The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-09
ENrRAPPED IN a CANTON.
Desperate Situation OF the Hayden ESpedi-
tion-An Incessant Fight for Forty-ciRht
HOurs-PrOf. Gardner's OnicioI Report.


Desperate situn,ioa OF the Hayden ESpedi-
tion-An Incessant Fight for Forty-ciRht
HOurs-PrOf. Gardner's OmciaI Report.
la PLATA RIVER MINING CAMP, Aug. -.
l have the honor to report that on Wednes-
day, Aug. 4, met Mr.. Gannett, az had hoped,
on the GunulsOn river near hs junction with
the Ora i. Owing TO high water he had taken
~ -eeF nsihiity Of changing the plan pre-
viously approved by us, Of cutting the supply
camp az the junction Of the Grand and Gunni-
son rivers, and had pushed u westward with his
own train to tho Dolores river. followed,
ana overlook them In one day, within eighteen
miles Of the Dolores. This point being ON the
Ute reservation, Mr.. Gannett considered it safe
for a supply camp. I had. however, been in
formed by Owiay that the Indians In the Sierra
Ia Sal Mountains. which lie in Utah, about thr-
teen miles west OF the Colorado line, were likely
to steal stock n they got n good chance. He
said that party Of seven armed men would be
safe In the region, but they must watch their
animals carefully, and II one man was caught
out alone he might not be safe. After the two
pirties were Joined 1 OF course took general
charge OF the whole, and all responsibility for
all movements. The scientific party now con
sisted OF seven men-James Il. Gardner, Henry
Gannett, A. @. Peale, Robert Adams, W. II. Al.
klnson, Cuthbert Mills, Frank Pearson the en-
Kelsey, Jacques Charpiot, enjamin Northing-
ton, Charles McCreary, and Judge Poris e
the remainder with revovers.
During the march men with rifles rode In front
and rear, and In camp guard, regularly relieved
the cooks taking their turns. During the first
few days no fresh lndian sign WIS seen, though
we were continually scoutinR. When at last we
marched to the south end OF the range TO climb
the highest peak, which is a station OF the pri.
mary triangulation, we found fresh signs and
took the train far up through the woods to "A
| little sheltered basin, directly under the peak
aud ESQ feet In altitude. The position was ad.
mirablv situated for concealment or defence;
| On The 10Th we met some Indians who seemed
| very friendly anu claimed acquaintance with
some OF our party. They were very anxious for
us To camp at some mud holes close bv, but
| found th 4 neither men nor animals could drink
| the nasty iiuid They then tried to trade for
tobacco and powder, but NJ we had neither to
~ re, we shook hands aud babe them ddiOs and
No sooner had the rear guard passed the brow
than the Indians commenced firing from be-
hind It. Kelsey and Adams came very near
being killed, bullets strikinc the ground close
| to them. Being IN the advance, rode AT once
| to the rear The boys begged IT, he allowed to
| charge the Indians, but thought II unadusa-
| Die. considering that they were protected nv a
hui nd mounted on swift horses, and we on
range Of the hin. Taking iSders and
the hill on the right and In advance, under
which the train must pass to reach more open
ground. the redskins were already on the OPP
| posie slopes. but We dove them away. aud held
| the point until the train was out Of shot. ak
| Ing the advice Of nv most experienced men. we
| camped In a sage brush plain as far as possible
| from the bills. The position was, however, eX-
posed T., IRE at tOO yards from ravine that
would shelter the enemy, and from ridge SO
yards distant. | formed sklrmsh line OF
Adams, McCreary, and myself 300 yards from
| camp. and 80 placed as to command these posi-
| lions ana protect the rest Of the men, who were
! unpacking and building a circular barrcsd OF
| the apparatus and baggage. The Indians were
| thus forced to bght at very long range, and we
were hidden IN the sage brush, and fought TO
| mill. from which of their bllpts mat fell
short OF the camp.
At sunset | formed new picket line OF
| Adams. Kelsey, and myself, 40 wards from the
bar ricade, with orders to keep back the In
dians, whom we expected would now crawl
| through the sage brush ana attack US by the
| light OF the just risen full moon. They c llne ~
anticipated, and for i've hOurs we fought them
| IN their ow fashion, creeping through the sage
brush, and firing at the flash OF their guns.
| Their shots q no effect upon u.s. and only one
OF our animals was wounded. We were begin
| n'ng TO suffer much from want Of water and
| food. AT midnight the Indians drew OF. and
We were relieved from duty by MADEIRA Nc
Creary, and Northngton. The situation became
critical. The Indians would doubtless be rein
| forced at night and II escape were attempted.
| they would fire at us from every knoll in the
| canon. II we remained, we would perish of
t1iIst. However. break was made for the
| plateau. took GanLett. Adams, aud MADEIRA
| with me TO skirmisn In advance of the train to
| the right and left, while Mills, Kelsey, and
| Northington were to nght In the rear ana keep
| the enemy from occupying the hills over which
we had passed before the train was out
| the battle signal came quickly In short, wild
yells from an Indian posted on n rocky pinnacle
above us. Down they came from their hiding
| places on those flying ponies. They immediate-
| ~ occupied the emnences within shot OF which
they supposed we would pass. We we're sue
cessful IN driving them from every one for the
| first hour, but soon our hungry and thirsty
mules utterly gave out and refused 20 be spurred
from walk. Several times MADEIRA and would
attempt to reach tue hills when the Indians
were also aiming for. They would gain the
open space would be attended with great dan
ger. Here the rear quad came to our assist
ance, aud Mills ana kelsey did some splendid
shooting at LOO yards. In spite OF all We cOuid
! do the nuiieis kept drurpng ncar the train.
Attentive nous OF frultless search N the hot
sun, tormented by thirst, IL was determined to
| ugnt the way To camp up through the canon.
| he Indians poured hot fire ON US, but their
| accurate aim was our salvation. Three mules
were killt q, tut the men found refuge behind
the trees. The other members Of the party nere
| reinforced Us. ana after cutting the packs from
! the mules We forced our way along through the
ambush, the Indians fearing To make an open
attack. In fou' days from tue time We scaled
! toe Oluu brought the patty IN here safe aud
! WELL having ridden 2OO miles from the scene Of
| battle. OUT OF the sixty nours from the m rn-
lug OF the 10Th we were in the saddle forty eight
The ngnt was iuccssant from o'clock in the
! afternoon Of the 18TH until the afternoon Of tie
10Th, eNt epting three hours at night. OF thirty
! Two anlma's we brought OF twenty eight. Three
! OF them are wounded, hut not badly. Not aman
was Muunueu anu none are SICK me WORK 4
| not much inteifereu with, Tor the western part
| OF the typography OF the dangerous country
was ABOUT completed. Mr.. Holm's patty cane
| IN the same DAY we did, and Mr. Gannett has
gone out with MIN to complete the remainder
| OF his eastern work. which Is in a safe country
| a party has gone to bring Messrs. Holman and
| Dallas from the ID Olurys.
! cannot bestow too much praise upon Robert
Adams. Shep rd MADEIRA, Clarence Kelsey. Cnas
] Met rearv, ana CuthOert Mills for the aggressive
! energy they showed IN the hght. To tue first
| two was constantly indebted Tor advice. My
gratitude and praise are equal for the other
| mem oers OF the party, who gave perfect ldelity
ia those terrible hours when the safety Of n
! depended on concentrated action under one
head. VERY respectfully, yours.
JAS. I. GARDINER. Geogr iphcr.
! 70 f. V. HAYDEN, In charge OF [. : q. ana q.
survey.
The Reading Baby Ghost Frnnd.