Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-06-02
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
FROM CALIFORNIA

FROM CALIFORNIA.
FIGHTING BETWEEN THE INDIANS AND
THE SEFfLERS-A BLOODY BATTLEFIELD
STATE OF THINGS ON THE OVERLAND
ROUTE
ST. JosEPHs, June 1.-The pony express
with dispatches and the missing mail, has ar,
rived. The last express took the intelligence
that several Americans had been murdered
by Indians while asleep at Millers station on
Canon river, some thirty miles from the settle
ments OF Carson valley, and also that various
companies had organized at the Washoe mines
and gone IA pursuit OF the Indians supposed Ia
have committed the murders. Itsubsequently
appeared those volunteers united under The
command OF MAYOR Ormsby, numbering one
hundred and five mounted men. On the I2th
they came upon the Indians at the head OF
Qnacke river, SiXty-tive miles porthward to-
wards Pyramid lake from Virginia city. The
Indians were IN ambush at a narrow pass,
through which Major 0rmsby's party were
proceeding, and numbered about five hundred,
having plenty OF firearms, ammunition, and fit
teen hundred horses, within convenient dis
tancc Fhey opened fire upon the troops from
their safe hiding place. Major Ormsby order
ed u charge but the Indians continued to
skulk, firing from behind rocks and bushes, do
ing damage, without suffering much in return.
IhiS condition of things continued two hours,
when the ammunition of Ormsbys party gave
out The Indians, seeing this, closed upon
them, pouring in volley upon volley, killing
many on the spot. The balance retreated,
scattering in all directions. The Indians pur
sued them twenty. five or thirty miles, cutting
off many detached parties. The survivors
nSlfS8traggling into Virginia city during the
~. two Subsequent days.
The exact number killed is not ascertaincd
probably it exceeds fifty. Among the slain
are Major Ormsby, -Ilenry Meredith, dslin.
guished California lawyer, VIM. Spear, Rich
ard SnoWupO VIM A rrinrtnn ClbaS Eel. and
John Fleming, S. Anderson, Andrew Schealld,
NJ. Kncsanwith, John Gormbo, a. X. Elliott,
w. Hawkins, Geo. Jones, VIM Macintosh, O.
McNaughton, Total known to be killed q,
wounded 3, unknown 43, returned alive SO.
Wagons had been sent out to pick up any
wounded that may be found, also armed
force to protect parties burying the dead No
correct accounts are yet received from the
battle ground. Exaggerated accounts of it
were telegraphed to all parts of California,
causing great excitement. The first report
stated that all of Ormsby's men were killed
except six that the victorious Indians num-
berng 2O00 were marching on Virginia City,
determined to kill all Americans in the Washoe
mines /; that all the Indians from Walker river
south to Humboldt river on the north, were in
full war paint and had sent off their women
and children, and that while thus threatened
with destruction the Americans in the Washoe
mines had no arms or ammunition for defense.
HCoC CA"S ICIJOItS CduStu Icdtlul eAGI-
tons throughout California to send relief. AT
PlacerviIle and Sacramento the people assem-
5ed and aised $1,000, and fitted out a compa.
ny of well-armed volunteers, who started from
Placerville on their way over the mountains
on the l4th On the 18th, $50 volunteers
started out from Downieville, and another
company from Nevada. All the principal mil
itary companies in the state expressed Il readi-
ness to embark in the same duty.
The state authorities promptly despatched
two hundred stand of arms, with a good sup.
ply Of ammunition. General Clark COM
manding the Pacific division of The United
States army, despatched from San Francisco
on the l4th one hundred and fifty stand of
arms and one hundred thousand rounds am
munition. He so sent orders that the one
hundred United States soldiers stationed at
Honey Lake, one hundred miles north of Car
son Valley, proceed to Pyramid Lake region
and aid in suppressng hostities. These
movements warrant the belief that there are
not less than three hundred well armed volun-
teers from California, and two hundred and
sixty United States troops ready for duty on
the eastern slope mountains
AT last accounts, all hostile Indians were
north OF the pony express and Salt Lake mail
and emigrant route, and troops will be posted
to keep chat route open The Indians on the
eastern side Cf the mountains extending
north into Oregon, westward into the interior
OF Utah, and number probably two thousand,
aud from their cOntiguty to the Mormons, and
other unavoidable causes are all liable to be-
come hostile to Americans unless prompt
means are taken by the government to satisfy
them.
After the first of July three steamers, with
passengers and mails for New York, will leave
San Francisco each month.
5. W. Williams, bearer of copy of the re-
Gently ratified treaty with China, had arrived
n San Francisco, and leaves for Washington
by steamer on 10Th.
Oregon dates to the 18th are received. Con-
siderable political excitement prevailed. Ora.
COON Smith was stamping the state for the
democrats and Col. Baker for the republicans.
ST. LOUIS, Jane IA New Mexican has
arrived, with dates to the 10th ult. The mail
party overlook an escort of soldiers coming in
with officers wives and children, and travelled
with them four days. and then came on alone
-Four Kiowa Indians came to one mail station
near Pawnee Fork, but did not modest the men
there. They seemed disposed for peace.
At Pawne Fork, some Delaware spies were
sent out and discovered an encampment of
forty Kiowa braves. Lieut. Armstrong and
forty Dragons, left in pursuit of them. BY
the next mail we shall get the result oil the at
tack. Another company had left Fort Union
in pursuit of the Indians who were proving
on the road beyond the Arkansas river No
doubt the Indians will now get their Just de.
serts, and be willing to obtain peace on any
terms.
ST.. JOSEPH, June 1.-The central overland
Pixies Peak express arrived this evening, with
advceS to the 24th, and from Denver City to
the Doth A meeting Of citizens was held at
Denver City on the 25th, to take precautionary
measures of defence, and in case of an attack
by Indians The city was divided into four
wards and places of rendezvous appointed in
each, in case of a surprise.
1t was reported by French traders that an
attack on the whites was threatened. Large
numbers of Kiowas, Apaches, Camanches,
Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arrapahas, now
encamped within few miles of the city.
Some depredations had been committed on
ranches, in the vicinity, but nothing serious.
No fears were entertained of serious trouble
Nv the nd settlers. The meeting passed reso-
=. sGtions to inhict fifty lashes in public and COM
pei to leave the country any person found
guilty of selling or giving intoxicating liquors,
arms or ammunition, to the Indians