, 1856-04-11
The Southern Battalion
/ RIGHT SIDE UP!
Complete Surprise on an Indian Enrampment
mtE1at Hostt1es IkI1Ied,

l1lkEE lAhfN IhlSONEhsN--h NOmDih "
SQUAWS AND CHILDREN, AND ELEVEN
HORSES SENT To THE SETTLEMENTS. NO
LOSS IN KILLED OR WOUNDED ON OUR
SIDE!
Capt. MAxoX Of the southern battalion
with portion Of his company, returned to
this place on Saturday of last week, from
a six days expedition up the Nisqually riv-
er, during which time the most decisive
blow has been given to the savages that
has been struck at them since the com.
mencement Of hostilites this side Of the
mountains. Capt. MAxoN succeeded in
completely surprising a small camp on its
own "roost," and introduced the game Of
rub ont" or surrender" Eight hostiles
were killed, in all, during the excursion,
three were taken prisoners, and of course
the women and children were sent into the
settlements unharmed, together with elev-
Gu head of horses that had been stolen
from the Yclm prairie-a notice of which
we published in our last issue. Our side
suffered no loss, either in killed or wound
ed. Capts. MAxoN and AcHILILs, and the
brave volunteers under them, have fairly
"won the poi" thus far, and are justly en-
titled to the "Stakes."
For particulars connected with the ex-
peditiou, we are indebted to notes from
the field-book Of Mr. A. J. KANE, of Capt.
Ms company, which furnishes the follow
ing data:
On the Goth ult., leaving their horses at
McLeod's, Pierce county, with a guard Of
l6 men, Capt. MAxoN, with the balance Of
his company in conjunction with Captain
ACHILLES, Of the same battalion, and de-
tachment Of l8 men-in all about SO strong,
accompanied by an Indian guide, that had
been made prisoner at the Yelm prairie,
a few days previous, proceeded up the
Nisqually river, where, at some distance,
eastward, the Indian referred to, reported
band of hostiles encamped. The CON-
mand struck into the timber, on foot, with
six days rations, on trail leading to the
forks Of the Nisqually and Michael rivers,
near the residence of Mr.. L. A. Smith, and
proceeded eastward to q small prairie
Finding a horse there, they supposed In
dians were in the neighborhoOd; surround
ed the prairie, but found none. Proceed
ed on to 0lalley lake, at which place, fresh
sign of moccasin, horse and dog tracks
were discovered. Scouts were sent out,
but ascertaining that there were no Indi-
ans in the immediate neighbOrhoOd, the
command encamped for the night. Start
ed next morning at daylight believing o
baud might be found at small lake, dis
tant some three or four miles. Found no
Indians there Breakfasted and started
o1-expCrieneed considerable difficulty in
further finding or following the trail
crossed q swamp between the two lakes
spoken of-where, on the advance guard
reaching the opposite side, the barking Of
dogs was heard, and word sent back that
there we're Indians ahead. Capt. Maxon
then divided the command in the centre,
and moving by the right and left aanks,
made surround, when on Indian called
Chuck.nose," and two women and child.
ren come forward and surrendered. Two
other Indians were then discovered on the
retreat-were fred upon, they returning the
shot. Subsequently one was killed and
the other taken prisoner. The prisoners
there taken, then gave information Of a
band of some six others, having a number
Of horses, at small prairie on the eastern
side of the 0whop river. Went there
found that they had left but recently, as
the ashes at the camp ground were yet
warm. Found there eleven head Of horses
and two colts. Also, large sack Of jerked
beef. This happened very Opportune, in
asmuch as in the melee in the morning,
some Of the men had lost all their rations
Made q careful search, and encampcd fol
the night there. -
Next morning, at daylight, Capts. Max
on and Achilles, with portion Of the com
mand, pushed out for the forks Of the Mis-
qually and Michael. The balance were Or
dered to remain in camp. AscertainiDg
to certainty that the hostiles we're close
by, the plan adopted for procedure was
very skillfully and adrOitly arranged. 1t
was determined to send into their camp, Ia
advance, one Of the Indian women taken
the day before, to engage the hOstiles in
conversation, whilst they were being sur
rounded. This was managed on her part
with great prudence A portion of the