, 1858-10-08

safe his enemy lowered his rifle and caused
each his man to know that we were fast
becoming their masters. Col Wright,
with his staff, DR.. Hammond, Capt Kirk
ham, Lieut.. Mullan and Lieut. Owen, were
moving from point TO point over the field
while Maj Grier, and his ever ready dra-
goons, spread dismay among the Indians,
Lieut.. Pender acted during the fight with
marked gallantry-coming up with an In
dian, with his hand hurling him from his
saddle, and then dispatching him. Lieut.
Tylers company and Captain Ord did most
effective service, and bore in all probability
the greatest brunt eff the battle. But each
and all deserved the highest credit, for the
enemy was braver and bolder than Indian
enemies usually are, and only left the field
from the most dire necessity. The ever ac-
tive and energetic Capt Keyes, with his
line of skirmishers, assisted by his adjutaut,
Lieut.. Kipp, moved from end to end of his
line, near a mile long, and did most gallant
service, the balls whistling round him at
every point Col. Wright made q narrow
escape from being shot while the balls told
through our ranks throughout its length
during the early action Capt Dents and
Lieut.. Davidson's companies, and tho
friendly Indians under Lieut.. Mullan,
guarded the train, that now moved on like
piece Of machinery.
Gaining the river, we found our enemy
on the opposite bank, flying to his camp,
with his bands Of loose horses with him, to
gain points far from our reach The In
dians, however, still hovered around us on
the opposite bank, watching our move
ments, and axious to know our next steps,
for they had tried both plain and forest,
and being worsted in EACH must have been
now at loss to know how to move next.
Garry, the Spokane chief, sent in for per-
mission to enter our camp, to explain his
position and connection with the affair Of
Col. Steptoe, which was granted him, and
he entered our second camp on the Spo-
kane. sfaa
Leaving this camp on hearing our enc
mics were in force above on the Spokane,
we determined to move up, which was done
along the south bank Of the Spokane for q
distance of six miles On the irst days
march we passed the great Spokane Falls,
whole river having fall Of from forty to
fifty feet, comes plunging over an inclined
ledge Of rocks, through high, narrow ba-
saltie canyon, with beautiful fore and back
grounds, ahiording a landscape that the
artist might truly envy. ~ s5s
Reaching Onr new camp, some Of the
bostiles coming in, two Of them were made
prisoners, one being Polahtkeu, the chief Of
the Spokanes. One proving to be one Of
the murderers Of the miners on the Palouso
in early spring, was hung.
Moving our camp the next day, we came
upon large camp Of Ceur d'Alenes and
Palouses travelling, when preparations were
again made for battle, bat finding the In
dians in hasty retreat, the dragons, under
Maj. Grier, and the friendly Indians, under
Lieut. Mullan, were sent in advance, and,
otter pursuit Of six miles, overlook them,
drove them from the field, and captured
band Of eight hundred horses and band
Of horned stock.
The command were again compelled to
remain in camp two days to kill the horses
captured, as they would not only be In our
way, but we wanted to indict blow upon
the enemy, and hence determined TO shoot
them; and after picking ont one hundred
Of the best seven hundred beautiful horses
and mares were driven in corral and left
dead. Maj Grier with bis command was
again sent out, and burnt village and
seven barns Of wheat The command then
moved towards the Ceur d'Alene Mission,
burning fences and fields, and every vestige
Of improvement by the roadside, when the
Indians sent in by one Of the Fathers TO
sue for peace. The Palouses and Spokanes
have fed. The Ceur dAlenes are coming
in, acknowledge their action, and viii abide
the result. They were our bravest enc
mics, and fought we'll. ~
We may remain here for several days,
and thence start for Col. Steptoe's battle
ground. -Four Cour d'Alenes bare this ex-
press to the settlements. We await anx-
ionsly the news from more civilized sec
tions. We are now in the mountain fast
nesses. Weather cold at night. Short
rations. Men almost barefoot, but the
command in good spirits, for our successes
have been unprecedented in Indian war
fare. One complete series Of brilliant suc-
cesses, without as yet one reverse. Col
Wright thus far has received The eneomi-
ums Of all and that q kind Providence,
and prudent, discreet, sound judgment on
his part may hereafter guide the remainder
Of his acts while on this expedition, Is tho
only wish Of -