Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-31
Indian Massacre In Oregon.

Late 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 a
party OF eighteen men left Fort Boise for the
| purpose of rescuing three ladies and number
Of children who were supposed to be in the
hands of a party Of Winnass Indians, lone OF
the small tribes of Snake Indians who live on
Boise river,) who attacked Mr.. Alexander
Wards train from Missouri, on the goth of Au-
gust, twenty-five miles above Fort Boise, on
the south side Of Boise 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 Muligan, Chas.
Adams, VIM. Babcock, and German, name
unknown. From the statement Of the suryiy-
! ing boy, Newton Ward, it would appear that no
efiectusl resistance was offered by any of the
party, except DR.. Adams and MnIligan, who
fought bravely. 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 Of the seven who came to the rescue
on the day of the attack and fought with great
valor. About one hundred yards further on
the body of Miss Ward was found, having been
shot through the head with musket ball. Her
person was much bruised, and her hands showed
signs OF her having fought most desperately.
Within few rods ofthis spot wagon had been
burnt and the bodies of two dogs found crisped
up. About fifty yards on in the brush three
more wagons were burnt. The trail was fol-
lowed up and in about six hundred Yards the
body Of Mrs. White was found. The trail was
followed for half mile through a dense thicket
Of brush and underground when the fifth wagon
was found. In about thirty yards further was
the river, where the body Of Mrs. Ward and
three children were found. There were still a
lad and FIVE children missing. A digent search
was made for their bodies without success.
From the statement Of Mr.. Masterson, who
is brother of Mrs. Ward and Mrs. White, il
appears that the booty that the Indians car.
ried off consisted Of forty-one head of cattle,
FIVE horses, and about $4,000 or $4,000 in
money, besides guns, pistols, &c.
The party Of seven, finding the Indians
greatly superior in number, were obliged TO
abandon the pursuit. William Yantis, on re.
turning TO the scene of the first attack. dis
covered Newton Ward, lad of about thirteen
years Of age the only survivor Of the party,
severely wounded, and brought him off in
safety.
Major Haynes, commander at Fort Dallas,)
Immediately upon the reception Of the news,
sent out about thirty regulars and the same
number Of volunteers, all mounted, and under
the command Of Major Haller.
lhis massacre has created great excitement
IN Oregon, and the acting Governor has issued
proclamation, calling for two companies CT
volunteers, OF sixty men each, to arm, equip,
and mount themselves, to cbastiso the savages.
The two companies we're quickly raised and
ready for action.
The Oregonidn learns, by emigrants Just in
from the plains, that a party Of FIVE hundred
Indians, well armed and mounted, had col
lected near the immigrant road and proclaimed
their intention to war against al whites who
might iall in their way. We may reasonably
expect 70 learn Of some hard fighting between
MAJOR baliers command and these Indians.