The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-15
THE SPOkAN WAR

-,
be sold on 30th.
The hull of the schr Transit, stranded at same
place, would be sold 23d. also the hull sails, rig
ging, &c, of brig Mungo Park, on 2Gth.
THE SPOKAN WAR.
The following is Col Wright's official despatch,
relative to the battle of September 9TH intelligence
of which first reached us through letter to the
Hartford Tunes:
HEADQUARrERs, CAMP on SpokAN RIvER,W. IT.
Sept. 6, 1858.
To Major W. Mackall Assistant Adjutant General
U. S. Army:
SIR: have the honor to submit the following re-
port of the battle of the Spokan Indians, fought by
the troops under my command on the 5th inst Our
enemies were the Spokans Cueur de Alenes Pelou-
ses and Pend d Oreilles, numbering from to 700
warriors.
Leaving my camp at the ''Four Lakes" at G1%
A. NJ on the 9th, our route lay along the margin of
a lake for about three miles and thence for two
miles over broken country, thinly scattered with
pines. When emerging on to the open prairie, the
hostile Indians were discovered about three miles
TO our right and in advance, moving rapidly along
the skirt of the woods, and apparently with the
view of ntercepting our line of march before we
should reach the timbers. After haltng and
closing up our long pack tran moved forward,
and soon found that the Indians were setting
hre to the grass at various points in front and on
my right flank. Capt. Keycs was now directed
to advance three of his companies, deployed as
skirmishers, to the front and right This order
was promptly obeyed, and Capt Ord with Company
X, Lieut. Gibson with Company NJ, and Lieut. Ty-
Ter with Company A, Third Artillery were thrown
forward. At the same time, Capt. Hardie Com
pany G, Third Artillery, deployed to the left,
and the howitzer under Lieut.. White, supported by
Company E, Ninth Infantry were advanced to the
line of skirmishers. The firing now became brisk
on both sides, the Indians attacking in front and
on both flanks. The fires on the prairie nearly
enveloped us, and were rapidly approaching our
troops and the Jack train The skirmishers the
he frs uadr If nro ,J,r
under Major Grier, dashed gallanty through the
roaring flames, and the Indians were driven to seek
shelter IN the forest and rocks AS as suitable
position could be obtained. the howitzers under
White opened fire with shell. The Indians were
again routed from their cover, closely pursued BY
our skirmishers and followed by Grier with his
squadron leading.
All this time pack train was concentrated as
much as possible, and guarded by Captain Dent,
9Th Infantry, with his Company B; Lieut.. David
son, lst Dragons, with his Company E. and Lieut.
lorle, Sd Artillery, with his Company B. advan-
cling. The trail bore off to the right, which threw
Ord and Tyler with their skirnishcrs to the left
heavy body OF Indians had concentrated on our
lett, when our whole line moved quickly forward
and the firing became general throughout the front
occupied by Ord, Harde and Tyler. and the how
itzer under White, supported-by Winder, with
Grigg's troop of Dragons following in rear, wait
ing for favorable opportunity to make a DASH
At the same time Gibson, with Company NJ, Sd Ar
tlery, drove the Indians on the rirht front: an
the skirmishers with his own and Lieut.. Pender's
troop and charged the Indians, killing two and
wounding three. Our whole line and train ad-
yanced steadily driving the Indians over rocks and
through ravines. Our point of dir ecton having
been changed to the right, Captain Ord found
himself alone with his company on the extreme
left OF the skirmishers, and opposed by large body
OF m tue enemy They were gallantly charged by
captain Ord, and driven successfully from the
high table rocks where they had taken refuge
captain Ora pursued the Indians, until approaching
the train he occupied the left flank
Moving forward towards the S3Okan River the In
dams still in 'front.' Lieutenants lbrie and Howard
with Company B, Third Artillery, were thrown out
on the right flank, and instantly cleared the wav
and after continuous fight for seven hours over
distance of fourteen miles, we encamped on the
banks OF the Spokan River-the troops exhausted
by long and tatiguing march, twenty-five miles
without water, and for two-thirds of the distance
under fire. The battle was won, two chiefs and two
brothers OF the chief Geary, Killed, besides many of
lesser note either Killed or wounded. Since the
battle we learn that kamakin, war chief of
lakimas, was nearly killed by she'll. A kind
Providence again protected us; although at many
times the balls flew thick and fast through our ranks
yet strange to say we had but one man slightly
wounded
Again it affords me the highest pleasure to bear
witness to the ZEAL energy gallantry and persever-
ance displayed by the officers and men during this
protracted battle.
Brevet-Maior W. n. Grier, commanding squad
of lst Dragons, composed of his own Company and
that of Lieutenant Pender, made a gallant charge
at the right mount, killing two and wounding three
OF the enemy. The Major speaks in the highest
terms of the gallantry OfLieutenant Pender, com
mandng Company C.
Lieutenant Davidson, with Company E, was rear
guard to the general train, and that duty was we'll
performed. Lieutenant Grigg, with Company H.
was posted in the Of the howitzer with a view
OF making dash at the enemy, but the ground
was so broken that dragons could not operate
effectively.
I
battalion pursuing, energetic and gallant
| throughout. Although the troops extended over a
mile, yet the Captain was always in the right place
at the right time
and officers as particularly distinguished:
Company X, Capt. Z. 0. c. Ord and Lieut.. NJ. R.
Morgan.
Company G, Capt. J. A. Hardie and Lieutenant
Ransom.
Company NJ, Lieuts. Gibson and Dandy.
| Company A, Lieuts. Tyler and Lyon.
The howitzer battery, under Lieut.. White, with
detachment OF 20 men Company d, Sd artillery, be-
haved most galantly throughout the action. Eight
shells were thrown into the midst of the enemy
during the fight, and with effect.
The conduct of Lieut.. Kip, Adjutant of artillery
battalion, is noticed by Capt Keves as having been
excellent throughout the dav
The rifle battalion, Companies and E, Ninth
Infantry, under Capt. Dent. Capt. Dent, with his
company, was on the rear guard to protect the
pack train. This duty was handsomely performed,
N'"'A AA'' W oiOnS ueu ny JLc eHeHll
or the fires.
Capt. Winder was detached with Lieut. Flem-
ing and Company E to support the howitzer bat
terry. This service was admirably performed,
bravely advancing and pouring in a fire with their
battle.
! The friendly Nez Perces were employed chiefly as
spies and guides as well guards to pack-trains
| As usual, they behaved well.
Again | have the pleasure of presenting to the
Department the gentlemen of my staff:
First Lieutenant p. A. Owen, Adjutant, Ninth In
fantry, &c.
First Lieutenant j. Mullen, Acting Engineer,
| &c. IRE
Captain Krkham, A. @. NJ.
| Assistant Surgeon j. F. Hammond U. S. A.
| Assistant Surgeon j. F. Randolph, U. S. A.
| These gentlemen all on the field cool, ener-
getic and brave, whether conveying orders to dis
tant points of the line attending to their profes
sional duties.
A memoir and Typographical sketch of the battle
by Lieutenant Muan, Engineer officer, is herewith
nclosed Respectfully &C.,
G. WRIGHT, Colonel Ninth Infantry, CONG.
FOREIGN.
JOHN BRIGHT ON PARLIAMENTARY REFoRM-The
political event of the week had been great demon
stration at birmingham, in honor of Mr.. John
Bright, member of Parliament from that town. and
the delivery by that gentleman of a telling speech
on the subject of Parliamentary reform Mr..
Rripbt's ark IVnr cd md; 81