Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25
THE MASSACRE OF CAPT. GUNNIsoN.

We publish some extracts from letter of Gov
BRIGHAM YOUNG, of Utah, to the Hon. JOHN NJ
BERNHIsEL, on the subject of the late savage mas
sacre of Capt GUNNIsoN and party by the Pah-
yan-tes Indians 1t is understood that the Indians
were melted by the vengefu passions of three sons
of an Indian who had been murdered about month
before bya party Of white emgrants passing from the
States to California. The extracts from Governor
IoUNG's letter are as follows
GREAT SALT LAKE Cry Nov. 80, 1853.
On the 25d of October the late Capt ], W. Gunnison
visited Fillmore city to get $500 check oashed, which
was done by Mr.. L. p. Hoyt.
AT this time he fully informed Of the Meadow creek
Indians AFFAIR and the then hostile feelings Of the three
sons Capt e. expressed strong Indignation at the
duct OF the emgrant party, and remarked that diff
Guilty had occurred between his party and the Indians
they had met and manifested much confidence in his
ability to preserve peaceful relations in his future inter-
with the red men, He also said that he considered
his trip thus far had been economically conducted "a
any made in the West and that he intended 10 re-
connotre the Sewer Lake and Provo Kanyou to the Ka
Prairie before going into winter quarters for which
purpose the weather has been almost uninterruptedy ia
vorsSle up the present date of November 30h with
every prospect of continuing through what promises
to be open winter. -
ocroBEn 2s.-Brevet Capt r. NJ Morris, with part Of
his command rode into Fillmore city and stated that
Capt Gunnison and of his party had been killed by
Indians the Sewer river that he had just come from
the scene OF the massacre but had left the dead unbu
ne naQ TOOLS Eand suitable digging. He
wished Mr. Arson Call to the best efforts in his power
to the instruments notebooks horses and other
Government property taken by the Indians and employ
ed him to send express to Great Salt Lake City with
letters for the States which it important should so in
the LIST Of November mail. This was accomplished by
very efficient and extra duty the distance of l5S
miles being passed over in little thirty hours him
ORANGES included
By half-past l o'clock A. M. Of November Mr.. Di
mock b. Huntingdon interpreter for Indian Agent E. A.
Bede left my Office for Capt Morriss camp having two
guards to Provo and sufficient quantity Of Indian pre-
sens with requison for and horses the route
and instructions to all possible skin and diligence
On the evening of the ID and miles south
Of this city Mr. Huntington met Capt Morris and party
on their way here to quarter for the winter Capt Nor
ris detached one Of his company who had escaped from
the massacre to act pilot in designating the localities
Of the bodies of the san and with the balance of his
party pursued his course for Great Salt Lake City
Mr. Huntington reached Fillmore city the evening
OF the 3D. and Immediately proceeded to carry his
by gathering that portion Of the lost property
brought in by friendly Indians embracing all the note
books and all the instruments except the odometer and
on the 4th dispatched Mr. CALL with friendly Indians
and nine men, including the man from Capt Morris's
party, to bring in the remains of Capt Gunnison and Mr.
Potter and bury the rest on the spot.
Three graves then dug, in of which the re-
mains of Creutzfedt deposited in another those Of
Kern and those of Bellows and the three soldiers
deposited together
In addition to the instruments and notebooks Mr.
Huntington recovered several horses mules guns pis-
tolls &c, all of which have been turned to Capt.
Morris.
From what can learn it appears that Capt Gunnison
had much confidence in his ability pass among the red
men unmoested and this governed the posi-
ton Of his camp grounds with view convenience
and good grass than safety This was unfortunately still
the case in the last camp ground chosen by him. for Mr.
Potter the guide had selected open spot four
hundred yards Distant where surprise and conceament
would have been impossible with ordinary vigilance but
was oyerruled by Capt. G. BRIGHAM YOUNG.