, 1856-08-22


feelings. From the morning of the 4th to
the morning of the 7th my command re-
manned in camp, waiting the result Of the
Indians sent out by Capt Jordan. On the
morning of the 7th, | ordered the pack
train to the Dales for provisions, with an
sSSQrt-alsO seHding all Of the Indians
found friendly, some thirty.rour in number,
to Capt. Jordan, under the charge Of ser
geant ScisS, of company Il, with them.
also sent out scouting party before the
train started, which returned without max,
ing any discoveries.
About o'clock F. NJ, two IndianSramc
into camp-one Of them was the Indian
supposed 10 be taken prisoner. lie inform
ed me of the movements Of those Indians,
which found subsequently to bc true:-
that was, that the Indians who had been
campcd on the river above my camp had
joined the Snake Indians, and were to be-
come one people, and that on the 9th they
were to be joined by number Of Snakes,
move their families into the Snake country,
leaving one hundred of their picked warri-
ors to watch our movements, until the war
riOrs could return in force and fight us.
On the 9th, at o'clock, p. NJ, my cX-
press messenger arrived from the DalIes,
bringing information of some volunteers
from the Dales, and some of my command
left ut head quarters. Part of the volun.
teers from the Dalles were Indians Twen-
ty-five men, in al, were on their way, and
would be i'll camp next morning. A letter
was received from Capt. Jordan, stating
that the Dragons had been ordered to join
| Col. WrighpS command, and had already
started. About one hour after, Capt. +.
NJ. Z. Goll, of the Washington Territory
Volunteers, joined my command with sew
enty men, including two commissioned oflic-
ers. On the 10th, the detachment from
the Dalles arrived.
On the ] lth moved the command up
John Days river about fifteen miles; cross
ed the north fork, and camped near where
the trails forked, there being equally fresh
sign on both the truils-onc Of the trails
leading to a Camas Prairie, where, from
the signs, they had been camped for some
time. l sent two CT my Indians at night
to reconnoitre, and see if they were still
encamped there. They returned in the
morning without finding any Indians there,
but they found fresh and large trail, the
way they had gone.
July 18th, moved forward over a blind
trail for some ten miles, and finally struck
their trail fresh again. Just as we struck
the trail, q few Indians were seen ahead
The advance guard was ordered forward
and made charge on them; but the Indi-
ans were SO far in the advance, that they
could not he overtaken. One Of my Indi-
ans succeeded in capturing horse. l or
dered halt OF the command here to ex-
anime the different trails, as the Indians
went in different direction from the main
trail, and also for Capt Goff, who was quite
unwell. After halting, it was deemed ex-
pedient to camp, and send out scouting par
ties, which was done, going out with them
myself, but did not discover anything Of
Importance.
On the 18th, Capt Golf was so sick he
could not move, and the command laycd by
for him, with the exception of detach-
ment of my battalion, consisting Of thirty
six men, with four commissioned officers,
viz: Capt. Wilbur, Co. b; Lieut.. Hibbler,
Co. A; Lieut., Myers, Co. b; Lieut.. All
phin, Go. Z; and thirty men from Capt.
COTS command, with two commissioned
officers, Lieut.. Hunter, Co. K, aud Lieut.
Estes, Go. N,-accompanying and COM
manding the detachment myself, leaving the
battalion under the command of Capt A.
V. Wilson, Co. A, with orders to move for
ward Oh my trail us soon as possible, and
the health Of Capt Golf would permit of.
Soon after leaving camp, | struck large
fresh trail, also the same branch Of John
Days river, and crossed it; found the ap-
pearance and sign Of very large encamp-
ment near the river, and before crossing it,
| sent an express back to camp, ordering
Capt Wilson forward with the battalion
as soon as possible, as | was determined to
engage the Indians as soon as caught up
with them, even if there were thousand
warriors.
On the l4th, l moved up the river all
day-being nearly a southern course-and
camped on the summit of the Blue Noun
tains, on fine prairie.
On the 18th, moved down the east side
OF the mountains, and camped at halEpast
two, Z. M, on Burnt river AS there was
very bad canyon to pass through, into
which the trail led, there again were fresh
signs OF large encampment. Whilst the
detachment was quietly resting at this
place, three men from Capt. COTS com
mand, without my knowledge, went out of
camp for the purpose of ascending high
bill on the east side of the canyon to re-
connotre; they we're fired upon by mum
Der Of Indians, concealed behind rocks, . Of
them fell mortally wounded, and one of them
made his escape to camp unharmed. Their
names were Lieut.. Estes, of Co. n, aud
private Smith, Of Co. X. Mr. Richards,
of Co. n, returned unhurt US soon as the
report of the guns were heard, there were
Indians to be seen in force OH the hills.
then ordered the horses to be brought up,
and thirty men to be mounted to charge
/ TIM hills and trn IN tho holioo ,,,L;,I, ,.n