Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-12-05
Success OF the Indian Expedition u4der
Capt. Fleming. M&

Capt. Fleming.
m ~ 4AM A. --- # 20
TIE MuRDrRERs or burke AND BUcKMAN OYER
TAKEN-sIx KILLED, TWO MoRrALLY WOUND
. ED AND ONE ESCAPES
JOSEPH DRINKwATER WOUNDED IN THR
FIGHT, BUT NOT MORTALITY.
FLEMING CONTINUES THE PURSUIT.
The expedition which left Hay Fork on the
18th day Of November in pursuit Of the band Of
Indians which murdered Thomas Burke and des-
troyed hrs property early in the month Of Octo-
Der, and who subsequently murdered Buckman
on Mad river, has been crowned with success
The particulars, as follows, were obtained from
M. Ruch, Esq.y Of Hay Fork, who arrived here
on Monday evening last
The expedition numbered twenty men, as fol-
lows IS. Fleming, Captain Levi Good, VIM.
Rucb, N. B. Parlin, Jos. Drinkwater, J. S. Hoyt,
Orrin Treat, John Large, j. @. Post, Jas. Will
burn, N. B. Myers, VIM. Wilhurn, two other
white men whose names we did not ascertain,
and three Hay Fork and four Kittenchow Indians
to act as guides aud scouts. The particulars of
the pursuit and hght'were brought to Hay Fork
on the 2sth ult. by N. B. Myers, one of the par
ed in the direction which it was supposed the In
dams had gone after the destruction of their
devious on the South Fork, a few days after the
murder of Burke. Capt. Fleming's qualifca-
tons as an expert in the business of Indian hunt
ing were too we'll known by the men of the COM
1aov 1c ,,lt
Before starting he indicated the number of men
required to perform the service assured the
people who had solicited his assistance that if
be started the murderers should bite the dust if
found outside the Redwoods, and that under no
circumstance would reinforcements be called
for. This inspired the confidence of his subor-
dnates, and made success certain.
For two weeks nothing was heard of the par
ty but subsequent events prove that Capt, Flem-
ing was on the right track Buckman was MUIR
dered by the band at Berry Adams place, on
Mad river, the day after the Indian hunters left
Hay Fork. Capt. Pollock's command, from Fort
Castor, were in the neighborbood at the time of
Buckmans murder, but did not, for some rea-
son, follow them closely enough to get in at a
fight ahead of Flemings party, which from what
we can learn struck the murderers trail on PilSt
creek some days after Buchanan was killed, and
kept it until the fight. One report intimates that
the soldiers from CASTOR were travelling in the
right direction, but no where near the trail Of
the refugees. Jennings men judged from occa-
sional shots heard that they were engaged in the
pleasant passtime of bunting deer, which was
perfectly natural after their long confinement at
the Fort. On the 2eth ult. Flemiug's party over
took the retreating Indians. They had evident
ly grown careless, and camped on gulch which
empties into what we believe is known as Little
Larrabee creek (within the bounds of Larrabee's
Reservation, anyhow.) 1t was late in the after
noon, and after hastily accommodating the posi-
ton Capt Fleming made proper disposition of
his men, and just as they were about to make the
attack some dogs belonging to the Indians gave
the alarm. Flemings men, determined not to
lose their game, rushed forward, firing as they
went. The Indians numbered nine bucks, four
squaws and two children. Six bucks were kill
ed, two MORALLY wounded, and one escaped Ill
One squaw and the children were secured, the
other three escaping. After the firing had ceas-
ed Joseph Drinkwater was shot by an Indian
w.,
whose capture we are told there has been stan
ding reward of 5000 in Humboldt county, for
years, Who had been wounded and was living in
ambush. It was his last shot, for no sooner had
Drinkwater fallen than the heavy hunting-knife
of Jim Wilbur severed the head from the body
OF the murderer of more than score q white
citizens of Trinity and Humboldt during the last
ten years.
One red-skin who spoke good Enelish-tbe
same devil who ordered Mrs. Burks to "keep
still and you won't be hurt" was wounded At
FIRST, and was perfectly willing to 20 to Hay
Fork or to the Reservation. He went, in less
time than it takes to tell It, Drinkwater's wound
was at first believed to be mortal, but word came
by the Humboldt mail ON Wednesday that he is
out OF danger. The ball struck him in the left
side, ranging round to the right, where it passed
out, it Is believed without breaking any bones.
Drinkwater was carried ten miles to the resi-
dence OF Silas Hoaglin, and messenger started
to Hydesvillef 80 miles distant, for a physician.
Myers says it was Jennings intention TO pursue
the escaped Indian, even to the Reservation. if
he took refuge there. The wounded Indians it
was believed could not 60 far, as the trails show
ed that they were bleeding profusely Six muz-
zle loading rides and as many revolvers were
captured, and the squaws are believed to know
where other arms and ammunition belonging tn
the band are secreted.
1t is a source of the greatest qualification to
know that in the brief time of fourteen DAYS the
citizen soldiers Of Trinity have succeeded in wip
ing out band of Indians which has been the
settlers terror for years. The same service, iud
ging from past experience, would have cost the
Government thousands of dollars to perform, in
the ordinary, circumlocution manner These
men employed others to protect their homes du-
ring. their absence. They have done valuable
service 70 the State and the counties of Trinity
and HUMBOLDT. IT is but just that they should
be rewarded, and we shall make further refer
ence to the matter next week ~
LET it not be said hereafter that the attempt
TO rid the country of these red tends failed for
sne want OF somcient force 70 accomplish it.
Two or three companies added to the troops al
ready at Camp CASTOR and in the field. and the