The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-04-25

laAian Ostrasss N Iswa-..sixty
Rsrssns MassacreA.
The Hascksys contains An of6cial commu-
nieasion Of MAJOR Williams 70 Gov. Grimes,
Iiviag 40 authentic account Of the Indian
putragss, Of which there have been conflict
Ing ranors and various accounts publishsd
heretofore, in the papers. We make an ab-
strsct OF the information from the commu-
to accommodate it to our space.
Maj. Williams says, that in accordance
With the instructions OF the Governor, he
organized three companies, Of thirty men
each, for the protection OF the western set
tiers, and, on the 18th Of last month, COM
nenosd his march from Fort Dodge towards
the northwest, to intercept the savages on
the western bank Of the Des Moines River.
By forced marches through snow banks,
Ten or fifteen feet deep 10 many places, and
across swollen streams at other times, e.
posed to the worst possible weather, and
without tents, or any conveniences or COM
forts for such . march, tie detachment
reached tho northern line Of the State, in
time to rescue some twenty persons who we're
making their escape from the Springfield
massacre.
eve found them," says Major Williams,
Sin miserable condition, destitute Of every
thing like clothing and food, three Of them
badly wounded and several OF the women
without bonnets or shoes. They had nothing
on them but what they had the night they
asd. The poor women wading breast deep
through SNOW and water and carrying their
crying children.
We halted ct small Lake that furnished
SUFFICIENT timber to make 6rss and warm
them-furnishsd them with provisions and
gave them blankets to shield them from the
severe weather, and gave them oil the relief
In our power. Our surgeon dressed the
wounds Of the wounded, whose wounds were
in bad condition. We encsmped there
with them that night, posting sentinsls and
pickets, expecting to be attacked. Next
morning ws sent them on with our scouts to
what u known - the Irish settlement, to re-
main until We returned, tho settlers above
that point having abandoned their homes and
embodied themselves at that place whore they
engaged in building Block House. wspro-
eeeded on our march, throwing out in sd-
vance some 80 scouts, accommodating and e.
aiming every point, where the enemy might
possibly be found-every point of timber,
lake and stream was closely examined, and
found very fresh traces Of the Indians
throughout the day. From these tracks and
trails they had ell taken their course for
Spirit Lake, or in that direction"
Inc Indians were warned Of the approsch
OF Major Williams force, BY . half-b breed
trader IN the employ of the United States
Government, and made good their escape
The Indians commenced low down on the
Little Sioux river, near the south west cor.
ner OF Basna Vista county, and proceeded
TO break up and destroy all the settlement,
OF that county, Clay, Dickinson and Emmi.,
counties; then intended coming down tn.
west branch as far A. they dare. Through.
out their whole course they have completed,
demolished every settlement, killed oil tn,
cattle, ravished the women, and most scan
dAiously abused them. They stood over tn,
men with their guns cooked while engaged i,
their heiiish outrages. Along that river the,
approached, and got into the houses, through
professions OF friendship, and with . rusl
seized the men and arms, taking the peopl
surprise, and attacking them in such
way that one family could not help the other
Oil attacked simultaneously, robbed them o
everything, and left them helpless in sh
m'dss OF cold weather and deep snows.-
They did not commence 70 kill the settler
till they reached Dickinson county. There
at Spri. Lake, i, appears that the settler
had prepared to defend themselves ~ vel
a they could, and, from al appearances
they fought bravely for their families. TIL
settlers at Spirit Lake numbered over fort
souls, not one OF whom is left to tell tn
tale" 1t was ascertained that forty.ou
persons had bee KILLED BY the Indians, /
missing, probably killed, 2 MORALLY and
badly wounded; and four women take
prisoners.
From every indication, and from the %,
age brutality and destructive character
the outragss committed by them, Maj. Wi
liams thinks that the Sioux from the Mis,o,
ri River are determined on war Of exts
mina'ion against the white settlers in tho
regions. Some 200 warriors were sngag
In these derrsdations, OF whom Is or
were killed. Upon the approach OF Maj
Willians' force they fed across the Sio
River, and beyond the borders Of the Sta,
but the Major says he should not be o.
prised il they returned to make IN attack
Sioux City, in few days, and ~ they q
well armed and well supplied with ammul
ton, the worst possible results may BE- a
t,cipated from such an encounter.
Major Williams censures the conduc,
The ofhcer in command Of q detachment
sixty United States troopers, sent out Z
the protection OF the Settlers, and makes o
such case against him as shows treacher
nhunanity or cowardice on his part, u
demands the speedy action Of drum he,
court martial to do him speedy justice, an
deliver him to bloody reckoning for Il
lives OF his counsrymeD, whom he neglecte
to protect, and whose murder be declined
ayenge.
Major Williams still continues in the De
iormance OF his duty. in the north west, Il
promises further reports Of his proceeding
ri as early day as possible. Fourteen