identify the bodies, and from al could learn do not think Col Leasi;t was among these. The remaining four who had gone on, spent night al the pretty camp of the 'eSss, and inc next day continued thsis- iourn. down the Santa Clara rver and ai bisLt encamped al li'e spring near the stream. This was the last camp they made The trail from this leads through gap of the iaouatan. and down to the plains of iae Rso Eryia, which it strikes at csmp where los' one cfmy men who was kITled by the Indians in lSH l remember perfectly vel the rocky dehle and remember toe pointing out 10 Car son bad point of rocks witch in as attack offered every advantage to Inc Indians At this place Mr. Niles tsld me. were killed the rsmaining Goas Of this unfortunate party. There were fragments of clothes and leaves of books scattered about, and among these some leaves of my report From sll that heard beheye that Col. Ieayi.te died Lere. When they lost their lives they were on the veyve oi barren and desoiate country, iAsabited by the Pintah Indians, kind Of human wolves, who s stch and wayiay the Spanish iraiL
 MT Niles ~he had stopped behind his party threw few rocks over some of the bodies. hs, did not remain long enough to cover them as 1t was dangerous to De alone
 These particulars contain all the iaiormation I can gise you. but as far as they 70 think yea may ieiy faiiy apoh them. Agrecably to yoaF desire l have particularly described the iacidens of Colonel Leaviit's death which yoa niimaied wsald he saais factory tc his friends.
 Very resPeeifulIy yours,
 J. C. FREMONT.
 10 ihe Hes R. " JoISsos, House sf Repre- sentstiYes, fEom Arkanass