The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-06-27
From tue 81. Louis Republican.

We have just received letter from
Fort Riley, which wa publish below, in
forming Us that an emigrant train has
been attacked and destroyed by the
Cheyenne Indians, about eighty miles
west of that post.
1t may be rccollccted that Col Sum.
ner left Fort Leavenworth some three or
four weeks ago, with six companies Of
cavalry and two companies of infantry,
for the purpose of making war upon the
Cheyennes. He divided his force, send
ding one portion up the Arkansas, under
command of Major Sedgwick, and lead
ing the other himself up the Platte. 1t
would appear that the Indians have slip
ped down between these two columns,
aud commenced numbering and robbing
in their rear. a.. .-a+
As there are great many emigrants
crossing the plains this season, it is very
much to be feared that we shall soon
hear of other catastrophes similar to that
described above.
. Near Fort Riley June 9, 1857.
Mr. Editor: Our quiet community has
just been thrown into considerable ex-
element by the news tina the indians,
supposed to be the Cheyennes, have at
tackled a small party of emigrants about
eighty miles west Of Fort Riley, and Kill
led four men and wounded two men and
one woman. One of the survivors, Mr..
A. p Weaver, has reached this place
and makes the following statement:
"About eighty miles from the Post on
the Republican fork Of Kansas River,
my party hsd just left camp on the NOR.
ming Of Saturday, the 9th of June, 1857,
about 9 o'clock A. NJ. About $50 In.
dams mounted, charged on our train and
surrounded it; they commenced firing on
our men they killed four men of oul
party. After their guns were discharged
the Indians retired to creek close BY and
continued their fire until we left the
wagons. Before we had got ont of sight
they had emptied the wagons; part OF
them pursued US. Our party consisted
Of ten men, eight women and ten chill
dren. | left the party coming down in
this direction with two men and one wo
men wounded, all on foot and out of pro
visions. One of the four men killed was
endeavoring ia escape but was overtaiken
and the last that was seen of him the
Indians were dragging him by larri
at.
"The names of three of the men killed
s. d. Weaver, NJ. Lewis and Sam Smith
! III lal L S,,,k1
and woman, name unknown. Capt
Hendrickson, with two companies of th,
9th Infantry, who had just arrived here
from Fort Leavenworth, has gone out t.
! biting in the survivors. As his command
is on foot it will be impossible for him tc
pursue the Indians, who were well noun
| ted.
"This may be looked upon as the com
mencemeet of the Cheyenne war. Col
sumner has gone out after this tribe
buff one portion of his command is OH thu
Arkansas and the other on the Platte
two hundred miles apart, so tina
the Indians have fine chance o
slipping in between and getting in hi
rear, which, it appears they have done
As the emigration crossing the plain thi
year is very large, there will be a grea
loss of life and property unless the Gov
eminent promptly sends an additions
mounted force in that direction. In
stead of sending such an unecessaril
large number of troops to Utah, portion
should be sent to chastise the Indian
who are numbering and robbing our citi
zens at our very doors.
Yours, &c, A.B.