Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-08
THos. WHITEHEAD, See'ry.

Horrible Indian Attrocties-Ffom Santa Fe
We have received a file of the Santa Fo Ga
vette to the 9th of May, from which we take the
following;
At no period since the organization of this
territory has il been SO sorely stricken, and so
completely at the mercy of the Indians, AS at this
time. II appears as though all the Indians of
the Great West had combined 10 overrun and
destroy US. Within the last fortnight the coun-
try of san Miguel has been sadly dealt with by
n band Of Chcyennes and kiowas from the plains,
near the Arkansas river. They made descent
upon that defoneeless frontier murdered twenty
herdsmen. carried shepherd boys captive, and
drove off n large number of horses and mules
and, in the wantonness Of their acts, they strew
ed tho valley with the dead carcnsses of cattle
and sheep. In the Southern part of the terrific
ry the MescalorOs are in full blast, and almost
daily robbing our citizens of their sheep and eat-
tie, on their way to California Many Of the
emgrant parties have suffered severely from
murder and robbery.
Tho Comanchcs seem to have turned their at
tenton particularly to the northern part of Mex-
co, where they fairly run riot in their devasa-
tons. They have murdered as many as twenty
citizens in II single day, and seem to set at def
unee all attempts to stop their noursions. The
,Jioarllas are almost lost sight of in the hostil-
ties of the other tribes; they appenr TO be almost
entirely snbdued. The Nnvajos the most pow
erful tribe in the country, have also commenced
depredations Seven of them ran off 500 sheep,
but Agt. Dodge has procured the return Of one
hundred, and hopes To be able TO restore the
balance.
An express has been sent to Gen Garland, now
ut FL Paso urging his immediate ret urn tn
head quarters, where his presence is much need
ed. The acting Governor, the Hon. VIM. s.
Mcsscrvy, has properly ordered out portion of
the militia to repcl the invasion of san Miguel
county, in addition to those ordered out to de-
fend the county of Rio Arriba.
Col Cook has ordered two companies Of drag
oons to pursue the Cheyenes and kiowas who
are now devastating the frontier of san Miguel
county.
Under the circumstances it becomes the duty
of every man to hold himselfin readiness TO an
swer the call of the acting Governor to take up
arms. In the two counties of Rio Arriba and
San Miguel, where the call has already been
made, we hope the citizens will respond prompt
ly. and turn out to u man to defend their homes
and property, If we do not want general lndi-
an war. we must act vigorously and put down
the tribe that has already risen.
Terrible Slaughter by The IndiaaS.-A report
reached us yesterday, and from its source we
fear it may prove to he correct, that party of
/ Indians had attacked, some three or four days
previous, the rancho of Mr.. Maxwell on the
Kayado, distant about forty miles from Tayos,
and killed everybody living IN it, in all, eight
! women, ten men and two or three children, not
leaving soul to bear witness to the terrible de
tails. The Indnns,it appears, must have crossed
the mountains Immediately after their fight with
| Lieut.. Davidson, and proceeded 10 the rancho,
and finding it comparatively deienceless, they
| perpetratod the inhuman act recorded above.
We announce the death of worthy and yalu-
able citzen, Ennis j. Vaughan. Esq, by the
| hands Of the assassin.