The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-23

| OMAHA Cry, n. T., July 2, 1859.
Fight Bet,ueen the White Sellers and Pawne. Indians in
Nbraska-Setlers RoJoed- General Nscs, dc.
Since my letter Of the 9th ult the settlers upon the
Elk Horn river above tho Of Fontenee, have been
visited with scourge in the shape OF Pawnee Iudlana
They need their thieving operations it seems
the thriving village of Fonenele and, emboldened by
their SUGGEST comparatively uumoested they continued
their depredaons above the mouth of Logan creek
mee north of Fonenelle by taking CATTLE plum
derDg houses, and literally destroying all in their march,
compelling set rs TO leave their farms and homes
pletely stripped.
the morning Of the 3lst ult news having reached
the settlement Of Fontenee, the thriving county
Of Dodge county, of the destruction OF settlers pro-
perty above them to the amount of four thousand
dollars forty volunteered TO follow the Indians
protect the settle and finding the company in
creased to ftysix alter crossing the northern
boundary line Of Dodge county and the settlements West
Point ana De Witt, in Cunning county being already under
the control Of the pundeTipg Pawnees, it deemed
cesssry 10 proceed and on went; for your Nebraska
correspondent has faculty here of being present az all
the nereEtng in the Territory We passed finely
cultivated srms whose houses were completely stripped,
cattle killed and al the hous ehold goods taken off
srroyed AT about dark rived at West Point, ali
place the southern portion OF Gaming co nty and there
encamped for the night under "proper military dispo9
ton )" the Indians beng meanwhile BY the opoo
cite side OF the Elk Horn river. Early next morning
July u we found the settlement threatened with
proaerty exterminating vs', and took steps accord
The Psxnee tribe numbers about 1900 souls and about
600 warriors Abort nine O'Clock ,~o Indians were dis
covered prowling around the encampment. Chase was
given but they reached the opposite sore )esei
Shortly after some nT Indians appeared the opposite
shore of the Ek aofn river, but the appearances
tbe men they fed detachment under CApt ain r. w.
Paitsor, then proceeded No the Elk Horn, some five
miles, 10 De WITT where also the settlers had been visited
on tue cay previous by the Pawnees, AMI, after
| committing rome dspredatons, left, Threatening 10
| return on the day following, and take VIA, they
| chose. Whilst resting the horses snd awaiting
discovered coming the Ell Horn bottoms difec, for
tho whore resting dstan. about two miles
Captain csned hs men into the house aecre.ua thenD
10 back room and after carefully instruetng them not
to si harm the lndlanene object beng simply to
tase them prisoners and hold them as hostages unl the
pundre5 setters had obtained remuneration for the
property tlken-,hen carefully and in silence awaited
| their approach
The noisns soon made their appearance on the bluG
near the house headed by one OF their principal chiefs
oil engaged IN osd!ng and examining their guns In
few moments the entire body were seated in the front
room, and our little band Of twenty men headed by Capt
Patson made rush out Of the eide door from the back
end in moment gathered G. the front door 81 bar
their exit The perfect horror depicted upon the cornte
o, the Indians upon finding themselves shus
witted bJ an armed party OF whites cannot easily DO
| IMAGINED, With bound sne BODY rushed for the door
Notwithstanding the earnest call of the Captain, whom
three or four seemed determined TO wpe ou" One
or tive Intellectual shots were fred by the Indians,
and they effected egress only TO receive CALLING fire
from the boys Of whose comrades they mad already
wounded WITH bal before the whites frcd guu. Ia
minutes engagement wal and four
including the Chief Of the maraudng party, lying
upon the prairie dead and dying, and the rest probably
excepting little fellow, severely wounded As fast as
possible the Indians fe1 Finding the supplied With
scarcely three ROUNDS of ammunition each apt p ordered
the to return 70 the encampmen OF their comrades
five miles below aud bring along the families of get
tiers. Upon reaching the encampmcnt We found nun
Der of the PARTY, anticipating trouble had started
back 10 Fontenee, and tnther the party marched reach
ing that point late that night What few settlers remained
along the Elk Horn river above that place moved in
there Immediately for protection. despatch was sent
on here TO the Governor and the morning of the
inst the Omaha Artillery Company under Capt Ford and
accompanied by Major Gen. Jno. Tnsycr reached Fon
tenee, where they awaiting the arrival Of 70.
inforcemeuts, &C., from this place. upon the arrival
which s expected some three companies of volunteers
numbering in ali effective force Of 100 men will takc
| the nsld.
hoped by the settlers that the war will be one Of
determination For years the PAwnees have been the
principal source Of annoyance to the white settlers upon
tne frontier, driving Off their stock insulting defenceless
!emaes pundering, &C. and each affair instead OF meet.
ing with any punishment, has been settled by fair pro
nses only 70 be broken tho nrst opportunity and the
sesers state, with good thnk unless goveru
ment does something Immediately stop and forever
TINS tnevng plunderng tribe from their work of desoa
uon, tncy Will take the matter into their own hands
In ns last movement the Pawnees have destroy cd
far as can be aecetaned S. 600 worth of property
sacked two post Offices, and compelled about forty farm
es 10 vacste their crops and 1elds Considerable fault
found py some With che Indian AGENT doubt whether
he or anything but powder and lead can stos their ag
eesons II well enough 10 state here 10 conclusion
tnst THESE upon settlers occurred almost
the land sales of the 25th OF month Will the Depart.
J Meut ake note Of the Moro ms