Washington sentinel., 1853-12-14
@sntral gntsllissnts.


The Massacre Of Capt. Gunnison.
We have heretofore given accounts ofthe mas
sacre of Captain Gunnison and his surveying
party. The following account, which we copy
from the Philadelphia Bullstin. contains some in
formation Of interest which we have not seen
elsewhere. It speaks particularly of Mr.. Richard
III. Kern, gentleman of high attainmentsi who
was connected professionally with the party.
The report of the massacre of Capt. Gunnison,
of the army, and number of his gallant party en-
gagged on survey through the country OF the Utah
Indians comes, unhappily, in too direct and au-
thentic shape to leave any hope OF its being in
correct. There is none of the appearances OF inn
probability about il that surrounded the similar
story about Captain Marcy, and sustained the
hopes of his friends until his safety was esiab-
lished. The first account Of il that we have is
directly from the governor of Utah, who has en-
ployed such limited means as were IN his power
to rescue the survivors and punish the savages.
"The expedition commanded by Captain Gun
nison was sent out to survey ronte Tor racine
railroad, which was recommended by Senator
Ciwin last winter, The route that of Mr..
Richard II. Kern, formerly of Philadelphia, who
received an appointment as commander OF the
typographical party, and who has fallen also
among the victims OF savage cruelty. Mr.. hern
was one Of the most daring, intelligent, expert
enced, and cultivated pioneers OF our vast western
wilds He had several times crossed the conti-
nent, and was on Fremonts last ilfated expedi-
tion, in which his brother, Benjamin Kern, was
killed by hostile Indians. Both these gentlemen
were unsurpassed in their professions Richard,
whose sad fate is now mourned by his friends,
was very superior draughtsman, thorough
scholar, an accomplished lingust, and gifted with
that sagacity and energy which are so invaluable
TO those who lead mountain and frontier life.
Had he lived, he would doubtless have rendered
good service to the country.
We have no information in reference to the
other victims of this calamity but such parties
are always composed Of picked men, there have
probably been others massacred equally gifted and
equally beloved. The cause of the disaster lies in
that mistaken policy so long pursued by our gov
ernment, of sending off small squads OF men thou
sands of miles out of the reach of succor through
regions known to be inhabited by the widest and
most bloodthirsty savages whose hostility 10 the
whites increases with every new step made to ex-
plore their lands, or open the way to white occu-
pancy.
/" We shall be surprised II the other exploring
expeditions escape similar outrages, and we trust
that the bitter lesson given in this tragedy may be
the means of introducing new system. II Will
not do merely TO punish the perpetrators OF this
last massacre. That will not restore the victims,
though il may terrify the murderers. But it should
be a fixed rule to send out military force, OF at
least several hundred men, with every exploring
party armed SO as 10 set at defiance the predatory
bands of savages who make the passage 10 the Pa
cifc gauntlet of death.
The following extractls from a letter from son
of Captain M Snyder OF this city, (aged IS years)
10 his father II was written three days after
the massacre.
81 have been very unwell since Mr.. Kern's
death | am all alone, and have lost whom
loved dearly, and who has been father to me-
write in hurry, as the express now waits for
this letter. wish you would write 10 Mrs. W.,
at Philadelphia, and give her all the particulars ;
and tell her that shall attend to Mr.. Kern's eff
fects, public and private. ! cannot write much,
as my mind is too unsettled. As as arrive
at the Salt Lake will give you a more particular
account. Give"my love TO all the family and
friends
t" One of the men who escaped has just re-
turned and brought guard that was upon
Mr.. KS neck, this being the only thing the In
dians left upon his person. The night before he
left he told me, if he did not return, how TO dis
pose Of his books and other articles. His books
and paints he wished me to give to his brother N,
(aow in the Arctic expedition) and his money to
his sister, 1t seems as if every who was
along with him had presentiment of what was
10 happen. The morning Mr.. Kern left he bid me
good bye, saying he should not see me again. A
tear fell from his eye at the time.
+" / cannot write more at present, as my feelings
are worked up to high pitch.
g remain, your affectionate son,
JAMES A. SNYDER