New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-06
HAYDENS SURVEYORS ATTACKED BY
INDIANS.

TIKI GARDNER AND GANNETr PARTY UNDER FIRE
TWO DAYs-THE INDIANS KEEP TifM fhoM
WATER FOR THIRTY-sx BoURs-PENNED IN A
MARROW yALEY-FNAL ESCAPE, WITH THE
LOSS OF BAGGAGE AND INSTRUMENTS Only.
WASHINGTON, Sept 5.-TO-day's Daily Chr0n-
ice contains the following dispatch, dated Parrot CITY,
Col, Aug 23, via Pueblo Col, Sept a. giving the par
ticu'ars OF a recent fight between Hsydens surveying
party and the Indians Mr.. James L. Gardner Ge
ocrspher and First Assistant Of the Hayden survey
warned OF the tcyng character Of the Indians In Sierra
Lasa united Mr.. Gannets party with his own Tor survey
part Western Colorado. On Aug lo,wre cross
ing the desert southwark toward Sierra Abao they were
treacherously attacked by number OF Indians pretend
be friends Adams and Kelsey being In the rear
barely escaped death at the first vOlley Several survey
with rifles had to defend l3 men and Is pack animals
The place was a watcrlcss valley surrounded by Gins
100 feet high, which narrowed southwark TO a close
cahon where the only spring tie desert To keep
the surveyors from reaching this was to insure thcr
death and capture.
From the first ridge commanding the train the Indians
were driven by Gardner. Madeira, and McCGoary. the
party passing into cam, in open ground, where barf
cade built The Indians continued the attack from
all sides till midnight but were driven back by Gardner
Madera, Adams, Kelsey, and McCrcary, fighting Indian
fashion by crawling through the sagc-briish orc animal
shot The baggage bar1cade protected the men not
in action.
The march was resumed next morning TO follow the
train TO tie spring up canon occupied Ivy ln-
dams. 1t seemed as certain death "a thirst Mr. Gard
ner decided ampt to reach the surrounding plateau
summit For six hours they marched around the valley
seeking some break in the sandstone walls. The Indians
swift ponies occupied each cnncnce, aud fired into
the advancing party Gardner and Madeira acted a. adj
yaccd sirnshcrs on the right Adams and Gannett on
thc left. Mills, Kelsey, and Worhngion fought on the
Gank and rear ard sum, Of Milss and kelscys loOo
yard shots did splendid service Forced in one place 10
pass within 800 yards Of rocky promontory the Indian
bullets fell like hail about Them and only poor aim saved
| the men. AtansOn's mule was shot under him.
1t was now determined TO fight steadily up the canon
at all hazards to some break the cliff AT last this WAS
found and Gannet pioed tho train to within 800 lee' vi
The top where the Indians getting above III III fled from
behind rocks AMI trees at distance OF only 90 yars
Two more mules killed, but Gardner and Madeira
had climbed above the Indians, VINO now fOuud them
selves between fFcs AM one of them fell before
well-amcd shot from Madeira This drove the cowhrus
to such close that Gardner, Adams, ana Madca
slipped quietly aon the foot of the vertical sandstone
wall 20 the breach noticed from b' low, whore d'or a
was found aiding to tie summit Of the plateau IL WAS
barely paSsable for unncumbercd animals Kctifnm2
to the main party lying behind roc and trees within 60
wards of the enemy SIR Gardner had the rae rs cut from
thc mules. and, taking four DAYS provisions, lea inc
Marty under the fire o! TIE Indians saoy mo 'no
plateau without man being wounded. The to'ai h'S
was four mules the baggage and instruments All '"e
| nOfcs were SANtI
The faded but uncaded animals we're r'i'hcd 10
their fastest The Indians. afraid OF en- ambush. went
many miles around to reach the plateau, AMI though
seen In the distance the start thus gained enabled the
party TO cudc pursuit At sunset small fpring "s
found which relieved the fast increasing suffering OF the
,Icn and animals. The march continued during tue
night days Mr.. Gardner brought the party INTO
the mining settlement the Platte RIVER, having
travelled 900 miles from the scene OF the battle III icdr
dsys across Il perfect labyrinth o. calons ana ridges
Tae party were in the saddle = hours oIt OF CO. Acr
tie morning OF the Jt for the first 30 hours they were
without water and almost without food. except for an IN
terya OF three hours in the night. The hghtin5 was
incessamt from o'clock in tie afternoon OF the l0th M
tine afternoon Of the 10th. All are however well ana IN
good spirits, only rrgretirg that they did not k''l INDIANS
enough to make up for the loss of instruments ami bag
gaze Mr. praises the courage OF his assistants
and their unswcrging fidelity to him In these terrible
hours when the saciy Of all depended Oh concerted
action under one head.
The Ute Indians in southern Colorado have manifested
an unfriendly spirit for time, on account OF the
many persons attracted 10 their coGnry by tie SIN Juan
mines anl hcy earnestly protest against entertainments
UPON their territory. This is the OF their recent
| attack Prof Ha; d"n's party, who are InaATs a
sicl survey OF Colorado and VINO expect to bhsh
| their WORK during the present Jason.