, 1856-04-25
rHu INDIAN WAR:
Movements Of the Troops, &C

Mr.. JAMES II. GorDY, government ex-
press man between this place and the White
river country, has just arrived from Fort
Havs. and brings news of considerable in
terest. 1t appears that the Indians are
beginning to show themselves again in the
neighborhood of our defcnces towards the
Nah Chez pass.
On one night last week, the sentinels on
duty at Fort Hays were fired upon by some
of the lurking hosties and the same night
a shirt hanging ont at Fort Pike, was pen
etrated by ball, having, as it is supposed,
been mistaken for one Of our volunteers.
On Tuesday of the present week, four In
dians were seen near the crossing of White
river. and one at a time has been seen on
several occasions. On Wednesday night
last, considerable yelling was heard in the
woods, since which time, no further evidence
of the presence of Indians has bceu found +.
On one occasion, tracks of a party of ten
were discovered and at other times traces
of less number had been found. Major
VAN BoKKELEN had sent out scouting par
ties, who found tracks, but were unable to
follow them for any considerable distance.
The command on White river being very
small at this time, Major Van BoKKELEN
is unable to pursue them effectively without
abandoning the block houses entirely.
1t is now generally believed in camp,
that Leschi, and his party, hare HOt crossed
the mountains that the Indians above al
luded to, are, perhaps, a party of some 10
or u spies, from headquarters, watching
the movements Of our forces, and that the
main body of the hostiles are encamped on
some stream high up in the mountains
awaiting favorable opportunity to make
telling" strike upon our forces and set
Elements.
Our advices down the Sound, represent
everything perfectly quiet north; that al
though there arc quite number of British.
Russia Indians in that direction, yet they
are perfectly peaceable, and appear less
disposed to steal and commit depredations
than is usual with them.
We learn that the Revenue Cutter Jeff.
Daris, Capt, PEAsE, and the U. S. sloop-
of-war Decatur, Capt. SwARTwour, are on
active duty in the neighborhood Of Port
Townsend and Bellingham Bay-leaving
Seattle defended, on the water side, by tie
U. S. war steamers Massachusetts and John
Hdno0ek.
Capt. WHITES company of Pioneers hav-
ing completed the erection Of block house
at South Prairie, we learn that company,
in connection with Capt. SwINDM's compa-
ny from Sawamish county, together with
detachment from Capt RILEY's company,
have received orders to cut road through
from South Prairie to the Michael fork Of
the Nisqually, and proceed to the erection
Of defences in that locality. Capts. WHITE
and SwINDEL, with their companies, are at
present at Ft. Montgomery, awaiting the
arrival Of Capt RILEY's company, to garri-
son that post, and will probably proceed
towards the Michael fork tomorrow
Capt. RABDEsoN, with detachment of
10 men of "B" company, we understand
will garrison the block house at South
prairie, for the present.
At the last accounts, Maj. VAN BoKKBi
LENS command-the Northern Battalion
continued 10 occupy Fort Hays, and was
engaged in scouting the country between
White and Green rivers.
Captain HESYxss' company Of mounted
volunteers, we learn, will rendezvous for a
few weeks at Kamby's prairie. for the pur-
pose Of recruiting their horses preparatory
to any vigorous duty in which they may
hereafter be called upon to engage.
The. Indians in the direction Of the Che
halls, Cowlitz, and the Columbia rivers
such as continue. on reservations-are re-
ported as remaining perfectly quiet.
Mention was made last week that Col
Shaw, with detachment Of the southern
battalion-thc companies of Capts. Maxon
and Achillis, had made q heightened scout
to the heads of the Nisqually, &c. From
A4t. A. j. KANE, we learn, that leav-
ing the eucampment at McLeod's, Pierce
county, April llth, Col. Shaw, with Capt.
Maxon's company, started out on a scout,
in the direction Of Michael forks Of the
Nisqually-some miles further to the east
ward than had been previously traversed.
Tko Aoon,n,nn1 rroooolol q, Al.