, 1856-03-14
CAMP CoyYE1L, March 10, 1856.

Chief, w. T. Foiunteers:
SIR-At about o'clock this morning,
Capt. White with his company were or
dered to the White river to build block
house and ferry, supported by Capt. Swim
dal and ten privates. He had not pro-
ceeded more than half q mile from camp,
when he was attacked by large Indian
force, supposed to be at least $50 warriors
and large number of squaws. immedl-
ately forwarded Capt Henness to his sup
port with 20 men. Capt. Henness moved
with great rapidity-a tremendous Volley
of guns announced his arrival. became
satisfied that additional force was necessa-
nv, and l dispatched Lieut.. Martin, of COM
many b. with Is additional men. The In
dams by this time were seen extending
their hanks to the left with rapidity.
then forwarded Lieut.. Van Oglc, company
B, with Is men to check their flank move
ments, but before he could gain O position,
they had so extended their line as to make
it necessary to send another party Of II
men, under command of Capt. Rabbeson,
who succeeded in checking them. The
fight by this time extended the whole
length Of our line, and one continuous vol
ley could be heard from the Indian guns
on the hill, and the guns of our own men in
the bottom. This firing continued for some
two hours. l saw the advantage which
the Indians had in position, and ! deter
mined to charge them. l ordered Capt.
Swindal to charge them from his position,
which was central, and Capt Rabbeson to
make q simultaneous move against their
extreme left, while Capt. Henness and
Capt White were ordered to hold the po-
sition which they occupied. This order
was promptly obeyed, and the charge made
in the most gallant style by Capt. Swindal
against their centre, and Capt. Rabbeson
against their left through q deep slough,
drawing the enemy from their position. and
pursuing them some distance in their fight.
Capt. Rabbeson returned to camp, while
Capt. Swindal took q position on high
ridge in the rear Of the main body of Indi-
ans. / ordered Capt. Rabbeson to take
his men and join Captains Henness and
White, and to say to Capt. Henness to
charge the Indians from his position, if
he deemed it advisable. The Indians in
front of Captains White and Henness held
strong position from behind logs and
trees, and from an elevated hill. 1t was
deemed too dangerous to charge them in
front. Capt. Rabbeson was ordered to
take few men and join Capt. Swindal-
make a flank movement to the right and
charge the enemy in their rear. This they
succeeded in doing in the same gallant
manner that they had done at IN earlier
hour during the fight Simultaneous with
this movement, Captains Henness and
White charged them in front. The Indians
were routed, put to fight, and pursued for
q mile or more along trail or trails COW
cred with blood. 1t is believed that not
less than twenty-five or thirty Indians were
killed dead on the field, and many wound
ed. They were seen carrying of their
wounded and dead from the time the fight
commenced until 1t terminated. Withs and
ropes were found on the ground they occu-
pied, which had been used in dragging of
their dead into the brush. Hats, Blankets
and shirts were picked up With bullet holes
in them stained with blood. They were
forced to give up their drum, which they
abandoned in their retreat. But two In
dians were found dead on the field, one Of
whom has been recognized as Chehalis
John, the other was placed under log,
and has not yet been examined.
regard the rictOry Of this day complete
"a grand triumph. The Indians had to-
gether their whole force-they picked their
own grodnd-they brought on the attack
without being seen by our troops.
1 do but justice to the officers and pri-
Yates when say each acted distinguish
ed part in this 6ght-each performing his
whole duty. l gave no command that was
not obeYed most promptly, let the danger
be ever so great. There was the most Wig
orous effort on the part Of every man, from
the captain to the private, to render his
name conspicuous and his country some
service.
1t is proper should state that JAMES
Fl. GoUDY rendered important service in
carrying intelligence from place to place
during the fight, and is deserving the high.
est praise.
cannot close this communication with
out referring to the smalIness of our force,
being but ITO men all told, and to the
still more important fact that, in my judg-
ment, if our force had been but 100 more
men to-day, we could have captured or cut
to pieces the whole of the Indians engaged
against US in war this side the mountains.
Col. Casey would have gladly furnished
US aid, but his forces were oil absent on
scouts. In this fight we had four men
wounded, all of whom think will soon get
well.
In haste, very respectfully,
GILMORE HAYS,
Cong Central Battalion w. T. Volunteers.
DR. BURNS REPORT OF THE WOUNDED.
CAMP CoNNE1I., March 10, 1856.
JAMES TnToN, AdJutdnt General w. T..