, 1856-03-28
IT" INDIAN WAR:
Movements Of the Troops.

the Indians near Oonnell's prairie, by the
volunteers, under command of Maj. HAYS,
and the regulars, commanded by Colonel
CASEY, they appear to have taken their
departure from the immediate presence Of
our troops, but whittier they have gone, re-
mains to be seen. From every indication,
their trail seems to have led up White
river, and by many it is thought that the
main body have passed over the mountains;
whilst by others this movement is regarded
only as a strategy of the enemy, and that
it is their intention 10 strike off to the
head of Skookum Chuck or the Cowltz,
and attack the settlements in that drcc.
ton. A force of some 300 regulars, under
command of Maj. GARNET, Immediately
after the engagement alluded to, started
in hot pursuit of the retreating savages,
with four days rations; and if the enemy
has made his way over the mountains, that
fact will soon be ascertained; and if, on the
other hand, he has made diversion in the
direction of the Cowlitz or Skookum Chuck,
that, too, will be known in due time; and
luckily for the settlements, the command Of
Col. SHAW, just arrived from the Columbia,
and company of Capt. MAxoN, now on
scouting duty, will be able to give them a
warm and disastrous reception. The net
to encompass them is pretty well spread,
and it but requires TO be drawn with q
steady and skillful hand.
On the 29d inst, Maj. VoxBoKKEL1N,
with 48 men Of the northern battalion,
reached Maj, HAYS camp on ConnelTs
praire, eight days from the falls of the Sno-
qualmie. He was accompanied by Pat
Kanim and his band Of IS friendly Indians.
The weather was rainy, the streams high,
and the march was very difficult. The
route was by the prairie above the falls,
and towards the head waters Of Cedar nnd
Green rivers. But few traces Of Indians
were seen. The command struck Green
river at the point where Pat Kanim had
his Sight with Leschi some weeks since, and
where was still standing the hostile winter
camp Of twenty board houses. The signs
were, that the Indians, at least in small
bands, were high up Green river, probably
near the edge Of the snow.
On the 2lst, Maj. HAYS sent a scouting
party Of 35 men some four miles beyond
Porter's, who report that Indian sign was
seen up White river Previous to this,
Maj HAYS had built substantial block
house at Porters', the lower story 26 by %
feet, and the upper 2s by "a feet.
The scouting parties are Of opinion that
the Indians are either trying to cross the
mountains, or to pass near the mountains
on to the head waters Of the Puyallup, the
Nisqually, Cowltz or SkoOkum Chuck.
Capt. ACHILLES company reached the
falls, near this place, on the 06th inst, and
will cooperate with Capt. MAxoN in a
scout to the head waters Of the Nisqually
and Puyallup. This duty will mostly have
to be performed on foot. II no signs Of In
dians are found, they will move at once to
White river
Capt. MAxoN has thoroughly secured the
prairieS from the Nisqually to the Mound,
and is satisfied no body Of hostile Indians,
except a small party of eight, have been in
that vicinity.
The Indians have been badly whipped,
and as it is probable that the passes will
be closed some time longer. there is every
hope that they will be struck again.
The wounded in the volunteer camp
are doing well and the men are in fine
spirits.
The Indians on the reservations are gen.
orally contented, and many are putting in
their crops. 1t is their opinion that the
hostiles ore tired Of the war"
The central battalion have commenced
erecting post at POrter's prairie, on the
2lst. -'".
The remainder of the party from which
DR.. SUcKELY, Of the regulars, so -gallantly
captured l5 of their number at the Stuck,
(mentioued last weekly have come in, and
gone to the reservation opposite steilacOOm.
A block-house is being built upon the
Duwamsh river, Is miles above Seattle,
to be garrisoned by the company under
command of Capt. LANDER, from Seattle.
The revenue cutter, Jeff. Dapis has add
ed her strength to the naval forces aboard
the Massachusetts, and Decatur, now garri-
soning the the town, in cooperation with
the force nndar Cant T,,rnrn W. 49,,