Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-24
STORMING AN INDIAN STRONGHOLD
IN CALIFORNIA.

lin CALltORNlA.
The Sonora Herald of January 25, gives the
following interesting account of the taking of an
Indian rancheria among the mountains, about the
head-waters of the Mariposa. The expedition
was undertaken on account of the murder Of
three men at Savages Camp, on the Fresno
creek:
"a company of seventy-fve men, well-equipped
started from Aqua Fro, under the guidance of
Savage. After travelling some distance the
company was divided into two bodies, one having
charge of the provisions and baggage, who were
directed to encamp, while the others pushed on
in search of the Indians The latter division,
forty-fve in number, continued OH the trail till
dusk, when Savage told them he heard Indians
singing, and said it would not be safe to advance
any farther. All stood STILL but none could hear
the singing except Savage himself
"rhey then crept along very cautiously little
further, in their stocking feet, and laid down for
the night, arranging themselves in suitable
manner for defence. With the first glimmer of
light next morning, they saw an Indian on peak
acting as sentinel. He was looking directly at
them, and continued to do SO for some time
But, as they remained perfectly quiet, he was un-
able to detect the objects before him until the
light became stronger and then he suddenly gave
their feet, and rushed toward the rancheria.-
They had to climb up the walls as if climbing a
tree. The spot selected was mpregnable by
nature. Mr. Wilson said that dozen white
men could defend it against two thousand of their
equals.
at was vast basin in the top of mountain, with
walls almost perpendicular, down which large and loose
completely to prevent them from climbing the steep and
rugged Sides But the Americans gained the heights be-
fore the alarm had been sufficiently given and then
sued most terocious engagement which lasted three
hours and half. Forty -four Of the Indians were kill
cd and the ranchera fired. The schreeching that fol-
lowed was described as most heart reEdng and there
can be little doubt that many OF the old women and
can side killed, MORALLY wounded, and five
or six others more or less injured.
"Ihis rancheria is described the largest ever ye
discovered in California, covering about four with
the houses or huts. 1t was wholly unknown to Savage
himself. Several tribes were collected together, ane
the number of braves warriors could not be less thar
thousand. from four to five hundred were presen
at the engagement we have described and they sale
that six hundred had been sent off attack Maliposa
The location OF this ancheria the lrsno, abou
forty miles from Savages camp just at the commence
ment OF the SHOWS in the mountains some sixty or sew
enty miles from Sonora.
"Aer the battle over, the chiefs from the hilltop!
told Savage that they would have shown better fight
only six hundred OF their braves had been sent to des-
troy Marposa, and that no white man would be found
alive there. Savage says the force of the Indians il
much greater than has been supposed heretofore They
can raise fifteen thousand braves, and according
TO all accounts the OF braves is applied incor
recy. They say that all the Indians from Oregon te
the Colorado leagued together and have sworr
eternal enni,y to the white face hence and forever
Savage has disguised himself not to be recog
Missed by the Indians The miners in all that section
| country have left their work and hocked 10 Aqua
Fro for protection. Almost every animal on the Tuo
umne and MERGED has been stolen and there is pres
ent neither security for life nor property. company
OF about hundred and sixty efficient has beef
organized for protection at Aqua Fio and all rea
dy to proceed to battle as ammunition, provi
sions, aud moderate pay tor time furnished by thu
| Leg stature
"Mariposa has not yet been attacked and the rumo
that seventy miners had been killed Ratlesnak
creek appears to be without foundation"