The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-11-07
Alisrrllanautls Afma.
LATER FROM OREGON.
HORRIBLE MASSACRE BY THE ND1ANS-A
rEAlHQ AppR EHENlEl

On the morning of the 22d of August last,
party of eighteen men left Fort Bois, for the
purpose of rescuing three ladies and a number
of children, who were supposed to"be in the
hands of party of Winnass Indians, (oue OF
small tribe of Snake Indians, who live on Bois
: Rivcr) who attacked Mr.. Alex. Wards train,
from Missouri, on the Goth Of August about
noon, TWENTY-FIVE miles above Fort Bois, ON
the south side of Bois River.
This party, on arriving at the place where
the first attack was made, found the bodies of
Alexander Ward and his eldest son Robert,
Samuel Mulligan, Charles Adams: VIM. Bab-
cock, and German, name unknown.
From the statement of the surviving hoy,
Newton Ward, it would appear thatno effect
nal resistance was offered by any Of the party,
except Dr.. Adams and MuIligan, who Tough
5sbravely.
Following the trail, in about three hundred
yards, the body Of young Anon was found. a
lad Of seventeen years Of age; he was one ''f
the seven WHO came to the rescue Oh the day
of the attack. with VIM. Yantis. This young
man fought with great valor. pursuing the lndl
ans to the bushes; where he was killed About
one hundred yards furtheron, the body OF Miss
Ward was found, having been shot through the
head with musket ball. Her person was
much bruised, her hands showing signs of her
having fought most desperately to resist the
fendish attacks of those >savages upon her
youthful person. The marks Of teeth were
plainly implanted upon her.left cheek Within
a few rods Of this spot wagon had been burn
ed, and the bodies Of two dogs found crisped
up.
About fifty yards on, in the bushes, three
more wagons were burned . The trail was tol
lowed up, and in about six hundred yards the
body of Mrs White, the wife Of VIM. White,
who lives in looking glass Prairie. uumPqua
Valley, was found stripped Other clothing, ard
scalped. Her head was beaten in by clubs,
and.also musket ball had passed through her
head. Her person showed signs of the most
brutal violence =.
The trail was followed from her, aud in about
half mile through dense thicket of brush
and underground, the fifth wagon was found,
having beensrun into deep ravine and left. =
In about thirty yards further, came to the
river upon the north bank Of which was dis
covered where they had been encamPed; it
consisted of sixteen lodges made of willow
bushes Here the body of Mrs. Ward and
three children were found. Mrs. Ward was
laying in the encampment, in front of fire, her
person having been robbed of all its covering
and her body much cut and SCARED by british
bruises Her face had deep wound inflicted
by tomahawk, which caused her death. The
children were lying upon the fire in trout ofh her,
having evidently been burned alive, as por-.
ton Of the hair still remained upon their heads,
showing they had been held by the hair of the
n
head mt. burned ss aS ash % Sas 1 hs5
this whilst they had their war dance, and they
violated her person. She was soon to he
mother, which rendered the sight still more
shocking. Several parts Of limbs were picked
up some distance from the fire, having been
dragged away by the wolves, or the Indian
dogs, for several had been left in the camp by
them. Having scarce may implements, the
bodies were inferred in the best manner posi-.
bic, under the circumstances.
There were still lad and three children
missing A diigent search was made for their
bodies without success. From the statements
of the surviving boy, it was known that this
lad was wounded and ran to the bushes, and
has probably since died; and it is more than
possible that the three children are still cap.
tives, or reserved for some future barbarous
ceremony.
From the statement of Mr.. Masterson, who
is a brother of Mrs. Ward and Mrs. White, it
appears that the booty that the Indians carried
of, consisted of forty lone head Of cattle, five
horses, and about 1900 or $4,000 in money,
besides guns, pistols, &c.
This party of seven, finding the Indians great
" superior iu number were obliged to abandon
the pursuit. William Yantis, ON returning to
the scene of the first attack, discovered Newton
Ward, a lad about thirteen years of age, the
only survivor of the party, severely wounded,
and brought him offin safety.
We have the news Of the murder of three
men on Camerse Prairie, which is on Jeffries
and McArthurs cut off. have'the story from
sman who was at the spot few moments af
ter it occurred The Indians rode up to three
men, who were driving the loose cattle and
horses of the train, and shook hands with them
in the friendliest manner possible; but as soon
AZ these men had turned their backs upon them
to pass on, they shot them. The Indians then
drove off all the loose cattle and horses belong
ing to the train.
Major Raynes, Commander at Fort Dallas,
Immediately upon the reception of the news,
sent out about 80 regulars, and the same mum.
ber Of volunteers, all mounted, and under the
command Of Maj HalIer. They are probably
near Snake River at this date.
It was that portion Of the SnakeNt tribe living
between Fort Hall and the Grande Ronde,
that appear to be the most hostile. They are
. very well supplied with American rifles and
Hudson Bay Company's guns.
They haye plenty OF ammunition, which they