, 1856-04-25

INOl. helly, WIN HNe llcn, on tue zltn lOl-
lowed up the Columbia for several miles
above Priests Rapids. Capt Hembree
reported that the party discovered three
Indians on the West bank of the Columbia
that they conversed together that the
Indians stated they had no firearms, and
did not wish to fight; and that they de-
clined to cross the river to our men. lie
further reported no more or diIernt indica-
tions of the locality Of the Indians than
are presented in every part Of the Palouse
country.
Twas extremely solicitious to cross the
Columbia at the point we had attained,
and pass directly into the heart Of the
Yakima. At Council Of my Officers !
submitted for consideration several propo-
sitions-one as to the eXpediency of at
once passing over the Columbia. The ex-
haustion of both men and animals, the
absence Of supplies and the uncertainty Of
obtaining provisions from the trains sup
posed to be on the route to Walla Walla,
in conjunction with other causes, led TO the
determination that the command be march
ed on the East side Of the river TO the
mouth of the Yakima. On the 2Sth we
moved down the Columbia, over a wretched
trail, and on the 30th camped opposite the
mouth of the Yakima.
Capt: Cason arrived at my camp this
evening and relieved our immediate wants
by driving in eight head of beef, captured
by his company on the Umatilla. 1t now
became imperative TO decide whether the
country of Kamiakan should be entered
and thoroughly secuted The troops Of
the United States were hourly expected to
arrive in the valley of Walla-walla, and
thus relve the volunteers of the duty they
have for months performed, aud enable
them to return TO their homes.
Governed by considerations that impress
ed me as the best and most prudent could
adopt under existing circumstances, or
dered Maj. Curl to take command Of COM
panes ii. and X, Of the lst Battalion, aud
A and ID, Of the I'd Battalion; proceed to
Walla-walla river form there an encamp-
ment; scout that valley to the base of the
Blue mountains occupy the country until
he was satisfied that sufficient body Of
U. S. troops had come into the valley to
hold the same; and march the command
directly to the neighborhood Of the Dalles.
That command is now in the Walla Walla.
To Capt. Cason gave an order to proceed
with Company Il. to the head-waters Of
Wild Horse Greek, the Umatilla and John
Day rivers, into the Ureka Valley, and 20
the Dalles by way Of the Warm Springs;
10 collect aud drive in all the horses and
cattle on the route, and arrest and hold in
custody any and all white persons he might
find in charge Of stock. Cap. Cason has
departed to fulfill this mission. The same
date l issued an order to the Regt. Or
Master and the Commssary and their As
sistants, to withdraw oil supplies, stores,
aud property whatsoever in their charge
from the field TO the Dalles, whenever the
Left Column Of the Regiment might vacat'
the country. The Commanding Officer o
Company b. Of LIST Battalion, hav'
ordered to abandon Fort Henrietta, total
ly destroy that post, and march to thu
Dalles on the approach Of the Left COLUMN
to the Umatilla. 1t. Pillow has beeI
ordered to cross the Columbia with hi
force and rejoin my command in th,
Yakima. On the last day Of March
crossed the Columbia with Companies A
: d, and L, of the lst Battalion, and B
and G. Of the I'd Battalion. Lieut. Col
Kelly, Major Connoyer, and Capt. Revais
D accompanid me.
On the first of this month, with Majo
| Connoyer, Capts. Burch and Ankeny, Lit
4 HUT, and nine men, l followed up the Yak
} ina river q distance Of thirty miles. w
found neither indians or evidence Of an er
campment since last autumn. Capt. Hen
bree, 1t. Wright and a handful of men, i
an opposite direction, penetrated the coun
i try about the same distance. They repor
no recent traces Of the enemy. Lit. Co
Kelly re-crossed the Columbia in search i
cattle, but returned without success
had despatched 1t. Caldwell to Walla-Wa
la for one thousand pounds -four and twer
| ty-Gve rations Of coffee. With this quaint
ty purposed Immediately to take up tn
f line Of march through the Yakima, and dC
Q pend on the capture Of wild horses for a
I deficiencies Of provisions. 1t Caldwell ha
| returned and reports that Major Curl an
It. Miller, despite his remonstrances, too
i. possession Of four hundred pounds Of tn
q -four, and that be succeeded in Obtainin
i but fourteen rations ofcoffee. With hiI
4 came your express messenger, Mr. RobiI
A son, with your advices, and communication
4 from Capt. Pownall, the Reg'tl Qr.-Mai
5 ter, and from Hubbard's wagon train.
wagon and pack train with provisions ar
p en- route from the Dalles. If they be nc
/ delayed or discharged at Ft. Henrietta
i which l am fearful of, although have gil
en- an order for the trains to push throug
, direct to Wala-walla-I have hope of oil
e tanning such supplies as will enable me I
!. perform campaign in the Yakima witt
a out danger of suffering for want of subsis
h ence.
n Qr.-Master Pownall communicates thr
$ the Cascades have been attacked by Iud
e ans, and the United States troops, at ths