["Oro," Colonel Lander's Expedition, Sacramento Union, July 9, 1860]

 

 

COLONEL LANDER'S EXPEDITION.

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[CORRESPONDENCE OF THE UNION.]

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IN CAMP, HONEY LAKE VALLEY, )

June 23, 1860. )

            A few days ago I sent you, by the expressman between this valley and Quincy, a letter detailing all the events of our tedious and difficult march across the mountains to this place, and also the current reports of Indian movements up to that date, the 13th instant. I will now give you such news as I have gathered subsequent to that time.

            On the 16th instant, four men came into our camp and reported to Colonel Lander, that they were a portion of a company of eleven men who had started well provided from California on a prospecting tour to Black Rock, and had proceeded on their route as far as Wall Springs, and camped at noon, Monday the 11th. After eating their mid-day meal, and about resuming their trip, they discovered a very large body of Indians coming toward them from the mountains, manifesting hostile intentions. They immediately prepared themselves against assault by the savages, showed the red skins that they were well armed with rifles and pistols, and gave them to understand that they would resist "to the bitter end" any attack upon them. They thought the Indians were either short of or entirely out of ammunition as only two shots were fired by them. Not liking the aspect of affairs, the eleven men took the mules from their wagon and mounting them and their other animals retreated toward this valley followed by the Indians for about twenty miles, whom they eluded in the night and arrived in this valley on Thursday, the 14th.

            After these men had left their wagon, which was laden with provisions, etc., an acceptable prize to the enemy, the Indians were seen to surround it and eat the flour raw from the sacks, showing that they were evidently in nearly a starving condition.

            It is supposed that this band of savages were a part of the force recently lodged at Pyramid Lake, and that the Chief who commanded them, from the description given of him by these men, was young Winnemucca. Indeed, one of the men, who claimed to know that young chieftain, declared that it was he. These (four) men volunteered to go on an expedition against the Indians and subsequently went with Colonel Lander.

            On Monday last, the 18th, late in the afternoon, news was brought into camp that some Indians had come into this valley, about fifteen miles below us, and had shot a Mr. Adams (who was attending to his stock in a corral) in the head, killing him instantly. His brother, who is a partner in the ranch, and who was in the house at the time, hearing the report of a rifle, immediately ran out with a Colt's navy revolver and pursued the Indians so closely that one of them dropped his gun (a Mississippi rifle), which was gotten and is still held by Adams — a sad memento of his brother's death. The Indians (there were but two), luckily for themselves, escaped without injury.

            Upon hearing this news, Colonel Lander ordered out his officers and other men of the expedition, who were armed with Sharp's rifles and Colt's army revolvers, in all twenty-three men, well mounted, and started down the valley in pursuit of the murderers. Arriving at the scene of the murder, Colonel Lander was informed that it had occurred at a very early hour in the morning ; and the direction taken by the Indians having been pointed out, the Colonel took the trail and followed it several miles until it became lost in the mountain. After examining thoroughly all the places that seemed at all likely to be hiding spots or to afford safe shelter to the Indians without success, he, with his troop, returned to camp about 8 o'clock the next morning — somewhat fatigued, though no ways cooled in ardor — having ridden all night, and traversed a distance of near sixty miles.

            Capt. Wetherloe [Weatherlow], of the Honey Lake Rangers, also sent out a scouting party of five men, on a like errand, across the mountain north, who returned about midnight, having made no discoveries. On Tuesday, the 19th, about sunset, all things being in readiness, men and horses rested ; mules, twenty in number, well packed with provisions for the party for a two weeks' expedition ; the Colonel, with thirty-two picked men of the train, the four volunteers that were driven back by the Indians from Wall Springs, and Captain Wetherloe with his company of Honey Lake rangers, numbering twenty-five — making in all sixty-two men, well mounted, armed and equipped — again started on a reconnoisance. He took a northerly course, over the mountain bounding this valley on that side, to Willow Creek Valley, where it was supposed some Indians or traces of Indians might be found. We have since learned that he made a march that night of fifteen miles, and camped in good grass on Willow Creek.

            It was the intention of Colonel Lander to make a critical examination of that valley down to its outlet into Honey Lake Valley ; thence easterly across to Granite Creek, and return by the emigrant road, making as he marched a thorough and minute scrutiny of all the contiguous country. Since the day after he left we have received no news whatever of him, and do not know how far he has carried out his intentions, or what course he has pursued. But knowing our gallant Colonel as I do, and the men he has with him, I feel no sort of apprehension as to the result of any conflict he may have with the savage enemy, should he be so fortunate as to find him.

            On leaving, Colonel Lander placed Richard L. Poor, a member of his engineer party, who from physical causes was unable at the time to ride on horseback, though extremely anxious to go, in charge of the men, animals, wagons, etc. left in camp.

            Mr. Poor's management of camp matters, so far, has fully confirmed the judiciousness of the Colonel's selection, as he has been careful, assiduous, and unremitting in attention to all the duties incumbent upon one holding so responsible a position.

            The men we have in camp are all enjoying excellent health, and are in the best of spirits, anxiously awaiting the return of the reconnoitering party and the news they may have in store for us. Our stock has greatly improved and is still improving. Our wagons have all been overhauled and substantially repaired. In fact, everything in and about us here will be in such condition as to please and gratify our chief on his return to camp.

ORO.