Evansville weekly journal., 1848-05-25


left Oregon City the 4th of January. intending
take Col Fremonts California trail from the Dalles
of the Columbia, but hearing that Capt Jesse Apple
gate had gone another route to California, l aban-
doned the idea, and passed up the Columbia by way
OF Walla Walla. and thence by the South pass to
ST. Joseph, No.
When left Walla Waa, on the 26th day Of jan
uary, the people of the territory of Oregon at
open war with four tribes of I'D ans-the Cayuse,
Walla Walla, Shaster and Day Indians. -Four bat
ties had taker place between them before / left the
country; the first engagement took place at the foot
of the Dalles of the Columbia, the 6th of January
between small party of troops under the COM
mand of Capt. Lee-the next took place sometime
after between the advanced guard of the Oregon reg
iment under the command OF Maj. Lee. He was
forced retreat, with very little loss, and fell back
upon the regiment. agaz ~ aH aa
Next day the regiment marched up the Shaster
river under command of Col. c. Gillian. About IL
o'clock. they attacked by large body ofIndans
but they were soon routed by the troops--the viii
lage taken and burned. Large quantities of salmon
fish, preserved or food and other property, were al
SO destroyed. .--...s 4sa..., ...i .....l
The Oregon Regiment having been reinforced so as
for the Walla Walla. ON the 18th of February, the
enemy appeared the plains in great numbers, and
al line of battle was formed. The engagement COM
menced about 10 o'clock. and lasted until night part
ed the combaants. Each party camped on the ground
but the next morning the enemy had left the field
large number ofIndians OF other tribes were pre-
sent, 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 an emf
grants wagon drawn by six yoke of oxen: The ball
gave one during the battle, and they were carnpel-
led to shoot away the lock-ctains belonging to the
baggage wagons
Next day they marched to the Utilla river, and
thence to DR.. Whitman's Mission, the scene of the
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
amiable wife lying in the yard and the bones Of the
other sufferers scattered about the ground. AT
this point left the troops and took the Blue Noun
tain route, the from three to five feet deep, for
about thirty miles, until fell in the third division
of Oregon. s,sl 5aa
There was ten of US in company-Lt. Bowman, G,
w. Ebbert, John I. Owen, NJ. R. Milan, D. D.
Burras, David Young, Jacob Teabout Jas Johnste ed
and Harvey Evans-thap whom better men cannot
be found for such expedition We met great num-
bers Of Indians ON the south fork of Columbia and
Snake rivers-and they were going to war in the
Spring with the Americans but we spokether Ian.
guage and were acquainted with many OF them we
were suffered to pass uninolested
We arrived at Fort Hall on the 25tE Of March
where we encountered tremendous snow STORM
At this place. crossed the mountain to Bear Rive
the snow very deep--our provisions all gone-and
ewere forced to eat our mules and horses My
thanks due to MIR. Smith, on Bear River, who
/ killed his only COW for use; to Mr.. Bridger ant
Mr.. Vasques, at Fort Bridger, and 10 Mr.. Papin, a
/ Fort John, for their uniform kindness to u.s. .s1
We met 2l5 wagons containing emigrants bount
to Oregon-the first company about 80 miles from
/ St Joseph-all we'll We were sixty y-six days in ma
king the trip from Fort Walla to st. Joseph, wLert
arrived on the llth of May, worn outwith fatigue