The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-15
OnlclaI Account Of the Indian Battles for the
Past Year and the Offisers Engaged,
nc, &c, &c.
OUR SAN FRANCISCO CORREspONDENCE


corered-A Murderer Han9-The Jesast FMhers Sue for
Peace Behalf Of The indians
The Oregon war is virtually ended. The Indians
are sung for peace The spirit of insubordnaton that
prevailed for months and their high hopes Of victory
have completely crushed by the energy and deter
minaon Of the military commanders Two ether bril-
liant victories have been achieved by Colonel Wright and
his troops The Portland (Oregon) Standard says
"The sangunary contest waged by the United States
troops against the savages in Oregon and Washington Ter
ritories has been brought TO close"
letter in the Oregonan describes the late battles.
II is dated, "Camp at the Ceur d'Alene Mission, Wash
mgton Territory, September l6'-
You last heard expedition against hostile northern
Indians from camp at the -Four Lakes since which We
passed through scenes OF msch interest," and OF an
exciting character The battle of the Four lakes fought
Sept compelled the command TO rest in camp until the
morning Of the 5tn when resumed march for the
Spokan the Spokan plains Early on the march
the Indians had assembled to i've hundred, and
cvnccd determination TO impede our progress and
give Our column being closed and train we'll
guarded the foot companies OF artillery were thrown out
sther flank, under Capt Keyes; the howtzcr under
Lieut. White placed in position with Capt. Wnder com
pany supporting II DRAGONS, under Major Grier, held
battle had begun but not before they had formed the
third of circle around us and at every point set fire to
the grass, and the wind blowing high and against US,
soon the command enveoped in lire and smoke,
which afforded complete for the enemy,
Who taking advantage OF it, fred vsl!sy after vol
men, flushed with the SUCCESSES and victory at the Four
Lakes, each determined that our enemy should either
leave the field bite the dust Emerging from the smoke
and flame, which enveopng and threatening the
whole tram they showed fine proofs Of the ler dlonts
and poured volcy after voey which told with deadly
effect and the enemy from the plain TO the timber
which lay in the about fourth Of mile. Tie how
itzer moving up, under lAeutsnant White, under the
enemy, and drove him from cover 70 cover, doing
much damage by frightening them by us whisting and
explosion as by its more deadly effects.
and HaTde, Ieutenants Tyler and Gibson, deployed
through the timber which now swarmed with the red
devils, believing and yelling like iends from hades.
Lieutenant Gregg with one company Of Dragons follows
N the the left, and Major Grier, with his
Jwn and Lieutenant Pendors company, on tho right,
each awaiting favorable moment, when the enemy
would moYo into more open region, u charge
down with their commands which had already dealt such
deadly blows the battle Of the Four lakes The enemy
behind trees and stones and lie concealed in
dangerous, difficult raynes and canons; but men never
moved steadily, confronted danger terrible
ia better ORDER than did the foot troops of the Third
artillery. But steadily, uDwayerngy, as 10 drill they
advanced halted fired scaled difficult walls Of pedrga
and drove the Indians from till the woods
Tor four miles cleared TO the right and left The
hrng each side, and the Indians were now
flying confusion 70 our 'front.' but still 10th TO ave the
field 10 u.s. and maTshalng their scattered fragments,
determined contest for what they had now lost
a, rr,s n onr front, put before his took pace andng
a favorable occasion, Maj Grier with his squadron OF
hif and Lieut. Penders company sounds the charge,
and like lightning the anxious and horses move
over the ground and overake cut down. and leave
upon the field enemy that was cyulting But they
had not yet left the ncd but the woods skrcd US
on all sides, they gathered in their scattered irag
and came 10 the attack. Again troops
are thrown out right and left and again moved
steadily onward and drove them again before us, and the
command continued 70 fight for seven consecutive hours
hne II sixteen miles, without water, and afng al
We killed two chiefs AMI many other Indians, wound
ING large number and killed and captured msny horses
ON one Of the dead bodies found ~ Lieutenant r
eris company the pistol by Lieutenant CASTOR IN
Steptce's battle. his horse saddle and al falling booty
10 the company
river much exhausted and broken down. Only one man
wounded in the hgh none killed.; which may be re
garded the wonderful thing on record, for the
hrng by the enemy warm and long. But olr
hong ranged rnes placed them at great disadvantages,
and they nsa 20 gss way sns ocore c "s p
rested the next day to recruit mcn aud animals
Never did men nght Drawer or bodcr The blood Of
men slam without provocation seemed 70 i'm
pei each ndvidu solder surcr aim, and, with do
termination make sale his enemy. lowered hrs rc and
caused each his know fast becoming thor
masters Colonel Wright, with his staff, Dr. Hammond
Captain Krsham Lieutenant Mullan and Lieutenant
Owen. moving from point TO point over the held
while Major ,rer and his ready dragons spread dis
may among tho Indians Lieutenant Pcrdcr acted during
the fight with marked galsn,ry-coming up With an In
dian with his hand hurting HIM from hts saddle, and then
despaiching him Lieutenant Tycrs company and Capt
Ord did effective service, and bore 10 all probability
the greatest brunt of the battle But each and all dc
the highest credit for the enemy braver aud
boder than Indian enemies usually are and only left the
nold from tho most dire necessity. The ever active and
sisted hs adiu,ant, Lieutenant kpp moved from end
20 end OF his hnc near mile long, and did most gallant
service, the balls whstng round him at every point.
Colonel Wright made narrow escape from being
shot While the balls told through our ranks throughout
It's length turing The early action Sap, sn,s and Lieut.
Lieut. Mulan guarded the train that now move on like
piece of machinery.
bank flying his camp with his bands Of loose horses
with him gain points Ear from reach The Indians
howeyer sui lowered around us on the opposite bank
rr4Uv 4uda ~ pt 10 Y
STEPS for they had tried both plain and forest and being
worr,ed in each must have been now ai loss b. know
how next Garry, the spokan chief sent IN for
permission enter camp, TO explain his position and
connection with the affair q Col. Steptoc, wh a was
granted him, and he entered our second camp on the
Leaving This camp on hearing enemies in force
above on the Spokan, determined 70 move mp, which
done along the south bank OF the Sppkan for distance
&C six miles On the first days march passed the great
spokan Falls, most beautiful sheet of water where the
whole river having fall Of from forty TO fy feet comes
pungine over inclined ledge of rocks through high
basaluc canon, with beautiful fore and back
grounds anordng landscape that the artist might truly
Reaching our camp, some Of the hos,ics coming IN,
two ~ them made prisonors ono being Poahtkcn,
the chief &C the Spokane One proving 10 be of the
murdcrers of the miners the Paiousc 10 early spring
hung
Moving our camp the next day We came upon a large
camp OF Cuur dAlencs and Paulouscs travelling, whcn
rcraraions were again made for battle, but finding the
Indians IN hasy retreat ne dragoons vnder hor urcr
IN advance, and, after pursuit Of SIX miles overlook
them drove them the od, aud captured band Of
eight hundred horses and band q horned stock.
Tho command were again compelled TO remain N camp
two days 10 kill the horses captured as they would not
only be in our way but we wanted iufct blow upon
The enemy, and hence determined 70 shoot them and
after picking out hundred Of the best seven hundred
beautiful horses and mares driven 10 corral az
left dead Major Grier with his command agiin
sent out and burnt village and barns u wheat
Tho command then moved towards the Cour dAene Ms
SION burning fences and fields and every vestge Of
provcmep by the roadside, when the Indians sent in
Father to sue Tor peace The Psoes ami Spokans have
their action and viii abide the result. They onr
bravcst enemies and fought well
We may remain here for several days and hence
for Col Stcptocs battle ground. Four Cur Acncs bear
ths express 70 the settlements. We await anxousy The
news from civilized sections We are now in tbo
mountain businesses weather cold At night short atcns
men almost barefoc, but The command good spirits
for our have been unprecedented IN Inan wa
fare-one complete series a brilliant ssceescg ws1out
az yet one reverse. Col Wright, thus err has received
tbe encomms of all and that kind Providence aslt
prudent Discreet sound Judgment his part may hero.
after guide Tho remainder Of his acts while this exped
a. N.sw t.1