INDIAN DISTURBANCES AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 77, 31 July 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

INDIAN DISTURBANCES AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

(From the British Colonist^ 28th April.) We have received direct information from several sources, of the circumstances attending the collision the Forward and the Indians in the neighborhood of Cowichan, all of which confirm the fact of one seaman belonging to the gunboat having unfortunately been killed. The Indians, it would seem, were in expectation of a visit from one of our ships of war, and were in some measure prepared to offer resistance to our demands for the surrender of the murderers who had sought shelter in their midst. We are happy to learn, however, that two out of five of the supposed miscreants Were secured, and that, every hope was entertained of the capture of the other three. Some traces had been found of the poor woman, Mrs Harvey, ■who had been butchered with her father, Mr F. Marks, in a. canoe. We may probably not receive intimation of further action being taken for a few days, as the Forward left on Friday for Nanaiino to coal,. intending, it is said, to proceed thence to Comax, and to return to Cowichan within six days, which was the time allotted by Commander Lascelles for the surrender of the three Indians referred to. At the expiration of that time we may look for more intelligence of importance. We give the accounts as received by us : — ONE VERSION. The Forward arrived off Kuper Island, about fifteen miles north of Cowichan, and Commander Lascelles demanded the surrender of the murderers, which was refused by the Indians. Time was given th m 10 comply with the demand, and at the end of that time, the men not being given up, he commenced firing into the Indians, who were collected on two points, between which the gunboat lay. They returned the fire, and as the gunboat was wearing round a shot came over the stern, which is unprotected by the rifle plates, and killed an ordinary seaman. After this, the Commander returned to Cowichan, where he anchored that night. On the following day he went to Kuper Island, and fired the stockade with rockets. We expect that the boat will proceed to Nanaimo. Part of the clothing of the murdered woman has been found, and also the canoe in which the poor girl and her father left Jones' Island, hacked to pieces. another version. April 22. — Two Indians have been captured, one who assisted in the murder of Brady and the other arrested on suspicion. The Samalchas were fully prepared, in a position naturally strong; they had built a large block-house, of square logs, and loopholed. They resisted an attack of an hour and a half heavy firing, and then fell back into the thick wood. LATE ADVICES TER SLOOP LOUISA. Cowichan, Saturday morning. The Forward engaged the Indians in the Narrows on Thursday. She was anchored between two arms, about ten miles above Maple Bay. The Indians fired on board from both points, and shot a young seaman, eighteen years of age, through the head. The gunboat shelled the ranch for nearly two hours, firing about sixty shells. They could not tell whether they hit any Indians or not, as they did not land. Other Indians say none were killed, but probably they don't wish to admit it. The settlers here are in no apprehension of immediate danger. Some of the Indians at Cowichan were much scared, and Wished to keep out of it — others don't seem to care much about it. The Forward went on Friday to Nanaimo. Captain Lascelles told the Indians before leaving that he would return in six days for the other rascals, and, if not forthcoming, he would finish his work. Two of the murderers of Brady have been caught, and it is pretty well known where the others are hiding. They all belong to Cowichan tribes. LAST FROM COWICHAN. A French Canadian who arrived in town yesterday evening reports that the Indians lost six or seven of their number in the recent encounter with the gunboat. The Clemclemloet's rancherie was knocked to pieces by the Forward. FURTHER PARTICULARS. We have been favored with the following narrative of the event by some gentlemen just arrived from Nanaimo : — " Th« Forward anchored in a small bight, at Kuper Island, with her stern to the shore. Superintendent Smith and a party went ashore to demand the murderers. The natives, who were assembled in large numbers, refused to surrender them, and warned the party off. They returned on board, and it was announced that some of the chief < of the tribe (the Chemainos) would come off to the vessel for the purpose of entering into explanations. While they were awaiting the arrival of these Indians, a sudden volley was poured into the stern of the gunboat by a party of natives concealed in the bush. The shots raked her, and one of them struck a young ordinary seaman, passing through his head and killing him on the spot. On this, Commander Lascelles warped his vessel round, and commenced firing grape, canister, and shell upon the ranch. The bombardment was kept up for nearly three hours, and about 360 rounds were fired. gunboat anchored at Cowichan that night, and returned next day and destroyed the stockade with rockets. The dead seaman was buried at sea on this day. A number of Indians had come into Nanaimo in canoes, and these asserted that their houses were destroyed, but that none of their people j had been killed." I