The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-24


companies At least would Be required A. NOT many regu-
lars could be brought % their assistance and the Indians
having collected In large nnmbe were determined 70 eight
In accordance with the opinions Of the on
the 18th Of October Governor Curry issued his procama-
ton calling for ten companies The call promptly re-
sPonded To- By the 20th Of the month eight hundred
rendezVoused Portland BY the 10th Of November
six hundred miles Of territory had been aversed by three
hundred regulars under command Of Majors Rains and Hal
r and i've hundred and hy mounted Oregon volunteers
under Colonel Nesmith and Major Armstrong 0verawed
BY our numbers the Indians manifested disposition 10
stand their ground, but kept up q running fight for
three days The dead left the field by Major Hal
Ter were deeeny buried On the Of our departure
flor was Of this forcel from the Dalles TO the Yak
mas country Major Chinn, with hundred and forty
men, was despatched to Fort Walla-Wa for the pro-
lection of the settlers there and also with directions to
push on 10 the releof Governor Stevens then in danger
Gus situation in the Baekfeet country. On return
the Daes from the Yakmas expedition an express ar
rived from Major Chinn stating that he and his command
were surrounded by large body of Indians and asking
for immediate assistance. We Immediately without a
pound Of provisions started with companies
volunteers to his relief Up to this period Major Rains
had been in command Of the regulars with whom the vol
unteers had cheerully cooperated General Wool hav-
ing now arrived Of assumed the command and
utter astonshment refused cooperate with re-
heving Major Chinn, saying he would 20 into winter
quarters the volunteers could do they pleased We
then asked that their company of artillery night accom-
pany US felt unable with rifles alone dislodge
the Indians from the fort they had taken possession Of His
reply was, No winter Is approaching and want 10
prepare for summer campaign. Governor Stevens will
take Of himself Let Major Chnn get back the best
way he can" he considered him and his command a.
citizens in We then asked for the Of the how
itzers which would return Major Chinn was
relieved This also refused being contrary the
regulations of the army without order from the Secre-
tary Of War. We argued thus Must let our voIun-
teer surrounded by Indians suffer from Starvation We
want immediate succor, and cannot wait orders from
Washington city. We reminded him Of the circum-
stances that brought out-namely the perous eondi
ton of Major H. and his command and endeavored 70
list his sympath:es by showing that Major C. was now in
similar situation But arguments were aValing The
regulars remained in comfortable quarters during the
winter while the volunteers compelled TO remain In
the field without tents haled and almost naked fight
ing for the protection of themselves and families The
thermometer times Is deg below zero, have
many thirty 1T time taken into the hospital
badly frozen TO render the ampuaon Of their
toes necessary. | astonished hear persons, who
ought know better blame the citizens Of Oregon with
the of this The facts mentioned above
pired under my observation
On the 7th of October 1855 Major Haler attacked
in the Yakmas country the sth eth and 10th Of the
month party Of sockdrivers and the settlements
that vicinity were attacked Rogue river i've hundred
miles south Of Major H. about the time attack
made the settlements Pugets Sound two hun
dred miles further north from Major H. evidently showing
that systematic and preconcerted plan Of hostles had
been agreed upon by the Indiana An impress
sion the strength and wealth Of the Indians Of the Up
per Columbia and Northern Oregon has gone abroad.
They are athletic shrewd and bloodthirsty race Of
people They well armed with the best Hudson Bay
and American rites each warrior also having his holster
pistols which he slfuly. These Indians invariably
fight horseback they mounted the best horses
trained for that purpose and expert horsemen not
be found the continent Of America They dash up
full speed they dare approach fire sometimes
while sitting their horses at other times from under
their horses necks lying close to their sides others dis
mounting taking rest of their saddles They will on no
account during engagement separate than twenty
steps from their horses.
The following statement found in q cache by some of
the volunteers and written in French doubtless by
missionary, whose opportunities have enabled him write
knowingly, viii show the wealth and strength Of fsw
Of the small bands OF the Upper Columbia The Yakmas
alone the north side Of the Columbia according their
own accounts bring from twelve fifteen hundred
warriors into the field