The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-12
The Late Massacre ON the Plains,

From the National Intellgencsr, Dec 10
In the subjoined communication the reader win And
tie pArtisub Of tbs late by Indians of q
portion of Capt Gunnisoa yarty on the West
plains, which have been looked for with much In.
terest:-
WASHINGTON, Dec. o. 1853.
VII you be good enough to give place In the National
N. MSrri. United States Army, to his sxcsliency Gov
Young which you will herewith receiveY Respsc fully,
your obedient servant JOHN n BERNRIsEL,
Delegate rom Utah.
In CANT, NKAR FILLMORE u. T
October 20, 1853. I
GovERNoR-Deeming that il may be Of interest 10 You,
hasten to send you succnct punt Of the late ter
rible massacre which occurred IN this vicinity the
ing the 2eth instant On the morning OF the 26th
instant capt. J. W. Gunrison, With = portion Of his
scientific party escort o. seven and Mr. William
Potter Of Mant as guide left camp Sewer for
the purpose of surveying the lakes The incoming
moved with the remainder Ct my command fourteen
miles up the Sewer, 'here intsnt to await thu
turn OF the late Capt Gunniscn. On the morning Of
the 2eth at llh A. the non com miss oned oa,osr in
charge Of the escort came running br~athlsssly int
camp ayjng that their party had been surprised and he
believed all had been killed nms proceeded to
the fatal spot with al the troops ID in hopes saving
some OF the party or rescuing the wounded On my way
whom confirmed the sad intelligence but knew not who
has fallen Pushing rapidly on reached, at DARK the
spot where three OF the party had fallen Their bodies
tilated halted my command here for the night and
waited for daylight when oceeded Reaching the
vicinity OF the camp found the remaining O0rpses Of the
party all Of which were stripped and mutilated.
Capt Gunpison killed by fifteen rro~ wounis, and
had his left arm cut of Nj Creu,1ssld bad both arms
cut off, The statement made by the survivors fol.
lows: That Capt reached the arst pond lake 1t
on the 25th instant AMI encamped between the lake
and river and bend Of the river thickly fnged with
Willows that the party at daybreak add In
the oct Of breakfastng when terrific yell raised
their LETT accompanied BY discharge o. rides and
shower Of The escort seized their rifles and
few hots we're exchanged when finding that the Indians
we're rapidly closing around thsr little party, they al
while those who failed fell The lowest number Of In.
dams Ia stated 81 sixty The American party eonsted Of
twelve men, all told.
Names Of the killed Capt. j. W. Gunnison, Corps OF
TOP Eng, U. A Mr.. VIM Potter, guide Manti U. r;
NJ Kern, topoarapher Of the party Mr. Crsutssldt
botanist tf the pary Prsates Csuldsd, uptrott and
Mehrteens, company A, mounted riasmsn; John Bellows
employe,.
guns, pistols and about thousand rounds of
cartridges ammunition al the cientfc instruments
with the Iary and some Of the notes of the survey AL
OF hose OF the Wahsach Mountains and in fact OF
the sketches and topography between the San Rafael and
known oblig to Nj Richards Presidsnt OA
Of the city of Fillmore for their kind assistance in enabling
me to iend express with this intelligence to the Gene
raj Government and to your Exoelency
Am, sir, with much respect, your obedient serv't
R N. NORRIS Brryet Captain O. 8. A.
10 his ExcsIency Gov Brigham Young, Utah Territory.
We add extract of letter from member Of the sur.
wing party, addressed to bis father in this city,
FILLMORE COUNTY UTAH rNRMroRY,
0,tobsr 20, 1853.
der Of Captain Gunnison, Mr. e. Kern Mr. 0fsutxsldt
captains servant Bellows and three riHemen BY the
names Of Caul6efd, Mehrtsens and Lptrott They left
our camp on SEWER river on Tuesday morning. 2Sh in.
had proceeded some fifteen miles, and camped on the
river when they attacked BY party Of Indians,
supposed to be the ParvsnN ON W. dnefday morning.
tte before se they at breakfast The party
consisted of twelve four Of whom escaped, (riasuen
We had moved camp up the river, and intended to
await their return where received the account Of the
attack by OF the men, between IL and o'clock Az
soon a. the news received Captain Norris with his
men proceeded fast possible to the spot whore ho
arrived at M but the Indians had fed. The bodies
found Mr. Kern receiving only ball which pass
ed through his heart while Captain Gunnlson received
fifteen the rest of the and butcher
ed most horribly. Captain Morris returned ON wsdnes-
day evening to camp At Cedar Springs This place
We left on Sunday returned after receiving the news
attack than at former position We will remain at
this place until Monday and then pro,eed 10 Great Salt
JAMES A. SNYDER s0 at prsusSssmsn.