, 1855-11-09

McALLIsTER by our Captain, with an in-
junction to return that evening. 1he~re-
ply of Lieut.. McA. was-"I willreturn if
l am alivc,"-and accompanied by Con-
NELL, a settler on White river, and two In
dians, he left our camp. IAN hour had
elapsed, and Capt. EAToS being informed
that bad slough interrupted the passage
towards White river, about three-quarters
of mile from camp, and in order to as
certain what amount of labor it would re-
quire to repair the same, requested your
correspondent NO accompany him on re-
connossancc of it, After determining that
it would require not more than two men
for two hours to free from all danger
horses passing over it, we started oil our
way back to camp. When within about
200 yards Of the house containing our bag
gage, the sharp report Of a rifle was heard,
followed Immediately by second-a few
seconds elapsed-bringing us to stand
still after which FIVE additional shots
were fired, when Capt. EATON coolly
responded to the shots, "My God, our
boys are gone" We Immediately hurried
towards camp-Capt. EAroN giving orders
to the following effect: Boys, saddle up
your horses-get your baggage all in readi-
ness, and above all things keep cool.'
As near as could understand, the first
impression of Capt. EAroN was to take
the road in the direction of the firing-the
second suggestion, as l supposed, was to
beat retreat back to the settlements
The first would have been certain death
being only eleven of us-inasmuch, we sup
posed, as the Indians were ambnscaded all
along the road-the second proposition
would have exhibited cowardice of which
Capt. EAToN nor none of his command
were capable.
The house occupied by the company was
made Of thin cedar boards, unable to hold
out for on hour against the force that we
supposed were opposed to us. The next
suggestion Of Capt. EAroN, was to fall
back on log house which had hitherto
been occupied by Indians, and in which
considerable quantity of oats, wheat, peas,
salmon skins, berries, &C., were stored. 1t
became necessary to throw out Of the cabin
all the combustible matter of which it was
possessed In order to insure safety, it
was found necessary to level long Indian
burn looking to the eastward, in which
was contained very considerable amount
Of grain for the size of it. Our next object
was to make port holes through the cabin,
which was accomplished by raising the logs,
breast high, by lever purchase, and placing
blocks under the logs raised By this pro-
cess the cabin afforded port holes to the
four points Of the compass. During the
process Of this operation, some Of the men
were detailed to bring from the deserted
house our baggage and provisions for the
purpose of safety, &c.
During the confusion that might be sup
posed to have prevailed, the greatest concert
Of action existed-the horses were picketed
within two hundred yards of the port-hole
to the northward-all the baggage of the
company was secured and brought to the
cabin-a water cask was procured from the
house of Mr.. Baden, which was filed two
thirds full Of water, enough to last eleven of
us a week. Thus secured, we determined to
hold out as long as our provisions and water
lasted. About the grey of the evening the
enemy were discovered by Capt. Eaton,
making slow, stealthy and crawling approach
towards our little fortifcation-the door was
barred as best could be, and all hands were
on qUi rire for Indians. They commenced the
assault on our little fertilization about three
quarters Of an hour to sun down, continuing
until about o'clock on the following morn
ing F.; during this time. we were apprised by
them that Lieut. McAlIister was killed
that they also had killed COW belonging to
one Of the settlers, and that they intended
to devastate the whole country. They then
warned us out Of the house we were occupy
ing-telling us that unless we left there ear
ly in the morning, that they would scalp US.
During the whole night till o'clock in the
morning, they kept up constant fre-at
least 100 shots must have been fred at the
house. The horses belonging to the COM
pany were stolen during the night, within
200 yards Of the cabin. At intervals, dur
ing the night, orders were frequently given
by the chiefs to their slaves, to mount our