Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
storming an Indian Stronghold In callfornia.

The Sonora Herald of Jan. Is, gives the following
interesting account of the taking of an Indian
cheria among the mountains about the head waters
OF the Mariposa. The expedition was undertaken
on account of the murder of three men at Sayage's
Camp, on the Fresno creek:
"a company of seventy-fve men, well equipped,
started from Aqua Frio under the guidance of Saw
age. After travelling some distance the company
was divided into two bodies some having charge of
the provisions and baggage, who directed to en-
camp, while the others pushed on in search of the
Indians. The latter division, forty-fve in number,
continued on the trail till dusk, when Savage told
them he heard Indians singing, and said it would not
be safe to advance any further All stood STILL but
none could hear the singing but Savage himself.
They then crept along very cautiously little fur
ther, in their stocking feet, and laid down for the
night arranging themselves in suitable manner for
defence. With the first glmmer of light next NOR
ming, they Indian peak, acting senti-
mel. He was looking directly at them, and contin-
perfectly quiet he unable to detect the nature
OF the objects before him, until the light became
stron ger-and then he suddenly gave whoop. In
stantly the Americans sprang to their feet and rush
ed toward the rancheria. They had to climb up the
walls as if climbing tree. The spot selected was
one impregnable by nature. Mr. Wilson said that
a dozen white men could defend it against 1000 of
their equals
1t was vast basin in the top of a mountain, with
walls almost perpendicular down which large and
ants completely to prevent them climbing the
steep and rugged sides. But the Americans gained
the heights before the alarm had been sufficiently
given and then ensued most ferocious engagement
which lasted three hours and half Fortyfour In
dams were killed, and the rancheria fired The
screeching that followed was described as heart-ren-
dng-and there be little doubt that many of the
| old women and children burned to death. The
loss on the American side was killed, NOR
tally wounded and five six others less IN
| jured.
This ranchera is described as the largest ever yet
discovered in California, covering about four acres
with the houses huts. 1t was wholly unknown to
Savage himself Several tribes were collected to-
gether and the number of braves warriors could
not be less than one thousand From four to five
| hundred were present at the engagement we have
described, and they said that 600 others had been
sent off to attack Mariposa The location of this
rancheria was on the Frisno, about 40 miles from
Savages camp, just at the commencement of the
SHOWS in the mountans-some ~ or ~ miles from
Sonora.
After the battle was over, the chiefs from the hill
tops told Savage that they would have shown bet
ter fight only 600 of their braves bad been sent tc
destroy Mariposa, and that no white man would be
found alive there Savage saws the force of the In
dams is much greater than has been supposed here
tofore. They can raise some fifteen thousand braves
and according to all accounts the of braces is
not applied Incorrectly. They say that all the In
dams from Oregon to the Colorado are leagued to-
gether and have sworn eternal enmlty to the white
| face henceforth and forever
Savage has disguised himself as not to be recog
nized by the Indians The miners in all that section
of country have left their work and focked to Aqua
Frio for protection. Almost every animal on the
Tuolumne and MERGED has been stolen, and there is
at present neither security for life property.
company of about 100 efficient men has been organ
lied for protection at Aqua Frio and all are ready
to proceed to battle soon as ammunition, pro
visions and moderate pay for time, are furnished by
the Legislature.
Mari posa has not yet been attacked, and the ru
NOR that - miners had been killed on Rattlesnakt
creek appears to be without foundation.