Weekly Trinity journal., 1863-07-18

DESPERATE FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS IN 1ipM
BoLDT CoUNTY-From the Humboldt Times of
the llth we learn that one of the most desperate
fights ever had with Indians in that section Of
country, took place on Wednesday morning on
Redwood creek, at Minors place. The following
account of the battle was written from the battle
ground, Thursday morning:
! Manheim's train of IS pack mules, escorted
by Lieut. Middleton of Co. c., lst Battalion, G.
NJ with Is men, went up Monday to Fort CASTOR
with load of -four on Tuesday morning they
started on their return about four O'Clock in the
afternoon they reached Redwood Creek. IS to 90
miles from Fort CASTE on, and camped for the night
on the fiat about midway between Fort Anderson
and Minors field. Here Lieut.. Middleton with
Lieut.. Hale of Fort CASTOR and Mr. Booth left
the train and pushed on for Arcata, leaving the
escort in charge OF Sergeant L. W. Day About
half past three Wednesday morning, as some Of
the men were sadding their mules for an carly
start, they were surprised by volley of rifles
from two sides Of the camp, taking them nearly
in front and rear, part from the underground
across the creek and part from the high bluff in
the which completely commands tbe camp
At this time their force consisted Of Sergeant Day
and II men Of Co. C, Messrs. Wall and Foote Of
Co. b, and two packers The Indians were in
very large force from 50 to 100, and pretty well
armed with guns there was not single arrow
fired. They poured in volley after volley,
wounding several carly in the fight. After three
or four hours fighting five OF the company sue
ceeded in reaching the bluff and driving them
off across the creek. They fought until about
noon, when they reluctantly drew off, carrying
their dead and wounded. AS they left they fired
a parting voley at the mules, killing Que and
wounding seven two men were sent on foot 10
! Fort CASTOR for ammunition and to bring the
Surgeon there. Dr. Phelps I'd Infantry, who
arrived at four O'Clock on Thursday morning,
with Sergi. Hurst and 7 men from Co. B. The
! following is a correct list OF wounded from Dr.
Phelps Chas. McKee, Co. C, thigh and arm,
! dangerously
John Blum, Co. c, right lung and leg, danger
ously.
VIM. Taylor, Co. C, thigh, shoulder and hand,
dangerously.
Clifford Bridges, Co. C, ankle, severely.
Andrew Footc, Co. b. thigh, slightly.
Sergt e. w. Day, Co. G, thigh, slightly.
| George Robinson Co. G, thigh and leg, slightly.
william Stevenson, Co. C, leg slightly.
william Grinin, Co. G, cheek and arm, slightly.
j. McMann, Co. c, leg, slightly.
The Indians fired about 500 rounds, but they
got nothiug--not single gun nor anything else.
! The unfortunate men could not be operated on
there, as they would have to be packed after it,
| to AIcata.
Commenting on the engagement the Times says !:
saYf rHflie ngaaide vpa0 1T HqGtf@a e~liing
tire from nearly 100 Indians for nine hours and
finally routed them without the loss OF a gun or
any property but mule. The officers and
men and people Of Trinity county may well be
| proud Of Company c, If they are all composed of
such plucky material as this detachment.'
We will take this occasion to thank brother
Wiley for this very high and merted compliment
to the bravery of our volunteers. And the peo.
pie OF Humboldt and all the outside world may
rest assured that the Trinity boys will not be
tardy in sustaining their reputation whenever op-
portunity offers.
| THEN AND Now.-Thc JEFF Davis Democracy
OF this State made terrible ado over the " negro
testimony bill " passed by the last Legislature-
! From the Shasta Courier of last week we extract
the following very good thing, which at least
goes to show how subject to change the minds
and opinions Of men are, especially when the
party to which they formerly belonged has fallen
from power Placing the negro on an equality
with the white man was not so serious mat.
ter six years ago as Dow-in Democratic eyes,
Read what follows:
publish below correct copy of petition to the leg
sature Of lsd7 asking that Democraiic body to allow
negroes the privilege festiyng in all the Courts of laws
/ IN TINS SJdtc:
" TO the Honorable Senate and assembly Of the STATE Of
California:
The Undersigned residents of the county Shasta state
Of California pray your Honorable Body repeal much
the third paragraph section 39I an Act entitled
An Act to Regulate Proceedings in Civil Cases in the Courts
of Justice in this state passed April goth 1851
| to Negroes.
Also to repeal so much Of section IA Of an Act entitled
AR Act conc rning Crimes and Puni.hments passed April
10th. 1850 relates to negroes and muattocs, viz To
repeal those provisions Of the law which disquas negroes
and mulatocs from being competent witnesses the Courts
of Justice in proceedings to which white persons
are parties"
This document was signed by A. Skiman j. Van Sclaick
Geo. ". McCumber, j. d. Mix, T. Shurten, s W. PAYNE
John a. Dreibchis q. X. Godfrey, q. W btcNurry F. f.
Turner d. d. llarr Jas. Il. Keen Jacob Vickng, j. II
Spatz Joseph Coombs 0, P Woodward, h. O. Dewitt and
| 3o1 others,
The above petition presented in the State Senate on
the 18th day of February, 1857 by the late Hon H. D0sh
but the prayer of the petitioners not granted We give
allow negroes testify the Courts of Justice
in this State were white persons were parties.
The year following similar petition was signed by many
Of the above named persons, and again presented
the Senate in 1858.
The consistency of these will be comprelended when
we state that they have violently opposed the action of
Hon. n Chapel in the Assembly Of last Winter for
bill repeating the very sections here asked for by the
above petitioners and charging his being given for
| an Abolition measure in an Abolition Legislature.
Mr. Chapel voted for the bill known the negro tcs
mony bill because he th0ught it just, aud that il was
accordance with the express wish of large majority Of his
constituents who had been seeking for years such
a law enacted but because the bill passed by Union