The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-16
Affairs in. Oregon.

Affairs In oregon.
There was probably never more iniquitous
war waged by any portion of our countrymen,
than the war of extirmination against the In
dams of Oregon, by the white settlers of that
territory. Our people, or those who have rel
atiyes and friends in that distant territory,
have been much troubled by the news from
that region of terrible battles With the Indi-
ans, of the barbaraties of that race practiced
on women and children, oftheir murders, rapes
and carnage-mingled with calls for more aid,
both of munitions and money, but especially OF
money, with angry rebukes of Gen. WOOL
&c.-but not one word for the poor Indians.
1t seems, however, by recent developments,
coming too from official sources, that sys-
tematic war of determination against the In
dams has been commenced, growing out of on
" very small proyocations, but fostered with
the one great object of plundering the U. >.
treasury. There are no doubt many honest
well-meaning men engaged in this war, who
think theyare laboring for the safety OF their
own families, or wreazing eommendable re-
yenge for past injuries-but there is no doubt
but the leaders of the expeditions, and the
very men who are fermenting the excitement
against the Indians, are pursuing systemat-
ic robbery of the public treasury. Some OF
these men are enriching themselves by dispo-
sing of their old horses, supplies of war and
their own services at extrayagant rates 1t IS
H. e., of o,lI1O Of
have already been issued to pay the expenses
of this war! Toexterminate the Indians Will
probably call for an expense of from ttty to
one hundred millions of dollars, to say moth
ing of thousands of lives.
Gen. Wool interfered to save the poor Indi-
ans. and to save the poor settlers upon whom
the enraged Indians are wreaking vengeance.
He wished to put close to the war. But the
saeculators in blood, instead of permitting
him with the regular U. S. troops, and addi-
tional aid if need be, to conduct the war, took
1t upon themselves, and Governor and Legis-
lature assumed the right of raising troops
the expense to be borne by the United States
and of sending expeditions into the Indian
territories at their own discretion. Gen. Wool
has published letter in the National lntelli-
gencer, from which we make the following
extract, illustrating the proceedings of these
territorial expeditions
"Col. Kelly, on joining Major Chinn, NOV
ed against Fort Walla- Walla, but found no
Indians there He then moved up the river
Touchet, where he was met by the chief Piu-
Piu- Mox-Mox, with flag of truce. He said
he was for peace; that he did not wish to
fight, that his people did not wish to fight; and
that if any of his young men had done wrong,
he was prepared to make restitution. If he
could not return the goods wrongfully taken,
he would pay for them, being abundantly able
to do SO. When the volunteers said they
were in want of provisions, he offered them
cattle. He was rich in money and cattle
The volunteers replied he had better go back
and fight He refused, and with his compan-
ions, (Lieut. Kelly says six) in number, was
taken prisoner, and sent guarded to the vol
unteer camp. The volunteers then commenced
the attack upon his people, which was con-
tinued for four days without any great loss Oh
either side, when the Walla-W allas having Sc
cured their women and children, crossed
Snake River. The second or third day of the
engagement the volunteers barbarously killed
Piu-Piu- Mox-Mox and his companions. They
took from the chiefs head some twenty scalps
cut off his ears and hands, and sent them as
trophies to their friends in Oregon.
Gas the volunteers, having no boats, could
not cross Snake River the retreat of the In
dams closed their winter campaign, except tc
plumber the friendly Cayuses of their horses
and cattle.
lowing to the severity of the winter, ex-
cept those captured by the Indians, most o.
the volunteers horses died from fatigue and
the want of forage or grass Major Chinn
said that about 225 of their best horses were
captured by the Indians. 1t is reported that
Gov. Curry has in part replaced them with a
fresh relay. In February thirteen wagons
loaded with supplies, including ammunition
for the volunteers, guarded by only four men
were captured by the Indians between Una.
tilla and Fort Walla-Walla.
"Such have been the results of one of the
0Ost unwise, unnecessary and extrayagant ex
petitions ever fitted out in the United State.
and for no other purpose than to plumber thu
Treasury Of the United States, and to make
political capital for somebody. 1t could no
have been projected for the defense of the in
habitants of Oregon, nor for the protection 0
Oregonians in Washington Territory, for mons
resided there. What, then, could have beer
the object ? Nothing but crusade agains
the Indians, and long war to enrich the
country. If such was net the object, Gov