, 1856-08-08

have the advantagc-,hey no doubt having
placed an ambush there. To avoid this |
charged down the river towards the pack
train. The warriors then split, part going
across the river and part down towards the
4 pack train. These we soon overlook and
engaged, but tie charge was SO vigorous
and so well sustained that they were bro.
ken, dispersed and slain before us. After
short time | sent Capt. Miller 10 the left,
and Major MaXon TO the right-the latter
to cross the stream aud cut them off from
point near which a large body of warriors
had collected, apparently to fight, while ]
moved forward with the commands of Cap
tain Henness and Lient. Powell to attack
them in front.
The Major could not cross the river and
on our moving forward, the enemy fed, af-
ter firing few guns, part taking to the
left and part continuing forward
Those who took TO the left fell in with
Capt. Miller's company, who killed five on
the spot, and the rest were not less sue.
cessiul in the pursuit which was continued
to the crossing Of the river, where the enc
my had taken stand to defend the ford.
Being here rejoincd by Capt Miller and
by III Curtis with part of Maxon's compa-
ny, We fired vollcy, and | ordered q
charge across the river, which was gallant
ly executed. In doing this, private Shir-
ley Ensign Of lIenness' company, who was
in the front was wounded in the face
Several of the enemy were killed at this
point. We continued the pursuit, until the
enemy had reached the rocky canyons lead
ing towards Powder river and commenced
scattering in every direction, when, finding
that had but few men with me, and the
rest Of theeommand scattered in the rear
most Of the horses being completely ex-
hSustcd-I called halt and fell back cal
culating TO re-mount the men on the cap.
tured horses, aud continue the pursuit aftel
night.
found the pack train, guard aud re
serve, encamped on small creek not fal
from the crossing, as had previously or
dercd them to do, and learned that body
Of the enemy had followed them up all day
aud annoyed them, but had inflicted nc
damage, beyond rccaptnring many Of the
animals which we had taken in the ch argt
and left behind.
l learned, also, that Major Mnxon hat
crossed the river with small party and
was engaged with the enemy, and wanted
assistance. Immediately dispatched Q
detachment under Lieuts Williams and
Wait, sending the man who brought the
information back with them as a guide
They returned after dark, without finding
the Major, but brought in one Of his men,
whom they found in the brush, and who
stated that one of the Majors men was
killed, and that the last he saw Of then
they were lighting with the Indians. Al
daylight l sent out Capt. Miller with &c
men, who secuted around the whole valley
without finding him, but who, unfortunately
had one man killed and another wounded
whilst pursuing some Indians. l resolved
to move camp the next day to the head oI
of the valley, where the emigrant trail
crosses it, and continue the search until we
, became certain of bis fate. The same
evening | took 60 men, under Capt. Hen
ness, and struck up on the mountain and
crossed the heads Of the canyons to see if ]
could nots strike his trail Finding nc
sign, returned to the place where the
MaSor had last been seen, and there made
search in different directions, and finally
found the body of one Of his men, (Tooley)
and where the Major had encamped in the
brush. From other sigus, it became evi
, dent to me that the Major had returned to
: this post by the same trail by which We
first entered the valley
j Being nearly out Of provisions, aud una
Die to follow the Indians from this delay,
concluded to return to the camp, and re
cruit for another expedition in conjunction
with Capt. Goff, who had, | presumed, re
turned from his expedition to John Days
river.
should have mentioned previously, tina
in the charge the command captured, ant
afterwards destroyed about $50 horse load
of lacamas, dried beef, tents, som'
flour, coffee, sugar, and about 100 pounds
Of ammunition, aud great quantity o
tools and kitchen furniture. We took also
about 200 horses, most of which were shol
.ho.n Io;n.. ol&ank Inn aoru;ca hla animals