Washington sentinel., 1853-12-13
In CAMP, NEAR FILLMORE, U. T.,
m

Oct. 90, 1853.
GOVERNOR : Deeming that il may be OF interest
TO you, hasten to send you succnct account OF
the late terrible massacre which occurred in this
vicinity on the morning Of the 10th inst. On the
morning of the 25th inst. Captain j. w. Gunnson,
with portion of his scientific party, an escort Of
seven men, and Mr. VIM. Potter, of Mauti, as
guide left our camp Sewer for the purpose OF
surveying the lakes. The same morning moved
with the remainder of my command fourteen miles
up the Sewer, there intending TO await the return
Of the late Captain G. On the morning OF the 10th,
at III A. M, the non-commissioned officer in
charge of the escort running breathlessly in-
10 camp saving that their party had been surprised
and he believed all had been killed Immediately
proceeded TO the fatal spot, with all the troops
had in hopes of saving some OF the party, or res
cuing the wounded. On my way met three more
of my men who had escaped, all Of whom con.
firmed the sad intelligence, but knew not who had
fallen. Pushing rapidly on, | reached at dark the
spot where three of the party had fallen Their
bodies were filled with arrow wounds, though moi
otherwise mutated. | halted my command here
for the night, and waited until daylight, when
proceeded on.
Reaching the vicinity of the camp, / found the
remaining corpses of the party; all OF which were
stripped and some mutlated. Captain Gunnison
was killed by fifteen arrow wounds, and had his
left arm cut of. Mr.. Creutzfeldt had both arms
cut off, The statement made by the survivors is
as follows: That Captain G. reached the pond or
lake at 3 p. NJ. on the 25th instant, and encamped
between the lake and river, and on bend OF the
river thickly fringed with willows, that the party
arose at daybreak and were in the act of break
fasting. when terrific veil was raised on their
left accompanied by discharge OF rifles and
shower of arrows The escort seized their rifles
and some few shots were exchanged when, find
ing that the Indians were rapidly closing around
their little party they all tried TO reach their horses
Those who succeeded escaped, while those who
"a, ,aJ Gal hx n
at sixty. The American party consisted of twelve
men all told.
Names Of Ae Kilsd-Captain J. w. Gunnison
corps of Typographical engineers, United States
army; Mr.. VIM. Potter guide, Manti, Utah Terri
tory Mr. r. III. Kern topographer Of the party ;
VIM Creutzfeldt, botanist of the party; Privates
Caulfed Liptrott and Mehrtcens, company A,
mounted rifemen John Bellows, employee.
The Indians secured eight rifles, two double
barreled shot guns, seven pistols, and about one
thousand rounds Of cartridges or ammunition; all
the scientific instruments with the party, and some
of the notes ofthe survey all Of those of the Wah
satch mountains and in fact, most of the sketches
and Topography between the San Rafael and this
point.
In concluding this hasty note, permit me TO
make known my Obligations 70 MT Mr Richards and
President Call of the city OF Fillmore for their
kind assistance i'm enabling me TO send an express
with this intelligence 10 the general government
and TO your excellency
am, sir, with much respect. your obedient SER
want. R. M. NORRIS,
Brcvet Captain, United States Army.
To his Excellency Gov. BRIeHAM You've, Utah
Territory.
The National I,,teligsnoer adds an extract Of a
letter from a member Of the surviving party, adj
dressed TO his father IN this city.
FILLMORE Cousry, UrAH TERRrroRy,
October %, 1853.
It's with great pain have to inform you oflh