The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-07-16

History Of the Pawnee War.
SO many rumOrs are adoat, so much sx-
aggeratIon respecting the Indian troubles
and their origin, in this Territory, that We
deem It necessary to give a CONCISE history
of the whole affair, which We have been
, able 70 gather from sources every way reli
able.
On the 24th Of June the Pawnes Indians
numbering about $500, moved from their
village 81 tho South side Of the Platte river
10 the North side Of that stream, preparatory
to starting on buffalo hunt, expecting to
be joined, on the 9Th Of July, by the Oma-
has. some distance up the Elkhorn. They
encaMpeI near Fon;enelIs on the 18th,
(Sa,urday) and that night, aud Sunday
night made numerous predatory excursions
among the settlers, whom they alarmed by
, their impudence and rasoality. They lun-
dercd the dwelling Of Mr.. DePuv to the
extent Of one hundred dollars. On Monday
ato4t dusk, they committed the outrage on
Mr.. Urlah Thomas TO which We referred
last week. That night and Tuesday, they
continued b ,ir mo cstations Of the settler.
Up the Elkhorn, above the mouth Of Logan
Creek, killing and driving of cattle, plum
dcrlns horses, threatening families, &e.--
About this time some twenty FIVE men armed
II, Fontenclie under the command of Capt.
Puttiscn, assembled the Horn for the purpose
Of obtaining ponies from Tho Indians to
remunerut3 the settlers for their loss, and
TO rn1cavor to take a few prisoners to hold
"a hostages for the good behavior OF the
tribe.
The march OF these men above Logan
creek, Is described as over IA desoiuts coun-
try. Crops had been destroyed, houses
numbered and cattle driven OF or killed.
Even the Post Office II, Cunning Creek had
been broken up. Arriving ut West Point,
Cunning county, they were joined by more
men. so that their number amounted to 5.
we'll armed men, mostly mountcd-thc In
dams being oncamped on tho opposite side
of the Elkhorn, about four miles Distant
Tho settlers were panic stricken, and antic-
ipating n general massacre. Small scouting
parties Of Indians were seen, apparently
watching the movements Of the whites.
Hare they divided forces, most of them
remaining ut West Point, and about twenty,
under the command Of j. ". Pattison, pro-
ces.ling up tho Elkhorn TO protect the set
~ at n little town called Dewitt, some
Eve miles further up. While at Dewitt, on
the JOtb. eleven Indians were observed but
short distance Off, and these were entIced
into house, Patt.son and his men laying
IN ambush with the intention Of taking the
cnttrs party prisoners. On attempting to
execute this vancouver. the Indians seized
their arms and fred upon the whites,
wounding one Of them. The whites returned
the fire Of the Indians, and an eng cement
If few minutes cnsued, which resulted in
tho killing Of four Indiaus-on one Of their
Chiefs among tho number-and the supposed
wouuding Of several more, when the savaSes
beat basty retreat.
The settlers in that region deemed it more
prudent to 90 down to FonterelIe. some ~
miles distant, where they still remain. On
the return t. Fnatene.le. OF the war party,
dispatches were sent TO this city, for assist
ancc. and a portion Of the Omaha Light
Artillery Squad Immediately repaired te
Fontenelle. Gen. Thayor accompanied them
and took the command. Subsequent dis
patches have been sent IN for additional aid
aud the balance Of the gun squad and several
others wen. out with the field piece on Sun
day last.
On Wednesday last, Governor Black, and
a small detachment of dragons, under Lit.
teers, left for the scene Of difficulty. A
iesachmcn: Of fifty Dragons has also left
Fort kearney for the same destination, in
compliance with the request OF Secretary
Morton. Yesterday We learned that Gov.
Black ha, been joined BY about ~ voun-
tsers from Washington county. The en,ire
force now 10 the field. mus, be not far from
80. mostly mounted, and Of whom sixty or
seventy are dragons in the regular service.
We learn that the property destroyed BY
the Indians is estimated at $50 ,ooo.- Op,d-
hi Nebrdskidn.
Affairs ct W sshiuxtsn,
EusorE- The opinion among the gentle
men connected with the diplomatic corps 10,
that although the Governments OF Europe
net engaged 10 the present hoss'litiss, are
DESTROYS and hope for peace, the compi'ca-
lions are 90 great that there is almost an
impossbihty Of preventing . genera! war
10 such an sweat, Their. Is 90 doue. bat tia:
Russia will array herself With France
TsxAsrsr-The Receipts Of the Treasury,
for the week ending July ID. we're one m!-
lion two hundred thousand dollars. lie
drafts issued amounted 10 four hundred and
twea.y-ons thousand dollars. The balance
on hand, subject 10 draft, Is three millions
AID forsy-.ix thousand.
CrAu-Tae I ni,ed States surveys 10 Utah
which were, I've years ago, interrupted ey
the Mormon difficulties. are TO be resumed
BY General STAN
haash. The lands already Surveyed amount
10 two million acres.
A DxxtaI.-Ths Constellation emphatic
ally denies that Mr.. Buchanan and Ms. Rob
srs J. Walker have eeme 10 terms. Estates
definitely tha, no eopc~sssans have been
made, nor any terms agreed upon.
PosrAi--The Contract Bureau ef the Pest
saeeDsparsnes, - bosily gagged in rsdac-
.ns the possal service Of the Southwestern
States, with . vis~ 70 ,e,ssnehneas Of sx-
rensss.
FnlIsrsrIx,Ns.-lnforn has been
received from q scarce regarded ~ thorough
lr reliable. giving sae PARTICULAR Of the con-
cFb.s,..,n- sfss>~rs - NsAAyn~~>