The Nevada journal., 1853-02-11
From the Sacramento Union, Feb 3D.
Indian Robberies on Dry Creek-Arming
Of HE Peopte- Fights acith the Indians,

Indian RoJbsries on Dry Creck-Arminl
Of Tie Peoptc-Fishts agith the Indians
&c.
MIR. J. A. Benson communicates the
following particulars of recent difficult
tie, between the people of his neigh
borhood and the Dry Creek Indians
On Friday night last the house Of
Messrs Bragg and Drew, situated on the
Mpkelumne river, near the junction OF
Dry Creek, was entered and robbed of a
large quantity of goods. Mr. Drew, ac-
companied by another gentleman, went
in search Of she robbers, and from we'll
founded suspicious entertained, visited
an Indian ranchera not far off. Here
they discovered lot of the goods for
which they were in search. They asked
the In lians to deliver the goods over, as
the p operty of Messrs. Bragg and Drew,
which request they refused to comply
with. a Chief Of the tribe held pistol
over the head Of MIR. Drew in a threat
ening attitude, and told him " if he
didn't leave lie would shoot him" Mr.
Drew and his companion, not consider
ing it prudent to remain longer, depart
cd.
Information was dispatched through
out the neis shborhood Of these facts, with
request for an assembling of the whites.
In response to the summons, some six
teen pcr-ons assembled together, armed,
and proceeded Il second time to the In
dian village When the Indians saw
them coming they ran from the cover of
a thick brush, where they appeared to
have been concealed or occupied, and
took refuge in their houses. There were
about twenty in all. The party of whites
informed them that they did not come
to fight, but to reclaim the goods. The
Indians drew out OF their houses, and one
Of them advanced among the whites
Another of their number was seen to
raise rife, which he fred on the in-
stnnt, at one of the party, fifteen or
twenty PAGES off, but did not hit him.
The whites returned the fire unanimous
ly, killing two or three Of the Indians
They then seized upon an Indian a
mongst them, who proved the same that
had drawn the pistol over the head of
Mr. Drew. Having tied him to tree,
while the Indians kept up fire upon
them from their houses, into which they
had again retrcated. the whites killed
him and Withdrew, but not until they
had exhausted all their ammunition,
During the retreat, a young man nam
ed Gardiner, ignited box of matches,
and, running into the village, set n cou-
pie of the Indian shanlics on fire, which
were entirely consumed. Although sew
eral shots were discharged at him. he
succeeded in joining his companions un-
hurt. The Indians, taking courage by
the flight of the whites, sailed out,
crossed Dry Creek. and kept firing stead
lily upon them, till they were nearly half
a mile off.
Not dcoming themselves sufficiently
strong to renew the attack, messengers
were dispatched all over the country for
more men. A force of 80 OF 40 were coll
lected, our informant included, who arm
ed themselves and went back on Satur.
day to complete their work of driving the
Indians off, or exterminating them.
When the augmented force arrived in
sight Of the indian village, the sun was
atout an hour high. But FIVE or six In
dans were seen, who fed as The party
approached. Following in the pursuit,
they found that the main body Of the
tribe had taken refuge on an island in
Dry Creek, surrounded on all sides by a
broad sheet Of water. Having stolen all
the boats along that stream or set them
adrift, the party were unable to APP
proach them. Their position was found
to be regularly fortified by the cutting
down Of brush wood, and piling it up as
Il breastwork of defence. In reply to in
quiries addressed to them from the
shore, they said it was their chief WIN
had committed the robbery, and that it
was also IN accordance with his COM
mands that they had fred upon the
whites. They refused to give him up,
and said, with true Spartan hcroism,
that if the whites desired to secure him,
they must comy and take him."
la reply TO this insolence, The whites
again fired upon them. The fire was
promptly returned, the Indians showing
great bravery, and venturing to the very
waters edge to discharge their pieces
Their bullets ratified about the heads Of
the whites in every direction, and to
protect themselves they were compelled
to adopt the shelter of trees, logs, &c.
Night closing in, the party retreated.
leaving the Indians masters of the field
When Mr.. Benson left, the whites
were collecting in still greater force to
mike third attack In the meantime
men were stationed along the Crock, at
proper intervals, to keep watch upon
the movements Of the enemy. Mr. Ben
son had himself served one whole night
on duty, and thinks that the Indians are
securely trapped.
None Of the whites were killed in the
different sallies, while it is believed thal
the Indians lost several of .heir number.
When the Indians made their first sally
upon the whites, crossing Dry Creek in
the pursuit they proceeded to the house