, 1855-11-09
Letter from Mr. RabbeSOn.
OLYNrIA. W. m. Nov. 5th. Is.

Editor Pioneer and Democrat
Believing that a short account of the
misfortune happening to the escort detailed
from Capt. HAYS company of Mounted
Volunteers, TO escort the Express messen-
gers-Maj WM. TIDp and JONI BRADLEY,
to Acting Governor Mason, might prove
of interest to your readers, I therefore give
brief detail Of the circumstances happen
ing on the route.
Col. A. B. Moses, Dr. NJ. p. Burns,
George Bright, Joseph Miles, and myself,
injcompany with the Express messengers,
left camp at the first crossing Of the Nnchez
river, on Tuesday last and Travelled I'M
molested until Wednesday evening, 8
O'Clock, to ConnelPs prairie, in the White
river valley. Here, we met with a party
Of Clickatat and Ncsqually Indians, number
ing about $50 warriors. Having there
discovered that Mr. ConnelpS house had
recently been burned--we inquired Of the
Indians, who (at that time showed no signS
Of molestation,) had burned the house, or
if-they knew how 1t came TO he burned ?
They denied all knowledge Of the cause, aud
declared themselves entirely peaceablc--say-
ing that that their ius'-iamS Iosre hyas close
oopa BOst0Rs, i. c. that their hearts were
right towards the Americans We talked
with them for long time-asking many
questions-why they were there ? and en-
deavorcd, 0s much as words would do. to
draw them out and make them show their
true position,-tlicy all the while making
declarations OF friendship.
We then went to the place where we
supposed they intended to camp aud en-
deavorod to purchase some mockasins'
from their squaws, and while there, We
saw and conversed awhile with their main
chief Lesehi. In the meanwhile, all the
first Indians were gradually dispersed, but
we did not know at that time where. We
then mounted our horses again and pro-
ceeded on our route, about halfa mile, TO q
deep muddy swamp. There VIC received a
murderous 6re-frons these very same In
dians, who had secrctcd themselves in am
bush-from behind us. Col. A. Benton
Moses received ball, entering the left side
of the back and passing Immediately under
the heart, and came out through the right
breast-Agoing through the centre OF let
ter 10 the breast-porket Of his over coat.
Mr. Joseph Miles, Of Olympia, received q
wound In the neck, which unhorsed him.
be fell in the deep mud, and wus unable to
regain his horses back again, or get out
without assistance. We directed him to
take hold Of his stirrup-lcathcr, while we
gathered his horses bride and then putting
spurs to our horses, we succeeded in drag
ipg him out Of the mud. Here, We found
that he had become 80 faint, that it was
impossible for him, to mount his horse. He
then told US to leave him and make our
escape five could, as there was no hope
for him. All this time the Indians were
pouring into us continuous fire, not more
than thirty yards distant-in which Maj.
Tidd received three slugs in his head, but
did not penetrate the skull. We were CON-
PEELED to leave Mr.. Miles, so we put spurs
to our horses aud rode about mile aud
half when Col. Moses became SO much ex-
hausted in consequence Of his wound, that
he could not remain on horseback any long
or. We then dismonnted and carried him
some two hundred yards and hid him in the
brush. We then remounted and rode at
full speed to the first crossing Of Finnelps
creek. Here we discovered another am
buscade Whereupon we dsmounted aud
made charge into the brush-three Of us
on one side OF the creek and two upon the
other-each Of ms discharging the full con-
tents Of our reVolVers, and then using our
sabres, completely routing the Indians
they not firing a gun. We here must have
killed quite number Of them, as none OF
ns had TO shoot more than ten feet, and sew
eral times we placed our revOlvers against
their bodies. We then returned TO Col.
Moses for the purpose Of making him more
secure and comfortable !; we took our coats
end wrapped them around him and left him,
having rendered him oil the assistance in
our power, that we were able under the
circumstances. On leaving him, his last
words we're Boys if you escape, remember
mP
We then returned TO the edge Of the
bluff, going down to FinnelPs creek, here
We discovered large body Of Indians on
the opposite side Of the prairie, that lay
close by, but our number being so few, we
did not think it advisable to risk another
attack. ALI Of us, with the exception ol
DR.. NJ P. Burns, took to the brush, but he
kept straight on, declaring 1Hathe s0OIld
fgh Hnti he died I'VE considering il
recklessnesS, but it was utterly impossible
70 persuade him otherwise. We saw him
enter the opposite side Of the timber, and
Immediately heard the report Of three guns
and an Indian yell, and very naturally sup
posed that that was the last of him.