New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-12-12
THELATE MASSACRE ON THE PLAINS.

From The National Intellgeneer Dec. TO-
In the suboined communication the reader will find ihs
particulars Of the late BY Indiana OF portion OF
Capt Gunnisons surveying party ON the western fiains
which has been looked for with much interest
WAsHINGTOy, Friday, Dec. 9, 1888.
MrssRs GALES & SEAroN VIII you be good enough
10 give place in The National Iae geRcer 10 copy OF
Army TO his Excellency Gov Young which you viii here
with receive Respectfully. your obedient servant,
JOHN 81 BERSHlsEL Delegate from Utah
Is CAMP, NEAR FILLMORE, u. L Oct. 49, 1881.
GoyERsoR Deening that 1t may be Of interest you
hasten send you suecns account of the late terrible
which occurred in this vicinity the morning
Of the Goth instant On the morning of the 18th instant,
Capt j. w Gunnison, with portion OF his scientific
PARTY, Escort of and Mr.. william Potter of
Msn as guide lett our camp on SEWER Tor the purpose o.
surveying the lakes. The same morning moved with
the remainder of my command fourteen miles up the Ne
yier there intending 10 await the return Of the late Capt
Gunnson On the morning of the 26th at II A. H., the
non commissioned officer in charge of the escort
running breathessly into camp sayng that their party
had been surprised, aud he believed all had been killed
immediately proceeded to the fatal spot with all the
troops had In hopes Of saving of the party or res
cnine the wounded On my way met three moro omy
men who had escaped all ofwh9m confirmed the SAD intel
pence but knew not who had fallen. Pushing rapidly on
reached al dark spot where three OF tue party had fallen
Their bodies hlled with arrow wounds though not
otherwise muiilaed halted my command here 70, The
Ms nt and waited until daylight, when PROCEEDED on
R,aching the vicinity Of the camp found the remaining
coaes Of the party all Of which were stripped and some
muiiaied. Capt Gunnison was XII ed by fifteen arrow
wounds and had his left cut OH Mr. Croutzfedt had
both arms o The statement made by the survivors
II as follows; That Capt g. reached the first pond or lake
nt3P ~ OH the g5th instant aud encamped between the
lake and river at bend Of the river, thickiy fringed
With willows that the party arose at daybreak and were
in the act of brcakfasting when terrific yell raised
on their left accompanied by q discharge OF rifles and
shower Of Arrows The escort seized their rifles and some
shots were exchanged when finding that the Indians
rapidly closing around their little party they all tired 70
reach their horses Those who succeeded escaped while
those who failed fell The lowest number Of Indiana IL
stated NIFTY The American party consisted Of twelve
men, ali told.
NAyIs OF KnLEp-Cspt. ! Gunni'c9, Cess q
Mr.. r d Kern, topographer Of the party Mr.. crsutz
feldi botanist Of the party Pivaes Caulfeld Lpo<
ard Mehrteens, Company A, mounted rhemen John Bel
ows employe.
The Indians secured eight rifles two double barrel shot
guns, pistols, and about thousand rounds Of
cartridges ammunition, all the scientific Instruments
with the party and some Of the notes Of the survey, ~
Of those Of the wahsstch Mountains and in fact mo 81
the sketches and topography between the San Rsfse and
this point.
In concluding this hasty note permit me to make known
my obligations to Mr. Richards and President Call OF tho
City Of Fillmore for their kind assistance in enabling ms
to send express with this intelligence to the Gensr
Government and TO your Excellency.
lam, sir with much resPest ySSs Sedisn ssrysns
To His Erceleney Gov BRIsHAs YoUso Utah Territory
We add an extract of letter from member Of the sur
yiving party, addressed to his father in this city;
FILLMORE Co, Utah Territory Oct. 90 1es3~
It's with great pain have TO inform you of The mur
der Of Capt Gunnison, Mr.. X. Ii. Kern, Mr.. Crep.z
ftldt captains servant Below and three riaemen By
left camp Sewer river Tuesday morning, xfl
instant for the purpose Of surveying SEWER Lake.
had proceeded some fifteen miles, and camped on
river when they attacked by party Of Indians
posed to be the Paryants Wednesday morning.
little before sunrse, they at breakfast. re
party consisted of twelve four Of whom escaped (rds
mem We had moved our camp up the river and ia
tended 10 await their return where received the se
count Of the attack by Of the men between and
O'Clock. As soon The was received CAPT Morris
with his men nroceeded az fact possible 10 the
phere he arrived al r. NJ bat the Indians had aed We
bodies were found, Mr.. Kern receiving only one bad
which nsssed though his heart, while Capt GunnsOn 70
eeyed feen arrows she rest Of the were cut sss
butebered most horribly. Capt. Morris returned on
"wednesday evening 10 camp al Cedsr Springs. Tfs
tIsce We e on sunday and returned aer receiving ths
new as quick possible, as would DO seoars
from en- affack than st former position. We will
main At this place until Monday, and then proceef y
Great Salt Lake City await orders. remain your
fectionately, JANIS A. SsTDER, Assistant Drazhtsnsa
ExIoRsTIos TO TExAs-Large Numbers Of emigr-ms
have Ii. lie States OF AIahama N.--i-nui ecd