Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-15

FORT LARAMIE, Nov. 10, 1853.

FORT LARAMIE, Nov. 10, 1853.
DEAR CoL.-'rhe mail arrived last
nigh, abou, o o'clock, and | have now
but very few moments 10 drop you a
lew lines befpre It's close. The Sal.
Lake mail arrived several DAYS ago, and
by i, we learn the distressing and pain
full intelligence that Lieut.. John W..
Gunnison, of the Typographical Engi.
neers. and his party Of seven men, while
in camp beside Lake Sewer, abou, 80
miles South OF Salt Lake City, were
fired upon abou, daylight by party Of
Utah Indians, (this tribe now being on
terms of hostility with the Mormons
and whites in general and he and six
of his men were killed, only one escap.
ing 10 tell the news in the city.
Lieut.. G. was on reconnaissance fOI
a survey of middle route for the Pa.
cific Railroad, and was connected with
the survey of the Great Lslt Lake and
Basin, ond accomplished arduous duties,
under the most irving vicissitudes. -
From an intimate acquaintance with him
previously, and close connection while
on that survey, always found him to be
a gentleman of ripe attainments. grea:
moral worth and piety, and universally
beloved and respected by citizens anil
soldiers. ... .. ..
| dislike TO make premature mention
of this calamity on account of the deep
distress j. will carry to the hearts of an
interesting family. but fear that there is
little more than the shadow of u forlorn
hope that The account is incorrect.
The Cheyennes confirm very nearly
The statement of their loss in the en-
gagement with the Pawnees and other
tribes. viz: z Cheyennes. Arrapahoes
and 2 Kowss. and had ITO horses kill
ed. They are now in tears and sorrow,
aud have sent out against the Pawnees
a large war party OF their tribe and. the
Sioux.
The Arrapahoes recently wen, on a
thieving expedition against the Utahs and
found a large village encamped on Little
Snake river, beyond the middle Fork"
and Platte River, between Savery's Fork
and Bitter Cottonwood Fork of Green
River. They discovered the village in
the daytime. and as soon as everything
was quiet in The village at night, they
commenced collecting the horses, and
by day light had succeeded in clearing the
village of every one. They then start.
ed them on the run, leaving the Utahs
helpless, and are now close behind The
Laramie mountain, with four hundred
head of horses. This is very great
"koo," and rather puts their Cheyenne
and Sioux friends in good spirits. .
3 The difficulties between the Mormon
people and ,he Green river traders, |
have not ye, been fully informed of, and
do no. wish to make on impartial state.
men.. met Mr.. James BrIdger on his
way down, and | suppose, as he feels
himself seriously aggrieved and I'M ured.
he will make such facts as lie is in pos
session of, public. Ii is quite certain
tina. company of men ordered on! from
the valley took several prisoners. who
are now confined to hard labor, in irons,
in The valley one man-dro'e of
a number of cattle and horses into The
val,ey-took possession of Bidger's
ferl and effecls--and taxed one person
50 900 liz lieu of taking him prisoner.
These facts | have from Mormon, aud
learn that they were done on account OF
sundry mlsdemeanors, and a violation Of
the right Of ferry privileges on Green
river. ! do not pretend to judge Of The
matter, and do moi wish to prejudice the
mind of any one, bu. let the facts be
properly or officially placed before the
public. #" . '.a a-.
A very murderous combat took place
some time since near or at Bridger's fort.
Two cooks, dtsagreeing about the man
ner of cooking certain meats. from Sc.
we're and abusive language came TO blows
wnen one of them drew his pistol and
shot the other in The breast, just below
The heart. The latter fell, then arising,
DIRE his butcher knife, and stabbed his
opponent three times through The heart,
when both fell almost Immediately be.
side each other aud died. This is rather
singular mode of terminating trilllng
difficulty, but it is The short Gu. method
in vogue in This, the far west.
Strange lnhabitan ts of the Great