Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-11-01
Indian Massacre in Oregon.

Late San Francisco papers contain some of
the particulars of the massacre of party of emf
grants by Indians in Oregon, which we abrIdge
On the morning of the 22d of August last n
party of eighteen men left Fort Boise for the
purpose of rcscuing three ladies aud II number OF
children who were supposed to he IN the hands of
II party of Winnnss Indians, Zone of the small
tribes of Snake Indians who live ON BOISE rivera
who attacked Mr. Alexander Wards train from
Missouri, ON the Goth of August. twenty five
miles above Fort Boise, ON the south side of
Boise river. This party, on arriving at the
pace where the attack was made, found the
bodies of Alex Ward and his eldest son Robert
Samuel Muigan, Charles Adams WIN. Babcock
aud German, name unknown. From the state
mcnt of the surviving boy, Newton Ward, It
would appear that no cilcctual resistance was Of
tered by any of the party, except DR.. Adams and
Mnligan, who fought hravcly. Following the
lrail, in nhou three hundred yards, the body of
yoang Anon was found, lad of seventeen years
# age. He was one of the seven who came 10
tho rescue on the day of the attack aud fought
with great valor. About one hundred yards
farther on the body of Miss Ward was found,
having been shot through the head with musket
hall. Her person was much bruised, and her
hands showed signs of har having fought most
desperately. Within IL few rods of this spot II
wagon had been burnt and the bodies of two dogs
found crispcd up About fifty yards GA III the
brush three more wagons were burnt. The trail
followed up, and in about sin hundred yards
he body of Mrs. White was found. The trail
WIS followed for half mile through n dense
thickct of brush and underground when the fifth
wagon was found. In about thirty yards fur
her WINS the river. whore the body of Mrs. Ward
aud three children were found. There were still
"A lad and five children missing. \ diligent search
was mndr for their bodies without success.
From the statement of Mr.. Mastcrson, who is
ii brother of Mrs. Ward and Mrs. White, it ap
pears that the booty that the Indians carried oil
consisted of forty one head of cattle, five horses.
and nhout 81, 900 or $4,000 in money, besides
guns, pistols, &c.
The party of seven finding the Indians great-
I IL superior in number, were obliged to abandon
/ the pursuit William lantis, returning Il
the scene of the first attack, discovered Newton
! Ward, lad of about thirteen years of ege, thu
only survivor of the party, severely wounded,ano
brought him off in safety.
Major Raynes, Commander Mt Fort Dallas.
. Immediately upon the reception of the news, SEN
| cat about thirty regulars and the same number
Of volunteers, all mounted, and under the com
nand of Major Halter.
This massacre has created great excitement IL
| Oregon, and the acting Governor has issued L
proclamation. calling for two companies of vol
uneers, of sixty men each, to arm, equip, ant
mount themselves to chastiSr the savagcs. Th,
two companies were quickly raised and ready Ton
action.
The Oregonian learns by immigrants just ii
from the plains that party OF hv" hundred In
dans, we'll armed aud mounted, had collected
near the immigrant road and proclaimed their in
tention of war against all whites who might fal
in their way We may reasonably expect to Learn
ii some hard fighting between Major llallcr'i
command and these Indians,