The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-15
Colonel steptoe's Defeat Confirmed-ssriou,
War Expected.
QUE eAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENTS.

SAN FRANCISCO, June Il, 1858.
The disastrous defeat Of Colonel Septoe's command by
the spokan Indians Snake river ominous OF gene
rsl war between the whites aud the savages nhabltDg
Oregon and Washington Territories Two ocers-Csptain
Taylor and Lieutenant Gsston-fe In the conflict; and
what Il be aaenied the loss of howi,zeru
and the entire train accompanying the expedition. Tho
soldiers numbering about one hundred and forty were
forced 70 ny carrying with them scarcely anything
one thousand, well prepared for They surrounded
The handful Of troops and by the superiority OF their
force-seven TO one-acheved the victory that viii be
giorhsd in every wswam throughout the North and
ate eeDg OF confidence that must ncie the hordes OF
saysses TO general outbreak. The defeat most unor.
tunaie al this time whom thousands OF citizens
proceeding 10 the gold mines Frazer river. The tribes
residing 10 quarter Will very learn Of the battle,
must undoubtedly produce unfsvorsbe impress
their minis From accounts received this city,
they no, very well disposed towards Americans
They are told that people from the United States come
there in large numbers they VIII certainly expsl by force
the Indians from the country; aud for this
belief has been created In their most. avar 70
break out between the Frazsr river indians and the
Americans the Americans would be obliged leave the
country they chose 10 remain and be exposed the
danger Of constant attack II lie said that the daring
character OF the miners who emigrae from California
the Wefilke disposition OF me are uesCro
&c a superior racc-bod, determined and vigorous
with ether must bring about nostucs, and the
defeat Of Colore sieptoes command vii have strong
tendency 70 provoke rucn result The ipiudicous poll.
cy q cespachng small bodies Of men 10 chsstse or re-
duce 10 subsection turbulent savages has been forcby
empiheo IN the present instance Had one thousand In
stead Of hundred troops entered the Spoksn country
dfereot story would now be told. Colonel se2toe pro-
ceeoed with The intention Of either bringing The indians
terms or else 70 have fight BE vas disappointed when
be found they opposed bis progress with power eeven
tucs his own, and impossbiy for hun 10 over
come them az such terrible oids The Snakes Spokans
are Dos ess brave or reckless than the zousves and n
guch situation Bonapmte Pelsser would have had
suocume Inc ineans osnno' nave sreat respeo' ior .
few hundred men, ana follows that the presence OF
bsh dczen companiee shut up IN forts inspires very little
tear but rather encouragement 70 com init ouuages.
"A n = viii cost millions Of dollars 10 subdue The
ouibess and The loss OF msny valuable lives Besides
this tie country where the hosities exist retarded In
e pfogress and grafton delayed II Ia 70 be feared
that e attacks which have been made BY Indiana In
rel quarters amoss simultaneously are indicative Of Goa
lton 70 wage war on the whites There must be active
measures taken al ence 70 chsstise the tribes who have
sHhs isa 20 ., mSsh hes.iy The only cause givea
through the country 70 Frazer river and the Isdans
determined 70 resist the scheme being carried out
direct sbos thai there concart Of action be-
tween the ssvsges letter from Port Oorc states that
serious apprthensoDs we're entertained a. tbst place In
references 70 The Indiana tue Reservation c.usng the
settlers abandon their homes and take rct1rs hi The
forf The Indiana exceedingly restless ano threaten
70 abandon the Reserve II is thought the troop, c,o pre
vent their exodus By keeping strict watch the move
mens Of the squews, as they would be powsless and
could no, move without them. AZ Chtco they have
been very hostile lately A fev days since they ksei
thirteen bead Of cattle Al wsdos rancho, AMI tha while
company OF volunteers were on their 1an. The lat
steamer landed sixty soldiers Vt Crescent City, Cor
the purpose Of taking the Chico Indians 70 the Reserve
VITA assistance Of the volunteers they may succeed IN
corrang them and ether Kill them all compel Them
70 submit The residents 81 Rogue river arrested
two men viz, Van Pen and Jones, q variety Of
charges, among them that 0 treason, 10 lnstng the In
dIans 10 rebel against those who bad them In charge
their way 70 the Reservsilon Their ex.minsion viii
take place In afew days rhe Inhabitants IN this neigh
borh I'D have got their rs panic aud for The most
part, returned 10 their homes Nevertheless, matters
werr fr from being N settled c1Ddtoa and consdera
BE ~rxie.y prevails. We have also intellsence that a
tran sltrcbei 70 the cOmms-i q Lieut. Ibe has 0een
sAy-set ane captured By the Indians reading on Pstol