Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10
Ohm NJ. BERNHISEL,
In CAMp, NEAR FILLMORE. U. T..
Delegate from Utah

In CAMP, NEAR FILLMORE, U. T.,
October 30, 1863
GovERNoR Deemng that it may bs of interest to
you, hasten to send you suconc account of the late
terrible massacre which occurred in this vicinity on the
morning OF the 10Th instant On the morning of the
10th instant Capt ]. w. GUSNIsoN with portion OF his
scientific party, an escort of seven men, and Mr. VIM
Potter, of Man guide, left camp on Sewer for
the purpose of surveying the lakes. The same morn.
ing moved with the remainder of my command four
teen miles up the Sewer, there intending to await the
return of the late Capt Gunnison On the morning Of
the 26th at A. NJ, the commissioned officer in
charge Of the escort came running breathessly into
camp, saying that their party had been surprised and
he believed all had been killed. | Immediately proceed
ed to the fatal spot with all the troops had in hopes
OF saving some Of the party rescuing the wounded
On my way met three more Of my men who had
escaped all of whom confirmed the sad intelligence but
knew not who had fallen. Pushing rapidly on reach
ed at dark the spot where three of the party had fallen
Their bodies filed with arrow wounds though not
otherwise mutilated halted my command here for the
night, and waited until daylight, when proceeded on
Reaching the vicinity of the camp found the remain
ing corpses of the party, all of which stripped
and some mutilated. Capt. Gunnison was killed b,
fifteen arrow wounds and had his left off Mr.
Creutzfeldt had both arms cut off The statement mad,
by the survivors is follows That Capt G. reached
the first pond or lake at p nj. the Goth instant
and encamped between the lake and river and a bend
Of the river thcky frnged with willows that the party
at daybreak and in the of breakfasting
when terrific yell raised their left accompanied
by q discharge of rifles and shower of arrows. The
escort seized their rifles and few shots
changed when, finding that the Indians rapidly
closing around their little party they all tried to reach
their horses Those who succeeded escaped while those
who failed fell The lowest number of Indians is stated
at sixty The American party consisted of twelve
all told.
Names of the kiAed-Capt ]. w. Gunnson, Corps o.
Top Eng U. s. A.. Mr.. VIM. Potter, guide, AIant, U
1. MIR. r. IL. Kern, topographer of the party; Mr.
Creutzfeld botanist of the party Prvates Caulfeld
Liptrott, and Mehrteens company A. mounted rifemen
John Bellows, employee.
The Indians secured
guns pistols and about thousand rounds OF
cartridges ammunition all the scientific instruments
with the party and OF the of the survey all
Of those of the Wahsatch Mountains and in fact most
of the sketches and topography between the San Rafael
and this point.
In concluding this hasty note, permit to make
known my obligations to Mr.. Richards and President
Call, of the city of Fillmore for their kind assistance
in enabling to send express with this intelligence
to the General Government and to your Excellency.
am, sir with much respect, your obedent servant,
r. NJ. MORRIS,
Brevet Captain U. s. Army.
To his Excellency
Gov BRIGHAM YOUNG, Utah Territory
We add extract of letter from member of the
surviving party, addressed to his father in this city
FILLMORE COUNTY, UTAH TERRITORY,
OCTOBER 90, 1853.
1t is with great pain have to inform you of the
der of Capt Gunnison, Mr.. r. H. Kern, Mr.. Creutz-
feldt, captains Bellows and three rfemen by
the names of Caulfeld, Mehrteens and Liprott They
left our camp Sewer river Tuesday morning 18th
instant for the purpose Of surveying Sewer Lake They
had proceeded some fifteen miles, and camped the
river, when they attacked by party of Indians
supposed to be the Parvants, Wednesday morning
little before sunrise, they az breakfast. The
party consisted of twelve four Of whom escaped (rie
men We had moved our camp up the river, and in
tended to await their return where received the
count OF the attack by Of the between IL
| o'clock. As soon the received Captain
Morris, with his men, proceeded fast possible L
the spot, where he arrived at P. NJ but the Indian
bodies Mr. eceiy vim
only ball, which passed through his heart, Will,
Capt Gunnson received fifteen arrows the Of h,
men were cut and butchered most horribly Capt Nor
ris returned Wednesday evening to camp at Ce.
dar Springs. This place left Sunday, and re.
turned, after receiving the news quick possible
as we would be from attack than our
former position We will remain at this place until
Monday, and then proceed Great Salt Lake City to
await orders. remain, yours Affect onately,
JAMES A. SNYDER,
Assistant Draughtsman