Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-02-22
From the st. Louis Republican Of Jan. %.
THE cRuEITIEs OF THE INDIANS,

In our paper uf day before yesterday, we
give the narrative of Mrs. Wilson, who recently
made her escape from the Camanche Indians.
Her account of her suffering and i'll treatment
seems to be alWost incredible. 1t is difficult to
believe that, ut tIris day, and in this enlightened
age, there arc any tribes associated with the
whites who could be guilty of such barbarities.
We learn, however, from Major Steen, of the
gnited States army, who has been stationed in
New Mexico, and lns had much intercourse with
these and other Indians, that the narrative is
not at all likely to he overwrought. He has
given us Il narrative of females, whom he has
released from the indians, that even exceeds
Mrs. Wilson's account of suffering. In one
instance, he released five Mexican girls. The
Indians had attacked Mexican ranch, murdered
the parents and men, and taken away the women
and children. The boys they train to be more
savage and brutal than themselves 1.-THE women
and females they use for all kinds of drudgery
and the most litentious purposes.
The Major informs US that, among the five
taken from the Indians there was 4 little girl OF
about or 10 years-that she had been COM
PEELED TO drive CATTLE stolen from her fathers
ranch, distance Of more than three hundred
miles She was barefooted, and the thorns OF
the cactus were planted in her feet seemingly as
thicE; rs the hair on mans head. The soles
of her feet had burst from the irritation, and
some of her toes were proiruding from the flesh
and the bones wercexposed-Hc whole body
was bruised and mangled from whippings, and
the piercings of the spears which The old squaws
carry. The other four girls, older than this one,
were in nearly the same condition. WITH much
difficulty, he secured possession of them, and
after proper treatment and supplying them with
necessary clothing &C., which had to be done
at the private expense Of the officers OF the
post, (the United States Government having
no fund for charitable purposes) they were
sent TO their relatives in Mexico.
Major Stren succeeded, at his individual
expense and that Of another officer, in resculng
from the Indians Mexican woman, aged about
% years. who had been well and tenderly raised
and as well educated rs the country where she
resided permitted, and of her son, small child.
Her narration of the sufferings and indignities
TO which she was subjected, can scarcely be
described. On another occasion. the Major and
another officer hired Mexican to steal Mex-
can woman whom the Indians had in captivity,
and when SHE was delivered TO them she was in
the most dnporabIe condition-destitute OF
clothing, and physically reduced to the merest
skeleton.
The persons thus rescued from captivity
were returned to their relatives in Mexico; and
up to this time, the cost, labor and expense OF
capturing them from the Indians, of medical
treatment, and supporting and sending them
,I-i..a - been paid ou. of the private purses
of the TILTED staffcss & G5sttnItHtr 4
Major Stcen informs US that among the band
of the Camanche Indians from which Mrs. Will
son escaped, there are full 200 white persons
held in captivity, chiefly Mexicans. The Indians
Justify their ronduct by alleging that the Mex.
leans steal their children and make slaves Of
them.
Be this as it may, it must be admitted, that it
is the duty of the government promptly and
efficiently to furnish the means of putting an end
to this cruelty, and of furnishing the Indians
In the early history of our country, The Indians
paid some respect to the virtue OF the female ];
in the progress of his connection with eiviliza-
tons, he has lost even this attribute. lie IS
now as bcasly IS he is savage, and the Gov
ernment should provide the means 10 punish
them whenever they violate the laws of hu-
manty.
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