[Col. F. W. Lander, Letter from Col. F. W. Lander, Alta California, July 1, 1860]

 

Letter from Col. F. W. Lander.

            Through the kindness of Judge Lander, we are permitted to publish the following letter from his brother, Col. F. W. Lander, of the Wagon Road Survey. From the tenor of the letter, there is reason to believe that we shall soon hear exciting news from the Indian country.

HONEY LAKE VALLEY, UTAH TERRITORY, )

June 16, 1860. )

            Dear Ned — I start to-morrow against the Indians who were driven from Pyramid Lake. They are in force from three to six hundred strong, about a day in advance.

            The Honey Lake settlers called on me for assistance through their Governor and principal men. When I had acceeded to their request under the assurance that they would raise two companies, the men of the valley were indisposed to turn out. They gave as a reason that the large stock owners here would not furnish animals to mount them.  I then called on my men to go on foot, this they agreed to and we were in a fair way to organise. Next day Captain Bird of the lower valley came up. He offered to raise rations and mount twenty men. Other gentlemen have found like supplies, and I now expect a command of seventy to eighty men. Of these, thirty-five are from my train, all I can mount and arm. Our wild Spanish horses and mules are not the best of chargers for the occasion, but twenty of my own men are old hands and will stay under any circumstances. I have a good deal of faith in the other fifteen but do out know them so well. Captains Weatherly [Weatherlow] and Bird, are both experienced Indian fighters, and speak well of quite a portion of their commands. The fact is, our numbering so small and all knowing it at the start, few fellows will go who do not mean to do their duty. Quite a number of persons remain in the valley.

            Mr. Wagner, chief engineer, protesting against being left, I leave the train in charge of John C. Burche, disbursing agent, and Richard L. Poor, assistant engineer, the latter being disabled by illness. I take both William West and Charley, the latter of whom I found here, he has been at Black Rock, prospecting. Our family is therefore well represented. Bill is a host in himself, a great shot and rider. I fear my expressman, Fred Mosier is cut off, he started a few days ago for Carson City, was to have returned yesterday, but is now about a day late. We all hope to see him to-night. We travel with packs, single blankets, and a saddle, dried beef for rations — in my old style of '54. I have been out of fix lately, severe chills and vomiting turns, but hope the trip will bring me up.

            California should permit or rather request Jack Hays to raise, select, equip, ration and mount two hundred and fifty men, of a class to suit him. Joined with the regulars, such a force can scour this country, protect the immigration and close the war. Government would pay the cost of such a force, I am confident, whereas, in the desultory way in which things are now conducted it would be difficult to pass the bill. The men of my train, two-thirds at least volunteer for the love of the thing.  I go because it is necessary to clean out the Indians before I can move a wagon train down the road, which winds through cañons and ravines commanded by positions of strength now occupied by Indians. We shall take to the mountains and approach in their own style. If I had men enough to divide the party I would answer for the result, as it is they may outflank us and get a good many men, during the approach. When it comes to a pinch we shall have the best of it as the men have fine revolvers, many of them the old army pattern, one of which is worth two navies. Some of the men who were run in, estimate the Indian force at seven hundred strong which is a sheer exaggeration I know.  *  *  *  *  *  *

            Truly,

F. W. LANDER.