The Nevada journal., 1860-05-18
Indian War.

the other side of the mountains The re-
port proved too true. The telegraphic ope-
rator here found the line from Carson city
to Sacramento entirely occupied in the
transmission of messages concerning the
massacre. Enough was made public in this
city relative to the horrid affair to produce
a profound sensation. A Getting was i'm
mediately called at the theatre and the
building was instantly crammed. An or
ganization was had and a committee ap-
pointed to take up subscriptions to aid in
sending a company with arms and ammu-
milton to the relief of our brethren. Two
thousand two hundred and sixty-fve dollars
were raised, Birdseye & FELTON, heading the
list with five hundred dollars. Others gave
hundred each, and the list was completed
with smaller amounts. A company of thirty
men volunteered without delay, to accom-
pany Sheriff Van Hagen to Carson Valley,
and convey the arms of the Nevada Rifle
company. Forty Sharpes Rifles were put
up for transportation, besides some of the
volunteers preferred crrrying their own
arms. A want of caps became apparent
The city could not supply them of the proper
size. A dispatch to Sacramento had the
effect to put a quantity on the road by pony
express. The volunteers, however, became
impatient, and put themselves on the road,
all mounted, at 2 o'clock at night, leaving
one of their number to take along the caps
when they should arrive. The caps came
to hand at about o'clock in the morning,
having made the trip from Sacramento in
eight hours. Mr.. 0. T. Ganong was the ex-
press rider. \ difficulty had been expert
enced in the scarcity of horses for the use
of the company. But throueh the exertions
of Mr.. Birdseye a few more men were sent
on in the morning to overtake the others.
1t is proper to say that the volunteers were
detained from marching at almost mo-
ment's warning By the want of caps and
cartridges. To supply the latter party of
men put themselves to work in the gun
smith shop of Z. P. Davis and by two o'clock
a large quantity of cartridges were manu-
factured when the company Immediately
took to their horses and left.
A report was circulated in town that a
company was to leave Placerville for the
scene of war on Sunday evening, that COM
panies from Sacramento and Benicia were
also in readiness to march, and that Capt.
Ager, of Downieville, had telegraphed for
three Sierra companies to proceed over the
mountains at once. An express had been
sent from Carson City to Honey Lake, ask
!; ing assistance from the L. S. troops sta
, toned at that place. From all accounts it
was evident thatthe settlements in Western
; Utah were in state of alarm, fearing the
| Indians who are represented to be nume-
rous, well armed with guns and mounted,
and brave, enfuriated with their bloody
| success, would come down upon the settle
r ments and wipe them out One dispatch
from Virginia City said there were men
enough there for any emergency, but an ut
, ter want of arms and munitions of war
Gov. Downey was absent from the seat of
government, and besides had no power to
order troops TO proceed outside the State
limits. 1t behooved the people to act in
the emergency. When their brethren in
distress called for assistance against saw
age foe, it did not become us, far from the
scene of disaster to judge OF the Indian
character and weigh the probabilities of the
worst fears Of supplicants for aid being rea-
lized There might be an unreasonable
desired and judge of the necessity after
ward. Caliiornians with spirit worthy
of them responded to the call of their breth-
rem in Utah Probably one thousand stand
of arms have been poured into our neigh
boring Territory ere this, sufficient for any
emergency.
The causes of this difficulty which has re-
suited in the massacre of large number OF
, our citizens undoubtedly lie primarily with
the whites Large herds of stock have been
thrown upon the pasture grounds of the In
dams who have animals of their own
A Feed has been scarce and the stock of the
& Indians has been reduced to the verge Of
:. starvation We understood some time since
: from gentleman who is familiar with the
q Indians in Western Utah, that they were
r complaining of the havoc done upon theil
pasture and hunting grounds by the whites
: and were urgent that portion of the stool
r of the Americans should be removed. No
a long since, if report be true, scamp will
G a white face rode into the camp of the Pah
q Utes and wantonly shot down and killec
Winnemucka, the head chief of the tribe
. Murders of whites for revenge followed, 0
: course. A company of one hundred mel
proceeded to chastise the Indians for thes
,s murders. They were on their way in searc
- of the savages when they were suddenl
:. surrounded, overpowered and massacred
- This appears to be the story in brief. TIL
fault in the first instance is attributable t
:. the American Government in not providin
proper officer with efficient means to ad
=, Just difficulties between the whites and In
dians in Western Utah, and hold them i
- check. An understanding might have bee