, 1863-03-28
Letter From Boise.
March OOth 1876.

I
hardships borne at their vile hands by urarmed
men and helpless and unofendng, innocence, that
language, true as it may present ordinary facts
must forever fail to exhibit in such light as to be
| fully appreciated. Even those of us who are
here upon the ground thus desecrated by acts of
wanton cruelty and are ourselves in constant
dread of suffering like enormites at the hands of
! these same ruthless demons, are in no wise pre-
pared to comprehend the Nervousness of their
dreadful crimes great as we know them to be-
But black as the past history of this region may
be the claim of civilization has at last illumiued
its dark horizon, revealing beauties and excelen-
cies of which it was before supposed to be entirely
destitute. From field of murder and rapine it
has been turned into theater Of retribution.-
The Indians who inhabit this country seem fully
determined to pursue to the last their old habits
of murder robbery and theft. The party who
first discovered these rich mines were assailed by
these murderers and in the afray lost one of their
number, the lamenteG Geo. w. Grimes. Since
the permanent occupancy of this region but two
very small parties have been attacked. In one of
these raids two white men were murdered ; in the
other was slightly injured.
Since the first of October last this country has
been explored and prospected in every direction
by parties of from two to fifty men. any and all of
whom might have been murdered or driven out
!
Indians. Instead, however, of driving the whites
from their country, they seem fully content to give
up their fisheries and hunting grounds and take
the desperate chances of Subsisting themselves
upon stolen horses and mules, of which animals
think they have appropriated no less than five
hundred, taken from pack trains, ranch-men and
miners Since the 10Th of December last, the
first considerable lot of animals stolen was from
Dr. 5. Arnold, about twenty in number, on Pay
cite, near the Picket corral. The last of which
have knowedged was from Beaver Dicks" ranch
on the Boise, one hundred and fourteen horses
and mules taken about the 25th of February. A
continuation of these outrages would soon COM
| pei the abandonment of these mines. This
being apparent to every observing mind it was
determined to raise. if possible, a volunteer force
sufficiently strong to make demonstrations against
J these murderers. 10 Captains, jeff Sandefer
and J. C. Mckay, is due the honor of having ac-
comphshed this desirable end. On the 22d of
Feb they started out, during the prevalence of a
/ violent snow storm, with iity-six men, mounted
equipped and supplied, in quest of the vile pests
-at one days March Alex. Stuart. of Washoe
was shot through the right arm by the accidental
discharge of his rifle, infictng severe wound
| which compelled his return to the settlemerts-
The second day, while encamped, awaiting the re-
turn OF those who accompanied Stuart and the
/ n
the cOmpany'S horses but were met by the guard.
and pursued, one of their number with his horse,
being made prisoner. On the 25th twenty men
were sent ahead to reconnoiter and returned the
first day of March, at II o'clock, P NJ, with
seven scaps and four prisoners, and reported all
the Indians killed and captured found in the vii
lage On the I'd of March party of seventeen
men under Lieut.. Thatcher, set out to reconnoi-
ter and reported at midnight the discovery of
strong party of Indians, well fortified, at distance
OF seven miles from camp; whereupon the whole
company except a small guard with the pack an
imals under Captain J. G. Mckay, marched i'm
mediately to the Indian Notifications which they
at once surrounded. AT an early hour On the Sd
the attack upon the Indians was made they re-
sis;ing with great spirit and apparent confidence.
Their position was well chosen ard greatly
strengthened by artificial works. constructed Of
heavy blocks Of black basalt that adorn every
canyon in this region. All of the Sd and 4th DAYS
and nights the company kept the Indians sur
rounded, giving them presents of lead at every
opportunity, thus in measure reciprocatng sim
liar favors granted for many years past to help
less emigrants. Late on the evening of the 4ih
the company having completed their portable
breaSt-works constructed OF small willows bound
together in largs round bundles behind which
several men could place themselves and roll the
!
the Indians seeing, they sent messenger to say
that they were ready to lay down their arms and
give themselves up, and sent as hostages the
chief one warrior and squaw, to be held at the
mercy OF the whites in case all the remaining
Indians should fail to present themselves in due
season. The next morning at O'Clock, instead
of all, only three men and one squaw come INTO
camp-taus placing at the mercy of the company
twelve of their number whose lives were forfeited
by their own treachery. On this present occasion
upon questioning the Indians and examining
the fort 1t was found that all the others had fled
during the night carrying with them most of
their moveables with all Of the wounded, having
first disposed of their dead. Soon after the last
prisoners arrived in camp, all the Indians began
to prepare for grand stampede having previously
been assured that the prisoners and hostages
would be shot if all in the fort were not forth
coming at the appointed time. The preparation
10 escape being discovered the Indians were sur
rounded and tied with ropes, and seeing that the
officers and men were in terrible earnest one
confessed to the murder of Grmes-the others
to depredations against the emigrants whereupon
the six were led forth and shot without
mercy.
During these engagements the only casualty to
the company wound received by John
Dobbns, of Washington county, Oregon. When
within fifty yards of the Indian fort shot was
fired at him from one of the rife pits, which took
effect in the left cheek passing under the skin to
the back part of the head, where the bail lodged
and still remains. Although the wound was con-
sdered dangerous If not mortal, at the time; vet
Mr.. Dobbins has so far recovered as to be able to
attend to business without experiencing any great
Inconvenience.
In raising and organizing his company Capts.
Sfandeier and Mckay labOred with zeal truly
commendable Every thing furnished being
doled out in manner so niggardly and mean as
to reflect great dscredt to those from whom the
necessary supplies were extorted, thus seriously
embarrassing those who took an active part in
the enterprise. But now seeing that the party
| nave returned without fatal casualty having in
their possession a number Of scalps and prisoners
| 36 horses and Indian notions which were sold at
auction for more than $500. An enthusiasm pre-
walls that seems likely to draw half the men in
this country with every available resource into
| Indian hunting.
| Nearly all OF the old party fully armed and
supplied will set out some time during the present
week for months service, at the expiration of
which time it is hoped the Oregon Cavalry, in
whose efficiency we all have the utmost conf
dence, will be permanently stationed in this
vicinity.
The expense of these expeditions is great but
great as II is, IL represents but very small pro-
portion of the calamity of being left here without
adequate protection when placed alongside of the
loss by stock and and property and the derange-
ment of business. The necessity of acting at the
same time, the part of pioneer, explorer and
soldier-of opening up mining and agricultural
region so remote from the habtations of civ ized
man for the space Of six months, sleeping at
best with never more than one eye shut at time,
must convey impressions more musical to the
lucky observer at distance than to the happy