Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-11-19

tUTnlSNeS lne odUIeI WIN wv '''''"
mo letter from Mrs. Bette Shepherd, her
daughter, who was one Of the party OF
Howard emigrans that suffered so terribly
from an attack by the Indians between TINS
and California. The entire Psrty was
from Howard. and well known. Mrs.
Shepherd' letter will be read with inter
est -
lone City, September ID, 1859.
After long and tedious journey We ar
rived in lone CIly, the 10Th of September
at s o'clock at night On the 26Ih ot Ju-
ly, between and 9 o'clock at night, we
arrived at Cold Spring. When we arriv-
ed train was encamped there, and we
were informed by them that the Indians
had made an attack upon them, killing one
man and wounding anolh,r. and carried
off a good many cattle. Next morning,
27th of Julv, we arose early and prepared
to START. After we had gone about TWO
miles some Of our men looked back and
saw that the Indians had attacked The train
again, wOundlng one man, and taking OIL
some more cattle; We then wanted 10 90
back and assist them, but our captain said
| he thought il best To 90 on a; we went a
few miles further and entered the canon;
we travelled up the canon few miles
when one of WIN. Shepherd horses was
taken sick and fell; we stopped lew MIN
utes; The men were standing looking at
the horse, when we were Suddenly fired
upon, killing our captain. Ferguson Shcp-
herd. The war.whooP was then gwen
followed by shots from each side OF the
rocky, bushy canon, killing VIM. SheP'
herd, Wm. Diggs, Claborn Rain, and
woundlng two men, one woman and chid'
Mr.. Wright was wounded he lived nine
DAYS. |. NJ. Smith slightly wounded
through the shoulder; Mrs. Wright WAS
wounded, but not fatally; her baby's
tAigh was broken by being whired against
rock by savage monster after the SIX
men and one woman shot Geo. Avery
and James Ward fled, saying that they
would be killed if they remained there an
other moment. In few moments Geo.
Parson and Mcclure left; the Indians
were still firing upon US ! standing IN
the road with my baby in my arms, ca
posed to the bullets that came whlTIlng
around me. looked around and saw
! Mr.. Shepherd | called for him told
bin | thought We had better try and make
our escape he SAID well. We started
myself, |. NJ. Smith, Mrs. Annie Shep-
! herd, and Mrs. Wright's lille son; Mrs.
Annie Shepherds litle babe was also
/ ia 1T f..,!... al IL 9
/ Mr.. Shepherd. The Indians shot at Us a
good many times as we were going oil.
After we had gone very short distance,
Mrs. Annie Shepherd, being very deli
cate woman, became weak, and could pro-
cecd no further, so she secreled herself in
some bushes by the way side |. Nj.
Smith. one of the wounded men, had her
babe but he became so weak from the
loss of blood that lie was compelled To
hide in some brush. We then journeyed
on. After We had gone two and hall
miles Townsend Wright overlook US, II.
ding one of our mules he said he was in
The wagon attending TO his wounded bro
her, and he cut the mule from The wagon |
and made his escape. When be reached .
us was almost exhausted. walked
between ten and twelve miles bareheaded.
barearmed, anG barenecked, and carried
my baby part of the way. However, we
reached camp about four o'clock, quite
exhausted. About night Mrs. Annie
Shepherd came in camp. She was al
most like an insane woman. When she
came in sight she was fred upon for an
Indian but soon she was recognized To
be white woman her baby laid out all
night FIVE Of the men went back, but did
not get to the place Of slaughter. They
reported that they saw good many In
dians, and did not think it right TO proceed
any further. Next morning we started
on our Journey again. There were about
sixty wagons and $50 men We sent
guard on each side Of the canon one be-
fore and one behind the wagons. We
travelled on without being disturbed we ,
arrived at the place where the massacre ,
was committed near noon. Mr.. Wright,
Mrs. Wright, her son Joe, aud her babe /,
were found TO be still living. Captain &. !
Pierce had wagon prepared for lie dead, )
in which they were placed, and the woun- ,
ded properly cared Tor. Our wagons
were piundered of everything except my r
trunk, which contained our money. Our n
stOck was taken, which numbered about :,
thirty four head Mrs. Annie Shepherds ,
babe was also found il was very much =
sunbornl and bruised by the tush. We
rave led on until near night, but did not =
get through The canon. We stopped 10 :
bury tie dead. The wounded were well Z
attended To. Dr.. A. w. Trader attended
10 the wounded. The fight lasted about
.aree. Guurlhs Of an hour. Our men fought