The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-12-08
Indian Wan ON the Pacific.

neral lnulan war III tuc tCIrltOfiCS VI OitB''
and Washington, but the account was so IN
definite as TO give no correct idea OF the real
state of affairs in those territories. The
New York papers subsequently received
contain full details, and they show the war
to be as general and furious as any this
country has ever witnessed, with the pros
poet of being as intcrminablc as that in Flo
rida. The following letter TO the New York
Times contains the main details;
poIrLAxp, Oregon, Oct. Is, 1866.
In postscript of my last letter, ! gave
your readers the startling intelligence that
the Yakima and klichitats Indians had bro
ken ont in open war; that Sub-Agent Be-
lon had been killed by order Of the Yakima
Chief, and that Major llallcr and one hun
bred regulars had received orders to advance
iu,o their country and avenge his death.
After having marched fifty miles north
from the Dallcs he met the enemy at Sim.
COCA Valley. The war-whoop was the first
intimatiou that he was among Indians.
This was at 3 o'clock p. NJ, and before sun.
down the enemy were driven from the bush,
cs. The Major lost in this charge one kill
ed, two MORALLY, and three slightly wound.
/ cd. Major llallcr cncamped without fire,
expecting and awaiting night attack his
mon lay on their arms all night, and at day
light (Sunday) he found the Indians were
were only kept off by the point of the bayo.
net, Early in the day he took up position
on small eminencc, and by mountain
howitzcr, under the charge of Lieut. Gra-
Gle, they were were kept at bay. The In
dams constantly were gaining acccssions,
and their number on Sunday evening was
estimated to be | 800 well armed warriors.
Major Halter saw something must DC
done lac was cut of from water; he had
no wood his forty mules had been taken,
with the blankets and provisions, and for
ced night march was the only hope Of escape
to the Dalles. This was undertaken, and
they succeeded in passing unnotced the In
dian spies. At \. NJ. Major llallerS par
ty had reached grove of timber, and here
cncamped, worn out by fatigue and hungcr.
They lit camp fires as signals to the rear
party. The Indians saw these signals and
understood that their prey had 'lown.
Shortly after day the distant plain was cove
red with advancing warriors, aud for six or
eight miles they were engaged in running
fight, which lasted few hours. Tuesday
evening Major lIallcr reached the Dalles,
having lost five men killed and twenty
wounded.
Major Raincs sent expresses TO the Cover
nors Of Oregon and Washington for yoIun'
tccrs. In accordance with these rcquisi.
tons, Governor CARLY issued proclamation
for ten companies, one regiment, to rcndez
yous on the bank Of the Willmcttc, opposite
Portland, with the greatest dispatch, all to
come mounted and armed.
Secretary Mason, acting as Governor, call
cd for two companies from Washington Ter
r.tory. \ company raised in this city Of 90
men, left for the Cascades on the 18th
They received orders to hold the Cascade
Pass in conjunction with company Of nj
ted States soldiers \ block fort has been
built at the lower landing, well mounted
with grape guns, and one is being erected al
the upper landing. Every precaution had
been taken to rcpel an attack which hal
been daily expected. This Pass is the only
means of communication to the Dallcs anC
field Of action. Two hundred men have
been ordered to cross the Cascad through
the Foster Pass, and disarm every lndar
they see. Before ten days 300 men will bC
in the field, and never have | seen men bet
ter fitted to engage in an Indian war They
/ are determined to avcnge the hOrrid muir
! ders committed by these red skins. Indian
! agents have made their last treaties then
unc would suppose that such an army
would soon end the war. bat it may be one
Of lon, duration, rs undoubtedly they have
| three or four thousand warriors now ready
( TO meet any force brought against them
The Walla.W allas, the Cyusas, and in fac
all the up.conntry tribes, have united in thi:
war, and signs seem to indicate that tn,
coast and valley Indians may combine il
this general war.
/ The valley settlers arc fearfully alarmed
/ At st. Killers, Rainer Gorest Grove, all,
Marlborough, large block houses have anC
are being built as places Of retreat in case o
an attack. Portland aud Oregon City have
nigh; watches, and all, up and down, ar,
preparing to give them plenty oipowder anc
lead should they enter into this valley.
An Express Messenger CIR. Pearson) has
been dispatched to Fort Benton, to inform
Governor Stevens of the hostile movement
of the Indians, and urge him to 20 down t.
st. Louis instead Of attempting to make hi
way to the Dallcs. There are many in til,
Colyillc Mines, but few Of them it is iearet
will ever reach the settlements, as they mus
pass through large hostile tribes.
Friendly Indians report to him that sixt.
white men have already been killed Of re
turning miners and settlers.
TIE WAR At THE SOUTH.
PORTLAND, Oct. u, 1856.
Last evening an express reached Goycrno
CURLY, at headquarters, giving officially tn
sad news that twenty-five families had beel
murdered in the Rogue River Valley. Tn
Indians are reported to be about three hun
drcd strong. a large party immediate
left the Umpqua to aid in saving the distau
settlers, and bring them TO places of salct,