, 1856-08-22

~ - HIo"I ""lOH VIZ WY nun IH'
Portland Times:
CAur on BurTER CREEK, /
July 2Sth, 1856.
SR:-On the 22d June had confer
Cnce with Gov. Stevens and Capt. Goif
who was in command of the right division
Of the Washington Territory Volunteers at
the Dales, in reference to Il rumOr that a
large body of Indians were concentrating
on John Days river, near its head, and it
was thought advisable to send force into
that region of country 1t was agreed by
us that Capt. Gcif should meet me at or
near the De Schutes with part Of his force,
and make the expedition together | then
ordered Adiutant Pillow to head quarters
near the Taih, with orders to have twenty
five men detailed under command of Lieut.
Bowlcs, of Co. b, to hold the post. The
remainder, with the pack train, | ordered
forthwith to the Dalles, to fit out the ex-
pedition. Just as the Adjutant was to
start, received note from Capt Jordan,
U. S. Army, commanding Fort Dalles, to
furnish an escort to number OF Indians
and their families to the DalleS, which
did most happily. On Tuesday evening my
command arrived at camp near the Dalles,
with the Indians. then took charge Of
them, and turned them all over to Capt.
Jordan On the Goth | took up my liue
Of march, On arriving ut the DE Schutes,
my expressman that had sent forward TO
FCapt GoG, returned, bringing a letter from
him, declining to comply with our previous
arrangement, and stating that the Indian
sign freshened every day.
proceeded on and took trail up John
Days river, having two Indians as guides,
passed on for few days without seeing
single fresh sign.
On the 30th, as | was on the march,
three Indians made their appearance in
front of us. Presently one of them put
whip to his horse, and came up to us at full
speed. There were six of them altogether,
being on their way to the Dalles-at least
so they informed me. told them they
would have to return with me, and that
they should be safe; which they agreed to
rather reluctantly. There were thirty-four
of them in all. found them all in small
Camas prairie. They informed me Of the
movements of the Indians, and their loca-
tion at fishery on John Days river. l
moved forward, and arrived at camp on
John Days river, July I'd, at 4 o'clock, p.
M.
About two hours after making camp,
there was q large number Of Indians made
their appearance on the hills opposite camp.
| sent out one Of my Indian guides to talk
with them, and invite them into camp
He went ont without any gun, and when
he met them, they began 10 crowd him,
they all having guns. He requested one
of them to meet him the same as himself
unarmed; but they would not do it; so he
fed to camp as fast as possible. About
one hour after, there were five Indians rode
down near camp. had few words with
them. They said that their camp'was some
three miles above, and that they had sent
for their chiefs to come and have a talk
l waited patiently till sundown, when word
was brought that YEIs and the chiefs
would come in carly in the morning to have
talk. The morning came, but no chiefs
came. AT o'clock A. H. called con-
ference OF my officers. Previous to this l
had gained information from an Indian
that came in and sought protection, and
liberty to go to the Dalles, provided he
could steal his family away, from the war
camp of the different tribes here, they be-
ing the John Day, Taih, DE Schutes, Co
lumbia river, Umatilla, and Clickatat Indi-
ans, numbering, in my opinion, not less than
four hundred warriors. My force amount
ed to seventy-eight available men, and in
case Of action could not bring more than
fifty fighting men into the field. 1t would
require all the balance of my command to
protect the pack train and animals. pre-
sented my views to the officers, and after
some suggestions it was concluded to re-
main at camp for the present, and send an
express to Capt Gof for more men.
also sent an express to Capt. Jordan, at
the Dalles, for few dragons that were
under his charge. Both expresses started
from camp at night of the Sd.
On the morning of the 4th of July, l
4sent out scouting party commanded by
Capt. Wilbur, (Co. B, including Capt.
Haley and Lieuts Hibler and Myers, with
thirty-nine men. They moved up the river
about eight miles and came on their camp.
A few cults Indians came out and talked
with them, but to no effect. The chiefs
agreed to come out and talk, but after
keeping our men waiting on the hill side in
the broiling sun for nearly three hours, they
sent out two Of their slaves to talk, which
were known to be slaves by one of my In-
dianS which accompanied the party to talk
with them. Capt. Wilbur, after examin-
| ing their position, and finding he could gain
no further information, returned y camp.
1t is here due for me to say that my ofIic-
ers acted promptly and with firmness thro'-
out. On the same morning of the scouting
party, three Indians from the Dalles, with
passes from Capt. Jordan, U. S. A., and
John F. Noble, came to my camp, on their
way to the war camp, after some Indians
with their families, who wish to give them.