, 1856-04-25


containing some I hostiles, and number
of women and children. 1t is thought that
the Indian who escaped, gave the alarm,
as on approaching the encampment, it was
found entirely deserted. They had, in
their haste to get away, however, left most
of their plunder behind, and quantity Of
salmon, blankets, wearing apparel, &C.,
one gun and small amount of ammunition
was taken.
Scouting parties were then Immediately
sent out in all directions, and in the mean
time an Indian woman came into camp and
was detained as prisoner. Eneamped on
the ground for the night.
Next morning, Col Shaw, with small
detachment, proceeded back to the camp
at Michael prairie ria the Owhop lake, in
which direction he had received infcrma-
ton Of, and succeeded in capturing some I
head of Indian horses. Previous to Col.
Shaw's leaving, however, one of the Indi-
ans taken prisoner was hung-identifed as
one of the party that murdered Messrs.
White and Northcraft The command then
started for the Nisqually, and unable to
reach the falls in consequence of being
short Of provisions, started back to the
Michael prairie cncampment, for supplies.
Remained there one day, and started out
again with five days provisions; in COM
pany with 1t. Powell, Of Capt Achillis
company. Capt. Maxon here dispatched
one detachment towards the falls Of the
Nsqually. 1t Powell with another de-
tachment proceeded up the Michael, and
the balance Of the command, under Capt.
Maxon took northeast direction, up the
Owhop and chain Of lakes between the
Puyallup and Michael, skirting the base of
the mountains. After thorough search
of three days and half, Capt. Maxon
again returned to camp on the Michael,
without finding any hoStiles, or any very
fresh sign. During that time, however, he
found some or I deserted encampments,
in which were found a considerable number
of caches, containing saddles, saddle-trap-
pings, camp equipage, &C., Of but little val
ne. Some seven dead horses were found,
and everything that could be made use of
to the advantage Of the hostiles was de-
stroyed. The camp on the Michael was
broken up on the 10th, and on the 20 and
2lst, the command reached the Nisqually
plains, and encamped at Chas. Wren's,
1t. Powell, of Capt. Achillis' company
reports, that after separating with Capt.
Maxon'scommand, he proceeded with eleven
men about miles up the Michael, found an
encampment, containing an Indian boy, 2
women and children-fred ut the Indian
without effect, who made his escape /; the
women appeared to be in a starving condi-
ton and made no effort to escape. Next
morning, 1t. Powell struck out due south
about 3 miles-crossed astream-then pro-
ceeded due east, about IL miles, and struck
the Michael, about 6miles above the camp;
examined the ground closly-crossed and
re-crossed that stream four or FIVE times,
without discovering any fresh sign or tail
until he came near camp; he then found
the tracks Of two Indians pointing south
ward; followed them until near sundown,
but was unable to overtake the Indians
On the same day, two Of 1t. Ps. company
were for short time lost in the woods, in
passing down the Michael, as near as he can
Judge, about Eve miles below the falls
They had come to large ranch, and think
ing it impossible to make their escape, they
charged into it-fred their rifles, both
taking effect. One Of the men shot third
with his revolver, after which, in considera-
tion of the odds against them, they consid-
cred it useless for them TO endeavor to
capture the camp, and made good their
escape, They think they seen ten men,
and from the noise, concluded that there
were large number of women and children
in camp. 1t. p. thinks the Indians have
gone back some or miles from the river
into the mountains, and that there are a
number of small parties up the Michael
and Nisqually rivers. All the new trails
are bearing south. Nothing was found Of
tyee Jim" or his band Of horses, He is
supposed to be secreted in the gorges of
the mountains near the snow. Some dis
tance back from river, the ground is level,
and excellent for travelling, the woods
being quite open. but near the banks of the
:. =. ..o,- l;leo,lt 40 ,,annkrato fhoI