The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-14
THE INDIAN WAR.
correspondence N. Y. Herald, Aug. 2o.I

Correspondence N. Y, Herald, Aug col
The latest news from the scat of war is interesting
On the 7th inst the advance OF the body Of troops in
tended TO operate against the Spokans marched from
Walla Walla The force consisted Of company e. first
Dragons, and six companies of the Sd artillery bot.
terry Discrepancies and two mounted howtzers together
with large train, accompanied the expedition. Col
Wnghts command to leave in few days to take
part in the campaign. Col. Wright is to command the
entire expedition His staff consists of Lieut. Owens acting
assistant QUAINT general Quartemaster Krkham Lieut.
Mullen, typographical engineers and DIR. Hammond In
addition to Capt. Keys command which has marched
into the enemy's country there to follow in few
days four companies of dragons 90 mem under Major
Grer, and two companies of the 9th infantry GO mem
armed with rifles. Major Wyse commands the batteries
Col Steptoe and Lieut. Wheeler are to remain at Fort
Walla Walla with $50 mon.
post and depot to be established at the Pelowe
crossing of Snake river or field work thrown up. Ga
bions have been made for the purpose.
1t is considered doubtful whether the Spokans will
fight. If they retreat the army win follow and punish
the savages in their retreats Major Simcoe with four
companies is to join Col Wrights force in the field
company will be left at Snake river On the 9th inst
treaty of alliance entered into between the United
States and the Nez Perces and Cayusc chiefs wherein
they bind themselves to act in concert with the troops
against the hostile tribes. correspondent, writing
from the scat of war; says that the enemy in large force
the other side of Snake river and have determined
fight from the very crossing, which they preparing to
contest with vigor difference of opinion exists among
the officers us to whether the Indians will fight.
Gen Clarke, who proceeded at to the North, it
believed has been compelled to delay operations in conse
quence of insufficient force. The troops which arrived
here the Golden Gate to leave for Portland tono
row. Their arrival will DO the means Of causing the
plans suspended for months to progress ut once ia
regiment of infantry is detached from Utah. and enter
the Snake country from the West the savages would soon
be reduced to terms The trouble has been that no AIDE
quate number of men have yet taken the field and hs
Circumstance has given rise to outbreaks, which have
taken place not alone in Oregon but in California Inc
Indians commit outrages almost with nlpunity, and o.
tribes who might remain at peace are encouraged
by the knowledge of this fact to rob and murder unpo
tected citizens The necessities Of this coast require more
military protection and it must be by this time evident
to the authorities at Washington, even on the ground
economy that large reinforcement is imperavey need
ed to prevent the constant Of Indian wars
A report brought into Phcerville last week that
the stage which left for Salt Lake City the 3ist Of
July, with the overland mall attacked on the lSm
inst twenty five miles above Gravey Ford and three
of the four in charge killed. The Shoshones it's
reported assaulted the stage and murdered the guards
certain Mr.. w. H. Lindsey, who arrived at Placervlle
Is the bearer of this news. Mr. I4ndseys statement o.
the attack is generally dsbeleved His report has not
yet been confirmed and it is thought the massacre exS'
only in the imagination of Mr. Lindsey.
The three reported killed we're Joseph Hchardson'
conductor; Charles Conover ELIAS Ehrdge, and lheo
Barban, Frenchman guards. Mr.. Lindsey states Una,
two of these four men were Invaluable to the ovenu
enterprise being in every respect trustworthy and se
ing the Indian tongue readily the Indians them
selves This renders the the more SURPRISING
they had always been great favorites with the o
homes and had lived with them about two years au
Mr. Lindsey had always given him extra mtions, 10 W
presented to the Indians at his discretion The name
the who escaped is not stated 1t would be asar
disaster if the report should prove true Inc po
just beginning to place faith in the stability and sag
of tho overland mail route, and send letters ny n
Eastern statos II confidence lost in the fiaoe,
route of course the mail matter sent by it woudS
into other channels. saa tl