, 1853-09-17

where to be found, having moved their
camp several days before. lst Lieut. Ely,
of Capt. Goodalps company, from Yreka,
was sent in search Of the Indian camp, and
the main force returned to head quarters on
Stewards creek, for the purpose of obtain
ing supplies to pursue the Indians into the
mountains. On the morning of the 18th
Lieut.. Ely, with % men, discovered the
Indian camp, some 10 miles north Of the
former camp, upon the right hand creek
called Evans creek. We Immediately fell
back some two or three miles to an open
prairla4nIersperscd with small washed gull
lies and branches of willows and sent two
men as an express to head quarters, re-
naming with 20 men to await the arrival
of a sufficient force to attack the Indians
the Indians in the mean time, availing them
selves OF the advantages of the gullies and
brush, crawled up and commenced an attack
at distance of few yards, say 90 or 80,
killing two men at their first FIRE and caus-
ing the small force 10 make precipitate re-
treat to ridge covered with pine trees,
distance Of $50 yards, when they took po-
slllon covered in the rear by elevated
ground and prairie in front. The Indians
tlanked and very near if not quite surround
cd them. The men were brave and most
valiantly sustained their position for three
hours and fften minutes, lwhen ]. d. Car
ley, Of Yreka, arrived with five other men,
in advance Of the main force. The Indians
seeing this new arrival, Immediately took to
flight, carrying off IS horses and mules with
their caparisons together with blankets and
camp equipage. The loss on our side was,
killed, ]. Shane, p. Keath, Frank Perry,
A Douglass, A. c. Coburn, and L. Lok-
tirg Wounded,--lst Lieutenant Ely, shot
through the wrist, John Albin, James Car
rol, and Zebulon Shut, all slightly. The
entire forces in the field again returned 10
head quarters on Stewards creek to COM
Plete their supplies.
On the morning Of the 2lst inst, Gen.
Lano arrived at head quarters, and Joined
the army under the command of brevet Col
Alden and Col. Rose, and on Mondy morn
ing by sunrise, the whole force was en-
route, the battalion under Col. Rose, con-
sisling of Caps. Miller and Lamrick's COM
panies, going down Rogue river and then
up Evans creek, till they found the trail Of
Sam and Jo, or until they met with the
battalion of Col Alden, which marched in
the direction Of the battle ground Of Lieut.,
Ely. The orders were that which ever
detachment found the main Indian trail, was
10 pursue it, and the other follow on when
they came up, if they did not meet before
hnHfno tho Nrnn nj t,,,-ralG
joined Col. Alden's command, and late 10
the evening we found that the trail had Ia
ken 10 the mountains, in north direction
from Evans creek. Tuesday night we tied
our animals to brush with grass, and on
Wednesday morning was in earl ly march on
the Indian trail, ascending a high mountain,
passing along the summit four or five miles,
we heard the Indians in a rayine at dis
lance Of six hundred yards ahead.
The order was instantly given to dismouni,
and Col. Alden, with Capt. Goodall and
about thirty of bis company, proceeded
down the Indian trail 10 attack them in front.
Capt. Rhodes, with some fifteen or twenty
men, was sent down the ridge 10 the left to
prevent an escape down the kanyon. In a
few minutes the Indians fired on Col. AL
den, when within some 80 yards Of the
camp, and the battle commenced, raging
with much fury. Col. Alden was badly
wounded the first FIRE, also Pleasant Arm
strong, Of Yamhill, was shot through the
breast, exclaiming as be fell, 4" a dead centre
shot" The battle continued raging with
great fury, the yells Of the Indians, the
bowling Of dogs, and the sharp continuous
crack Of the rifles lasted about an hour,
when our pack train arrived and furnishing
ten more men, Gen. Lane, at the head oil
those ten, followed down the trail to the bat
tie ground, and with brave determination
ordered a charge, leading himself. When
he arrived near the camp he received a
wound through the right arm. The battle
continued for abont four hours, and the In
dians called for quarters, or parley. When
finding that Gen. Lane was there, they in
sisted on his coming into their camp. The
old hero, although pretty badly wounded,
and suffering much, Immediately went into
the Indian camp, Tor fortifcaIion, for it was
represented 10 be a stronger place to charge
than 'Chepultepec,O and had talk with
Sam, Joe, and Jim. An armistice was
agreed upon for a short time. We buried
our dead, and in a short time Col. Rose with
his command arrived, and a general treaty
was talked Of, and an armistice with Joe
and Sam was agreed upon for seven days, at
which time they were TO meet Gen. Lane,
and give up their rifles.
Our loss in battle were three killed on
the ground-Pleasaut Armstrong, +. Brad
ley, one name unknown. Wounded, Col
Alden, Gen. Lane, - Hays, and two
names not known.
The Indians say 70 killed and 20 wOun-
ded--mosl all mortally. Much talk of
continuous war, and many arc anxious for
peace. II there is not peace, Rogue river
will be the grave and resting place Of many