[Later from Carson Valley, Territorial Enterprise article reprinted in the Sacramento Union, July 11, 1860]

 

LATER FROM CARSON VALLEY.

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            We extract the annexed intelligence from the Territorial Enterprise, of July 7th :

            Colonel Lander's Expedition.—The following is the latest in reference to Colonel Lander's operations :

            This gentleman with a party of thirty-six, accompanied by Captain Weatherlow with thirty men, left Honey Lake on the 18th ultimo, on an expedition against the Indians to the North. They returned on the 30th, having penetrated the Indian country nearly to Granite Creek, on the edge of the Second Desert. When three days out they met the savages in force, and had a skirmish with them, during which a young man named Painter, of Honey Lake Valley, was mortally wounded on the first fire. The Indians occupied a strong position, but on being pursued by the whites ; fled, and could not again be brought to engage them, though every effort was made by the latter to effect that result. They even abandoned without any show of resistance a rocky hill they had fortified, near a spring, on the edge of an extensive meadow. This spot is one of their noted haunts, and was named Painter's Valley, in honor of the young man killed.

            Subsequently several Indians were killed in a succession of skirmishes that followed, but they could not be brought to a stand, being shot while seeking to escape amongst the rocks. "Indian Jim," one of the murderers of Adams, in Honey Lake Valley, was recognized, run down and killed. The horse of an Indian scout was also taken, the rider having abandoned him and fled to the rocks. Colonel Lander attempted on several occasions to get an interview with old Winnemucca, laying aside his arms at one time and entering his lines with a flag. The Indians however always retired, crying out that they, wanted "heap fight."

            The party came in along the emigrant road. From the trail of the Indians on Mud Lake their number was supposed to have been about four hundred. Colonel Lander is of opinion they can be drawn into a regular fight only by stratagem. A body of men must be broken into three divisions and the Indians surrounded without their knowledge, so that when dislodged they may fall into the hands of another party. They can retreat faster than white men can follow in the country they now hold, and which is impenetrable to mounted men.

            The wagon road party were to start on the 1st instant for the line of their work, where they will continue without reference to the hostile tribes. Colonel Lander apprehends no great danger to the valley from large bands of Indians, the late demonstration in their country having caused them to retire far to the north. Small bands, however, will continue to harass these settlements during the entire war, which, from the indisposition of the Indians to hold any conference with the whites, bids fair to continue a long time. Major Roop, Provisional Governor of Nevada Territory, and W. L. Jernegan, of the Territorial Enterprise, were members of Captain Weatherlow 's company. Colonel Lander publicly complimented Captain Weatherlow and his company for their conduct while under fire, and presented the American flag used in the campaign to the family of young Painter. The wagon road party will number fifty men, thirty of whom are well armed and mounted. In case of an Indian demonstration it is believed that these thirty men will prove of service to the settlements and overland emigration.

            United States Dragoons. — Company B, 4th dragoons, Lieutenant D. D. Perkins commanding, arrived in Carson City from Camp Floyd on the 4th instant. They intend remaining a few days for the purpose of recruiting, when they will retrace their steps to Salt Lake, assisting in the re-establishment of the mail stations and reconnoitering the country in the neighborhood of the mail route as they return.

            The Fourth. — The Fourth was celebrated at Carson City by a procession, oration, and fireworks. The orator was C. H. Bryan, formerly of Marysville. During the day, Mrs. Wm. O. Ormsby, widow of the lamented Colonel, presented to the citizens, through ex-Lieutenant Governor Anderson, a flag which had long been the property of her gallant husband.