Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-05-26
INDIAN WAR IN OREGON {!
MASSACRE OF DIR. wHITMANu

An arrival at ST. Louis, brings late dates
from Oregon. The inhabitants have been
plunged into aemRAnary war with the
Indians, and several battles have been
fought. Mr.. Meek, of Oregon, who bro't
The intelligence to ST. Louis, was despatch
ed to Washington for aid.
The following is a sketch Of affairs as
drawn by him: when left Walla Walla
on the 10Th of January, the people of the
territory OF Oregon were at open war with
four tribes of lndlans-thc Capusc, WaIla
WalId, SEaster, and Day Indians. -Four
battles had taken place between them before
left the country; the first engagement took
place at the foot Of the DaIlcs of the Column
hla, on the 9Th of January, between small
party Of troops under the command of Capt.
Lcc-the next took place some time after
between the advanced guard of the Oregon
Regiment under the command of Maj Lee.
lie was forced to retreat, with vely little
loss, and fall back upon tho regiment
Next day the regiment marched up the
Shastcr river, under command of Col. G.
Gillian. About IL o'clock. they were soon
routed by the troops-thcr villages Ia en-
and burned. Large quantities of salmon
fish, preserved for food, and other property
were also destroyed.
The Oregon Regiment having been REIN
forced, so far as to numbcr 500 men, they
took up the line of march from the Waha
Walla. On the 18th of February, the enc
my appeaaod on the plains in great num-
hers, aud line of battle was formed. The
engagement commenced about ten o'clock,
and lasted until night parted the combatants.
Each party campsd ON the ground, but the
next morning the enemy had fled the field.
a large number of Indians, of other tribes,
were present, as lockers on Of the strife
1t was not known how many Of the Indians
were killed.
The troops had nine FOUNDER with
them, mounted ON al cmigranl's wagon,
drawn by six yoke of oxen; the balls gave
out during the battle, and they were com
PEELED to shoot away the lock-chains be-
longing to the baggage Next, day
thcy marched To the Uulla river, and thence
10 Dr.. Whitman'S Mission, the scene OF
massacre.
All the property about the place had been
destroyed by the Indians, and the houses
burnt. Here, too, were, the heads of the
Doctor and of his amiabIc wife lying in the
ward, and the bones of the other sufferers
scattered about on the ground. At this
point left the troops, and took the Blue
Mountain route. the snow from three to five
feet deep, ior about thirty miles, until we
fell in with the third division OF Oregon
territory"
The Governor called the Legislature to-
gcther and they passed law to raise 500
men forthwith.
\ resolution was also passed, authorizing
the Governor IL raise I company of rifle
men, 10 proceed forthwith 10 occupy the
mission station At the Dallcs of the Column
hla river. This company was immediate.
~ formed. and III. \. G.. Lee elec;cd Cap.
>tain j. Magone, LIST Lieut., and ]. T.. Ross
"a Lieutenant on the 9th. flag was pre-.
scented To the cemPaRy hv the ladies' Of Or
egon City, and on the same day, the com.
mand started Tor The scene OF the horrible
massacre.
memorial to Congress was adopted
and Joseph l.. Meek, one of the members
from Twalaun county. was appointed the
special messenger. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ten bv Marcus Ford,-sc's forth the CON
djtjon of the country in plain terms. Ii cY
presses the opinion that the massacre which
has been narrated. is only the commence
ment of further and more extensive mur
derS, aud ''our hitherto peaceful settlements
will become the scene OF fierce and vIolen
warfare" Circumstances il is slid
warrant your mcmorialists in bclicvin.
that mauv Of the powerful tribes inhabitn!
the upper valley Of the Columbia. hay,
formed an alliance for the purpose of carry
ing on hostitics against our settlements.
and aid from the United States is icc!ngly
inplOred.
Many other subjects are alluded to in th'
memorial. The action of Congress extend
ing Territorial Government over Oregon
IS solicited and in this event, to settle III,
aspirations for office, already existing il
oregon, it is requested that "imQ'rHai n0'