The Placer herald., 1860-05-19
Indian War in Western Utah.

The accounts of last week of the commence
ment Of Indian hostilities in the Carson Valley
country, were but too sadly confirmed on Sunday
by the receipt of telegraphic dispatches, that the
party of one hundred men, who went out to chas-
tise the Indians had been attacked by the red
skins, on Saturday. May 18th, and many killed
among them Henry Meredith Of Nevada, Major
Ormsby, formerly of Placerville, and other we'll
known citizens. The news, created the greatest
excitement, in San Francisco, Sacramento, Ne
vada, Downievile, and other places in the State,
where those who were reported as among the
slain, had many friends or relations.
Gloom and uncertainty prevailed and the tel
cgraph offices were everywhere beseiged with
persons anxious to CLEAN the least news of friends
whose fate were involved in doubt. Throughout
the day dispa' ches were received urging that
arms and ammunition be Immediately forwarded
as the people were without proper means Of de-
fense. Whereupon the people Of Sacramento
met at the Orleans Hotel, on the afternoon of
Sunday, and soon several thousand dollars were
raised, and the same afternoon supplies of arms,
ETC., dispatched to the scene Of hostilities. The
military companies Of Sacramento, Msrysville
authorities, to hold themselves in readiness for
immediate marching, and on the following morn
ing the Nevada Rifles took up the line of march.
Gov. Downey also made requisiton upon Gen.
Clarke, of the Pacific Military Division, who i'm
mediately furnished 500 stand of arms, 100000
rounds of ammunition, and dispatched beside to
Carson Valley, three companies U. S. troops, in
all 160 men, under command of Capt Stewart
company of men also went from Downieville
Other companies were, and have been ready to
go at moments warning, but there is no neces-
sity for their services all accounts from Car
son Valley concur in saying that men not re-
quired-they have plenty Of stout hearted fel-
lows, but arms and ammunition were needed for
them.
Troops and arms have been going forward to
the valley all week, and by this time all. have ar
rived there, and we will soon hear Of the COM
mencement of the campaign.
Besides the whites first massacred at the Big
Bend Of Carson River, and those killed in the
battle on the Truckee, the bodies Of six men. com
posing party of prospectors, have been found
on Truckee river near the Red Bluffs. They had
oil been murdered
The excitement has measurably died away, and
no fears are now felt that the towns in the Car
son Valley country will be attacked, but that on
Indian war of no small Importance has COM
menced, the early sacrifice of SO many valuable
lives to the blood thirst of the savages, but too
truly attests.
The number of armed Indians in the field is
variously stated to be from 500 to 2,000-con-
ssting of Pah Utahs, Snakes. etc. AS no distur-
bance had occurred between the whites and In
dians previous to the attack. conjecture is at fault
in accounting for the trouble. Many ascribe the
hostile altitude of the Indians to Mormon in
influence, but there is nothing as yet to prove
this.
The troops will no doubt meet the Indians in
the vicinity of Pyramid Lake next week, and we
hope to hear of blow being struck that will
spread dismay among the tribes far and near in
the Great Basin.