Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-04
AN INDIAN AsSAULT-PERTLs OF THE
PLAINS.

PLAINS.
Gcaeril Elliott Lee, whu, in recent jour
ney over the plains, was attacked by the In
dianA wesrded and supposed to be dead, has
written letter 10 the 81. Louis Union. He
describes his escape, which, under the cir
cuMstances, was most remarkable one.
He says:
s1on the 18th Of July party Of us, four
teen in uumber, were attacked by about $50
Indians, on the head waters Of Red River,
and near the Ratoan mountains. We had
been encamped about one hour, and just in
the act of eating our dinner, when we were
alarmed BY the Indians, while they were in
the act of running off with our animals, which
were grazing short distance from us. As
they passed Us, we fred on them but they
were 80 far of'that otr shots had no effect.
In about twenty minutes they all returned,
surrounded our camp, and set fire to the grass
all around us, with the view of driving us
from our position, which we were inclined to
keep, with view of saving our baggage, or
portion of it. But In this we were foiled.
We, however, defended ourselves for about
four hours, firing at the enemy every oppor
tunity we had. Our position not being good
one, they had the decided advantage of us.
We defended ourselves until five of our par
ty were slightly wounded and one killed.
We now determined to retreat to the noun
tains, as the last and only alternative.
On retreating, received two shots---one in
the left thigh, the ball passing through the
thigh, though fortunately not breaking the
bone ; the other OH the middle finger of the
left hand. Charles Town, who was ahead of
me, received a shot in one of his legs which
broke it, He, of course, fell, and not being
able to walk, was left to the mercy of the
Indians. That is the last | saw of him. There
was Spaniard who was shot in the kidneys
before we left camp who also was left. Our
lumber now consisted of eleven, eight of us
wounded, all of whom succeeded in making
our escape. Night came on: we travelled
Until we came to water, when we huddled
ourselves as near together as possible, for
he purpose of resting and trying to sleep.
iaving lost every thing save what we had on
ur backs, we suffered much from cold, and
ould not sleep. The next day we move |
II up the mountain, where we cached our.
elves until night, being afraid 10 travel in
le day time. On the night of the Goth we
II put out for Taos, distant about eighty
tiles Those of the party that were woun.
ed were slightly so, and generally in the
ms and body, with the exception of myself
I'd one man, whose ankle was slightly inju.
I'd. My wound being in the thigh, rem.
red II very difficult for me to walk. Con
qnently the party had TO wait for me tc
me up frequently. We had travelled bu
short distance, when they left me. hail
them, but could receive no answer SO
t within two miles of the battle ground
in sight Of the fires of the Indian village
determined not to give up but pursued my
lrney, keeping near the water course, unit
truck the Bent's Fort road, leading 10 San
Fe
'n the third day out, fortunately came tc
Indian camp, which, from appearances
st have been deserted but very .hor
e. Their fires were still burning, and
of an antelope was left on the ground
ich helped myself TO, not having eater
thing for four days. filed my sho,
lch with meat, and again pursued my jour
y, travelling day and nigh, in the best way
ossibly could, for I was very lame, ant
lid not make more than a mile an hour
metimes craw1ed, and in fact got alon,
way and every way fcould- The seventh
y Icame to fresh wagon tracks and great
to my astonishmeut, for had no expecta
IN that any of the traders would think O
aving the Santa Fe road. This so muc
ated me that spurred up, and in shor
me came in sight of the train, consisting O
nrwagons, accompany OF miners, the Messrs
lckson, and Mr.. Thomas o. Boggs, who ha
Ifihe main foadsfwith view of going t
aos.. So soon as they t9cvversd me, the
snt 4 horse and aniNn to~ne, who aided m
, the<rain, when received every atter
ION that was in their power TO bestow o
1e.
lam happy to say to yo1that I am, in
hammer, well, and will proceed on to SAINT
We tomorrow. The orfermen of our defeat
ed party arrived in Taos in worse cunditio
as am informed, than was, when wa
picked up; one of whom, Spaniard, ha
since died of his wounds. They reported m
as most unquestionaby dead. Indeed,
was very natural, for think, in thousan
trials of the same kind, not once could
person escape.
r. S.-Every letter that was entrusted
my care has been lost. The distance tr;
velled in the seven days is said by those WI
know, to be 80 miles"
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune
BURNING OF THE TEMPLE AT NAUvO,
NAuvoo, ILL. Oct. II, 1s4s.
The "Mormon Temple" in this city was S
on fire on Monday morning last and burnt