Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-20
The Indian Troubles.


numbering about $500, moved from Their
village on the south side of the Platte river
to the north side of that stream, preparatory
to starting on Il buffalo hunt expecting to be
joined on the 5th Of July, by the Omlhas, some
distance up the Elkhorn. They encamped
on the west side of the Elkhorn, near Funte-
nellie, on the 18th, Saturday. and that
night, Sunday and Sunday night made nu-
merous predatory excursions among the set
tiers, whom they alarmed by their impudence
and rascality. They plundered the dwelling
of Mr.. DePuy to the extent OF more
than one hundred dollars. On Monday
about dusk, they committed the outrage Oh
! Mr.. Uriah Thomas To which we referred last
week That night and Tuesday they con-
| tinued their molestations OF the settlers up
the Elkhurn, above the mouth of Logan creek,
killing and driving off cattle, punderhS
horses. threatening families, &c. About th'S
! time some twenty-five men armed Ut f"hte
nellie. auQ, under the command % captain
I Pattison, assembled the Horn for the purpose"t
obtaining ponies from the Indians to renu-
ncrate the settlers for their loss and IN en-
dcavor to take few prisoners to hold rs
! hostages for the good behavior OF the tribe
The march of these men above Logan creek
| is described as over Il desnlated country
Crops had been destroyed, houses plundered
I and cattle driven off ur killed. Even the
post office ut Cunning Greek had been broken
up Arriving ut West Point, Cunning c"uI'-
", they were Joined by more men, 80 that
their number amounted to flty-seyen we'll
armed men, mostly mounted-the Indians
being encamped on the opposite side OF the
! Elkhorr, about four miles distant The set
tiers were panic stricken, and anticipated Il
general massacre Small scouting parties
of Indians were seen, apparently Watching
the movements of the whites Here they
divided forces, most Of them remaining at
West Point, aud about twenty, under the
command of j. W. Pattis0n, proceeded up
the Elkhnrn Ia protect the settlers 1T little
town called DEWITT some five miles further
up. While ut Dewitt, one the 3pth, eleven
Indians were observed but short distance
/ off, and these were enliccd INTO Il house, Pat
tsnn and his men lying in ambush with
the intention of taking the entire party prls-
uners On attempting 10 execute tins man
ruvre, the indians seized their arms and
fired upon the whites wOunding one of them.
The whites returned the fire Of the Indians,
and an engagement Of a few minutes, ensued,
which resulted in the killing Of four Indians
---oue of their chiefs among the numb r-ind
the supposed w"unding of several more, when
the savages beat hasty retreat.
The settlers in that region deemed 1t more
prudent to 2" down Ia Fnntenrllr, some for
" miles distant, where they still remall.-
On the return to Funtenelle Of the war party
dispatches were sent To the city Tor assis-
taurr, and 4 portion of the Omaha hight ar
IN 4 4, al T.,
nellie, commanded by Main West, United
States marshal, and Capt. Ford. Snbse-
uuent dispatches have been sent ~ Tor al
tional aid, and the remainder OF the gun squad
and several others went out with the field
piece on Sunday last.
On Wednesday last Gov. Black, and 4
small detachment of Dragons under Lieut..
Robertson, accompanied by several S"lun-
teers left for the scene of difficulty. a de-
tachment Of fifty Dragons has also lett Fort
kearney for the same destination III compli-
ance with the request Of Secretary Morton
Yesterday we learned that Gov. Black had
been joined 10y about forty volunteers from
Washington county. The entire force now
in the field must be- not far from 30, mostly
mounted, and of whom sixty "r seventy are
dragons in the regular service.
We learn that the property destroyed by
the Indians is estimated ut Sl5,ot~.
The Indian Office some time since address
ed Il letter tn the superintendent ni Indian
affairs ut ST. Louis, directing him to inquire
and report Immediately concerning the re-
cent difficulty between the kaw Indians and
the people at Council Grove. ltappears that
II Kaw Indian had stolen couple of horses
but upon demand the kaws came with the
thiefand the horses to deliver them mp. \
considerable number of Indians came on this
mission, and as they were armed and the
whites ut Council Grove feared an attack,
Mai Day fired to ntimdate them. The In
dams returned the fire and wounded two
whites. They were pursued by the whites,
and ut last an understanding having been
effected, they gave up the parties alleged t."
have wounded the men. This matter has
occ;.sioncd much feeling. The Indian Bu-
rcau is making every cxertun to prevent fur
Their difficulty and to settle the matter speedl-
ly and Justly.
With view of guarding against Difficult
ties which might spring up between the
Pawnec Indians and the whites, the Indian
Bureau has appointed special agent to IN
uure into the recent conduct OF those III
dams, aud to withhold their annutlcs, &c,
in case they should have beer ut fault. The
office is now engaged in preparing instruc-
tons for the special agent. 1t is in contem-
plation to appoint local agent to reside
near the PawneeS; and this, 1t IL believed
will enable the Indian Office to exercise con
troll over them, and prevent many difficulties
which would otherwise occur washington
Constitution.