New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-10
StorminR m Indinn Stronghold.

The Sonora Herald of Jan. 25 gives the folio W
ing interesting account of the taking of an Indian
ranckeria among the mountains, about the head
waters Of the Mariposa. The expedition was I'M
dertaken on account of the murder Of three men
at Savsges Camp, on the Fresno creek:
A company of seventy-fve men, well equipped.
started from Aqua Frio under the guidance OF
Savage After travelling some distance, the com.
pany 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 five 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 except Savage himself.
They then crept along very cautiously little
further, in their stocking feet and laid down for
the night arranging themselves in suitable
manner flor defense. 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 unable
to detect the nature of the objects before him.
until the light became stronger-and then he sud
denly gave q whoop. Instantly the Americans
sprang to their feet and rushed towards the ran.
cheria. They had to climb up the walls as If
climbing tree. The spot selected was one I'M
w
dozen white men could defend it against 1000 OF
their equals.
IL was a vast basin in the top of a mountain
with walls almost perpendicular, down which
large and loose rocks could be rolled upon an
army of ass atlantis as completely TO prevent
them from climbing the steep and rugged sides.
But the Americans gained the nights, before the
alarm had been sufficiently given, and then en-.
sued a most furious engagement which lasted
three hours and half Fortyfour OF the Indians
were killed and the rancheria fired. The screech.
ing that followed was described as most heart
rendiDg-and there can be little doubt that many
Of the old women and children were burned TO
death The loss on the American side was one
killed one mortslly wounded, and Ave or six others
more or less injured.
This rancheria is described as the largest ever
vet discovered Ia Cslifornia, covering about four
acres with the houses or huu IL was wholly
unknown toSevRge himself Several tribes were
collected tOget her, and the number Of braves or
warriors could rot be less than one thousand.
From four TO FIVE hundred were presezt at the
engseement we have described, and they said
that COO others had been sent of 70 attack Mari
posa. The location Of this rsncheria was on the
Frisno, about 40 miles from Savage's camp, asst
st the commencement of the SHOWS in the noun
tains-some 90 or 20 miles from Sonora.
After the battle was over, the chiefs from the
bill tops told Savage that they would have shown
a better fight, only coo Of their braves had been
sent to destroy Mariposs, and that no white man
would be found alive there. Savage says the
force ofthe Indians 10 much greater than has been
supposed heretofore. They can raise some fifteen
thousand braves, and according to all accounts,
the name of brares is not applied incorrectly
They say that all the Indians from Oregon TO the
Colorado are leagued together aud have sworn
eternal enmity TO the white face henceforth and
forever
Savage has disguised himself 50 as not 70 be
recognized by the Indians The miners in all that
section Of country bsve left their work and fOcksd
20 Aqua Frio for protection Almost every an