["Voltigeur," Letter from Lander's Expedition, Alta California, August 24, 1860]

 

LETTER FROM LANDER'S EXPEDITION

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[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

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RABBIT HOLE SPRINGS, Western Utah, )

August 11th, 1860. )

            In the heart of an alkali country, and surrounded by a cloud of dust that would put to shame the sandstorms of your city, I will endeavor to indite you a few lines, connectedly and legibly, although the task possesses a Herculean aspect to a man as constitutionally lazy as your correspondent — (candor inspires confidence.) For a week past I have been lying in camp on the Humboldt, with the expedition stock, just at the junction of the Honey Lake and Carson Valley roads.

Immigration.

            A large immigration has been pouring in from the Western States, via the Lander route principally, and a few trains by Salt Lake. The immigrants have singularly exalted ideas of the magnificence of California prices. In my official capacity, as Assistant Commissary, I endeavored to effect a purchase of that insignificant, but very necessary, culinary article, cream tartar, worth fifty cents per pound. My friend from Hoosierdom charged me just two dollars and fifty cents a pound, which price — with a due regard for the depleted state of Government finances under Jeems' Administration — I refused to pay. The emigrant, perhaps, thought that I was of a speculative turn, and had come several hundred miles from the State "on the lay" for cream tartar.

The Rabbit-Hole Springs.

            The working party of the train under the direct supervision of Col. Lander, have been perseveringly engaged for two weeks past, in perfecting the springs at this point. Some of your overland readers will recall to memory Rabbit-Hole Springs, as one of the least available camps on the entire route. Not a blade of grass, and but a muddy, ill-favored stream of water oozing reluctantly from the hard, stony toil, under the magic of the pick and shovel, guided by experience, it is now transformed into one of the finest watering places on the road. The spring, now ten feet in depth, and walled up with well cemented stone, is second to nothing, as far as my limited observation extends, but the artesians of San José. Several large tanks have been sunk, supplied with water from other springs developed in the vicinity, and herds of cattle can now be watered, where before three thirsty steers could scarcely cool their parched tongues.

Indians.

            By the courtesy of the Paymaster, I append the following letter, addressed by Col. Lander to Lieut. Hamilton. The letter explains itself:

RABBIT HOLE SPRINGS, Western Utah, )

August 11, 1860— 2 P.M. )

            Capt. Hamilton — Dear Sir : By the arrival of Chief Engineer Wagner at my Stock Camp, on the Humboldt, from a scouting party of six days in the mountains north of that river, I am enabled to afford you valuable information of the movements of the Pah-Utes. Winnemucka and his principal band are in the mountains north of the Humboldt ; Smoke Creek Sam and his band are scouting from the Truckee River over to a point north of the Sink of the Humboldt. Fifty Indians were seen by my men between the Sink and Lassen's Meadows, and about one hundred at different points north of the river, a large force being probably in the vicinity of the latter.

            My men took five Pah-Ute prisoners, when the latter were visiting an emigrant train, which they repeatedly did to purchase ammunition. These Indians informed us of all the details of my brush with them in the direction of Goose Lake, and described every party which has been in the field for the last four weeks. They must have an excellent organization and effective scouts. It is very necessary that effective mounted troops should be on the Humboldt River, as the emigration is very large, and poorly armed. Much of it is along way behind, and then of the weakest of the emigrants, with many women and children. The Indians pay as high as fifty cents for a percussion cap. Some of the emigrants acknowledge having furnished them ammunition, revolvers, and rifles, their excuse being that they were not aware of the war. Traders are on the river who are undoubtedly doing the same thing. There is no excuse for the latter, as they are lately from Carson City, but I have not yet sufficient proof against them to justify me in harsh measures. I have still three Indian prisoners, and shall leave to-morrow with one of them to visit the war chief, Winnemucka, to endeavor to ascertain the causes of this war. I trust you will see the propriety of dispatching this letter to Gen. Clarke. As I am only instructed to build the overland wagon road, and explore the country, I am constantly called upon to exceed the line of my duty, wear out my stock, and expose my men, under the circumstances of this Indian war.

            In about two weeks our work will be completed, and the horses, mules, wagons, pack-saddles, arms, etc., would, in my view, be of great service in mounting and transporting your company to the Pah-Ute line, or in equipping volunteers. As the emigrants stop in large numbers near Honey Lake to recruit their stock, those settlements can no longer be regarded in danger. I make these observations, because when my party comes in, this line of road will be entirely unprotected. We have had scouting parties up the Pah-Ute line, and have discovered mounted and well armed Indians all the way. I take but one man with me to visit Winnemucka, as these are the terms upon which I procure an interview. If I should not return, the chief points to be noted in this letter are, the necessity of troops on the Humboldt, the presence of the regular Indian agent to inquire into the practices of traders, to enforce the law regarding the sale of ammunition to Indians, and the fact that if I make no arrangement with Winnemucka, the last of the emigration will undoubtedly be cut off. You will be apprised of the result of the conference on my return.

                        Very respectfully,

                                    Your obedient servant,

F. W. LANDER.

            P. S. — Since the departure of Colonel Lander I learn that old Winnemucka is in the mountains back of Buffalo Springs, towards High Rock Cañon,

            Yours, etc.,

            JOHN C. BURCHE, Paymaster.

            The Winnemucka with whom Col. Lander seeks an interview, is a son of old Winnemucka, and ranks as the great war-chief of the nation. His father is the medicine man and patriarch of the tribe, but has little concern in the battles of his son. He will, in all probability, remain in the mountains with the squaws and children, until peace is declared, should the younger chief consent to the Colonel's terms.

VOLTIGEUR.