, 1856-10-10

4hll NtAN hNoAhN9 va NhhAAl AAAtAAN "'' y l'N'i
declaration Of war Their terms were :
No delivering up murdcrers to justice. No
treaties. The whites must give them kback
their lands, and every settler must leave
the country. On these terms only would
they agree to peace, One half of the
Nez Perce nation made a similar dcclara-
ton. They were under the lead of Look
ing Glass, who seeksto depose Lawyer and
become himself head chief. Ouhi declined
speaking.
At sun-down, Gov. Stevens said to the
Indians, that he bad assembled there for u
council of friendship and peace and hold a
talk with them, as father would talk to
his children, for their good lie had list
encd, hoping TO hear them say yes to his
propositions. That word he had not heard.
Now there was but little more to be said
Those who said no, it was their own hearts
TO fight, he could not change them Those
who said yes-who remained friendly, it
was well aud good it was also their own
hearts. Aud he would now repeat what he
had said when the council opened All
who came by his invitation, were safe in
coming, safe here, and safe in going The
council was then adjourned sine de.
During these last few days word was con-
>tantly brought by the friendly Nez Perces,
that the hearts of Kamakan and the Cay
uses, were very bad. That they had threat
ened to attack Gov. SteveLs' party on the
council Ground, and murder every man,
and as these reports came from reliable
men, no one could tell when he lay down
to sleep, whether he should the next day
meet these Indians in council or in battle
But the Indians throughout were treated
in the kindest manner. They were amply
supplied with provisions. There was not
an instance Of the slightest quarrel between
an Indian and white man, and they could
not find the shadow of an excuse for their
hostility.
On the Sth, Gov. Stevens made prepar-
ations for his return home. A council was
held with the Nez Perces relative to their
Agent. Both the friendly and the disaf.
fected of the nation thought it best to have
no agent in their country until the war was
over, and they gave this as reason. They
kReW that Kamiakan, the CayuseS and 9TH
ers had determined upon war, and some of
them might kill an agent in the Nez Perce
country. The Ncz Perces would be blamed
for it and the whites would make war upon
them This they desired to avoid by hav-
ing no agent at present
The next day Gov. Stevens and party
started for the Dalles. The train, in charge
of Capt. A. II. Robie, consisted Of twenty.
eight wagons, drawn by eighty oxen, and
there was a band of over two hundred loose
animals.
1t Col B. f. Shaw, with Co. X, w.
I. volunteers, Capt. Goff, commanding,
formed the escort, numbering sixty-eight
men, rank and file.
Many Indians were seen upon the hills
near camp. Their appearance was suspi-
cious, and no one was long in doubt as to
their intentions, for, at the distance Of three
miles from the council ground, they charged
down and commenced an attack upon the
train by firing a volley into the rear guard.
The train moved on one mile further and
halted at small spring brook. The wag-
ons as they came up formed corrall in
which the teams and loose stock were Sc
cured, without the loss Of single head, al
though the Indians kept up heavy FIRE
and made every effort to stampede the an
imals.
The enemy gathered rcinforcemcnts from
every direction and soon completely sur
rounded the train. Pickets were thrown
out to keep them at a proper distance, and
the battle continued during the afternoon.
Two Of the volunteers we're dangerously
wounded.
At 8 P. NJ, Richard, Nez Perce, came
from Col. Steptoe's camp. lie said they
had heard that the Indians and whites were
fighting, and he came to see if it was true.
Gov. Stevens having concluded that, al
though his present position could be main
tained, it would be hazarding the loss of a
great amount Of public property to attempt
moving so large train with its present es-
cort, despatched Richard with note to
Col. Steptoe, suggesting that the Colonel
should send him a sufficient number of
troops to enable him to move. The enemy
poured in a brisk fire when the moon rose,
but the picket guards kept them so far off
no damage was done except wounding some
of the stock.
At l A. NJ, Lit. Dawson with some
twenty men and howitzer arrived from
Col. Steptoe's camp. 1t was deemed best
to return at once to Col. Steptoe's camp.
This was in compliance with the Coloners
proposition that the Governor should move
up to his camp, and as soon as arrangements
could be made he would move his command,
in company with Gov Stevens train, to the
Umatilla or some point where the grass
was good, as the Indians had fred the
prairie and completely burned him out.
The train encamped near Col. Steptoe's
at daylight, without loss in returning,
though, the Indians fred into it several
times
During Saturday, the Indians attacked
Col. Steptoe's camp from point of woods
near by, but shell from the Howitzer dis
lodged them, apd the Infantry took posses
sion. Strong Picket guards of both the