, 1856-04-25

low the Ial0uSe. On this march We DIS
covered no manifestations that the country
had been occupied during the past winter
by any large body Of Indians. At long
intervals were to be noted evidences Of
temporary camps Of few families. Signs
of numerous horses having passed along
the trail were perceptible. On arriving in
the vicinity Of the Palouse, ordered Capt
llembree forward to ascertain if there was
an encampmeut of the enemy at the mouth
Of that river. The same evening he re-
ported no Indians there, and no appearance
Of an encampment ut or near that locality
since late in the past autumn. The 18th ]
sent an express to the post at Walla Wal
la for supplies. We moved up the Paouse,
a distance of eight miles, and encamped
until the morning Of the 23d. Prior to
reaching the Palouse our scanty stock Of
provisions were exhausted and we were re-
duced to the necessity of subSisIing on horse
meat. Many symptoms Of strong reluc-
tance to proceed further had been for
several days manifested by portion Of the
command ! called a council Of the officers
on the evening of the 18th, when it was
determined TO await there the arrival OF
of provisions, and in the mean while send
detachments to scout the country. On the
18th Capts. Hembree, Revais, Burch and
Ankeny, aud Lieuts. Hutchison, Myers,
Wright, aud Haley, with detachments from
Companies ID. f. Ii. and X. of the LIST,
and b. c. of I'd Battalious, under com-
mand Of 1t. Col. Kelly, proceeded up the
Palouse and acrSs the Colvlle trail to
Clear Creek At the crossing Of the Creek
the Col divided his force, sending one part
under Capt Hembree, down the Greek to the
Palouse, thence up the Palouse q distance
Of thirty miles from the encampment Of the
Regiment. Col Kelly with his party fol-
lowed up Clear Greek further distance Of
twelve miles, thence over the country to
Sinking Spring, on the trail leading from
the Falls Of Palouse to Priests Rapids, and
from that section pursued an easterly course
to camp. The command Of 1t. Col. Kelly
was absent two days. lie saw no Indians
or cattle, and but one horse which was APP
propriated by the men for their evenings
meal. The Col reported that his command
discovered recent encampment Of Indians
on the Palouse, some seven miles above
my encampment that it was evident the
whole body has crossed the country towards
the Columbia that no other camping
ground Of the Indians was found; and that
there was but one trail leading from the
Palouse river over the Palouse country to
Priests Rapids. The day of the return Of
Col. Kelley to camp despatched second
express to Walla Walla for provisions. =
Fortunately on this day we found on the
south side Of Snake river band of forty
Indian horses. With the assistance Of a
few men l succeeded in driving them to
camp Most Of the number were used for
the subsistence Of the Regiment
On the morning Of the goth l was in
duced by series of circumstances to order
a parade Of the Regiment, at which in.
formed the command that it was my desire
and intention to follow the trail across the
Palouse country to the Columbia, and t0
penetrate the country Of the Yakimas be
fore l marched the command to the Dalles,
and that such were your orders to me.
Iregret to be under the painful necessity
to name the fact that one Of the field Off
GERS exhibited his disrelish Of my plan in =
manner into which he ought not TO have
suffered himself to be betrayed. 1t Col
Kelly and Maj. Connoyer in unequivoca
terms expressed their decided appreciation
Of the line Of march l had proposed t.
pursue. . .....
On the 2lst Capt. Wilson, having il
charge Watson's pack train with provisions
reached Snake river. Capt. Cason Of E
company, Recruiting Battalion, reported
his command at Walla Walla ready fo
duty. l ordered him to form an encamp
ment ut the mouth Of Snake river; t
scout the country on both sides Of the river
and after the gath to have our boats a
that point prepared to cross any express
might forward or the whole commando
Watson's pack train brought rations o
) -four aud sugar for twelve days, and cofTe
for nine days. From some mismanagemen
by the Asst. Or. Master in the field bu
, two hundred pounds of coffee were for
warded to me. / had ordered four hun
dred and fifty pounds to be sent. At tn,
time there was sOme two or three Thousand
lbs. Of coffee at Walla Walla Severa
instances Of mismanagement have occuret
J in the. Or. Masters Department in the fiel,
that have seriously embarrassed my plan
7 and movements.
On Sunday, the 23d, we resumed ou
march, taking alone one Of our boats, fol
lowing the trail that had been discovere,
by 1t. Col. Kelly on the lSih aud 10th
, en- route to Priests Rapids. and late o.
the 26th encamped on the bank Of tn
: Columbia. We were four days in traver.
ing the country between the Palouse an
Columbia rivers. Throughout the marc
, the men and animals suffered severely 70
5 want Of water and substance. Number
: Of horses became so exhausted they wer
unable to travel The route was exceed
g ingly difficult; no man in the regiment ha
before penetrated the country. Not a
D Indian was seen. A very few miserabl
n mar hnrqoc wore aoeurad xvhioh ,uara oOr