Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-19
Indians OF OREGON.


The following letter from Colonel Kelly de-
failing the fight with the Indians of Oregon,
will be read with interest:
yesterday morning, my command was on
the line of march from the mouth OF Touchet
river 10 Whitman Valley, we were attacked by
about four hundred Indians, with whom we kept
up running fight all day, and for distance OF
about ten miles from the Walla Wala river. Al
dark on Yesterday the battle was suspended by
the Indians Withdrawing. We drove them from
every position which they took both in the brush
wood along The liver bank, and on the adjacent
hills. This morning the battle was renewed, and
ragged all day AT dark this evening the Indians
again withdrew. The number OF the Indians who
fought has been considerably greater than yes.
terday and Is supposed 10 exceed six hundred.
Tomorrow morning we expect renewal OF The
battle, which, in all probability, will last Tor some
Time yet TO come
81 regret TO say that yesterday and too day we
have lost many brave and excellent men, who fell
nobly fighting for their country"
He further says that Max Max the Indian chief,
was taken prisoner on the 5th, and during the
battle attempted 10 escape, when he was killed
with four others. The Indians had not less Than
SO killed in all. Colonel Kelys troops, however,
were in very critical situation, with only three
days provisions, but little ammunition and their
horses completely, broken down. They We're
engaged in making stockade FORT and were ex-
pecllng supplies in Two days.
The O,egonian of the Sth, contains a letter
from Commissary McCarver, in Umpqua Valley,
as follows
Since you left this place this morning, inlor.
nation OF a reliable character reached here that
Mr. Rice and family, with the exception OF a small
boy, had been murdered this morning at daylight,
about fifteen miles from this place, and the house
set on fire, rhe smoke of which has been seen by
several persons now in town. The boy reports
about one hundred Indians in the lacking party.
Great CONSERVATION has been produced In this
place and neighborhood."
The Oreeoniam says: "We also informed
by Mr.. McCarver that an express arrived at Kos
burg the 30th ull., from Little Meadows, on
Rogue river, bringing news that fight had taken
place day or two before at that point. A Mr..
Lewis, of Captain Knney's company, was killed;
one of Capt. Kinney's, Two of Capt. Williams,
and one Of Capt Rice companies were wounded;
one other wounded, but of whose company
was not learned"
Capt Keys, of the Sd artillery, writes from Fort
Steilacoom, Washington Territory, under date of
the 7th ult., as follows:
Information has just been received at this point
that, on Thursday night, while Ii. Slaughter was
encamped about fiflee;. miles below Morrison $,
aud about Two and a half miles above Capt. Hew-
it's camp, It. Slaughter, while sitting in a small
house on Brannan's prairie, near The forks OF
Green and White rivers, engaged In consultation
with Capt. Hewitt 1t. Harrison, and DIR. Tay or,
they fired upon by large number of In
d ans, and at Inc first discharge Lieut.. Slaughter
was shot through the heart. Two Others were
killed outright, MORALLY wounded, (since
dead,) and live others wounded 1t Slaus liter
left forty men and his animals at Morrson's, and
1t will be necessary 10 relieve them AT onoe.