The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-05
THE HAYDEN SURVEY ATTACKED.
A FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS IN sITBRA LA SOL
FOUR MULES, BAGGAGE AND INSTRUMENTS
Losr-A CLEVER RETREAT AND DETERMINED
FIGHTING.
PARROT CRY, Col, August %, /


PARRoTT CRY, Col August %
Via PUEBLO Col, Sept 4, 1875.
Mr. James L. Gardner, geographer and first assistant
of the Hayden survey warned Of the thievng charac
ter of the Indians in Sierra La Sol united Mr. Garnetts
party with his for surveying that part of Western
Colorado. On August 15 while crossing the desert
southwark toward Sierra Abajo, they treach-
erousy attacked by mounted Indians pretending to be
friendly.
Adams and Kelsey, being in the rear barely escaped
death the nrst volley surveyors with rifles
had to defend thirteen and eighteen pack animals
Tho place waterless valley surrounded by cliffs
1000 feet high, which narrowed southwark to a close
canyon where the only spring the desert
To keep the surveyors from reaching this TO in
sure their death and capture from the first ridge
handing the trail. The Indians were driven or
BAGGAGE BARRicADE
The surveying party passing to camp in open
ground where barrcado built the Indians
continued the attack from all sides till mid
night, but we're driven back by Gardner
Adams and McCreary, lighting Indian fashion and
crawling through sage brush. One animal was shot
The baggage barrcade protected men not in the action
The march was resumed next morning. To follow the
trail to the spring, up the canyon occupied by
the Indians seemed certain DEATH and Mr..
Gardner decided to attempt to reach the sur
rounding plateau summit For six hours they
marched around the valley seeking some break in the
sandstone wall The Indians, swift ponies, occupied
each cmnence and fred into the advancing party,
Gardner and MADEIRA acting advanced Skin
mishers on the right and Adams and Gan
nett on the left. Mills Kelsey and Northing-
ton fought on the flank and rear, Some of
Mills and Kesey's 900 yards shots did splendid
vice. The party forced in ono place to pass within
800 yards OF rocky promontory The Indian bullets
fell like hail about them Sure aim only saved the
men, Gap Kinson's mule was shot under him. 1t was
determined fight steadily up the canyon at all
hazards to break in the BLUM AT last this was
found and Gannett piloted the train to within 800 feet
OF the top, where the Indians, getting above them,
fred from behind rocks and trees at distance OF only
sixty yards
| A
Two moro mules we're killed, but Gardner
| and MADEIRA had climbed above the Indians,
who now found themselves between two fires,
and of them fell before well-amed shot from
MADEIRA. This drove the towards to such close
that Gardner, Adams and MADEIRA slipped quietly along
the of the vertical wall to breach,
noticed from below where deer trail found leading
to the plateau. II barely passable for unencum-
bcred animals and returning the main party, lying
behind rocks and trees, within sixty yards of the
enemy Mr. Gardner had the packs cut from the mules,
and taking four days provisions, led the party from
under the fire of the Indians safely to the plateau
without being wounded. The total loss
four mules the baggage and instruments All the notes
saved The jaded but now unloaded animals
we're pushed their fastest gait The Indians, afraid
OF ambush, went many miles round to reach the
plateau.
ESCAPE SETTLEMENT.
The start thus gained enabled the party to eude pur
suit At sunset a small spring found, which re-
eved the fast increasing suffering of the and ami
mails The march continued during the night, and
in four days Mr. Gardner brought the party into the
mining settlement La Platte River having travelled
200 miles from the of the battle in four days,
across a labyrinth of canyons and ridges The party
in the saddle forty eight hours out OF sixty After
the morning of the 18th for the first thirty six hours
! they were without water and almost without food.
| The lighting inccssant from five o'clock in the
afternoon of the 10Th till the afternoon of the 10th.
All well, however and in good spirits only
grctng that they did not kill Indians enough to make
up for the loss of the instruments and baggage Mr.
Gardner highly praises the courage of his assistants and
their answering fidelity to him during the battle.