, 1856-04-11


themselves completely netted as they were
there met by the volunteers, that had pre-
viously crossed over. Three were killed
directly in the stream, and two in the forks
below. One Indian woman, only, it is
supposed escaped. One Of those killed
was the tyee scoundrel Skie-kie," who, all
the prisoners taken agree in saying led the
party that murdered Messrs. VIM. White
and Northcraft, near Eaton's prairie and
the Yelm. One fell by the hands Of Capt.
Achilles Capt NJ. and party, then pro-
cecded back to camp for breakfast. The
horses taken, we're then sent into Ft. Ste
vens, Yelm prairie, in charge of the Indian
boy, taken out as guide-the Indian wom-
en- and children accompanying
At IL o'clock NJ, a reconnoitering par
ty of 10 men were dispatched to the scene
of the engagement in the morning, and to
cross the Michael at its fork with the Ms
qnally river, whilst the balance of the COM
mand proceeded to cross the Michael about
a mile above, in search of the trail which
it was said led to "Jim's" encampment-dis-
tant about one day's march-where the
prisoners reported large band Of horses
had been collected. Previous to crossing
that stream, however, party of Indians,
supposed 10 be five or six in number, were
discovered crossing over on a log. They
were Immediately fred upon by the nd
vance guard, killing one and from appear
ances, seriously wounding another. The
balance gaining the opposite side, fed rap
idly down that stream, pursued by the vol
unteers; but the banks being very steep
and rugged, the party lost considera-
BILE time in gaining the table land, and
searching the brush for them. The first
notification that the detachment at the
forks had of an attack above, or Of the
presence of Indians in their vicinity, was
given by one jumping into the Michael
with au object apparently Of making across
the Nisqually; in attempting to do which,
the current in the first mentioned stream
being very rapid, he was washed to within
20 feet Of the shore, where he was fred
upon, killed and carried down. He would
have been brought ashore, but at this mo-
ment another Indian was discovered in the
forks, and not knowing but that large
band was lowering around, an order was
given for oil to retire TO the brush reload
and form for regular engagement. A
careful search was then made on both sides
Of the Michael, and finding no further sign,
proceeded up that stream, where, at a
short distance they met the party above
referred to coming down. All then pro-
ceeded up on either side Of the river until
the next day between 10 and IL o'clock,
but finding no further fresh sign, or even
trail, and being nearly out Of provisions, it
was deemed advisable to make the Owhop
river in a homeward direction, in the hope
of finding tyee "Jim's" band Of horses, and
portion, at least, Of the hostiles. 1t was
also ascertainsd that by pursuing direct
north-westerly course, at least half days
march would be avoided in gaining the set
Elements. On their way in, they found
where, but recently, somewhat large en-
campment had been. Proceeded down
crossed the TenoOk and encamped, and the
next day the command reached the en-
campment at McLeod's place, from whence
it started, having been absent therefrom
six days, and distant, thence, between 40
and 90 miles