Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-08-21
The Pawuse mns-ncre.--rho Bloody sioux.
REPORT OF THE BLOODY AFFAIRS FROM BARCLAY



REPORT OF THE BLOODY AFFAIRS FROM BARCLAY
WHITE.
Our readers will remember, no doubt that in
some recent letters, published in the CONNER
CIAI. from Wilmington lady who was visiting
the Omaha Indian reservation, in Nebraska, she
described the exposed situation Of the Pawnoes
who are in danger. at all times, of attacks from
their inveterate and cruel enemies the variout
tribes OF Sioux. The Pawnee reservation is in
Central Nebraska, on the North of the Pacific
Railroad, and on the borders Of the Sioux coun-
try. Between it and the Sioux, there is no pro-
lection of Government forts or troops, and the
consequence IL that the Pswnees dare not ven
ture out upon their reservation, i'll small partier
without being in danger of being caught and
massacred by some predatory party Of their
alert and veug geful enemies. Their cattle and
ponies, too, are continually captured aud they
complain sadly Of their exposed location.
The recent bloody surprise and massacre of
the Pawnees took place while large party OF
them were on their annual hunt for buffalo, to
the Southwest Of their reservation on the
head -wators of the Republican rivera locality
which il now the favorile feeding ground of the
bnffaloes The following letter has been re-
ceved at Washington from Barclay White, the
Quaker superintendent Of Indian affairs, sta
toned at Omaha H.
PAwNEE AGENcY, NRB Eighth month 9th, 1873
--Respected Friend have sOrroWful tidings
from the Pawnee hunt
Yesterday after reading the encouraging letter
from the War Department respecting peaee with
the Sioux, n runner came in from the hunts and
informed me that the Pawnees were attacked in
camp on the waters of the Republican by the
Sioux. and great numbers killed. This produc-
ed intense excitement in the village, and sorrow
fuI waiDgs were heard all day.
This morning John williamson, eub-agent in
charge OF the Pawnees, returned and confirmed
the sad news. After a successful hunt, in which
they had killed nearly thousand buffaloes, and
bong heavily laden with meat and hides on their
return home they were surprised in camp by
Sioux supposed to be one Thousand strong, and
before they could escape or make successful re-
Hlstance, nearly one hundred men, women, and
children were slain and scalped.
The wounded dead and dying women and
helpless children were thrown il a heap and
burned, in the most barbarous manner possible
Comparatively few of the women and children
of their tribe were with them, but nearly all who
were there were victims of this ruthless and un-
provoked slaughter. Buffalo had just been seen,
possibly decoyed within their view, and many OF
the men were out after them. Sky Chief was
killed. Williamson made his escape on one horse
but lost his pack horse and all his goods. Young
Plat, companion to williamson, also lost hit
horse. They met a few soldiers from McPher'
son and gave them the particulars of the massa'
ere. The Pawnees, sorrowtul and diaheartened
are returning home as fast possible
Williamson brought six badly wounded ones in
the train to Silver Creek Station, and DIR. Davis
with teams. has left to bring them home. will
write further, soon as | can exact dates. mum.
bers and other particulars. Much excitement
prevails and the spirit OF war is running at fever
hBat williamson and the runner report only two
Sioux killed so far they know.
Respectfully thy friends.
WILLIAM BURGEss,
BARCLAY WHITE,
Superintendents of Indian Affairs,
Omaha Nab.