The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-27

Col ssspseeS Fight wieh the Isdlaes.
nsrssserlsG LEtrsR From AN Army oFsicEa-
wsAr COL srErroE SAYS OF fBE BArrLE-cAuss
~ THE pIssArTsrACTyoN AMONG THE INDIANS
3U NON RATIFICATION or TREATIES.
Carr JORDAN, frs Mul CRxx,
IN RorrI TO FORT wAIIL-WAIIA, June 3, 1855.
NY pkAR srR-You viii, doubssss, b surprised and
Samed sf the late DISASTROUS engagement between
The troops uncer Col sspaoe's command md the bandit
tribes OF Indians he Pslouse, Snake river, in
which the Colr dAeaes spokArs, Paouse lis de Perres,
some wals wallAs and Cayuess took part
This to me, has been most serious blow but the
Colonel wrote ne day before yesercy that he does not
hesitate 70 say that his being in advance had saved my
party from complete massacre ho Indians have de-
termned 10 70 pieces all parties passing through their
country. ny party having been well and efficiently or
gnpzed bad started their long and distant mission and
think that difficulty whatever would have occu red
except from the ndAps and COL steptoe told me, after
HE reh that would require regiment Of troops 10 pro-
tect my work and survey.
Iwrote yesterday the Secretary Of War, spprisipg
Inn Of these facts and thai under the circumstances
hould move my camp back to the Daes, there dsband
e. further instructions from the department -
smy future course.
This ergsgenent with the Indians will have most dis
strots uron the country The people are excltea
ard n srgry. Colonel Sepoe lost two officers
nd nire killed and fifteen wounded; complete loss
fsnimals aud camp equipage and imagine had the In
hns followed in pursuit the affair would have been ex
eecirgy cnastrous. At it was, they had IN hy In the
xht-tbe indians beivg to one. This has stopped my
movements for this season had started under the most
advantageous for the Superior Of the Ms
atoms in me mountains Father Oongraso had written
vrced the most hearty co operation. ana am nov al
the impression that ght have through
successfully having had when 10 tho mountains the
a,al good will Of both priests and Indians
Bus GU viii, oouotess ask the csuse OF all this trouble
Zach doubt has hw ovu reason 70 assign and his
osu views 70 give; put from what have seen in this
resion, and from what personally know has all
nom The nocrasncson Of the treaties made 10 1855. Had
sheee treaties been rauhed this ana other difficulties that
have occurred would have been prevented You
sir the most unsatisfactory state OF things thar
prevails tbs region And rnce they bsve affected
my movements here Ard have taken placs with Iadsus
sDd n region we'll know have felt called upon Ia oon
vsrs.scns snh both officers snd civilians 70 express my
Ne who know any thing OF Indian character and Indian
treaties
this region by b,tb military and civil officials (of the nosn
De artuent In this region. As the treaties we're not rs
seemed 70 hang before Congress- cocmsndpg ofcsr
u the department and Of pos and the Indian Sdpernep
ties that these treaties to be ratified
NAT the Indians were precisely In tue same condition
shsa they we're before and 20 FORTH much 70 the same
effect And the authorities went still further aud
prevented all persons from settling east Of the Cascade
mountains See the natural consequences: tie Indians
skrg the whites had lied to them, sud that they
receive . cue equivalent compensation for their
seeing whites passing through the mines at
Covile-couid only think that their ands TO be
seizeo by the whites without pay compensation; and
knowing q party Was about making q ROAD 70 become
highway emigrants through their country could only
become confirmed In their views. Whereas had the
TREATIES been confirmed, or had no such orders under
standing towards the Indians taken place these troubles
would been prevented Bodies Of tens, tEentics
and hundreds have through the spoksu country
before without moestaton but no impossible, with
degree OF safety. Another Indian must De the
eeDsequerce ~ An immense expenditure Of lie end trea
the government and the settlement OF tbis region
b be retarded for years. fear At least will be long
ecfore these treaties can be KEEP, 10 good faith by
them. The military authorities viii 5oabt deter nine
carry protrscted satisfy the losses o. the
past and n enoeavor IN gain security the future No
tell a the present moment what the Issue may be
The eastward and north yard 10 Oovle virtually
block ded pAse Snake river and will
Sequue force ten times as great as thev nov nsve In
esoer TO brns about pesceful esaie of thiags ssan
pcfiptepc ent ktsmith, uvitirg 10 Salem and
ude 10 40 sha lay before n n suggestions
gArcinf the policy with the Indians tue Many
Of them good Indians and the good should not be
founded with tDe bad
IsrAn trirk remsin uuoccupled during the present
the treaties with these interior bsnis to be
carried out, and peveons commissioners be
pooted that suis ole proper provisions
be made for them trust you will not hesitate TO call
upon fer such sio and assistance the may
be cspsble Of rendering
sbslI move back my camp TO the Dales, q, which
place tbs be glad TO hear from you lie, me know
prospect OF ratification Of the treaties and what
10 be done Tor the indians.
shall write 70 superintendent Nesmith 10 day. he
wrct. me that little letter be intends visiting the wals-
Wsnas, on which tour may join him.