The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-04
From the 81. Louis Rspubiicas,


We have Just received a letter from Fort
Riley, whichwe publish below, informing us
that an emigrant train had been attacked
and destroyed by the Cheyenne Indians,
about 80 miles west Of that post.
1t may be recolected that Col. Sumner left
Fort Leavenworth some three or four weeks
ago, with six companies Of cavalry and two
companies ofinfantry for the purpose of ma
king war upon the Cheyennes. lie divided
his force, sending enc portion up the Arkan-
sas, under command Of Major Sedgwick, and
leading the other hmself UP the Platte. 1t
would appear that the Indians have slipped
down between these two columns, and have
commenced plundering ind robbing in their
rear.
The Cheyennes are among the boldess add
the most warhke Indians on our western
prairies, and if once fairly reused will be diff
ficult to subdue. They number about one
thousand warriors, and will, doubtless be
joined by many Sioux braves, with whom
they are closely connected.
As there are great many emigsants cross
ing the plains this season, it is vesy much to
be feared that we shall soon hear Of other en-
tastrophes similar to that described below:
NEAR FoRr RILEY, June ., 1857.
Mr.. Error: Our quiet community has just
been thrown into considerable excitement by
the news that the Indians, supposed to be the
Cheyennes, have attacked small party OF
emgrants about eighty miles west Of Fort
Riley, and killed four men and wounded two
men and one woman. One Of the survivors.
Mr.. A. II. Weaver, has reached this place,
and makes the following statement:
"About eighty miles from the post on the
Republicans fork Of the Kansas river, my par
ty had just left camp On the morning Of Sat-
urday, the 9th Of June. 1857, about Q O'Clock
A. N. About one hundred and fifty Indians,
mounted, charged on our train and surround
ed it; they commenced firing on our men:
they killed four men of our party. After
their guns were discharged, the Indians re-
tired to o creek close by and continued their
fire until left the wagons. Before we got
on: Of sight they emptied the wagons: part
OF them pursued Us. Our party consisted Of
ten men, eight women and ten children. |
left the party coming down in this direction,
with two men and one woman wounded, all
on foot and out Of provisions, One Of the
four men killed was endeavoring to escape,
but was oyertaken, and the last that was seen
OF him the Indians were dragging him by a
| iarriat."
The names of the three u IN killed are S, ID.
Weaver. NJ. Lewis and Sam. Smith. The
wounded are }. Houston, }. Smith end n wo-
man, name unknown. Capt. Ilendriekson,
with two companies Of the sixth infantry,
who had jast arrived here from Fort Leaven-
worth, has gone out to bring in the survivors.
As bis command is on foo. It will be impossi-
bic for him to pursue the Indians who are
all we'll mounted.
This is looked upon as the commencement
OF the Cheyennes war. Col. Sumner has
gone out after this tribe, but one portion Of
| E!s command is on thu Arkansas and the
otser on the F,atte, two auntirsd II. les apart,
30 that 1sa Ina; ans hgye . fine chance of slip.
ping in beEw IN them and gssling in his sear
which, it appsars, thsy have done. As th
ENG alton crossing he plain. this year !,
very large. there will be \ great lpss Of III,
and property unless the Goyernmep, prompt
~ send sn additional mounted force in that
direction. Instead Of sending SUCH an IN.
necessarily large number Of troops to Utah
a portion should be sent to chas:ise the indi.
ans, who are murd ring and robbing opr cit.
liens ut our very doors.
Yours, &c., 4. 3.
/ T poor lrishman, who applied for .
lie 7nse 10 Il ard mt spirits, being question.
ID as 10 hi moral fitness for the trust. re-
IL II l. a. 49, rtaxp