The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-12-20
LATE INDIAN MASxACREs.

7 LATE INDIAN rTASYACRES.
| lCorrespondence ofthe Quincy Enioa, Oct. 2sth,l
| Seeing an account OF the massacre by
I the Indians on the train of George w.
Adams, while crossing the Plains, recent
" published in the Sacramento Union,
and observing some inaccuracies, / deem
it of sufficient interest that correct state
ment Of the circumstances should be pub
lished, as Adams was formerly q resident
of this county, and quite number of
those who were killed at tho time have
friends in this and the adjoining coun-
les.
The train Was quietly vending its way
on the road, about ten miles this side Of
the American Fails of Snake river, but
were very much scattered, when, with
out any previous warning, they were at
lacked by from seventy,fve toeone hun
dred mounted Indians, who commenced
rapid fire from their ponies. Adams
formed his wagons as speedily as possible
into croral shape, and his men prepared
themselves US well as circumstances would
permit to make defense, but TO little ac-
count, for the. Indians would ride IN. on
their ponies to within long range Fl e, and
and then retreat TO reload.54 Meantime
they we're rapidly forming circle around
the camps. when the little band, finding
that their only hope was in retreat, left
their wagons. Ii was in this retreat that
three men we're killed and several wound
ed--among the wounded was lady. To-
| wards evening several trains came along
and the fugitives gathered into camp
Newman l. Kennedy's train took up the
survivors, and that night corral Of eighty
SIX wagons was formed, while little lat
er Thompson's train Of twenty wagons
came up and camped in the vicinity,
which made US feel more sale. The nexl
morning, August 10th, company of &C
we'll armed aud mounted men, under the
lead of Captain kennedy, started out to
recover If possible the stolen stock
About FIVE miles of from the road they
came upon camp where there were
about 500 we'll armed Indians, who
charged upon the little band of Kennedy
and forced them to retire. In this Skin
mish three Of our party were killed by the
| first fire and several acknowledgement
Kennedy MORALLY. On arriving at camp
we found that Capt. John Walkers train
of forty-six wagons had come in during
our absence; double guard was posted,
the fires put out, and the band of emf
grants spent the night in administering
such .reMedies for the wounded as we're at
hand. The next morning company of
volunteers went back to the place of at
tack and found five bodies, which they
brought in; and, beneath the shadow OF
the inhospitable Snake river mountains,
We laid them down in their final resting
place. On Tuesday morning, Miss Eliz-
abeth Adams, highly accomplished and
beautiful young lady, who was wounded
in the retreat Of Saturday while assisting
her mother to escape, died. and was buried
amid the sobs Of strong hearted men, and
the qaivering lips and moisteDed eyes OF
the company, showing that she had en-
deared herself to all by her gentleness
and self-sacrihcing bravery. The place
where the company was camped was at
the junction Of the Oregon with the main
California road, and here Kennedy 8 train
left rs. taking the Oregon read. Capt.
Kennedy and one of his men undoubted-
ly died afterward, as they were very seri-
ously wounded.
We had now company of one hun
bred and twelve wagons, and the several
trains joined for the purpose Of mutual
defense. .'ohn Walker was unanimous
iy elected Captain Of the company. He
made selection Of twenty we'll armed
men, and mounted them on the best hor.
ses In the company, who acted as scouts.
keeping In advance and closely cxamin-
ing the ravines and and canons near the
road. A similar number were placed in
the rear to guard against surprise from
that quarter, while all who were not en-.
gagged 10 driving teams or stock were re.
quired to keep At convenient distance
from each other on each side Of the train,
In this manner We started from Raft riy-
er. Wednesday We passed place where
: train had been destroyed, but could find
no graves. On Thursday We came to "a.
other place where wagon had been rob-
bed and burned here We found the bod
les of Eve menmurdercd, and almost en-.
tirely danudsd Of flesh. They were
doubtless, retaining Californians
This night We we're attacked again, bu,
the night WA dark, and mono Of our party
i were wounded; some Of the stock VI,
out Of the corral, but under vhe cool di
rect'ons OF Capf. Walker We got them al
safely in, and then whenever the fash O
: gun could Be seen, our fire was direct
cd to il. Several rounds were fired, bu
without any apparent effect, while III.
savage war.whoop served to keep us Wild,
awake. AT last loud shrek from on,
; besleeers, and the sudden cessation d
their fire, led US to believe TINT wa had