Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-04-17
The Indian War in Oregon.

vcns. dated Feb. 18th, Gen Wool makes
the following statement, which shows that
the whites were the aggressors in the first
instance:
"By the same mail which brought me
your communication, received, one now
before me, from person whom l think in
capable Of Misrepresentation, which in
forms me that the friendly Cayuses are cv-
cry day menaced with death by Governor
Curry's volunteers. The writer SAYS they
have despoiled these Indians--who have so
nobly followed the advice of Mr.. Palmer,
to remain faithful friends of the Americans
of their provisions. To-day, he says,
these same volunteers, without discipline
and without orders, are not satisfied with
iapine and injustice. but wish to take away
the small remnant of animals and provis-
ions left
Every day they run of the horses and
cattle of the friendly Indians. These had
become indignant, and will not be much
longer restrained from resisting conduct so
unworthy of the whites, who have made
them SO many promises to respect and pro-
tect them if they remained faithful friends.
The writer further says, if the volunteers
are not arrested in their brigand actions,
the Indians will save themselves by flying
to the homes of their relatives, the Nez
Pcrccs, who have promised them help, and
then all the Indians of Oregon and Wash
ington would join in the common defence
This information is i'll great measure con-
firmed by person, who, am assured, en-
joys your confidence.
l need not say, although had previous
ly instructed Col. Wright to take possess
ion of the Walla- Walla country at the ear
hest moment practicable, that L directed
him to give protection, as soon as he could
to the friendly Cayuses from the depreda-
tons of the volunteers. 1t is such con-
duct as here complained of that irrita;cs
and greatly increases the ranks of the hos
tile tribes, and if the Ncz Perces join in
the war against us, which ] hope to pre-
vent, we shall require much larger force
than we now have IN Washington and Or
egon Territories to resist savage barbrity
and protect the whites.
l have recently sent to Puget's Sound
two companies of the Ninth Infantry
These, with the three companies there, will
give force of nearly or quite four humid
red regulars, commanded BY Lieutenant
Colonel Casey. This force with several
ships of war in the Sound, to which will
be added in few days the United States
steamer Massachusetts,, it seems to me, if
rightly directed, ought to be sufficient to
bring to terms two hundred Indian warri-
ors. Capt. Reyes, in his last report receiv-
ed, says there are not quite two hundred
in arms i'll that region. Lieutenant Colo
mel Casey has been directed to prosecut,
the war with the greatest vigilance and ac-
tivity. The gallant Captain Swartwout,
who goes in the Massachusetts, Comman-
der-in- Chief Of the naval forces in the
Sound, will, | am assured, zealouslv, eff
ciently and, trust, successfully cooperate
with Casey to bring the war to close
In regard to the operations east of Cas-
cade Mountains, if Gov. Curry volunteers
have rot driven the friendly Cayuses and
the Nez Pcrces into the ranks of the hos
tile tribes, and they should be Withdrawn
from the Walla-Walla country--I have
great hopes that shall be able to bring the
Indians in that region to terms, notwith-
standing the volunteers killed the Chief,
Pin-pin mox-mox, scalped him, cut off his
ears and hands, as reported by volunteers,
and sent them to their friends in Oregon;
all this, too, after he met them under flag
of truce, declaring he was for peace, that
he did not wish to fight, that his people
did not wish 20 fight, "and that if any of
his young men had done wrong, he would
make restitution;" while at the same time
be offered the volunteers cattle for food
Such conduct may have caused feelings
difficult to overcome. ] trust, however,
will be able to do it,