Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-01
MASSACRE OF INDIANS.

| The following, of which we have before had
brief account through the Telegraph, is copied from
the st. Louis Republican of the 18Th instant
On Tuesday the 10th, between three and four o'clock in
the afternoon, general alarm given in camp that body
Of men approaching the Fort from the opposite side of
the Arkansas For few minutes there much confusion
and excitement in the camp. Many mounted on the
Of the walls Of the Fort and Of the few houses attached
thereto looking through spy gasse and all intent upon
discovering what to be Some supposng they
buffalo, and others supposng that they the animals be-
longing the bataion heding distance But il was
determined that they Indians and that they num-
bered nearly hundred strong.
When this ascertained the were ordered arms.
Three companies paraded inside Of the Fort when after
the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes they dismissed
having been informed that they party Of Pawnees,
supposed TO be friendly They approached the Fort with
several white flags ored the river, and encamped about
quarter Of mile below the Fort The Chief who is said
have been dressed in the costume of Mexican officer
nued up the Fort, and met by the officer
mand, Captain PELTzEn-Iieutenant Colonel GrLpiS being
absent They salued each other, and signs of the usual
friendly character passed between them. Captain escorted
the chief, with few OF his warriors, about the Foshow
ing them his artillery and causing piece be discharged,
to show them our superiority in arms and appliances over
them
After taking them through the Fort Capt PELrzER made
signs to the chief to bring his to the Fort This order
responded to- the chief marching before his men,
seventy in number all brave and warke looking men,
with nothing buffalo robe around them Before
ing the Fort the chief stopped his and addressed he
in short but emphatic Speech TO which they seemed yield
their After being satisfied that suspicious rested
against hcm they proceeded TO the Fort where all of them
gathered around Of the cooking fires From that place.
the letter says, "hey invited inside Of the Fort, for
what purpose was loss TO know but have been informed
with the avowed object Of dsarming them. No had
such preparatory steps takeu than the whole party
ed nsananeousy have their suspicious aroused and they
made general rush for the gate, ntermngng every
direction with men, who the outside Of the Fort
Orders Immediately given to fire upon hcm and by a!
few the order promptly obeyed say Jeo as there
but few who in readiness Of them happening
to have their arms outside Of the gate. However, it not
long before the companies all armed and in pursuit OF
the Indians but they beyond the reach OF our guns
On returning the Fort, found that three Indians were
woundcdone shot through the leg, and one through the
body, wound which must prove moal--and the third wa
cut over the head dangerously Blu, this not
the blood shedfo three more Indians were found IN
PELTzERs quarters who had gone there unsuspecngy and
afterwards unable make their escape and were there
murdered in cold blood by order Of Captain PELTzER fou
were thus killed, wounded and prisoners, ans
the suppostion that fifteen twenty wounded
five Of them mortally-ousde of the fort"