Washington sentinel., 1854-01-29
Captain Gunniso,rs Massacre.--The Desc

Captain Gunnisons Massacre.-The Desc
ret Nevs has been furnished with the following
statement from Lieutenant Beckwith, on whom
the command Of the party devolved after the dis
aster. The writer dates from
GREAT SALT LAKE Cry,
Novem5er 9, 1852
The Central Pacific railroad surveying party en-
camped on the Oath ult on the eastern bank Of
the Sewer river, some fifteen miles north OF its
entrance into the lake. On the following morning,
Captain ]. w. Gunnison, Typographical engineers,
and rcsolute citizen OF Manii. as his guide, and
accompanied by Mr.. r. H. Hern, topographist,
Mr.. j. Creutzfed botanist, John Bellows, lem-
ployedD corporal and six men, as an escort from
Captain Morris's command OF mounted rIfemen,
crossed the west bank OF the river ana followed
down il for the purpose of making reconnois-
sance Of the Sewer lake, whichwould occupy two
days, and rejoin the main body Of the party on the
following day. at some point on the river, near Its
canon. This portion Of the escort under Captain
Morris, and OF the surveying party under Lieut.
Beckwifh, having, at Captain Gunnlsons request!
ately after Captain Gunnisons departure, where
il was 10 make a reconnaissance OF an apparent
passage 10 the west of the range OF mountains
through which the Sewer here passes 10 tho west
side OF Utah lake, whence II was known to be
practicable to this valley. II was also to examine
the canon of the Sewer river. Each party made
long march, breaking their roads through deep
sands and dense fields of sage, Captain Gunnison
encamping about the middle OF the afternoon,
having travelled fourteen miesJus at the head OF
the first lake. The other party, also, after march
of fourteen miles, encamped on the river few
miles below the canon, SO that these parties
were twenty EIGHT miles apart that evening. The
day had been cold and boisterous, with occasional
light falls of snow, but it was followed by clear,
cold, q,iet night Captain Gunnison's camp was
secluded, while the wind was yet severe, in
horseshoe bend of the river, under its second
bank and was partly surrounded by willows, at
nearly thirty Yards distant-a sheltered nook from
the storm, with inviting grass for their horses.
The greatest vigilance Of night. guards was
maintained, each OF the party in turn performing
that duty. AT the break OF day the whole camp
was aroused, and at once engaged in the morning
duties Of camp, preparatory 10 an early start; for
the party was that day to reach its most distant
point of exp xploration for this season; and between
daybreak and sunrise the most OF them were en-
gagged in eatiug their breakfast when from the
fatal willow shelters numerous discharge of rifles
and flight Of arrows crossed that devoted camp in
all directions and the war-whoop Of large band Of
savages rung out Of that hitherto silent plain. AT
this fire one man only fell mortaly wounded; and
Captain Gunnison, stepping from his tent, raised
his hands, and called to his murderers that he was
their friend. But this call was Of no avail; the
deadly fire still continued. Upon the first discharge
there was general call TO arms, and few return
shots were fired. The Indians report one Of their
band killed and another wounded, but the surprise
seems to have been complete, and the approach so
close-tweniy or thirty yards, under perfect shell
ter-that il was impossible long to maintain the
little open spot on which they had encamped. The
most Of the horses had stampeded al the first dis
charge, ahd only three or four men succeeded in
reaching them and mounting, the others seeking
= q sL..-f g.
The corporal Of the escort succeeded in escaping
on his horse; and, hotly pursued, rode him at the
top Of his speed 20 the point where the party had
separated. Here his horse failed, but the Indians
had given over the chase, and he ran on foot the
remainder Of the distance. IA miles, to the other
camp of the party; and, AT IL o'clock and 80 min
utes, came exhausted into camp barely able by a
few broken sentences 10 communicate the fright
full intelligence. Thirty minutes subsequently,
Capt. Morris and Lieut. Baker, accompanied by
Mr.. Potter, brother Of the slain. led towards the
fatal spot the escort OF mounted rfemen, all tho
men who could be armed and mounted, accompa-
MED by the surgeon, Dr. Schell--a band scarcely
larger than that already slain, with the hope of
rendering aid 10 the survivors should any remain,
Of furnishing the savage band, and Of rendering
the last duties of humanity TO those who were
known to have fallen.
Just as they were leaving, and returned with Capt.
Morris's command; and two others were met by
him on the road-onc near camp his horse having
fallen, throwing him under some bushes, where
he lay concealed until he could no longer hear the
savage crew at the camp; the Indians being at
times within few feet of him, until noon, when
they moved off, and he heard no more of them.
Late in the afternoon Capt. Morriss party ar
rived on the ground, and found only part of the
bodies of the slain-deathly silence surrounding
them. Two Indians, however, were seen at dis
tance, and were pursued by Lieut., Baker and Mr..
Potter; hut the near approach of night enabled
them efectually TO escape. But, as all the bodies
were not fonnd, hope yet fingered, and bright
fire was kinded at dark that il might be seen and
approached by any who might have escaped; and
the party, bride in hand took post in the open plain
and watched all night in vain for their friends or
enemies to approach; but neither appeared, and
with the opening day the search was renewed.
The sad fate Of all was soon realized, and their
bodies recognised. One of the arms Of Capt. g..
was cut off at the elbow, and both of those of Mr..
Creutzfeldt. No Indians could be found and
without food for themselves, and with broken
down horses. this party turned its steps to meet
the party under Lieut.. Bcckwith with the train,
which was only guarded by its tcamsters partially
armed, which had moved towards common point
for meeting with Morriss party, at the earliest
moment for safety and future operations These
parties met the following evening, after dark, at
Cedar springs But few Of the instruments ofthe
surveying party were lost in this sanguinary mas
sacre--a few animals, number OF arms, and
considerable ammunition were ..all-a few OF the
surveys by Capt. Gunnison himself, for the last
two weeks of his operations; but it is hoped they
may be recovered through the exertions OF his ex-
celfency Governor Young, who Immediately dis
patched Mr.. Huntington to the scene ofthc disas-
ter to secure the cooperation of such friendly In
dams as are known to be in that neghborhood
An Incident not I'm the Bill.-A gentleman
related 10 us yesterday IN incident which trans
pired during the last engagement of Mrs. Farren
at the Richmond Theatre. During the perform
ance OF Lucreta Borgia in the midst ot1hat thrill
ing scene where the woman entreats the duke TO
spare the life of fGenarro, when she had raised the
dagger, as last resort to prevent the duke from
carrying out his design, and the attention of the
house was enchaned, that pin might have been
heard TO drop, veteran in the second tier, over
come by the excitement of the scene. suddenly
cried out Stick him! G-dd-n him !"
The ludicrous effect of this interruption may be
better imagined than Observation-Disclosures Dis
ddfeh.
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