The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-12

1 A'"" ING WV x0Fk commercial
IsosAs AFFAIRS ~ cALsvoss,A. The most i'm
portant intsliixence brought by the late arrivals
FROM California. relates the aspect of the Indian
affairs IN that State. During the months Of De-
csmber aud January there had been such frequent
encounters between the whites and the aboriginal
residents ON the borders, as 10 lead TO the belief
that general Indian war not far distant.
We have heretofors published accounts of some
Of these engagements, but one of the most impor-
tant has not beeu mentioned. Some time about
November last James Savage, native Of Illinois,
Of German descent, who had passed most of his
life among the Indians, established several trading
posts ON the outskirts Of the Mwiposa country.
One OF these was plundered and burnt, two of his
squaxs were carried off. and from that and
other depredations Of the Indians is repre- sented
that he lost property worth about eight thousand
dollars.
Savage then organized company, variously
estimated IN the several accounts at from forty
seventy, ard marched from the Little Mariposa to
the indian stronghold In the mountains, about
forty miles distant. On the third day the
cheree Of the Indians had just been discovered,
and the party were marching forward, when they
were perceived by the Indian spy on the hill top,
who gave the war-hoop and alarmed the camp
The Americans followed with speed and gave
them battle. The result was that, after contest
Of three hours the assailanls retired but not until
about thirty OF the Indians were killed, and fifty
or sixty OF their huts burned On the American
side Mr.. Schein, Frenchman, who was lieu
tenant OF the company, Mr.. Lius OF Texas,
Charles Austin and Richard Tlllotson were
verely wounded Messrs. Schein and Little SUBJ
sequently died, and were inferred in a temporary
fertilization erected about four miles from the
cheree, for the protection Of the troops Tllotson
had his nose shot of by n rifle bullet. He be-
longed to New York.
| The subsequent day the company was divided,
half, under Major Burney and Savage, return
n mil nj he nth in
ing IN the fertilization under Lieut.. Krkendof, Of
Texas. report was in circulation that second
| engagement had taken place between this party
and the Indians, in which the latter lost three hun
dred killed, and one hundred and fifty squaws
were taken prisoners. This rumor, however, was
generally discredited.
There are various accounts in the papers Of
other encounters with the Indians. Several COM
panes had been driven from the upper bars Of the
south fork OF the American river; some of the men
were badly wounded, among whom was J. C.
Smith, Of Wooster, Ohio. Near Taylor's ranch,
on the night OF the 22d of January, the miners
were attacked. On the same night, an attack was
made on cabin in the vicinity Of Placerville, in
which one man was killed and another dangerous
ly wounded. Seven whites had been killed by the
Indians at Red Bank, on the Mercede river, a
number of others were missing, and large
amount of mules had been stolen. The massacre
Of seventy whites at Rattlesnake creek is men
toned, but this il probably an exnggeraion.
From these accounts it is evident that there in 4
concerted movement on the part Of the Indians on
the border, which will give trouble to the author-
ties of the State and the Union. The Alta Cali
fornia on the authority Of Judge Marion, who is
said to be particularly we'll informed on the sub
ject, estimates the tribes making hostile demon
STATIONS, as numbering probably seven thousand,
spread through the mountains between the waters
of the Toulumne and the head waters at the San
Joaquin They have intercommupications through
the mountain passes, by which they will be able
to concentrate the greater part of their force upon
whatever point may be attacked by the Americans.
In relation to the general aspect Of affairs, the
| Alta California remarks:
| "There is no doubt that the mountain tribes have
at length assumed hostile position, and are in
sufficient numbers to keep at bay any weak par
ties Of our people who may march against them
Being thoroughly acquainted with the mountain
passes, they possess great advantages over most
of whites who are disposed to take part in the
foray against them. Hunger and desperation are
not likely to make them very tractable, and we,
therefore, anticipate much trouble before the pre-
sent warke demonstrations are quieted.
The settlement of the whites in the plains and
valleys has driven the game from the old grounds
: whence the Indians derive their supplies. O
course they attribute their threatened starvation
to the presence of the whites, and reasoning as
they have ever reasoned since our ancestors came
into their country, they very naturally have come
the whites the Id condition OF things would re-
turn. And that they do so they fully believe
Meanwhile thefts and robberies have been com
mitted by them and retalia..,sis have followed
They have stolen horses and mules for food, the
latter being considered by them most excellent
2 The State authorities are making every exer-
ton to meet the emergency. A bill has been in
troduced in the legislature to raise 100000 by
loan to provide for the equipment and support OF
the expedition for the defence. We have already
noticed that the governor had placed 200 militia
under The command of Colonel Johnson, and Civ
en- him power to raise larger force if necessary
In the meantime the U. S. government officers
were not idle. The Public Balance Of Feb. i, no
, tees the arrival from Monterey at San Francisco
of Company Of the Third Regiment u. S. Ar
tllery, and their immediate departure for Benica
A rendezvous had been established at the plac,
last named, preparatory to proceeding on hostile
! tour against the Indians.
The Government has a transport lying in tn
San joaquin, just above the mouth Of the Tue
umne river, from whence supplies are to be draw
for the United States troops during the expedition
! From this point the munitions are to be packed
into the Indian country on mules.
The same paper mentions that Gen. Smith ha.
ordered out three other companies of U. s. troop.
TO cooperate against the savnges. When com
pletely organized these troops to proceed i'm
mediately to Mariposa, which will be made head
quarters during the campaign.
We look for the next arrival from San Francis
CO with some interest," the effect of these war
like demonstrations upon the Indians will prob
ably be known in time for transmission by the
next steamer.
The KENT County TRAeEDy.-The Chester.
town News of Saturday has the following further
Ina relative IN This nj frnn