The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-07-30
TIE INDIAN TROUBLES.

TIE INDIAN TteSU8 Les
! We have gust recovered froan one'of those
incidents of our present unsettled condition,
ga scare" It did Eot come from the Bush-
Whackers this time, but from the Indians
on the plains. From the demonstrations at
different times this summer from the Indi-
ans, it vas easy to make the people believe
that the reports were true.
The direct cause of the alarm here was
the following dispatch from Col. Smith, Of
the 9th militia, dated at Cottonwood Falls,
on Sunday night, and addressed to Col. A.
J. Mitchell, of the Eleventh militia
1.-THE reports are very alarming from the
upper Cottonwood in regard to the Indians.
The settlers have all left their homes, and
are in camp at Shafts, ten miles above
here. Twenty five men are killed as far as
heard from. Every man in Chase, Butler
and Marion will ns in the saddle tonight.
We expect you to help us, and that at once,
as the case is one of urgency. Morris
county militia will all be on the road to-
night. Should you see fit to send detach-
ment, send up the Cottonwood to the cross
formation to control further action. Don't
fail to help US, as there is great danger.
The Indians are already on the head of Cot
tonwood. Gen. Wood is out of the Dis
trict, and think y6s are in command of
the 5th District. W. S. Smith,
Col. 9th K. S. M"
This dispatch arrived here about o'clock
Monday morning, and Col. Mitchell and
Lieut.. Col. Bunch both being absent at
Leavenworth, was sent to Major Abraham.
He Immediately called out tie regiment,
and at an early hour Monday morning was
on his way, with nearly two hundred men,
up the Cottonwood. The forces consisted
of parts of Co. A, under command of Lieut.
Humphrey Co. B, under Capt. Elicit; ;
Co. c. under Capt. Campbell; Co. D, un-
der Capt. Hills and Co. H, under COM
raaud of Lieut.. Borton. Co. E, under Capt.
Harper, and Co. F, under Capt. McGinnis,
followed in the evening. Lieut.. Wilson,
who is stationed here with part of Co. A,
J. th Kas. Cav, also started early in the
morning. In the meantime reports kept
coming in of the frightful state of affairs.
A lady came from Smoky Hill, stating that
the Indians had commenced numbering the
settlers in that region. Another report was
that large train was corrslled between Cow
Creek and the Arkansas, and were being
starved out, and that the Santa Fe stage
had been captured, and the Indians had
possession of Fort Larned, etc., etc.
The command under Major Abraham
proceeded to the Santa Fe crossing. They
found good many settlers at Shafts, as
stated by Col. Smith. Some had got over
the scare and returned to their homes,
while others were about to do SO. The
command arrived at the Cottonwood cross
ing Tuesday evening, at O'Clock. The
Santa Fe stage had arrived few minutes
before and reported that they had seen no
Indians between that and Fort harned.
They had passed about 500 militia from
Chase and Morris counties, who had turn
ed back. Major Abraham and Lieut.. Will
son being unable to hear any news that
would warrant them in going on, and the
former having no provisions, they turned
back, and arrived home Thursday about
| noon.
It seems there was some ground for these
rumors. The Indians had run of all the
horses and mules at all the ranches and sta
tions between the Cottonwood crossing and
Pawnee Fork, and several persons have
been killed. A band of Indians was seen
several miles below the Cottonwood cross
ing of the Santa Fe road, and it is supposed
they were scouts, and when they saw the
demonstrations on the part of the people
and military authorities, reported to the
main body, when the trains were released
and the redskins scattered. There is no
doubt but that the plains In that direction
are full of Indians, and they must be watch
ed very closely to prevent great mischief.
Great credit is duo the militia for the
promptness with which they turned out,
and the determination which they eyinced
to meet the Indians and drive them back
had they really invaded the settlements.
This demonstration on their part shows they
are ready to defend their homes.