Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-01-03

NoyEMRCR.
DECEM BE &,
From the Alta California.
Captain VIM. III. Warner.


Captain Warner left Sacramento city,
in August last, escorted by strong body
OF Infantry, for the purpose ofexploration,
but more especially 10 ascertain whether
the Sierra Nevada was passable by the
ordinary grade Of railways. His Course
lay up the main valley OF the Sacramento,
to Deer Creek, where the main escort with
wagons were left, and the Captain with
80 men pushed on the Peter Loosen trail
TO Grove Lake, near the source of Pitts
River, one OF uie principal affluen,s Of
the Sacramento. Here the enigrani trail
crosses the dividing ridge of the mountain
by steep and difficult ascent, so that i
became necessary 10 search for better
pass. camp was established under
charge of Lieut.. Williamson, and Capt.
Warner detached eigh, men, we'll mosn-
ted and armed, with his guide, skiI,ed the
Goose Lake and thence following the val
ley of small stream employing into that
lake, to point about 90 miles north OF his
camp, which proved TO be the summit Of
the mountain, from the same point, The
valley Of small stream flowing eastward,
afforded gentle and easy descent to the
desert country that lies east Of the Sierra
Nevada. From hisnotes land the description
Of the country given by the survi, ors Of
his party there remains but little doubt that
this pass, discovered Ivy Captain Warner
is the best one for a wagon road and also
that it is practicable for railway. Hav-
ing accomplished the chief object of his
search, he turned TO The south, keeping The
mountain range OIL his right hand, and the
desert on his left, his path keeping on
ground slightly elevated, ard crossed by
valleys of small streams coming from the
mountain. These streams like those Of
California, have level valleys, with steep
hill bounding them on the north and south.
On the morning Of September u, the par
ty had crossed one of these valleys and
were ascending The steep banks, which
was covered with loose rocks and stones.
As they reached the brow of the hill,
about forty Indians rose up from behind
the rocks and discharged their arrows
which took effect upon The per, ons Of the
Captain and guide, and the two leading
men. The mule of Capt. Warner was
badly wounded, whirled round and plung-
ed down the hill into the valley. In pas
sing the party he called out, I'm dead
man, fire on them" His order was obey
ed, but it is believed without effect. The
guide mortally wounded, sprung from his
horse, aimed, but his sight failing him, did
not fire, but remounted and rode down the
hill into the valley, where the party had
assembled. Capt. Warner had fallen from
his mule dead, with nine severe arrow
wounds. The guide died the following
morning. Two the men were wounded,
one of whom has since died. The remain
der of the party moved down the valley,
into more open ground, where the Indians
did no, attempt TO follow them, and after
the death ofthe guide, travelled south un-
til they came to the emgrants trail, which
they followed to their camp on Goose
Lake.
1t will be a source Of consolation to the
friends of Captain Warner, 10 know that
his Typographical notes up to the hour Oh
his death, are in safe hands, and that the
fruits of his long, patient and arduous Ia
bors in California will stand 10 the crediI
of his name in the maps and statistical in-
formation with which he has supplied ms
department. No eulogy need be pronoun-r
ced to his memory, for those who knew
him could not fail 10 appreciate his private
worth. and in his death the public musu
mourn the loss of an excellent officer, VINO
has devoted his life since manhood. to 'he
service Of his country. ". 1. .,
! San Francisco, Oct. 30, lS49, S>"@