, 1856-07-18


from this side, as anticipated, and would
not leave for many days. Our little force,
therefore, moving through the mountain
pass, would be compelled to meet the COM
hincd power Of the hostile bands, outnum-
bering them ten to one Considering the
great disparity in numbers, the advantage
to the savage Of selecting his own fighting
ground, the deep and numerous canyons
through which our men would be compelled
to pass, where they might be surrounded
and destroyed without scarcely seeing an
enemy, we saw 10 way in which they could
be saved, unless they could be called back
before reaching the enemy But how could
this be done They had already passed
the summit and were descending the cast
ern slope, and must be within two or three
days march of the enemy. And how was
an express to reach them under any circum-
stances The road was ambushed with
hostile Indians. Those savages whose
hands were yet smoking with the blood Of
those murdered families, and who but the
day before had butchered McAllister and
and his companion, in cold blood, as they
went TO them, unarmed, bearing in their
hands the olive branch of peace, were camp
ed at the ford Of White river, where an OK,
press would be compelled to pass
Deep were the forebodings Of many
hearts. Among that little band whom we
now so greatly needed for our defence, and
whom We looked upon as almost devoted
to destruction, were husbands, fathers,
SOUS and brothers. 1t was a case Of emer-
gency. They must be recalled. Two men
volunteered to carry the express line or die.
In less than two hours after the news
reached Steilacoom that the forces had not
moved from the Dalles, these men wero fy-
ing with the utmost speed for the noun
tans. In vain they were warned by the
rangers, whom they met on the way, that
death lag in their path, in vain the pale
light Of the moon revealed the ghastly
forms of McAllister and his companion,
whose bodies, stripped and mutilated, lay
in their gore, they had undertaken an i'm
portant mission, and they would fill It or
die. in the attempt. Providence favored
them. A deep sleep had fallen upon the
savage after his days work Of human.
butchery, and he heard not the chatter of
the horses hoofs, as they almost few along
the road, or plunged into the foaming cur
rent of White river. The first dangerous
ford is passed-there are others in their
way, but they press on, and in less than
40 hours they enter with shout the camp
Of the volunteers.
They have accomplished their errand--
the troops warned Of their danger, and the
danger to the settlements, commenced their
retreat but these men wait not their tardy
movement, but Joined by six others, they
hasten their return to relieve the deep anx-
iety of the settlements. They are ambush.
ed and fred on by the way, two Of their
number killed, the balance compelled to
abandon their horses, take to the woods,
from which, after days Of suffering, they at
last emerge into the settlements with the
joyful news. Aud joyful indeed was tho
tidings they bore. Never shall forget
the scene l witnessed at Fort Henness,
as the messenger arrived there with the
joyful news. Thirty or forty families had
congrcgated there for safety, and there was
scarcely topo but had o father, or husband,
or son, or brother, in that devoted band,
Days and nights had been spent in doubt
apd anxiety, and now as the tidings came,
" our rOluHteeis are saf and on this side Of
the mountains" the pent up fountains Of the
soul could be restrained no longer, and
tears Of Joy streamed from many an eye.
Our citizen soldiers we're safe, and on I.
this side Of the mountains, ready with their
strong arms aud stout hearts TO defend their
loved ones against the merciless foe. Their
return, and the battle on White river q few,
days. afterwards, struck terror into the.
hearts Of the savage bands among us, and
prevented any more from joining the hos
tiles. Still the war has continued, and a.
large portion Of the able-bodied men among
US have been kept constantly in. the field.
Drawing the dangers aud enduring the hard
ships Of savage war, while the inhabit-
ants have been kept in fortified positions,
their houses dcsolate and their farms lying
waste. Many families have left the cOun.
try, aud desolation reigns throughout the
Territory. ln consequence Of the unac-,
countablc and almost naniacal course pur-,
sued by the commander-in-chief Of the Uni.
ted States forces on the Pacific, our citi-
zeus have been left to carry on this war
alone aud they have met the emergency,
bearing their losses, and contributing their
means with patriotism worthy of the de-
sccndants Of patriotic sires. -
The stagnation Of business through the
country, the destruction Of property by the
savages, and the liberal contributions Of
the citizens, has blighted our prospects and
impoverished the country. And should the
war continue another year, we may be re.
duced to the primitive mode of living--to
such subsistence as nature has so abund-
antly supplied in our waters, and the spon-
taueous productions Of our forests Still
We yield not to encouragement. We have
faith in tho justice and magnanimity Of the
Federal Government, that invited US to
leave the home of our childhood, and tho
graves Of our fathers, and settle this dis