The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-01-21
NEWS FROM OREGON.

Prozress Of the Indian War-Desperate Battles
and Great Slaughter.
We have Portland; O. 4. papers to the 10th
of December.
The following dispatch from Lieut.. Col. KEEL
ly to Adjutant Farrar, is published in an Eek
ira" of the Democratic Standard, and contains
the latest news Of the condition of Indian at
fairs:
A FIERCE BATTLE-CAPTAIN BENNETT AND 9TH
ERS KILLED.
HEAD QUARTERS LEFT CoLdHN Isr RIG o. IF. Va
CAMP WALLA WALLA, Dc, s, Is 5
To ". FL. Farrdr, Adjutant of Regiment:
Satisfactorily morning. as my command
vas on the march from the mouth of Touchet
river to Whitman valley, we were attacked by
about four hundred Indians with whom we
kept up running fight all day and for dis
lance of about ten miles from the Wala Wal
Ia river At dark on yesterday the battle was
suspended, by the Indians Withdrawing We
drove them from every position which they
took, both in the brushwood along the river
bank, and on the adjacent hills. This morn
ing the battle was renewed and ragged all day.
| At dark this evening the Indians again with
| drew. The number of Indians who fought US
to-day has been considerably greater than yes
terday, and is supposed to exceed six hun
dred Tomorrow morning we expect q re-
newal of the battle, which in ali probability
will last for some time to come.
regret to say that yesterday and to day we
have lost many brave and excellent men, who
fell nobly fighting for their country.
Subioined to this dispatch you will find a list
of the killed and wounded The loss of the
Indians must be very great, as tn cir killed
alone, during two days, cannot be less thar
fifty men. Among their killed on yesterday
was the noted Chief Of the Walla Wallas thC
: celebrated Pe-PeuMox Mox. He WAS takeI
prisoner by my command on the 9Th inst neal
his camp on the Touchet, and during the bat
tie yesterday, made an effort to escape. In do
ing so, he was killed, together with four 9th
ers, who were prisoners at the same time, anC
who also attempted to get away. Tomorrow
as | said, we expect renewal Of the battle
and regret to say that we are not in a situa
ton to repe an attack ofthe Indians With tia
vigor which is desired This arises from gu
scarcity of ammunition, and the broken dowl
condition of our horses. The animals hay
become so poor and jaded that it is impossible
to make successful charge against the Indi
ans, who are mounted on fleet horses and ca
easily escape.
; We are, therefore, compelled, in a measure
to act on the defence Of our present position
which we are now Certifying by making a stock
ado fort Our ammunition will be exhauste
E fear, by another days hard fighting; an
unless we can procure a supply from For
Henrietta our position will be critical indeed
OF provisions, we have only enough for tire
Il days, but we expect to get supply in two 0
: three days.
j must insist upon supplies of all kinds be
ing sent forward at once, as do not intend t
$ abandon this position until the last extremity
By so doing the enemy would be greatly en-
boldened.
This dispatch is written in great haste, an
Q is disconnected and exceedingly brief and
q know will be unsatisfactory; but | wish t
o send the message forward Immediately, so
. to reach Fort Henrietta before daylight.
y another time will give ySu more detaile
report of all transactions that have occurre
/. since leaving the fort on the Umatilla.
h Respectfully yours,