Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-07-31
IFrom the Richmond South
ro,,.. from Col. SteptOe.

lief this Fort (Walla Walla) on the
l3,b. with the command mentioned above,
in52 men, to visi, Colville, white set
tlemep, near the British line, and about
two hundred miles distant. The object
of nv visi, was to talk with the white Peo-
nile and Indians, and try 10 effect more
harmonious intercourse between them.
Two deep, strong rivers-the Snake and
the Spokeane--had TO be crossed. sue
ceeded in crossing the first with great diff
ficul,y, and when near the other found
myself suddenly in the presence of moIe
than thousand Indians. all armed, paint
ed, and highly excited. They demanded
whether we came 10 attack them. | an.
swered that we we're friends 10 all who
were friendly. and did not wish TO fight if
it could be avoided. They expressed
themselves satisfied. but posted themselves
on the summit of three hills, around, the
base Of which our road wound.
Never suspec,ing treachery, was on
the point of entering the defle when a
mere accident excited my suspicion, and
| turned aside. There is no doubt on my
mind now that, if we had gone on, not
one would have lived 10 see the morrow.
| hailed and encamped, but the baffled
savages glared upon US, hesitaiing 10 al
tack. and remain thus in half hostile at.
ti,ude ill near sunset. The merest lrifle
would have been sufficient 10 precipltate
either party upon the other
The next morning resumed the march
but had only gone two or three miles
when the Indians attacked the rear guard
and Immediately the fight became general.
We labored under the disadvantage Of
having to fight while moving on, and ill
the midst Of country of successive hills
peculiarly favorable 10 the enemy. My
force was all mounted, but composed
chiefly of troops who had never before
been under fire. About IL o'clock the
commander of one company fell, and, the
Indians charging iercely upon his men
they gave way and could not be rallied.
Soon after another commander fell. and
some Of The bravesi petty officers iii the
command were severel y wounded. de.
iermined, therefore TO take position and
halt. The fight continued without inter.
mission until short time before sunset.
when the enemy posted themselves all
around US to wait for the night and for
renforcemen,s. We knew that 200 or
800 more would join them before morn
ing our ammunition was nearly exhausted.
our loss in killed and wounded very con.
siderable. 1t was evident that We could
not fight another day.
These considerations determined me to
make forced march, and get possession
OF the canoes which we had crossed the
River before the enemy could. Painful
as the step was. saw there was no other
alternative. We could not remain where
we were and slow march would have
oeen fully as disastrous for if the enemy
seized upon the canoes, our situation
would be worse than ever. For these
reasons put the command in motion
about 10 o'clock at night, and did not
stop until we reached the river nearly 80
miles off.
This war has been maturing for some
time, but if could have beat the enemy
at the start. all future difficulty nigh have
been prevented ; as i. is, fear that many
lives will be los, before a satisfactory adj
iust,nent can be arrived at. The savages
appear to have been excited by rumors
,ha, The government. intends to take their
lands, and the act OF The last Congress to
lay out military road from dis place TO
the waters Of the Upper Missouri, fully
satisfied them Of the truth Of the rnmor.
The party to survey the road was just as
sembling here, and the igh, with me has
no doubt saved it from massacre.